SolarFire v8

Solar Fire Gold 8
User Guide
(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

Contents 3
Table of Contents
Solar Fire User Guide 17
1 Introduction
................................................................................................................... 17
Selected.....................................................................................................
Features 18
Esoteric .....................................................................................................
Technologies Pty Ltd 20
2 Finding
...................................................................................................................
the Information You Need 20
3 Installing
...................................................................................................................
Solar Fire 22
Com puter .....................................................................................................
System Requirem ents 22
Installation
..................................................................................................... 23
First Run.....................................................................................................
Setup Tasks 24
Further Manual
.....................................................................................................
Setup 25
Connecting
.........................................................................................................
to the ACS Atlas 25
Setting
.........................................................................................................
Y our Computers Internal Clock 26
Selecting
.........................................................................................................
a Time Format 27
Selecting
.........................................................................................................
a Date Format 27
Setting
.........................................................................................................
the Def ault Place 28
Pre-Setting
.........................................................................................................
Calculation Options 29
Customising
.........................................................................................................
the Compliments Text 30
4 Finding
...................................................................................................................
Your Way Around Solar Fire 31
Starting Solar
.....................................................................................................
Fire 31
Using Solar
.....................................................................................................
Fire 32
Solar Fire's
.....................................................................................................
Main Screen 32
Menu ......................................................................................................... 33
Toolbar
......................................................................................................... 33
Date and
.........................................................................................................
Place 33
Current
.........................................................................................................
Settings 35
Current
.........................................................................................................
Chart Prev iew 35
Calculated
.........................................................................................................
Charts 37
Solar Liv
.........................................................................................................
e Latest Link Bar 38
Planet.........................................................................................................
Bar 38
Background
......................................................................................................... 39
Exiting from
.....................................................................................................
Solar Fire 40
Using On-line
.....................................................................................................
Help 40
Using the.....................................................................................................
Keyboard 41
Dialog.........................................................................................................
Boxes 41
Short-Cut
.........................................................................................................
Key s 42
Chart Calculation
.....................................................................................................
and Storage 44
A Guided.....................................................................................................
Tour of Solar Fire 46
Casting
.........................................................................................................
a Natal Chart 47
Casting
.........................................................................................................
a Solar Return Chart 48

4 Solar Fire Gold 8
Display
.........................................................................................................
ing or Printing a BiWheel 49
Display
.........................................................................................................
ing or Printing a Sy nastry Grid 49
Changing
.........................................................................................................
Aspects 50
5 Help
...................................................................................................................
and Web Support 51
Encyclopedia
..................................................................................................... 51
Solar Live
..................................................................................................... 52
Register .....................................................................................................
by Em ail 55
Find Program
.....................................................................................................
Updates on Web 56
Get Technical
.....................................................................................................
Support by Em ail 57
Subm it Suggestions
.....................................................................................................
by Em ail 57
Visit Website
..................................................................................................... 58
Other Solar
.....................................................................................................
Products 58
6 Importing
...................................................................................................................
Charts, Files and Settings 59
Where to.....................................................................................................
Im port From 60
What to Im
.....................................................................................................
port 61
Im port Options
..................................................................................................... 62
7 Casting
...................................................................................................................
a New Chart 63
Pre-Setting
.....................................................................................................
Calculation Options 63
The New .....................................................................................................
Chart Data Entry Dialog Box 65
Casting an
.....................................................................................................
Instant Chart for Here and Now 65
Entering .....................................................................................................
the Chart Nam e 66
Entering .....................................................................................................
a Date 67
Entering .....................................................................................................
a Tim e 71
Entering .....................................................................................................
Location Details 72
Entering .....................................................................................................
a Tim e Zone 74
Entering .....................................................................................................
Longitudes and Latitudes 77
Selecting.....................................................................................................
an Event Type 78
Selecting.....................................................................................................
a House System 79
Selecting.....................................................................................................
a Zodiac 79
Selecting.....................................................................................................
a Coordinate System 80
Entering .....................................................................................................
a Source Rating 80
Entering .....................................................................................................
a Source Description 81
Entering .....................................................................................................
Chart Com m ents 82
Entering .....................................................................................................
Life Events 83
Calculating
.....................................................................................................
the New Chart 84
8 Working
...................................................................................................................
with Life Events 84
Editing Life
.....................................................................................................
Events 85
9 Using
...................................................................................................................
the ACS Atlas 88

Contents 5
Adding or
.....................................................................................................
Deleting Place 94
10 Retrieving
...................................................................................................................
Charts From a File 98
Choosing .....................................................................................................
Chart Data Colum ns to Display 99
Selecting
.....................................................................................................
the Required Chart File 101
Searching
.....................................................................................................
All Chart Files 101
Finding .....................................................................................................
a Chart in the Current Chart File 103
Searching
.........................................................................................................
f or Character Strings 104
Perf orming
.........................................................................................................
an Adv anced Search f or Chart Details or Astrological Criteria 105
Selecting
.....................................................................................................
Charts Manually 106
Opening.....................................................................................................
Charts 106
11 Manipulating
...................................................................................................................
Charts in Files 107
Editing Chart
.....................................................................................................
Details 108
Copying.....................................................................................................
Charts 109
Deleting.....................................................................................................
Charts 110
Moving .....................................................................................................
Charts 111
Adding .....................................................................................................
or Editing Chart Com m ents 111
Changing.....................................................................................................
the Chart File Description 112
Printing.....................................................................................................
a Sum m ary of Charts in a File 113
Chart File
.....................................................................................................
Lim itations 114
12 Casting
...................................................................................................................
Subsidiary Charts 114
Selecting
.....................................................................................................
a Base Chart 115
Selecting
.....................................................................................................
or Entering Event Details 116
Entering.....................................................................................................
Subsidiary Date, Tim e and Place Data 117
Casting.....................................................................................................
a Transiting, Progressed or Directed Chart 117
Casting.....................................................................................................
a Return, Ingress or Transit Chart 122
Casting.....................................................................................................
an Harm onic, Transform , Antiscia or Analogue Chart 129
Casting.....................................................................................................
a Com bined Chart 134
Casting.....................................................................................................
a Prenatal Chart 136
Casting.....................................................................................................
a Rising/Setting Chart 139
Casting.....................................................................................................
a Lunar Phase or Eclipse Chart 141
Casting.....................................................................................................
a Locality or Relocated Chart 145
Casting.....................................................................................................
a Vedic Chart 146
13 Saving
...................................................................................................................
Charts to a File 148
14 Backing
...................................................................................................................
Up and Restoring Chart Files 150
15 Manipulating
...................................................................................................................
Calculated Charts 152
Editing a.....................................................................................................
Calculated Chart 152
Toggling .....................................................................................................
Zodiac, Lunar Node or Coordinates 153

6 Solar Fire Gold 8
Deleting.....................................................................................................
Charts from the List of Calculated Charts 155
Retaining
.....................................................................................................
Charts 156
Cloning.....................................................................................................
Charts 157
16 Converting
...................................................................................................................
Chart Files 160
Chart Files
.....................................................................................................
You Can Im port From 161
Chart Files
.....................................................................................................
You Can Export To 162
Starting.....................................................................................................
the Solar Fire Chart Conversion Utility 162
Import
.........................................................................................................
From 163
Sav e.........................................................................................................
To 163
Options
......................................................................................................... 164
..................................................................................................
New Solar Fire Chart Files 165
Def ault..................................................................................................
House Sy stem 165
Def ault..................................................................................................
Zodiac 166
Def ault..................................................................................................
Coordinates 166
ASCII..................................................................................................
Format to Use 167
Converting
.....................................................................................................
Charts 167
17 Emailing
...................................................................................................................
Charts 167
About MAPI
..................................................................................................... 168
Sending.....................................................................................................
Charts By Em ail 168
Selecting
.....................................................................................................
Chart Em ail Options 169
Attach
.........................................................................................................
chart f ile to email 171
Write.........................................................................................................
chart details as text in body of email 172
18 Exporting
...................................................................................................................
Data to Text Files 173
Using the.....................................................................................................
Export Chart Data Dialog 174
Editing ASCII
.....................................................................................................
Definitions 176
Specifying
.....................................................................................................
Record Form at 177
Specifying
.....................................................................................................
the Fields in a Record 178
Available.....................................................................................................
Fields 179
Choosing .....................................................................................................
the Appropriate Fields 182
Lim itations
..................................................................................................... 185
19 Viewing
...................................................................................................................
Charts, Grids and Pages 185
View ing.....................................................................................................
a Single Chart or Grid 185
View ing.....................................................................................................
MultiWheels and Synastry Grids 186
View ing.....................................................................................................
Pages 189
Using the
.....................................................................................................
Page Topic Index 191
Shortcuts
.....................................................................................................
for View ing Multiple Wheels or Charts 193
20 Using
...................................................................................................................
the View Screen Features 195
Using View
.....................................................................................................
Screen Buttons 197
Adjusting
.....................................................................................................
a Chart to a new Tim e or Date 199
Using Dials
.....................................................................................................
and Pointers 202

Contents 7
Editing Properties
.....................................................................................................
of Objects on the Page 207
Direct Access
.....................................................................................................
to the Chart Options m enus 210
21 Copying,
...................................................................................................................
Publishing and Sending Graphics 214
22 Viewing
...................................................................................................................
Interpretations 218
Opening.....................................................................................................
the Interpretations Window 220
Brow sing
.....................................................................................................
the Interpretations 224
Sw itching
.....................................................................................................
Modes 225
Selecting
.....................................................................................................
Inform ation Types 226
Speaking.....................................................................................................
Interpretations 230
Changing.....................................................................................................
Rulerships 231
Changing.....................................................................................................
the Display Options 231
Sending.....................................................................................................
an Interpretations Report to a Word Processor 232
Selecting
.........................................................................................................
a Word Processor 233
Viewing
.........................................................................................................
a Full Interpretations Report 233
Exporting.....................................................................................................
Text to a File 235
Changing .....................................................................................................
the Interpretations File 236
Exiting from
.....................................................................................................
the Interpretations Window 237
23 Viewing
...................................................................................................................
Astro-Locality Maps 238
24 Viewing
...................................................................................................................
the Planetarium 239
Choosing.....................................................................................................
the Coordinate System 240
Choosing.....................................................................................................
the View Direction 241
Choosing.....................................................................................................
the View Heading 242
Choosing.....................................................................................................
a Star 242
View ing.....................................................................................................
a Constellation 243
View ing.....................................................................................................
Inform ation About a Star 243
Anim ating
.....................................................................................................
the Planetarium 244
Printing.....................................................................................................
the Planetarium 244
25 Viewing
...................................................................................................................
Stellarium 244
26 Generating
...................................................................................................................
Chart Reports and Tabulations 245
Descriptions
.....................................................................................................
of the Reports 246
Descriptions
.....................................................................................................
of the Tabulations 256
Report Options
..................................................................................................... 263
Reports.....................................................................................................
or Tabulations for a Single Chart 263
Synastry
.....................................................................................................
Reports 267
Ashtkoot
.....................................................................................................
Reports 268
27 Chart
...................................................................................................................
Search and Electional Search 269
Chart Search
..................................................................................................... 270

8 Solar Fire Gold 8
Electional
.....................................................................................................
Search 273
Specifying
.....................................................................................................
Search Conditions 276
In Sign
......................................................................................................... 277
In House
......................................................................................................... 278
In Aspect
......................................................................................................... 279
In Phase
......................................................................................................... 281
At Position
......................................................................................................... 282
In Dignity
......................................................................................................... 283
Is Planet
......................................................................................................... 284
Consideration
......................................................................................................... 285
Aspect
.........................................................................................................
Pattern 286
Coordinates
......................................................................................................... 287
Chart.........................................................................................................
Details 288
Chart.........................................................................................................
Shape 291
Midpoint
......................................................................................................... 291
Creating
.....................................................................................................
the List of Search Conditions 292
Adding,
.........................................................................................................
Replacing, Deleting or Clearing Conditions 293
Combining
.........................................................................................................
Search Conditions with Boolean Logic 294
Sav ing
.........................................................................................................
and Restoring Lists of Search Conditions 295
Selecting
.........................................................................................................
the Aspect Set and Pattern Points 296
Running
.........................................................................................................
the Search 297
Working
.........................................................................................................
with the Results of a Chart Search 297
Working
.........................................................................................................
with the Results of an Electional Search 302
28 Using
...................................................................................................................
Dynamic Reports and Time Maps 306
Generating
.....................................................................................................
a Dynam ic Report 308
Automated
.........................................................................................................
Date Options 318
Sav ing
.........................................................................................................
and Deleting Selections 320
View ing.....................................................................................................
the Report 321
Description
.........................................................................................................
of Report Lay out 324
Editing
.........................................................................................................
the Report 328
Item .........................................................................................................
Inf o 329
View.........................................................................................................
Chart 330
Viewing
.........................................................................................................
a Dy namic Interpretations Report 331
Copy.........................................................................................................
ing to the Clipboard 332
Printing
.........................................................................................................
the Report 332
Tim e Map
..................................................................................................... 333
29 Using
...................................................................................................................
the Graphic Ephemeris 336
Choosing.....................................................................................................
Ephem eris Options 336
View ing.....................................................................................................
and Printing the Graphic Ephem eris 343
30 Searching
...................................................................................................................
for Eclipses 345
31 Real
...................................................................................................................
Time Clock and Animation 350
How to Setup
.....................................................................................................
Real Tim e Clocks and Anim ations 352
Selecting
.....................................................................................................
Alternative Chart Types 357
Exporting
.....................................................................................................
Anim ated Charts 360
How to Control
.....................................................................................................
the Anim ation 361

Contents 9
32 Generating
...................................................................................................................
an Ephemeris Listing 364
Starting.....................................................................................................
the Ephem eris Generator 364
Setting .....................................................................................................
Ephem eris Options 364
View ing.....................................................................................................
the Ephem eris 367
33 Using
...................................................................................................................
Calendars 369
Calendar.....................................................................................................
Inform ation 371
Setting .....................................................................................................
Calendar Preferences 374
Exporting
.....................................................................................................
Calendar Events 380
34 Printing
...................................................................................................................
from Solar Fire 384
Printing.....................................................................................................
from a View screen 384
Printing.....................................................................................................
w ithout View ing 385
Using the
.....................................................................................................
Print Dialog Box 386
Setting .....................................................................................................
Page Margins 388
Altering.....................................................................................................
Printer Settings 389
Using the
.....................................................................................................
Batch Print Queue 391
Adding
.........................................................................................................
Items to the Print Queue 392
Starting
.........................................................................................................
the Print Queue 392
Clearing
.........................................................................................................
the Print Queue 392
35 Using
...................................................................................................................
the File Manager 393
Selecting.....................................................................................................
a File 396
Selecting.....................................................................................................
a Directory or Folder 396
Creating .....................................................................................................
a File 397
Deleting.....................................................................................................
a File 398
Copying.....................................................................................................
or Renam ing a File 399
Editing a.....................................................................................................
File 400
36 Changing
...................................................................................................................
Chart Options 400
Displayed
.....................................................................................................
Points 401
Current.....................................................................................................
Charts Displayed Points 402
Displayed
.....................................................................................................
Transiting Points 403
Extra Ring
.....................................................................................................
Points 404
Aspect .....................................................................................................
Set 405
Aspected.....................................................................................................
Points 406
Files ..................................................................................................... 407
Wheel Styles
.....................................................................................................
and Dial Styles 407
Proportional
.....................................................................................................
Houses 408
House Expansion
..................................................................................................... 410
Aspect .....................................................................................................
Lines 410
Aspect .....................................................................................................
Glyphs 411

10 Solar Fire Gold 8
Aspect .....................................................................................................
Highlighting and Filtering 412
Aspect
.........................................................................................................
Highlighting 413
Aspect
.........................................................................................................
Filtering 415
Multiw heel
.....................................................................................................
Superim position 417
Color Schem
.....................................................................................................
es 420
Color.........................................................................................................
Depth 427
Changing
.........................................................................................................
the number of colors y our monitor can display 428
Fonts ..................................................................................................... 429
37 Changing
...................................................................................................................
Preferences 431
Saving and
.....................................................................................................
Restoring Settings 431
Save Settings
.....................................................................................................
on Exit 433
Editing Settings
..................................................................................................... 433
Calculations
......................................................................................................... 433
Lunar..................................................................................................
Node Ty pe 433
Black ..................................................................................................
Moon Ty pe 434
Part of..................................................................................................
Fortune Ty pe 435
..................................................................................................
Optional Correction Factors 436
Apply Parallax..................................................................................
Correction to Moon 436
Void Of..................................................................................................
Course 437
Apply Geocentric ..................................................................................
Correction to Latitude 437
Vulcan ..................................................................................................
Calculation 439
..................................................................................................
Ray Weightings 440
MC in..................................................................................................
Polar Regions 441
Progs/Dirns
......................................................................................................... 442
Chart ..................................................................................................
Angle Progression Ty pe 443
Rate f..................................................................................................
or User Def ined Progs 444
Rate ..................................................................................................
f or Primary Directions 445
..................................................................................................
Progression Day Ty pe 445
Rate f..................................................................................................
or User Def ined Directions 446
..................................................................................................
Prog/Dirn Relocation Option 447
Zodiac
......................................................................................................... 448
..................................................................................................
Def ault Zodiac 448
Zodiac..................................................................................................
Application 450
Vedic ..................................................................................................
Warning 450
Houses
......................................................................................................... 451
..................................................................................................
Def ault House Sy stem 451
Asc/MC ..................................................................................................
Display Option 453
..................................................................................................
Composite Chart Houses 454
House..................................................................................................
Sy stem Application 455
Points
......................................................................................................... 455
Gly phs
......................................................................................................... 456
..................................................................................................
Capricorn Gly ph 456
Pluto ..................................................................................................
Gly ph 456
Neptune ..................................................................................................
Gly ph 456
Uranus ..................................................................................................
Gly ph 456
Eris Gly..................................................................................................
ph 456
View.........................................................................................................
Menu 457
Misc ......................................................................................................... 458
Parans .................................................................................................. 458

Contents 11
..................................................................................................
Now Button Precision 458
..................................................................................................
Teacher Settings 459
..................................................................................................
Midpoint Trees 459
Sound..................................................................................................
f or Ev ents 460
Angle..................................................................................................
Rounding 460
Compliments
......................................................................................................... 461
Dates
......................................................................................................... 462
Window ..................................................................................................
f or 2 Digit Y ear Entry 462
Calendar..................................................................................................
Sty le Display Options 463
Interps
......................................................................................................... 464
Places
......................................................................................................... 465
..................................................................................................
Fav ourite Places 465
Current ..................................................................................................
Def ault Place 466
Recently..................................................................................................
Used Places 466
Lookup ..................................................................................................
timezone on each startup 467
Atlas ..................................................................................................
to Use 468
Charts
......................................................................................................... 468
Chart ..................................................................................................
Conv ersion to SFv 6/v 7 Format 468
..................................................................................................
Auto Chart Sav e 469
Chart ..................................................................................................
Data Email Options 470
AutoRun
......................................................................................................... 470
Ephemerides
......................................................................................................... 471
Stations
......................................................................................................... 472
Eclipses
......................................................................................................... 473
Editing the
.....................................................................................................
Toolbar Buttons 474
View ing.....................................................................................................
Panels on the Main Screen 476
38 Editing
...................................................................................................................
a Chart Points File 476
39 Editing
...................................................................................................................
an Extra Dynamic Points File 478
Selecting
.....................................................................................................
Midpoints 480
Selecting
.....................................................................................................
Stars, Arabic Parts, Asteroids & Extra Bodies 482
Selecting
.....................................................................................................
Fixed Positions 483
Saving Your
.....................................................................................................
Selected Extra Points 484
40 Editing
...................................................................................................................
an Asteroid File 484
Using More
.....................................................................................................
Asteroids 487
41 Editing
...................................................................................................................
an Extra Ring Points File 489
42 Editing
...................................................................................................................
a User Defined Points File 493
43 Editing
...................................................................................................................
Interpretations 497
Editing Text
..................................................................................................... 499
Changing.....................................................................................................
Scoring of Balances 501
Changing.....................................................................................................
Aspects Used 504
View ing.....................................................................................................
a Sum m ary of Contents 508
Decom piling
.....................................................................................................
and Com piling 508

Com pacting
.....................................................................................................
the File 510
44 Editing
...................................................................................................................
an Aspect Set 511
Selecting
.....................................................................................................
Advanced Options 515
45 Editing
...................................................................................................................
a Color File 520
46 Editing
...................................................................................................................
an Arabic Parts File 522
47 Editing
...................................................................................................................
a Fixed Stars File 525
Creating.....................................................................................................
a New File 526
Opening.....................................................................................................
an Existing File 527
Saving a.....................................................................................................
File 527
Merging.....................................................................................................
a File 527
Im porting
.....................................................................................................
a Star File from Nova 528
Printing..................................................................................................... 528
Editing Star
.....................................................................................................
Inform ation 529
Changing.....................................................................................................
the Date 533
Sorting .....................................................................................................
the File 534
View ing.....................................................................................................
Stars in the Planetarium 534
48 Editing
...................................................................................................................
a Wheel Design File 535
Creating.....................................................................................................
a New File 536
Opening.....................................................................................................
an Existing File 536
Saving a.....................................................................................................
File 537
Editing the
.....................................................................................................
Design Properties 537
Common
.........................................................................................................
Property Ty pes 539
General
.........................................................................................................
Properties 540
Circles
......................................................................................................... 541
House.........................................................................................................
Lines 542
Cusp.........................................................................................................
Annotation 543
House.........................................................................................................
Numbering 544
Zodiac/Dial
......................................................................................................... 545
Aspect
.........................................................................................................
Lines 549
Planet
.........................................................................................................
Rings and Extra Ring Points 549
Adding .....................................................................................................
a New Circle 551
Deleting.....................................................................................................
a Circle 551
Adding .....................................................................................................
a New Chart 551
Deleting.....................................................................................................
a Chart 552
Setting .....................................................................................................
All Line Colors 552
Editing the
.....................................................................................................
Wheel Description 553
49 Editing
...................................................................................................................
a Dignity/Almuten File 553
Manipulating
.....................................................................................................
Files 554
Editing a.....................................................................................................
Single Definition 556

Contents 13
Calculation
.........................................................................................................
Ty pes 556
Selecting
.........................................................................................................
Points 558
Selecting
.........................................................................................................
Point Modif iers 558
Adding
.........................................................................................................
and Remov ing Points 559
Other.........................................................................................................
Items 560
Editing
.........................................................................................................
Dignity Scores 562
Diurnal
.........................................................................................................
Applicability 565
Selecting
.....................................................................................................
Further Options 565
Triplicities
......................................................................................................... 565
Terms ......................................................................................................... 566
Other.........................................................................................................
Items 568
Adding .....................................................................................................
a New Definition to the List 570
Deleting.....................................................................................................
a Definition 570
50 Editing
...................................................................................................................
a Page Design File 570
Opening.....................................................................................................
the Editing Screen 571
Selecting
.....................................................................................................
Files to Edit 571
The Editing
.....................................................................................................
Process 572
General.....................................................................................................
Description of the Properties 577
General.....................................................................................................
Description of The Objects 583
Captions
......................................................................................................... 583
Chart.........................................................................................................
Wheels 588
Aspect
.........................................................................................................
Grids 594
Planets
......................................................................................................... 596
Signs......................................................................................................... 603
Houses
......................................................................................................... 605
Aspects
......................................................................................................... 607
Dignities
.........................................................................................................
& Ancient 613
Balances
......................................................................................................... 622
Graphical
......................................................................................................... 624
Vedic......................................................................................................... 628
Selecting
.....................................................................................................
and Inserting Page Sizes 630
Editing the
.....................................................................................................
Page Description 634
Saving Files
.....................................................................................................
and Exiting 635
51 Using
...................................................................................................................
the Astrologers Assistant 635
Brow sing
.....................................................................................................
or Editing a Task List 638
Exam ples
.....................................................................................................
of Recording Task Lists 641
Progressed
.........................................................................................................
Composite 641
Viewing
.........................................................................................................
a TriWheel with current progressions and transits 642
Jay nes
.........................................................................................................
Directions 643
52 Using
...................................................................................................................
Birthday Reminders 645
Adding .....................................................................................................
New Birthday Rem inders 645
View ing.....................................................................................................
Birthday Rem inders 646
53 Appointments
...................................................................................................................
Manager 649
Adding,.....................................................................................................
View ing and Modifying Client Details 650

Adding,.....................................................................................................
View ing and Modifying Appointm ents 654
Sending.....................................................................................................
Em ail Appointm ent rem inders 658
Recording
.....................................................................................................
Session Tim e and Content 659
Generating
.....................................................................................................
Receipts 665
Sending.....................................................................................................
a Group Em ail to Clients 666
54 Teachers
...................................................................................................................
and Students 668
Enabling.....................................................................................................
Teachers 669
Capturing
.....................................................................................................
and Distributing Teacher settings 670
Enabling.....................................................................................................
Students 671
Loading.....................................................................................................
Teacher settings 672
Rem oving
.....................................................................................................
Teacher settings 672
55 Astrology
...................................................................................................................
Schools 673
56 Sabian
...................................................................................................................
Symbols 673
Sabian Oracle
..................................................................................................... 673
57 Wheel
...................................................................................................................
Styles and Page Layouts 674
58 Using
...................................................................................................................
the Utilities Menu 679
Editing Menu
.....................................................................................................
Item s 680
Deleting.....................................................................................................
Menu Item s 681
Reordering
.....................................................................................................
the Menu 681
Saving Changes
.....................................................................................................
to the Menu 682
Suggestions
.....................................................................................................
for the Utilities Menu 682
59 Entering
...................................................................................................................
Angles 683
60 Changing
...................................................................................................................
Rulerships and Weightings 684
Rulerships
..................................................................................................... 684
Weightings
..................................................................................................... 685
Starting.....................................................................................................
the Rulerships & Weightings Editor 686
Adding .....................................................................................................
a Set of Rulerships 686
Deleting.....................................................................................................
a Set of Rulerships 686
Editing Rulerships
..................................................................................................... 687
Editing Weightings
..................................................................................................... 687
Exiting from
.....................................................................................................
the Editor 688
61 Compiling
...................................................................................................................
Interpretations 688
Requirem.....................................................................................................
ents 689
Procedure
..................................................................................................... 689
Editing Interpretations
.....................................................................................................
Text 690
Running.....................................................................................................
the Com piler 692

Contents 15
File Locations
..................................................................................................... 694
Input File
.....................................................................................................
Layout 694
Comment
.........................................................................................................
lines 695
Directiv
.........................................................................................................
e lines 695
Key word
.........................................................................................................
lines 696
Text .........................................................................................................
lines 702
62 Symbols
...................................................................................................................
& Abbreviations 703
Zodiac Signs
..................................................................................................... 703
Chart Points
..................................................................................................... 704
Aspects..................................................................................................... 706
63 Rulerships
...................................................................................................................
& Associations 707
64 Calculation
...................................................................................................................
Methods 708
Planets .....................................................................................................
and Chart Points 708
Asteroids
......................................................................................................... 709
Chiron
......................................................................................................... 710
Hy pothetical
.........................................................................................................
and Experimental Planets 710
House.........................................................................................................
Cusps and Chart Angles 710
Ty pical
.........................................................................................................
Speeds 711
Progressed
.....................................................................................................
Charts 712
Directed.....................................................................................................
Charts 713
Return Charts
..................................................................................................... 714
Harm onic
.....................................................................................................
Charts 716
Antiscia.....................................................................................................
and Contra-Antiscia Charts 716
Longitude
.....................................................................................................
Equivalent of Declination Charts 717
Arc Transform
.....................................................................................................
Charts 718
Com bined
.....................................................................................................
Charts 718
Locality.....................................................................................................
Charts 720
Prenatal.....................................................................................................
Charts 721
Bailey
.........................................................................................................
s Prenatal Charts 722
Jay nes
.........................................................................................................
Prenatal Charts 726
..................................................................................................
Calculation Procedure f or Jay nes Prenatal Charts 727
Jay nes ..................................................................................................
Law of Sex 731
Interpreting
.........................................................................................................
Prenatal Charts 732
Ref erences
......................................................................................................... 736
Chart Hylegs
..................................................................................................... 736
Bonatti/Lehman
......................................................................................................... 738
Omar/Bonatti
......................................................................................................... 740
Ptolemy
......................................................................................................... 741
65 Format
...................................................................................................................
of the Orbital Elements File 743
66 Text
...................................................................................................................
and Data Supplied with Solar Fire 747
Chart Data
..................................................................................................... 747
The Scholf
.........................................................................................................
ield Collection 748

The Clif
.........................................................................................................
f ord Data Compendium 749
The Australian
.........................................................................................................
Data Collection 752
Chart Art
..................................................................................................... 752
Interpretations
.....................................................................................................
Text 753
Fixed Stars
.....................................................................................................
Data and Text 756
Arabic Parts
..................................................................................................... 757
Asteroids
..................................................................................................... 757
Eclipses..................................................................................................... 757
67 Bibliography
................................................................................................................... 758
General.....................................................................................................
Astrology 758
Predictive
.....................................................................................................
Astrology 758
Locational
.....................................................................................................
Astrology 759
Medieval.....................................................................................................
& Classical Astrology 759
Esoteric.....................................................................................................
Astrology 759
Other Specialised
.....................................................................................................
Topics 760
Astronom.....................................................................................................
ical Calculations and Com puting 761
68 Changes
...................................................................................................................
from Version 7.x to Version 8 762
69 Technical
...................................................................................................................
Details 763
Backing.....................................................................................................
Up 764
Uninstalling
.....................................................................................................
Solar Fire 765
File Types
..................................................................................................... 766
Sw iss Ephem
.....................................................................................................
eris Files 767
Files and
.....................................................................................................
Paths 768
70 Technical
...................................................................................................................
Support 770
Index 773

Solar Fire User Guide
1 Introduction
Solar Fire is a state-of-the-art astrology software
package for Windows on a PC. Solar Fire is intuitive,
easy-to-use calculation software, designed for both
novice and expert astrologers alike, and it provides easy
access to high-quality chart production using the
Windows visual interface.
Solar Fire includes natal, progressed, directed, solar,
lunar and any planet or asteroid return, composite,
harmonic, lunar phase, rise/set and prenatal charts, with a
flexible selection of aspect sets, chart point sets, and
database files for chart and place detail storage. It also
includes flexible and powerful dynamic transit and
progression reporting over any specified time period, plus
novel options for sorting and viewing output graphically
for maximised readability.
It is possible to view interpretations of any natal chart or
of any dynamic report event interactively on the screen,
by simply clicking on items in the chart or report. Synastry
interpretations are also included for any pair of charts.
Both interpretations of individual charts plus general
definitions of a large variety of astrological categories are
included. It is possible to edit or append your own text to
that supplied with the program.
Chart viewing includes an aspectarian inside the chart
wheel (or as a separate tabulation, if preferred), plus dual
wheels, biwheels, triwheels or even quadriwheels for
displaying combinations of two or more charts, and

synastry grids. Chart points can be viewed in color, as

can the zodiac sign glyphs.
Reports include sorted listings of standard chart analysis
details, lunar phasing, modalities and elements, plus
additional listings of aspects, rulerships and
dispositorships, both traditional and esoteric, and
midpoints listings, midpoint trees and axes, fixed star and
Arabic Parts positions and aspects.
There are 50 standard chart points to choose from,
including planets, moons, chart angles, trans-neptunians,
asteroids and other minor bodies. There are also
additional sets of asteroids, fixed stars, Arabic parts, and
midpoints, for example.
Solar Fire has aspect sets selectable from the 1st to the
12th harmonic, with glyphs and colors for each, plus the
ability to accept user defined aspect of any type.
1.1 Selected Features

Holds up to 15 chart pages in "video memory" for
instantaneous viewing.
Allows on-screen viewing of a large variety of
astrological definitions and interpretations, including
interpretations of each planet and asteroid in each sign
and house, plus interpretations of each planet in aspect
to every other planet (using six different aspect types).
There is also information relating to decanates and
individual degrees of the chart, amongst many other
categories.
Displays high-clarity, high-resolution charts on the
screen using the maximum resolution of any screen
device.

Chart point and aspect colors are user selectable.

Includes all commonly used chart-type calculation
methods.
Computes composite charts for a pair of individuals or
for an entire family or group of up to 15 individuals.
Includes 30 different house systems.
Creates any number of named aspect sets with user-
definable orbs. Any one of these can be selected to be
used in computing charts by simple mouse operation.
Prints charts to the maximum resolution of any printer,
including high-resolution laser printers and inkjet
printers.
Contains an atlas with more than 250,000 location
names, positions and time zones with full daylight
savings history, accessible by simple mouse operation.
Allows creation of any number of chart database files
from which records can be retrieved, copied or deleted
A large selection of different wheel styles and page
layouts, plus the ability to easily design your own.
Supports color printers. Aspect lines, planets and signs
can be printed in color.
Copies charts to the Windows clipboard for use in
word-processing or drawing programs, and can also
export as a PDF file.
Charts, chart data and page displays and may be
emailed in one step, when used with a MAPI compliant
email program.

1.2 Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

The Esoteric Technologies team has created the Solar Fire
astrology software program and the range of Solar Suite
products. Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd is an Australian
company specialising in technology. Esoteric Technologies’
director is Stephanie Johnson.
Stephanie is one of the founders of Esoteric Technologies

and has a major role in the ongoing development of Solar
Fire including authoring Solar Fire's Interpretation text files.
Stephanie is the Marketing Director of Esoteric
Technologies and is also a consulting astrologer.
She holds a Practitioner's Certificate and Diploma from the
Federation of Australian Astrologers and holds a B.A. in
journalism and has been a freelance journalist reporting on
current affairs, women's issues, the environment, politics
and the arts.
Neville Lang is a past Technical Director of Esoteric

Technologies, developing the Solar suite of products from
2007 - 2009. He is also the author of Astracadabra, the
astrology program for Pocket PCs. Neville has been a keen
student of astrology since 1970 studying the various
techniques of western and vedic astrology. He has also
been in the computer industry since 1970 and has been a
full-time software developer since 1986.
Graham Dawson was one of the founders of Esoteric

Technologies and one of the founding authors of the Solar
suite of astrology programs
2 Finding the Information You Need
If you are new to the Solar Fire program, then you
should first read the sections Installing Solar Fire and
Finding Your Way Around Solar Fire. This presents some
basic information about the manner in which the program

operates.
If you are familiar with the basic concepts and method of
operation, but you wish to find out how to achieve a
specific task, then you may like to refer to relevant
chapters in the body of the manual as the need arises.
If you are upgrading your version of Solar Fire from
earlier versions, then you may wish to refer to the section
that contains a summary of differences between this
version and older versions.
If you wish to find out by which methods charts have
been calculated, or how certain information in a report has
been produced, and other advanced topics, then you will
need to refer to the on-line user guide instead of the
printed (or PDF) manual. Due to the very comprehensive
nature of Solar Fire, the printed manual cannot contain
detailed information on every aspect of the program. The
most detailed (and generally most up-to-date) information
and help can always be obtained through Solar Fire’s on-
line help facilities.
>> To get context sensitive information or help

anywhere in Solar Fire
Use the F1 key.
>> To get access to the full on-line user guide and

help
Use the F1 key from anywhere in Solar Fire – this
opens the on-line guide to a location relevant to
your current location in Solar Fire.
Use Solar Fire User Guide… from the Help
menu – this opens the on-line user guide at the

contents page, and you can look through the list of

contents to find what you need.
3 Installing Solar Fire
3.1 Computer System Requirements

Before installing the program, ensure that you have all
the hardware and software you need to run Solar Fire:
A PC or compatible computer with a Pentium
processor (or equivalent)
CD or DVD drive
Windows 98, 98SE, ME, NT4, 2000, XP, Vista or
later. (Windows XP, Vista or 7 recommended)
For Windows 98, 98SE - 32 MB of RAM minimum
(64 MB of RAM or more recommended)
For Windows ME, NT4 - 40 MB of RAM minimum
(80 MB of RAM or more recommended)
For Windows 2000 - 72 MB of RAM minimum (144
MB of RAM or more recommended)
For Windows XP - 128 MB of RAM minimum (256
For Windows Vista - 256 MB of RAM minimum (512
For Windows 7 - 256 MB of RAM minimum (512 MB
of RAM or more recommended)
SVGA (800x600 pixels) monitor and adapter with 256
or more colors (XGA 1024x768 pixels or higher
resolution modes with True Color is recommended)

A hard disk drive with at least 130Mb of free disk

space (or about 60Mb for a compact installation with
minimal features installed)
Internet access is recommended
3.2 Installation
>> To Install Solar Fire
1. Insert the Solar Fire installation CD into your CD
ROM drive
2. After a short delay, the installation will start. (If it does
not start automatically then use Start/Run/Browse to find
INSTALL.EXE on the CD, and then click on the OK
button to run it.)
3. The installation program will guide you through the
subsequent steps. You will be shown licensing information
and any other important last minute information before the
installation goes ahead.
4. You will also be prompted to enter your name, serial
number and password as supplied to you by your vendor.
Note that you must enter these three items exactly as they
as given to you, including the same spelling and spacing.
5. You may then choose the location for your
installation. Unless you are familiar with folders and
directories, and have a reason for altering the suggested
location, then it is recommended that you proceed without
altering the suggested location.
6. You can then choose one of the following setup types
Typical – This installs the entire program with all
options included. This is the recommended option
for most users.

Compact – This installs the program with a reduced

ephemeris range and no additional asteroid
ephemerides. This option is recommended for those
users who wish to conserve space on their
computers, and have no interest in charts prior to
1200BC or after 3000AD, or in the additional
asteroids.
Custom – This allows you to choose exactly which
items to install. This option is only recommended for
expert users who are re-installing parts of the
program.
If You are Re-installing Solar Fire

The installation program will find your existing installation
location and suggest that you re-install it there.
If You are Upgrading from an Earlier Version of

Solar Fire
It is recommended that you install Solar Fire into its own
new folder instead of into the same folder of your earlier
version. Note that Solar Fire allows you to import copies
of your old charts, files and other settings from your
earlier version. Solar Fire will ask you if you wish to do
this when it first runs.
3.3 First Run Setup Tasks
The first time that Solar Fire runs after it has been
installed, you will be prompted to allow some initial setup
tasks to be performed.
These initial tasks are
Checking for program updates via the Internet – if

an update it found, then it is recommended that you

download and install it before proceeding further. If
you do not have an Internet connection, or you
would prefer not to do this now, you can do so at
any later time by choosing the appropriate option
from the Help menu.
Importing Charts, Files and Settings from an earlier
version of Solar Fire – this option is available only if
you still have an earlier version of Solar Fire on your
computer. If you prefer not to do this now, you can
do it at any later time by selecting the appropriate
option from the Utilities menu.
Obtaining the “Solar Live” list of links via the
Internet – this will ensure that you have the latest
available information. If you prefer not to do this
now, you can do so at any later time by choosing
the appropriate option from the Help menu.
3.4 Further Manual Setup
3.4.1 Connecting to the ACS Atlas
Besides having it's own built-in ACS Atlas, Solar Fire

interfaces seamlessly with the stand-alone ACS atlases if
you have one of them installed on your computer. Solar
Fire works with:
ACS PC Atlas, version 2.x or 3.x
ACS PC Atlas for Windows
ACS PC Mini Atlas
Solar Fire does not work with the ACS PC Atlas

version 1.x for DOS. If you try to use an ACS Atlas while
running Solar Fire and get the error message “Invalid
TIMZON.BIN file”, it means that you have the ACS PC
Atlas version 1. In this case, contact your dealer to have it
upgraded to a current version.
>> To connect to an ACS Atlas

If you have a standalone ACS Atlas already on your
hard disk, then Solar Fire will connect with it
automatically. However, you can specify between the
built-in or standalone atlases in Solar Fire by clicking on
the Places tab of the Preferences dialog. See Places for
more details.
3.4.2 Setting Your Computers Internal Clock
On its Main Screen, Solar Fire has a constantly updated

display of current planetary positions. In several of its
data-input screens it has a “Now” button that
automatically inserts the current date and time. For these
features to work correctly, you should ensure that your
computer’s internal clock is correctly set.
Most modern computers with internet connections will
not need adjusting, as they automatically check and
synchronize their clocks via the internet. However, some
older computers may not keep accurate time, or you may
want to change from Standard to Daylight or Summer
time or vice-versa, if Windows has not done this for you
automatically.
>> To set the computer’s internal clock

Click on the current date or time panel of the status bar

across the top of the main screen of Solar Fire. This will
open up the Control Panel dialog that allows you to reset
the date and time as required.
3.4.3 Selecting a Time Format
To choose between AM/PM and 24-hour time format,

you also need to use the Windows control panel. Solar
Fire lets you enter time in virtually any format - the time
format you select here determines how times are written in
Solar Fire displays and printouts. Your computer will
probably already be preset to whatever time format is
usually used in your country.
>> To reset the time format

From the Windows Control Panel, select the “Regional
Settings” icon. In the “Time” tab or area of the screen,
you can select various time format options, including
whether a 12hr or 24hr clock is used, and how AM/PM
is displayed.
3.4.4 Selecting a Date Format
In most cases the computer will already be preset to

show dates using the normal convention for your country.
Solar Fire displays dates in its own format, but decides on
whether to show the International order (Day, Month,
Year) or the American order (Month, Day, Year)
according to the format that you select with in the Control
Panel.

>> To reset the date format

From the Windows Control Panel, select the “Regional
Settings” icon. In the “Date” tab or area of the screen,
you can select various date format options, including the
order in which the day and month appear.
3.4.5 Setting the Default Place
On its Main Screen, Solar Fire has a constantly updated

display of the current Ascendant and Midheaven for
whatever location is currently selected as the default
place. When you first install Solar Fire, this default place
will probably not be set to the place where you currently
live. It is recommended that you set the default place to
the location where you are currently living, so that the
displayed Ascendant and Midheaven will be correct for
you own location. Solar Fire also uses the default place
that you set as a “first guess” whenever you choose to
relocate a chart to a new location. If this is set to your
current location, then this guess will probably often be
correct, and this will save you from having to enter new
location details needlessly.
>> To set the default place

1. Click on the Place panel of the Date and Place
status bar.
2. If your current location is one that is already listed
in the list of Favourite Places, then select it with the
mouse.
3. Otherwise click on the Add… button to open the
Atlas and either find your location or enter it a new

location. See Using the ACS Atlas for full

instructions on choosing a place from the Atlas.
4. Once your location appears on the list of favourite
places, then select it with the mouse and select the
Set as Default button.
5. You can then click on the Save button to return to
the Main Screen.
The location shown in the status bar at the top of the

Main Screen will now show the newly saved location, and
the Ascendant and Midheaven will be correct for this
location.
You will need to update the default place details in the
same way whenever you move with your computer to a
new place.
3.4.6 Pre-Setting Calculation Options
Solar Fire is shipped to you with the most commonly

used chart options already selected for you. Choices like
house system, coordinate system and zodiac are easy to
find, as they appear on the “New Chart Data Entry”
screen itself. However, there are some less frequently
used options that can be set in the “Preferences” dialog of
Solar Fire, and you may like to set them before you start
calculating charts.
Geocentric Latitude Correction
Lunar Parallax Correction
Lunar Node Type
Zodiac

Angle Progressions
Progression Day Type
User Progression Rate
Primary Direction Rate
Vulcan Calculation
Part of Fortune
These options are described in detail in Changing

Preferences.
3.4.7 Customising the Compliments Text
Most chart and grid pages printed from Solar Fire

contain some text placed on a corner of the page that
gives the name and address of your software supplier.
You can alter this text to display your own name and
address (or any customised message) if you wish.
>> To change the compliments text

1. Select the Edit Settings… item from the
Preferences menu on the Main Screen.
2. Select the Compliments tab.
3. This will display six lines of text that you can freely
edit.
4. When you click on the Save button, any charts
subsequently printed will display the newly edited
compliments text, and this text will also be
permanently retained by Solar Fire for future
sessions.

4 Finding Your Way Around Solar Fire

We have designed the Solar Fire program to be flexible
and easy to use. There are often several different ways of
achieving the same objective, and it is up to each
individual user to decide the manner in which they prefer
to proceed.
Most operations, such as casting a new chart, will be
very easy to learn for those who are experienced
astrologers, and the intuitive manner of operation of the
program should enable inexperienced astrologers to
proceed almost as quickly.
To facilitate data entry and selection, most have default
values, so that it is not necessary to enter new data every
time the screen is used. Generally, whenever a dialog box
is called up, it will initially contain all the values that were
entered into that box the last time it was used. For
example, when a new chart is cast, the chart's name, date,
time, location, house type etc. are all retained. The next
time that a new chart is cast, it will only be necessary to
update the items that need to be changed. This makes it
very quick and easy to generate the same chart with a
different house system, or with a slightly different birth
time, for example.
4.1 Starting Solar Fire

>> To start Solar Fire
Activate the Solar Fire icon on your desktop, or
From the Start button menu select Programs / Solar
Fire / Solar Fire Gold, or

Find and open the Solar Fire folder, and then double-
click the Solar Fire Gold program icon.
When the program loads, an initial screen will be

displayed showing an end-user license message. The first
time the program is run after installation, you must click on
the OK button to acknowledge the license agreement. On
subsequent occasions, this screen will disappear
automatically after a few seconds.
4.2 Using Solar Fire

When you start Solar Fire, the main screen appears,
ready for you to create charts. To use the program, you
will need to be able to select menu items and command
buttons, enter information into dialog boxes, and use scroll
bars and list boxes. If you are unfamiliar with using menus,
dialog boxes, list boxes and scroll bars, then it is desirable
that you read your Windows documentation to familiarise
yourself with these concepts.
4.3 Solar Fire's Main Screen

Solar Fire’s main screen consists of the following
components.
Menu
Toolbar
Date and Place
Current Settings
Current Chart Preview

Calculated Charts
Solar Live Latest Link
Planet Bar
Background
Each of these is described in more detail in the following
sections. Note that you can switch off some of these
components by using options under the Preferences
menu.
4.3.1 Menu
The menu provides access to all the available functions

and actions that Solar Fire can perform. Some menu items
can be activated by shortcuts – either particular key
combinations, or via toolbar buttons or the current settings
panel, for example.
4.3.2 Toolbar
The toolbar contains a range of graphical buttons that

provide shortcuts to various items within Solar Fire. It
may be customised by changing the selection or ordering
of the buttons it contains, and can also be switched off
altogether if you prefer. See Editing the Toolbar Buttons
for instructions on customising the toolbar.
4.3.3 Date and Place
The Date and Place bar contains the current system date
and time, the current Ascendant and Midheaven positions,
and the current place name and timezone details. If the

details shown are incorrect then you can change them as

follows.
>> To change the date

Click on the date box in this panel. This will display the
control panel utility that allows you to adjust the date on
your computer system.
>> To change the time

Click on the time box in this panel. This will display the
control panel utility that allows you to adjust the date on
your computer system.
>> To change the place

Click on the place box in this panel. This will display the
Preferences dialog for editing and selecting your current
location from an atlas. See Current Default Place for more
details. Changing the place will usually result in the correct
timezone being displayed as well.
>> To change the timezone

Click on the timezone box in this panel. This will display
a timezone selection panel from which you can select the
correct timezone.
Note: The Ascendant and Midheaven positions are

calculated according to the date, time and place details as
displayed in the other boxes on this panel. However,
other options that affect these positions are
The Geocentric Latitude Correction – See Apply

Geocentric Correction to Latitude for further

information.
The Default Zodiac type – See Default Zodiac for
further information.
4.3.4 Current Settings
The current setting panel displays a range of items that

reflect how various options have been set. For example,
the name of the currently selected displayed points file,
aspect set, default zodiac and screen colors are all shown
here.
As well as allowing you to see what options are in effect,

this panel provides a shortcut to altering these options,
simply by clicking on the option you wish to change. For
example, clicking on the Displayed Points area will cause
the File Manager to appear with a list of displayed point
selections, allowing you to select an alternative file or
perform various other functions.
4.3.5 Current Chart Preview
The current chart preview panel displays a preview style

wheel (see Wheel Styles and Dial Styles) and chart details
of whichever calculated chart is currently selected – or
optionally the wheel may be switched off and just chart
details and comments displayed. The chart’s astrological
settings, such as its coordinates, house system and zodiac
are shown at the upper right of the preview window. Any
such settings that differ from Solar Fire’s current defaults
for those settings are highlighted to draw your attention to

them.
>> To change the chart preview display type

Use a right hand mouse click while the mouse is over the
Chart Preview panel.
This will display a pop-up menu with the following
options.
Chart Wheel – Display a preview chart wheel with
small captions
Chart Details – Display larger chart captions
Chart Details & Comments – Display chart
captions and chart comments (if any)
Preview Wheel Style – Allowing you to select an
alternative wheel style to display
The following information is also displayed just below
the preview window.
Save Status – This is a caption that indicates
whether or not this chart is already saved in a chart
file. The text can be “Not Saved”, “Saved”,
“Retained” or “Cannot be Saved”. If the current
chart was opened from a file, or was saved to a file,
then hovering the mouse over this item causes a
pop-up hint to appear showing the filename and
record number of the chart, and clicking on this item
will cause the Chart Open dialog to appear,
displaying this file and highlighting this chart entry in
it.
Comments – This is text that indicates whether or
not any comments have been added to this chart,
and if so how many characters of text. Clicking on
this item will open up the comments editing dialog in

which you can see the comments and edit them if

you wish.
Events – This is text that indicates whether or not
any life events have been added to this chart, and if
so how many events. Clicking on this item will open
up the events editing dialog in which you can see the
events and add, delete or edit them if you wish.
4.3.6 Calculated Charts
The calculated charts panel contains a list of all the

charts that are currently available in Solar Fire.
You can add to this list by casting new charts, opening
saved charts, or generating subsidiary charts using various
options in the Chart menu.
You can select any number of charts in this list by using
the mouse and Ctrl or Shift keys. (The Current Chart
Preview panel will always display the details of the most
recently selected chart.) Some function in Solar Fire will
allow all your selected charts to be processed, whilst
others can work only with the single current chart. For
example, when you choose View / Current Chart or
Chart / Save to File, all the selected charts will be
processed. However, when you choose Interps / View,
only the current chart is used.
You can also delete charts from this list if you wish.

4.3.7 Solar Live Latest Link Bar
The Solar Live bar panel displays the most recently

added item in the Solar Live list of internet links.
You can display the full list of Solar Live links by clicking
on this panel.
4.3.8 Planet Bar
The planet bar panel contains the current positions of the

ten main chart bodies, as well as information on lunar
phases and eclipses. Planets that are currently in
retrograde motion are shown in red, and those that are
direct are shown in black. These positions are
automatically updated on a regular basis.
You can get further information about each planet or
item by moving the mouse over its box. This will cause a
“hint” type message to appear, giving the following
information.
The Moon and the Sun – Sign, date and time of last
sign ingress, and of next sign ingress.
Other Planets – Date and time and position of last
and next planetary station.
Lunar Phases - Date and time of the last and next
new or full moon.
Eclipses - Date, time and eclipse type of the last and
next eclipses.

4.3.9 Background
The background of the main screen may be customised

to show either a uniform color or a user-selected graphic.
>> To set the main screen background options

Click the right-hand mouse button anywhere over the
background area of the main screen.
This will bring up a pop-up menu with the following
options.
Background Graphic… - This will display a file
selection dialog allowing you to browse for a
graphic file that you wish to display. This must be a
file of type *.bmp, *.rle, *.gif, *.jpg, *.jpeg, *.wmf,
*.emf, *.ico. Once selected the graphic will be
either tiled or stretched according to the option
selected below.
Background Color… - This will display a color
selection dialog allowing you to select any desired
color. Note that you must clear any existing graphic
file before this change will take effect.
Clear Graphic – This will clear any graphic file that
has been previously selected, in which case the
current background color will be applied.
Tile – If a graphic file is being displayed, this will tile
the graphic to fill the entire background area.
Stretch - If a graphic file is being displayed, this will
stretch the graphic to fill the entire background area.

4.4 Exiting from Solar Fire

>> To exit from the program
Select the Exit option from the Chart menu. If you have
cast any new charts during your session that have not
been saved, then the program will prompt you to save
them as part of the exit procedure.
4.5 Using On-line Help

Solar Fire has comprehensive on-line help, which can be
invoked from anywhere within the program.
>> To invoke help from any screen

Press the F1 key. This will call up a Windows help
screen containing information about whichever screen or
control currently has the focus. This is known as context
sensitive help.
>> To invoke help from the menu

Select the Contents option from the Help Menu -This
will display the contents page of the on-line help file.
Once the help screen is displayed, it is possible to
navigate through the text and topics as desired, and to
select any of the options that are available in Windows
help files.

4.6 Using the Keyboard

Although Windows is most easily used with a mouse,
use of the keyboard is compulsory for certain data entry
items, and it is possible to perform almost all operations
from the keyboard instead of the mouse if this is desired.
Additionally, there are various "short-cut" keys that
enable some tasks to be invoked more quickly from the
keyboard then by using a mouse.
4.6.1 Dialog Boxes
Movement and editing within a dialog box may be

carried out according to the key definitions as described
in your Windows manual. A brief reminder of some of
these keys follows.
TAB Move from option to option

SHIFT+TAB Move from option to option in reverse order
ALT+character Move to option whose letter matches
character
Arrow key Move cursor within a data box
HOME Move cursor to start of data within a data
box
END Move cursor to end of data within a data
box
INSERT Toggle between type over and insert modes
DELETE Delete the next character or the selected text
BACKSPACE Delete the previous character
ENTER Activate the dialog box's default command
button
SHIFT+cursor Select text across which cursor moves

When the text in a dialog box is selected (highlighted),

then typing any text will cause the existing text to be
deleted. To avoid this, use the END or cursor keys to
switch off the selection of text before typing any
characters.
4.6.2 Short-Cut Keys
A variety of short-cut keys have been defined within

Solar Fire to facilitate the activation of certain frequently
used menu options without having to use the mouse. Each
short-cut key combination activates an item from the
menu. A list of these keys follows.
F1 Context sensitive help

F2 New chart
F3 Open chart
F4 Progressed chart
F5 Return chart
F6 Harmonic chart
F7 Combined chart
F8 Prenatal chart
F9 Rising/Setting chart
F11 Lunar Phase chart
F12 Save chart to file
CTRL+F1 Dual Wheels
CTRL+F2 BiWheel
CTRL+F3 TriWheel
CTRL+F4 QuadriWheel
CTRL+F5 Synastry grid
CTRL+F6 User defined page
CTRL+F7 Planetarium

CTRL+F8 Solar Maps

CTRL+A Aspect set
CTRL+C View current chart
CTRL+D Displayed points
CTRL+E Edit current chart
CTRL+G View current chart+grid
CTRL+H View current grid
CTRL+I View Interpretations
CTRL+L Toggle lunar node type
CTRL+N Edit chart events
CTRL+P Print chart/s
CTRL+R Restore settings
CTRL+S Save settings
CTRL+T Aspected Points
CTRL+V View last image
CTRL+Z Toggle chart zodiac
SHIFT+F1 Reports for current chart
SHIFT+F2 Synastry reports
SHIFT+F3 Dynamic report
SHIFT+F4 Graphic Ephemeris
SHIFT+F5 Eclipse Search
SHIFT+F6 Electional Search
SHIFT+F12 Locality chart
SHIFT+INS Edit chart comments
DEL Delete current chart
CTRL+INS Copy&edit current chart
When you are viewing interpretations in the

interpretations window, the following short-cut keys apply
F2 Previous information type

F3 Next information type

CTRL+C Current Chart Mode

CTRL+G General Mode
4.7 Chart Calculation and Storage

When the Solar Fire program saves and reads charts to
and from chart databases, only the chart details are stored
e.g. name, date, time, location, etc.. Planetary positions
and house cusp positions are not stored in a chart
database file.
However, once a new chart is cast in the program or
opened from a chart database, all planetary positions and
house cusps are calculated and stored until the user exits
from the program. These are known as "Calculated
Charts", and the main screen displays a list of all such
charts in a list box.
It is only possible to display a chart, aspect grid, report,
or to generate any subsidiary charts, after that chart has
been calculated and is listed in the "Calculated Charts" list
box on the main screen.
Calculated charts can be of any type - natal, progressed,
return, composite, harmonic, etc.
The following table summarises which chart types may
be used in each type of operation. The symbol denotes
that it is possible to perform the operation in the left hand
column on the chart type at the top of that column.
The chart operations are as follows.
Open To retrieve chart details from a chart file and

calculate the chart
Save To store the details of a chart to a chart database file

Edit To copy and edit an existing calculated chart

Delete To delete a chart from the list of calculated charts
Retain To retain calculated charts for use in future sessions
Progress To calculate a progressed or directed chart from a
base chart
Return To calculate a planet or asteroid return chart from a
base chart
Combine To calculate a combined chart from two or more base
charts
Harmonic To calculate an harmonic or arc transform chart from
a base chart
Antiscia To calculate an antiscia or contra-antiscia chart from
a base chart
Locality To calculate a relocated or locality chart from a base
chart
View To view a calculated chart or aspect grid on the
screen or to print it
Report To generate a report from a base chart
Dynamic To generate a transits/progressions report or
graphic ephemeris from a base chart
Charts which are equivalent to Natal are - Return,

Ingress, Transit, Davison, Lunar Phase, Lunar Phase
Return, Rise/Set, Prenatal, Relocated
Calculated Chart Type

Operation Natal or Progressed Composite/ Antiscia/
Equivalent /Directed Coalescent Harmonic Contra-
antiscia
Open
Save
Edit - - - -
Delete

Calculated Chart Type

Operation Natal or Progressed Composite/ Antiscia/
Equivalent /Directed Coalescent Harmonic Contra-
antiscia
Retain
Progress - - - -
Return - - - -
Combine -
Harmonic -
Antiscia -
Locality
View
Report
Dynamic
4.8 A Guided Tour of Solar Fire

Once you’ve carried out a few simple tasks in Solar
Fire, you’ll probably be able to run most of the program
without reference to the manual. This section takes you
through the basic tasks and gives you an idea of the many
things that Solar Fire can do.
If you have never used any version of Solar Fire before,
then the easiest way to learn the program is to go through
this chapter and try out each operation that is described.
If you are eager to plunge in on your own, we recommend
that you start with the tasks labeled with an asterisk (*),
below.
If you have already used earlier versions of Solar Fire,
then you can skip most of this section, simply noting the
parts that are new.

Starting Solar Fire (*)

Casting a natal chart (*)
Casting a solar return chart (*)
Viewing and printing a biwheel
Viewing and printing a synastry grid
Changing the aspect set and redrawing a chart
4.8.1 Casting a Natal Chart
The steps involved in calculating and displaying or

printing a new natal chart are as follows.
1. Select the New... option from the Chart menu on

the main screen.
2. Enter all the natal details, including name, date,
time, place and timezone. (It is possible to use the
Place... or Zone... buttons to choose an existing
location or timezone.)
3. Select a house system, coordinate system and
zodiac type from the available choices on the
screen. (Normally, western astrologers use
Placidus or Koch houses, geocentric coordinates
and the tropical zodiac.)
4. Optionally select a chart type, chart ratings and
source comment.
5. Click on the OK button. The program will then
calculate all the planetary positions and house
cusps, and add the chart to the list of Calculated
Charts on the main screen.
6. Select the Current Chart option from the View

menu on the main screen.

7. To print the chart on your printer, select the Print...
button from the "View Chart" screen, or select the
Print Chart... option from the View menu on the
main screen.
4.8.2 Casting a Solar Return Chart
The steps involved in calculating and displaying or

printing a solar return chart are as follows.
1. Either cast a new chart or open the existing chart

for which you wish to generate a solar return chart.
2. Select the Return & Ingress... option from the
Chart menu on the main screen.
3. Select the chart that you wish to use by clicking on
the charts list, and ensure that the selected
calculation method is "Solar Return".
4. Optionally enter a date and select which solar
return you require, and the details of the place for
which you wish the solar return to be calculated. (It
is possible to use the "Location" option buttons or
the Place... or Zone... buttons to choose an
existing location or timezone.)
5. Click on the OK button - The program will then
calculate all the planetary positions and house
cusps, and add the chart to the list of Calculated
6. Select the Current Chart option from the View
7. To print the chart on your printer, select the Print...

button from the "View Chart" screen, or select the

Print Chart... option from the View menu on the
main screen.
4.8.3 Displaying or Printing a BiWheel
The steps involved in displaying or printing a biwheel

chart are as follows.
1. Either cast new charts or open the existing charts

that you wish to use in the biwheel.
2. Select the BiWheel... option from the View menu
on the main screen.
3. Select the charts that you wish to place on the inner
and outer wheels by clicking on the charts list and
the positions list.
4. Click on the View button - The biwheel will then
be drawn on the "View Chart" screen.
5. To print the biwheel on your printer, select the
Print... button from the "View Chart" screen, or
repeat the first 3 steps above and then select
Print... button from the "BiWheel Selection" dialog
box.
4.8.4 Displaying or Printing a Synastry Grid
The steps involved in displaying or printing a synastry

grid are as follows.
1. Either cast new charts or open the existing charts

that you wish to use in the grid.

2. Select the Synastry Grid... option from the View

3. Select the charts that you wish to place across and
down the grid by clicking on the charts list and the
positions list.
4. Click on the View button - The grid will then be
drawn on the "View Chart" screen.
5. To print the grid on your printer, select the Print...
button from the "View Chart" screen, or repeat the
first 3 steps above and then select Print... button
from the "Synastry Grid Selection" dialog box.
4.8.5 Changing Aspects
The usual steps involved in changing the aspect set and

viewing a chart with the new aspect set are as follows.
1. Select the Aspect Set... option from the Chart

Options menu on the main screen.
2. Select the name of an alternative aspect set from
the list, and click on the Select button. (It is
possible to first create or edit the contents of an
existing aspect set by clicking on the Create... or
Edit... buttons.)
3. Select the Last Image option from the View menu
on the main screen - The last image that you
created will then appear on the "View Chart"
screen. In order to redraw any of the existing chart
images with new aspect set:
4. Click on the required entry in the list of images.
5. Select the ReDraw button from the "View Chart"

screen.
5 Help and Web Support

In order to use any of the automated email options in
Solar Fire, you must have a MAPI compliant email
program. See About MAPI for further information.
However, note that if your email program cannot be
configured for MAPI, you can still create your own email
and paste the email data created by Solar Fire into the
body of the email.
In order to run any of the internet related functions of
Solar Fire, you need either to be already connected to the
internet when you run them, or to have the possibility of
connecting when prompted to do so.
5.1 Encyclopedia
>> To open the on-line Encylopedia
Select the Encyclopedia menu item from the
Help menu
This encyclopedia contains definitions and
articles from Nicholas deVore's original
'Encyclopedia of Astrology' with edits and
updates by Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd,
2008. Nicholas deVore, 1882-1960, was
President of the New York based Astrological
Research Society.

5.2 Solar Live

Solar Live is a utility via which we provide (and regularly
update) various internet links that may be of use and
interest to Solar Fire users and to astrologers in general.
>> To open the Solar Live dialog

Select the Solar Live menu item from the Help menu,
OR
Click on the Solar Live status bar on the main screen
of Solar Fire
This will attempt a connection to the internet to
determine whether any updates are available for the list of
links, and if so download them. The Solar Live dialog is
then displayed.
The list if links is organized into topic headers (with

square bullets), and live links under each topic header
(with round bullets).

Individual topics that have previously been visited by you

are displayed with a BLUE round bullet, whereas those
that have not yet been visited are displayed with a
YELLOW round bullet.
Topic headers under which you have previously visited
all the available links are displayed with a BLUE square
bullet.
Topic headers under which there is at least one
previously unvisited topic are displayed with a YELLOW
square bullet.
>> To select a topic to view in your default web

browser
Click on the required topic with the mouse.
Topics are underlined as you move the mouse over
them, showing that they are ready to be clicked.
>> To Expand all topics to make all the links under

them visible
Click on the + button.
>> To Collapse all topics

Click on the – button.
>> To set Solar Live update options

Click on the Options button.

Auto check for updates on the internet – when

checked, Solar Fire will automatically check for
updates after each specified interval of days. On the
day that it is checked, auto checking occurs about
one minute after Solar Fire starts running. Note: The
update check will be skipped if there is no internet
connection available at the time of checking. It is
recommended that you switch this option off if you
don’t normally have an internet connection when
you run Solar Fire.
Auto show new updates when found – when
checked, if an update is found, then the user is
immediately notified and prompted whether to
display the updated list of Solar Live links.

5.3 Register by Email

Registration is desirable, but not obligatory, in order to
keep us informed of your current contact details.
It is helpful to re-register whenever you change your
street or email address.
>> To register by email

Select the Register by Email menu item from the Help
menu
This will display the Confirm Current Details dialog
box.

Once you have entered or updated your details, click on

the “Proceed” button to open your default email program
with a new email containing your registration details, and
addressed to us. You can then preview the email and
send it at your leisure.
5.4 Find Program Updates on Web

>> To find program updates on the web
Select the Check for Updates on the Web menu item
from the Help menu
If your computer is not already connected to the internet,
then you will be prompted to connect, or connection will
start automatically, depending on the internet connection
options in your operating system.
When a connection is established, your current program
version number will be automatically compared with the
latest available version number over the internet, and if an
update is available, you will be asked whether you wish to
proceed with the update.
If so then your default web browser will open and
display a web page containing links to download and
install the latest software updates.
Note: Using this option does not send any information
about you over the internet apart from your current
program version information, and that information is not
retained.

5.5 Get Technical Support by Email

It is possible to get technical support by letter, phone,
fax or email. However, the most efficient means of contact
for us is by email, and if you use this built-in option, it
increases the likelihood of a rapid resolution because of
the detailed information that it automatically provides us
about your program setup.
>> To get technical support by email

Select the Get Technical Support by Email menu item
from the Help menu
Firstly, you will be prompted to enter your contact
registration details.
with a new email containing your registration details,
program setup information, some computer configuration
information, and addressed to us.
You can then preview the email, insert a description of
your problem or query, and send it at your leisure.
5.6 Submit Suggestions by Email

Our philosophy of software design is to create software
that addresses the needs and desires of the users.
Consequently we welcome any feedback and suggestions
that you might feel inspired to send us.
>> To submit suggestions by email

Select the Submit Suggestions by Email menu item
from the Help menu

Firstly, you will be prompted to enter your contact

registration details.
with a new email containing your registration details.
You can then preview the email, insert your feedback or
suggestion, and send it at your leisure.
5.7 Visit Website

You can navigate to the Solar Fire publisher’s website to
find out about our latest news, products, patch updates
and other items of interest.
>> To visit our website

Select the Visit Website menu item from the Help
menu
When a connection is established, your default web
browser will open and display the home page of our
website.
5.8 Other Solar Products

Esoteric Technologies has created a range of astrological
software products, many of which are compatible with or
interactive with Solar Fire. You can navigate to our
website to find about these products,

>> To visit our products page

Select the Other Solar Products menu item from the
Help menu
When a connection is established, your default web
browser will open and display the appropriate website
page.
6 Importing Charts, Files and Settings

If you have owned an earlier version of Solar Fire, and it
is still installed on your computer, or if you have a copy of
Solar Fire on another disk which is accessible to your
computer (via a network or other link), then it may be
possible to import copies of charts files, other files and
Solar Fire settings and Preferences from those other
copies of Solar Fire.
The main benefits of this utility are
Upon first installation, to allow you to automatically
set up Solar Fire Gold in the same way as your
previous version of Solar Fire.
At any later time, to import chart files from Solar
Fire on another computer.
Note: Due to the flexibility of Solar Fire in allowing a
variety of user-created files and settings and the fact that
there are many differences in design of different versions
of Solar Fire, this import process may not always be

100% successful in setting up Solar Fire exactly as you

would like. You may find after importing settings that you
still need to make several adjustments to settings
manually.
>> To open the import dialog

Select Import Charts and Settings from the Utilities
menu.
6.1 Where to Import From

When this dialog opens, it searches for earlier versions
of Solar Fire on your computer, and if any are found,
adds them to the list titled Where to import from,

including their folder paths.

The final entry in the list is Other Location…, which
will be a blank entry initially, or otherwise points to the
last location your specified here.
>> To set or change the Other Location

Click on the Other Location… list item.
This will display a file open dialog, allowing you to
navigate to the desired location (which may also be on
another disk or another computer on a network). You
must locate and select the file solfire.exe in the Solar Fire
folder that you require. Once you have done so, the newly
selected folder path of the selected location will be
displayed in the list.
6.2 What to Import

You can choose what items to import by clicking in their
checkboxes individually, or by using the All On or All
Off buttons.
The items that may be selected for importing are as
follows.
Chart Files – All Solar Fire type chart files and
chart comments files (with file extensions *.SFcht,
*.cht and *.chm).
Pages/Wheels/Points/Aspects/Tasks & related
files – All Solar Fire type files of these various
types, including color schemes. This will include any
user created files of these types that you may have
stored with the other copy of Solar Fire. Note: If
you also select Other Saved Settings, then all

settings relating to these files such as your default

displayed point set, aspect set and color scheme
setting will also be set for you.
Interpretation Files – All Solar Fire interpretation
files (with file extensions *.int). Note: If you also
select Other Saved Settings, then the default
interpretation file settings will also be set for you.
Default Place Details – The location and
timezone that is set within the other copy of Solar
Fire.
Compliments Text - The compliments text that is
set within the other copy of Solar Fire.
Other Saved Settings – Most other settings and
preferences.
Note: If you are using Other location…, then any files

types can be imported, but place, compliments and other
settings cannot, and will be omitted from the list.
6.3 Import Options

Rename and keep existing files – Use this
option to ensure that all existing files are kept and
remain available in addition to any newly imported
files. Any existing files in your current copy of Solar
Fire that have the same name as files you are
importing are simply renamed first, by appending a
number to the end of the existing file name (e.g.
Main.cht is renamed to Main_2.cht).
Only import Files with different names – Use
this option to keep all existing files, and import only

those files that have different names from existing

files.
Overwrite existing files – Use this option to
adopt all imported files, keeping only those existing
files that have a different name from any of those
being imported.
Prompt me for each (skip/overwrite) – Use this
option to decide on a file by file basis whether to
import any existing file which has the same name as
an existing file.
Note: that you can use different import options with

different import items. To do so, just choose one item on
the What to Import list to import at a time, and set the
require import option separately for each one before
importing.
7 Casting a New Chart

This chapter describes how to enter data to cast a new
natal or event chart. The same conventions apply to
entering data for subsidiary charts, dynamic report and all
other places where you would enter dates, times or
places.
7.1 Pre-Setting Calculation Options

There are several options in Solar Fire that affect the
calculation of the chart. If you wish to alter them, then you
must do so before the chart is cast, as you cannot set
them on the “New Chart Data Entry” screen. These
options are

Geocentric Latitudes - Whether or not the entered

latitude is converted to a geocentric latitude. Most
astrologers do not use geocentric latitude.
Lunar Parallax - Whether or not a correction is made
to the moon’s position due to location. Most astrologers
do not correct the moon for parallax.
Lunar Node Type - Whether the true node or mean
node is calculated. Astrologers today are fairly evenly
divided on this issue.
Vulcan Calculation - Which method of calculating
Vulcan’s position is used. This option is only relevant if
you intend to display Vulcan in your chart. Most
astrologers do not display Vulcan.
Part of Fortune - Which formula is used to calculate
the position of the Part of Fortune in the chart, i.e.
whether to use Asc+Moon-Sun for both day and night
births, or to change it to Asc+Sun-Moon for night births.
MC in Polar Regions – Which formula is used to
calculate the position of the MC for charts cast in
locations when the Sun does not rise across the horizon
during the day.
>> To alter any of the above options

1. Select the Edit Settings… item from the
Preferences menu on the Main Screen.
2. Select the Calculations tab.
3. Alter any settings as required
See Changing Preferences for more information on these
options.

7.2 The New Chart Data Entry Dialog Box

>> To begin casting a new chart
Choose New... from the Charts menu. This will display
the "New Chart Data Entry" dialog box into which natal
details and chart options may be entered.
When this dialog box is displayed it will already contain

data. If you have not yet cast or opened a chart since the
program was started, then the data displayed is whatever
has last been saved as default values. (See Saving and
Restoring Settings for details of how to alter default
values.) Otherwise it will contain the data from the last
chart that was cast or opened.
7.3 Casting an Instant Chart for Here and Now

To cast a quick chart for the current time and place, you
can use the default time and place values that you have
already set. This is handy for casting a quick horary or

event chart.
>> To calculate a chart for the current moment

Select the Now button. The Chart Name box will
appear as “Transits of [date]”, and the Date and Time
fields will be updated to correspond to the computer’s
internal clock.
>> To calculate a chart for the default place

Select the Restore button. The boxes Place through to
Longitude will fill with whatever values were selected for
the default place. (You will probably have set the default
place to be your current location.)
7.4 Entering the Chart Name

Up to 30 characters of text may be entered to describe
the chart. Typically this will be the name of the person for
whom a birth chart is being cast (e.g. "John Smith"), but
could also be a description of an event (e.g. "President's
Inauguration"), or a horary question (e.g. “Where are my
keys?”). You must enter at least 1 character in the Chart
Name box.
Note: If the name you enter contains the string “transit”
anywhere, then the event type is automatically set to
“Event”. If the name you enter ends with a “?”, then the
event type is automatically set to “Horary”. However, you
can subsequently alter this automatic event type selection
if you wish.
Note: For chart list indexing and when combined charts
are being produced, the last item on the line is assumed to

be a "last name" (except in the case of Event and Horary

charts). Therefore, when entering chart names for a
person’s natal chart, we recommend that names always
be entered with the first name first, and the last name last.
7.5 Entering a Date

You can enter the date in almost any format you like,
and when you leave the date box, the date will be
converted into Solar Fire’s standard format. If you enter
an impossible date such as February 30 or a month
number greater than 12, or use a format that the program
does not understand, then you will get an error message
and be given a chance to try again.
There is also a group of three spin buttons to the right of
the date entry box. These buttons allow you increment the
individual parts of the date upwards or downwards
without having to retype the entire date. For example, the
rightmost spin button allows you to change the year
number up or down by one year at a time.
Following are some examples of valid dates, and the
manner in which they are displayed by the program.
User Entered International Display US Display

Date Format Format
1 Dec 1992 1 Dec 1992 Dec 1 1992
1 Dec 92 1 Dec 1992 Dec 1 1992
1 Dec 02 1 Dec 2002 Dec 1 2002
Dec 1 1992 1 Dec 1992 Dec 1 1992
1 December 1 Dec 1992 Dec 1 1992
1992
1st December 1 Dec 1992 Dec 1 1992

User Entered International Display US Display

Date Format Format
1992
1 Dec 1992 AD 1 Dec 1992 Dec 1 1992
1 Dec 1992 BC 1 Dec 1992 BC Dec 1 1992 BC
1 Dec 0092 1 Dec 0092 Dec 1 0092
1/12/92 1 Dec 1992 Jan 12 1992
12.1.92 12 Jan 1992 Dec 1 1992
The display format that Solar Fire uses is based on the

date order settings within Windows, which may be set by
using the Regional Settings icon on the Windows
Control Panel.
Description of Format
You must enter a day, month and year, separated by any
of the following characters: blank( ); slash(/); period(.);
colon(:); semi-colon(;) or comma(,). If you use a month
name or abbreviation instead of a month number, then you
do not need to use any separators. You may also enter
just a day number, in which case the last entered month
and year are assumed, or just a day and month in which
case the last entered year is assumed. You may also enter
just a 4 digit year number, in which the day and month are
automatically set as 1st January.
A day number (e.g. 1, 2, 3, ..., 31). You may also use
any of the following suffixes: "st", "nd", "rd" or "th".
A month name, abbreviation or number (e.g. Jan, Feb,
Mar, ..., Dec, or 1, 2, 3, ..., 12). These must be
English month names, but may be in upper, lower or
mixed case. Abbreviations must contain at least the

first three letters of the month name. If you use a

month name or abbreviation, then it does not matter
whether you put the day or the month first. However,
if you use a month number, then you must ensure that
you enter the date in whatever order has been set in
Windows. See Selecting a Date Format for
instructions on settings the Windows date order.
A year number (e.g. 57, 1957, 2005, -6). You may
also use any of the following epoch indicators: “AD”,
“A.D.”, “BC”, “B.C.”, “CE”, “C.E.”, “BCE”, “B.C.
E”. If you only enter two digits, then the year is
assumed to be within the time window specified in the
Preference settings. To enter dates in the 1st century,
you must use a 00 prefix (e.g. 0059 for year 59).
Optionally there may also be any of the following items:
A calendar style indicator (i.e. OS, O.S., NS, N.S.)
The epoch is assumed to be AD unless BC or BCE has
been entered, or if the year is negative. If the year is
negative, then Solar Fire will automatically convert the
year into a BC year, and remove the minus sign. (Note
that there is a difference of 1 year between BC years and
negative (astronomical) years e.g. the year -6 is converted
into 7 BC. This is due to the absence of a year 0 in the
BC format.)
Modern and Old Calendars

Unless you specify otherwise (by entering an OS or NS
suffix), Solar Fire assumes that the dates that you enter
on or before 14th October 1582 are in the old style
(Julian) calendar.
on or after 15th October 1582 are in the new style

(Gregorian) calendar.
The Gregorian calendar was not adopted everywhere at
the same time. Sometimes dates after 15th October 1582
are given in terms of the old style calendar (often followed
by the initials O.S.). Also, some sources convert pre
1582 dates to new style dates (often followed by the
initials N.S.).
If you wish to enter a date on or after the 15th October
1582 which is expressed as an old style date, then add
the suffix “OS” or “O.S.” to the entered date (e.g. 17 Dec
1723 OS).
If you wish to enter a date before the 15th October
1582 which is expressed as a new style date, then add the
suffix “NS” or “N.S.” to the entered date (e.g. 7 Jan
1503 NS).
The way in which these dates are displayed in Solar Fire
depends on user-modifiable preferences. You can
determine whether or not Solar Fire will automatically
convert any entered dates into the default calendar for that
date, or alternatively whether any dates that you enter
with an OS or NS suffix will always be displayed exactly
as they were entered. Additionally, you can specify a
range of years between which the OS or NS indicator is
displayed with all dates. See Changing Preferences for
more details.
The following table shows the adjustment that Solar Fire
makes in order to convert from old style to new style
dates:-
15 Oct 1582 to 28 Feb 1700 Add 10 days

29 Feb 1700 to 28 Feb 1800 Add 11 days


7.6 Entering a Time

The time that you enter should be ordinary clock time of
the locality, or “Universal Time”. If you enter a Universal
Time or Greenwich Mean Time, be sure to change the
initials in the Zone... box to “UT” or “GMT”. If necessary
you can also enter a Local Mean Time or a Local
Apparent Time which were the prevalent time standards
prior to the late 19th century. If you enter time as Local
Mean Time or Local Apparent Time then you should
enter “LMT” or “LAT” in the Zone... box.
There is no need to convert a time to Ephemeris Time
(ET), as Solar Fire does this internally whenever it is
necessary.
You may enter a time in any of the most commonly used
formats. Any characters within the time may be in upper,
lower or mixed case. Entered times are always
immediately transformed into a standard display format if
they are recognised. If they are not recognised as valid
times then an error dialog box appears, after which a
further attempt may be made.
The display format that Solar Fire uses is based on the
time format settings within Windows, which may be set by
using the Regional Settings icon on the Windows
Control Panel. See Selecting a Time Format for further
details.
Following are some examples of valid times, and the
manner in which they are displayed by the program:

User Entry AM/PM Format 24Hr Format

Noon 12:00 PM 12:00
12 12:00 PM 12:00
12 PM 12:00 PM 12:00
12 AM 0:00 AM 0:00
12:00 12:00 PM 12:00
12:00:00 12:00 PM 12:00
6 6:00 AM 6:00
13:00 1:00 PM 13:00
13:25 1:25 PM 13:25
13:25:49 1:25:49 PM 13:25:49
1:25:49 AM 1:25:49 AM 1:25:49
1:25:49 PM 1:25:49 PM 13:25:49
Description of Format
You must enter at least an hour; minutes and seconds
are optional. You can separate hours, minutes and
seconds with a blank( ), slash(/), period(.), colon(:),semi-
colon(;) or comma(,).
You can enter time in the 24 hour format (with an hour
from 0 to 23), or you can use an AM/PM format by
typing either AM or PM after the time. If the hour number
is less than 12, then there is no need to type AM.
You can also enter any of the following words: "Noon",
"Midday" or "Midnight".
7.7 Entering Location Details

The location details are: the place name, the country or
state, the timezone, the latitude and the longitude. It is
possible to enter each of these items manually onto the
“New Chart Data Entry” screen, but there are also

shortcuts to finding and entering the location details that

you need.
>> To restore the default location details

You would normally already have set the default location
to be where you live. To retrieve all the details and insert
them automatically into the required text boxes, simply
select the Restore button.
To recall a place that you have used recently, or is on
your list of favourite places
Click on the down arrow on the Place… drop-down
box and select the required place from the list
>> To perform an automatic atlas lookup

1. Ensure that the Auto Lookup check box is
checked
2. Enter the name of the required place into the
Place... box. You can enter up to 20 characters to
describe the location name. Typically this would be
city name or city name and state (e.g. "London" or
"New York NY").
3. Enter the country or state into the Country/State
box. You can enter up to 20 characters to describe
the country or state (e.g. Canada, USA, Australia,
NY, MA, NSW, VIC).
4. As soon as you move the cursor out of the
Country/State box (or press the Enter key whilst
the cursor is still in the Country/State box), an
atlas lookup will be performed invisibly to you, and
if the place is found, then the remaining zone
latitude and longitude boxes will be updated with

the details stored in the atlas for this place.

5. If the place is not found in the atlas, then you will
see a dialog box informing you of this, and you will
be taken into the place dialogs in order to try to
find the required place.
>> To perform a manual atlas lookup

Select the Place... button. This will display a dialog box
that allows the selection or entry of a place from the ACS
Atlas. This is described in detail in Using the ACS Atlas.
Using this button will cause data to be automatically
entered into all the boxes relating to location, including
time zone, longitude and latitude. The time zone will be
adjusted automatically for any daylight saving etc.
If you have already obtained all the location details from
the atlas, then you can skip the following sections that
describe how to enter timezones, latitudes and longitudes.
7.8 Entering a Time Zone

Time zones may be selected either by using the Zone...
button to display the "Time Zone Selection" screen, or by
entering a time zone mnemonic or a time directly into the
Zone... box.
You can enter standard time zones, Local Mean Time or
Local Apparent Time.
Standard Time Zones – These are standards that
were adopted by various authorities in order to
ensure that all people living in the same region used
the same time standard.
Local Mean Time (LMT) – This is the standard

time of the longitude of a location. This was used in

most places prior to the adoption of standard time
zones. Using this standard, the mean position of the
Sun is on the meridian at noon, but note that the true
Sun varies from this position by up to about 15
minutes either way.
Local Apparent Time (LAT) – This is the time
according to the true position of the Sun in its
diurnal arc, which is equivalent to sundial time. By
this standard, noon occurs on each day when the
Sun is exactly on the meridian. This is the standard
that was generally used prior to LMT.
>> To enter a time zone using its mnemonic

abbreviation
Enter one of the standard 3 or 4 letter time zone
abbreviations (e.g. “EST”, “AEST”, “BST”, “CWT”,
etc.). For the program to recognise the abbreviation, it
must be in Solar Fire’s internal time zone database. If the
abbreviation is not recognised, you will see an error dialog
box, and you can try again. If it is recognised, then the
corresponding zone time will be automatically appended
after the abbreviation in the Zone... box.
>> To enter a time zone using its time offset

Enter the number of hours (and optionally minutes and
seconds) from Universal Time or Greenwich Mean Time
e.g. +8 or 8 for Pacific Standard Time, or -10:30 for
Australian Central Daylight Time. For zones west of
Greenwich, use a plus (+) sign or no sign. For zones east
of Greenwich, use a minus (-) sign. You must use a colon
(:) to separate hours minutes and seconds.

>> To enter Local Mean Time

Type “LMT” into the Zone... box. The correct zone
time for the current longitude will be appended after the
abbreviation in the Zone... box, and if you subsequently
alter the longitude, this zone time will be amended
automatically.
>> To enter Local Apparent Time (Sundial Time)

Type “LAT” into the Zone... box. The correct zone time
for the current date and location will be appended after
the abbreviation in the Zone... box, and if you
subsequently alter the longitude or date, this zone time will
be amended automatically.
>> To choose a time zone from the database of

time zones
Select the Zone... button. This will display the "Time
Zone Selection" dialog box from which a time zone may
be selected.

You can alter the order in which entries are shown by

selecting the Sort Order as follows
Full Name - the records will be sorted into ascending
alphabetical order of their full descriptive name.
Zone Time - the records will be sorted into numerical
order by their hours from GMT. (Note that the
ordering is from 0 to 12 positive numbers followed by
0 to 12 negative numbers).
Mnemonic - the records will be sorted into ascending
alphabetical order of their mnemonic abbreviation.
>> To retrieve time zone details to the screen from

which the Zone... button was selected
Select the desired time zone entry from the list box
Click on the Select button.
7.9 Entering Longitudes and Latitudes

Longitudes and latitudes must be entered either in
degrees and minutes with a letter indicator of which
hemisphere they are in, or as a decimal degree number
with its sign indicating which hemisphere (-ve for East or
South).
Longitudes and latitude must have at least a degree
number (i.e. 0 to 180 for longitude, 0 to 90 for latitude)
and a hemisphere code (i.e. E or W for longitude, N or S
for latitude). They may also have a minutes number (i.e. 0,
1, 2, 3, ..., 59) and a seconds number. Separators
between the numbers may be any of the following: blank(
); slash(/); period(.); colon(:); semi-colon(;) or comma(,).

Some examples of valid longitudes are as follows.

0W 0W0 149e38 78W23 E 167 52 -167.8667
Some examples of valid latitudes are as follows.
0S 0N0 17S58 62n17 S 45 23 -45.3833
Enter ordinary geographic latitudes, even if you want to
use the geocentric latitude. (Atlases always give
geographic latitudes). If you wish to use geocentric
latitudes in chart calculations then you should switch the
Geocentric Lats option on. See Optional Correction
Factors for instructions on how to do this.
7.10 Selecting an Event Type

By default, any new chart is labelled as an “Unspecified”
chart, which is a catchall name to cover any kind of
astrological chart. However, you are also able to select
some alternative labels that describe more exactly what
type of event the chart describes. Some of these labels
are used in other parts of Solar Fire to help display chart
information in its most appropriate format.
If the event type that you wish to select is not already
highlighted in the Event Type list box, then simply find
the required event type from the drop-down list and
highlight it.
The event types available in Solar Fire are as follows.
Unspecified – This is used for charts which were
created in older versions of Solar Fire, or alterative
astrology programs when imported into Solar Fire.
Male – use this label for the birth chart of a male.
This label is used in synastry reports to apply the
correct gender language to the interpretations.

Female – use this label for the birth chart of a

female. This label is used in synastry reports to
apply the correct gender language to the
interpretations.
Event – use this label for any non-natal chart, such
as a transit chart or mundane event.
Horary – use this label for any chart which is cast
for the purpose of asking an horary question. In this
case, the Chart Name can contain the text of the
question.
7.11 Selecting a House System

If the house system that you wish to use is not already
highlighted in the House System drop-down list box,
then simply find the required house system from the list
and highlight it.
You can reset the default house system that is selected
whenever you start Solar Fire by altering a preferences
setting. See Houses for instructions on selecting the
default house system, and a description of what they
mean.
7.12 Selecting a Zodiac

You can select any of the available zodiac types by
highlighting the desired option on the drop-down list of
zodiac types.
Most Western astrologers normally use the Tropical
zodiac, whereas Sidereal astrologers normally use one of
the other (sidereal) zodiacs. Most Western astrologers
who practice sidereal astrology use the Fagan-Allen

zodiac.
The initial default value of the zodiac selection is set
according to your choice of zodiac in the Preferences
menu. See Zodiac for instructions on changing the default
zodiac.
7.13 Selecting a Coordinate System

You can select either geocentric or heliocentric
coordinates from the drop-down list of coordinate types.
Most astrologers use the geocentric coordinate system.
If you select the heliocentric coordinate system, then the
chart will be calculated with heliocentric planetary
positions on geocentric houses.
If you do not want to display geocentric houses on a
heliocentric chart, then you could select "0 Deg Aries" as
your house system, as this is a "neutral" house system
which is independent of the chart’s location on earth.
7.14 Entering a Source Rating

The source rating is an optional code that indicates how
accurate or reliable the chart’s date and time are. This is
very useful when charts are exchanged with other
astrologers, because it can help avoid misunderstandings
about how accurately a chart’s time is known. For
example, a chart’s time may be given as “10:43 am”,
implying that it was timed to the nearest minute, but if the
source rating is given as “D – Conflicting/Unverified”, then
an astrologer would be very cautious about drawing firm
conclusions from the chart.

>> To enter a source rating

Either
Select a pre-defined rating category from the drop-
down list box, or
Enter any rating code up to 2 characters long
The predefined rating codes are known as “Rodden
Rating” codes as devised and promoted by Lois Rodden.
These codes are:
AA - From birth record, e.g. directly from a birth
certificate or hospital record, or quoted from such a
record
A - From memory or from a news report
B - From a biography or auto-biography
C – Original source unknown or rectified from an
approximate time
DD – Conflicting with other sources or otherwise
unverified
X - Time unknown e.g. only the date is known or
has been rectified without an approximate starting
time
XX – Date in question or otherwise undetermined
7.15 Entering a Source Description

In addition to entering a source rating code, you can
optionally also enter a brief source description to elucidate
the rating code. The purpose of this field is to provide
more information about the chart rating than can be
conveyed by the two-character source rating code.
Some examples of possible source descriptions are

AA - “Birth certificate” or “Quoted from hospital

record”
A – “The Times 3 Nov 1992” or “Mother’s memory”
B – “from ‘A Good Life’ by C.Cook”
C – “Rectified from 10am by John Smith”
DD – “Alternative time 11:15pm” or “Several
alternatives known”
X – “Time unknown”
XX – “Calendar type uncertain”
7.16 Entering Chart Comments

It is possible to enter up to about 30,000 characters
(many pages) of free text which is stored and saved along
with the chart details. This can be used to store, for
example, biographical information, a description of the
chart event, records of what astrological analysis has been
done on the chart, notes on the chart’s rectification etc.
>> To enter or edit chart comments

Click on the Comments button
This will open up the comments editing window, which
allows you to browse, enter or edit any comments text.
Any text that you enter will remain associated with the
chart when you use it in Solar Fire, so that when you save
the chart to a file, the comments that you enter here will
also be saved with it.
Note that you can also easily edit any comments that you
enter here after you have calculated the chart, and also
after you have saved the chart, if you wish to, from other

places in the program.

However, if you do not save this chart to a file or retain
it before exiting from Solar Fire, then any comments that
you enter here will be discarded along with the chart that
you create here.
7.17 Entering Life Events

It is possible to enter an indefinite number of life events
relating to a chart, which are stored and saved along with
the chart details. These events can be accessed in other
parts of Solar Fire, making it easy to cast subsidiary
charts (such as progressions or directions) for such life
events, or view the chart animation screen for these life
events, without having to re-enter the event details again.
Each life event can also have an unlimited amount of free
text stored with it. This can be used, for example, to store
a description or detailed account of the event and
circumstances surrounding it.
>> To enter or edit life events

Click on the Life Events… button
This will open up the Life Events editing window, which
allows you to browse, enter or edit any life events. Any
events that you enter will remain associated with the chart
when you use it in Solar Fire, so that when you save it to
a file, the life events that you enter here will also be saved
with it. See 50 for an explanation of how to use the Life
Events editing window.
Note that you can also easily edit any life events that you
enter here after you have calculated the chart, and also

after you have saved the chart, if you wish to, from other
places in the program.
However, if you do not save this chart to a file or retain
it before exiting from Solar Fire, then any life events that
you enter here will be discarded along with the chart that
you create here.
7.18 Calculating the New Chart

When all the required data items have been entered and
preferred options chosen, select either the OK or the OK
More button.
OK - The chart is then calculated and added to the
list of Calculated Charts on the Main Screen, and
the New Chart Data Entry screen closes.
OK More - The chart is then calculated and added
to the list of Calculated Charts on the Main Screen,
and the New Chart Data Entry screen remains open
ready for you to enter details for another chart.
It is possible to view, print, report on, or cast subsidiary
charts from any such chart on the list of calculated charts
by selecting the appropriate options from the menu.
8 Working with Life Events

Solar Fire allows you save an unlimited number of life
event records for any natal type chart. These life events
are saved with the natal chart (provided that the chart file
to which they are being saved is a SFv6/v7 format chart
file), and the events remain permanently linked with it.
The advantage of storing life events along with a natal

chart is that it makes it very quick and easy to cast

subsidiary charts (such as transits, progressions and
others) for these events without ever having to re-enter
any of the event data, as well as being able to select these
events from a pop-up list when working with the natal
chart in the animation module, again without having to re-
enter any of the event data.
It is possible to import life events from the individual
natal charts in a chart file, and also to export life events
into natal charts in a chart file. Thus, if you already have a
chart file that contains an ordinary natal chart for each life
event of someone’s life, you can automatically copy those
into life events records.
Note – you cannot save life events to any older format
Solar Fire charts (such as SFv1/v2, SFv3/v4 or SFv5). If
you try saving a chart that includes life events into one of
these chart files, then you will be given a warning message
telling you that the life events will not be saved if you save
the chart into that chart file. If you do not already have a
new format (SFv6/v7) chart file, then you must first create
a new chart file (by using the Create button in the File
Manager), and choose the option to create it with the new
chart file format when prompted.
8.1 Editing Life Events

It is possible to open the life events dialog from various
places in Solar Fire, including the Main Screen, the New
Chart Data Entry screen, various Subsidiary Chart Data
Entry screens, the Animation screen etc.
>> To Open the Life Events dialog box from the

Main Screen
Choose Edit / Edit Chart Events… from the Chart
menu or
Click on the Events caption at the bottom of the Current
Chart box
>> To Open the Life Events dialog box from the

New Chart Data Entry Screen or from any
subsidiary chart data entry screen
Click on the Events button
This will display the Life Events dialog box.
>> To add a new event

Click on the Add New button.
This will create a new entry ready for you to edit.

>> To delete an event

Highlight the event you wish to delete.
Click on the Delete button.
>> To edit an event

Use the fields and buttons in the Event Details frame to
edit the various event details as required.
Note that the various fields and buttons in this frame
work identically to those of similar appearance in the New
Chart Date Entry dialog. See The “New Chart Data
Entry” Dialog Box for a full explanation of how to use
these items.
>> To sort events into date order

Click on the Sort button.
>> To import events from a chart file

Click on the Import button.
If necessary, navigate to the folder in which the required
chart file resides.
Select the required chart file and click OK.
This will import all the charts from the selected chart file,
add them to any events that are already present, and then
sort them all into date order.
Note: You cannot overwrite any existing events. If you
wish to discard any existing events, then you must delete
them first.
Note: If you do not wish to use all the charts in the

selected chart file as life events, then you will have to

delete any unrequired events after importing them all.
>> To export events to a chart file

Click on the Export button.
If necessary, navigate to the required folder.
Either select an existing chart file, or enter a name for a
new chart file.
Select the required chart file and click OK.
This will export all the life events records and save them
as natal charts in the selected chart file.
Note: If there are any existing charts already in the
selected chart file, then the life event records will be
appended to those existing charts.
Note: All life events in the list are exported. If you do
not wish to use all the life events as charts, then after
exporting, you will need to open the chart file and delete
the unwanted charts.
9 Using the ACS Atlas

This chapter describes how to select a place for use in
chart casting, and how to manage the place database and
atlas data.
There are two different sources of place data
Built-in ACS Atlas – provided within Solar Fire.
Standalone ACS Atlas – may be purchased as a
separate product.
If you have a standalone ACS Atlas installed on your
computer, then you can choose whether you wish to use

this Atlas in preference to Solar Fire's built-in ACS Atlas.

See Atlas to Use for instructions on how to select which
Atlas you wish to use.
>> To activate the ACS Atlas dialog box:

Select the Place... button.
When the ACS PC Atlas dialog appears, the place, date

and time boxes will contain the information that was held
on the previous screen. You have the option of changing
any of these if you wish to, and then clicking on any of the
four main command buttons, which are described below.
When you have found the place that you require, then
clicking on the OK button will return you to the previous
screen, and the displayed place details will be copied
automatically onto that screen.

Atlas Lookup
You may enter the place to look up using any of the
following formats:
PlaceName
PlaceName, CountryOrStateName
PlaceName, CountyOrAdminDivisionName,
CountryOrStateName
When you click on the Lookup button, one of the
following will occur,
A Place name with a country name or US State
name – (e.g. “Athens, Greece”) If this place name
exists as a unique name in the given country or state,
then the lookup is performed immediately, and the
results shown in this dialog. If there is more than one
such place with this name, then you will be
presented with a list of these places, from which you
can select one. If the place name does not exist,
then you will be presented with a list of places in
that country or state whose names are closest,
alphabetically, to the one you entered.
A Place name with country name as “US” or
“USA” – (e.g. “Athens, USA”) If this place name
exists in a US state within the atlas, then you will be
presented with a list of all places found with that
state name and the local administrative division in
which they fall. If the place name does not exist
within the atlas, then you will be presented with a list
of US state names from which to choose, after
which you will be presented with a list of places in
the chosen state whose names are closest,
A Place name (without country or state name) –

(e.g. “Athens”) If this place name exists in the atlas,

then you will be presented with a list of all places
found with their country or US state name and the
local administrative division in which they fall. If the
place name does not exist within the atlas, then you
will be presented with a list of country or state
names from which to choose, after which you will
be presented with a list of places in the chosen
country or state whose names are closest,
Similar Names
If you click on the Similar Names button, or if the
place you are looking for was not found, then you will be
presented with the City dialog box.

>> To select the required city

Click on the required entry and select the OK button, or
double-click on the required entry - If you select the
Cancel button, then you will return to the ACS Atlas
screen after seeing a message indicating that the lookup
was not successful.
Radius Search
If you click on the Radius Search Button, then the
selection box appears.
The initial settings of the longitude and latitude will be the

same as the most recent entry that was found in the atlas.
You have the option of altering these if you wish, and of
specifying the radius of the search in minutes of arc by
editing the Distance box. By default it is set to 1 minute of
arc.
>> To start the search

Select the Start Search button - You will be prompted

for the country or state in which you wish to search, and
the results will be presented in the City dialog box, from
which you may select any entry. If no entries are found
within the given radius, then you will be returned to the
ACS Atlas screen without any result.
Zone Changes
>> To see a list of dates and times at which the
time zone changes occur
Select the Zone Changes button - You may be
prompted for the country or state, and for the city for
which you wish to see the zone changes and the results
will be presented in a dialog box.

Selecting the OK button will simply return you to the

ACS Atlas screen.
9.1 Adding or Deleting Place

The ACS Atlas comes with an extensive range of
locations from around the world. However, from time to
time you may like to add your own places to the atlas,
thus allowing them to be looked up with the correct
timezone changes automatically applied.
>> To add or delete a place to the ACS Atlas:

Click on the Add/Del Places... button.

This will display the Personal Atlas Locations Dialog
This dialog lists any personal locations that you have

already added previously, but will be blank the first time
you use it.
>> To add or a place to the ACS Atlas:

Click on the Add New... button.

This displays a dialog into which you can enter the

required new place details.
The items you need to supply are:
Place - Enter the name of the place you wish to add
Country - Enter the Country or US State name in
which this place is located. Normally this will be a
country or US State name which already exists in the
ACS Atlas, but it is possible to enter a new country
name if you wish.
Latitude - Enter the latitude of the place. See
Entering Longitudes and Latitudes
Longitude - Enter the latitude of the place.

Zone - If the timezone option is set to "Fixed

timezone", then you can enter a timezone yourself. See
Entering a Time Zone
Specified Place, Country - If the timezone option
allows it, you can enter a location which exists as a
valid location within the ACS Atlas. See Using the
ACS Atlas
Timezone & DST Changes - This has three possible
settings, as follows.
Same as nearest location in atlas - If you
select this option then the timezone and DST
changes for your newly added place will
automatically be the same as that for the nearest
place in the atlas. This is normally the best option,
unless your new location is near a border, for
example, in which case the nearest place may not
be in the same timezone region, and you may then
want to specify a place which you know is in the
correct region, instead.
Same as this specified place, country - Allows
you to specify an existing place in the ACS Atlas
from which the timezone settings will be copied.
Fixed timezone - If you don't want your place to
have automatic daylight savings adjustments
applied, you can either enter a fixed timezone, or
use the Zone... button to select one from the list.
>> To delete a place from the ACS Atlas:

Highlight the place you wish to delete, and then use the
Delete button.
Note - you can only delete places that you have

previously added as personal places yourself. It is not

possible to delete any of the locations that form part of the
ACS Atlas as supplied.
10 Retrieving Charts From a File

This chapter describes how to find and select charts
from your Solar Fire chart files, so that you can view,
work with, edit and print them.
Whenever you retrieve a chart from a file, you do so
from the “Chart Database” dialog box. This dialog box is
also a gateway to editing and manipulating chart files.
>> To display the Chart Database dialog box

Select Open... from the Chart menu.
Whenever this screen is displayed, the list box on the left

of the screen contains a list of all the chart names that are

stored in the currently selected chart database file. The

name of the currently selected chart database file is
displayed in the box to the right of the File... button, and
its descriptive title (if it has one) is displayed below this.
The number of charts stored in this file is shown in the
Charts box. If there are no charts in this file then the
number of records will be zero, and no chart names will
appear in the list box. The number of charts that have
been selected for copying, deleting or opening is shown in
the box titled Selected.
10.1 Choosing Chart Data Columns to Display

It is possible to select a range of different columns to
display in the chart list, to rearrange the order of the
columns and to resize them. Any column rearrangement
you make is remembered for future sessions.
>> To resize the width of a column

Use the mouse to drag the column border between any
two column headers, or
Double-click on a column border to make the column
automatically resize to fit the largest item of data that is
displayed in that column.
>> To edit the column selection and order

Use a right hand mouse click when the cursor is over the
column headers.
This will display the Choose Columns dialog.

You can select or unselect any of the available columns

by either clicking in the checkbox to the left of the column
name, or by using the Show or Hide buttons.
You can change the order of a column by highlighting it
and then using the Move Up or Move Down buttons to
re-order it relative to the other columns.
Note: The Name column must always be the first, and it
is not possible to change its order.
Note: If the selected columns’ widths are cumulatively
wider than the displayed width of the list, a horizontal
scroll bar will appear at the bottom of the list, allowing
you to scroll to see the extra columns. Alternatively you
can increase the displayed width of the list by resizing the
width of the entire dialog.

10.2 Selecting the Required Chart File

If the chart that you want is not in the current chart file,
then you can select another file to look in.
>> To select a recently used chart file

Click on the down arrow button to the right of the
File... button. This will display a pop-up menu with a list
of the ten most recently used chart files, sorted in order of
access with the most recent at the top. Select an entry
from this list to re-open that chart file.
Note: If any chart files in this list are in different folders
to the folder of your current chart file, then their folder
paths will be displayed on the menu. Any chart files on the
list that are in the same folder as your current chart file will
not have any folder path displayed.
>> To select a different chart file

Select the File... button. This will display the “File
Manager” dialog box with a list of chart database files
from which it is possible to select an existing chart file or
create a new one. See Using the File Manager for
instruction on using the File Manager.
10.3 Searching All Chart Files

Solar Fire can also search through all your chart files at
once for any chart or charts with the same string of
characters in the chart name.
>> To search through all chart files in a directory

or folder
1. Select the Search All Files... button.
2. In the displayed dialog box, type in the series of
characters that you wish to find (e.g. type in
“kennedy” to find all charts with Kennedy in their
name), and select the OK button. Alternatively, to
re-access a recently used search string, click on the
down arrows of the drop down box and select an
item from the presented list.
3. All of the valid chart files in Solar Fire’s current
chart directory (i.e. the directory or folder in which
the currently selected chart file resides) will be
searched, and the results are displayed in the
Chart Search Results dialog.
4. You can double-click any chart in the list to open it
(i.e. to add it to the list of calculated charts on the
main screen). There are various other options
available here – see Working with the Results of a
Chart Search for a full explanation of all the options
available to you in the Chart Search Results
dialog.
Note: If you wish to search all chart files in a different
directory or folder, then you can do so by first selecting a
chart file that resides in that directory or folder.
Alternatively, you can control precisely which chart files
are searched by using the Chart Search facility from
Solar Fire’s main screen, instead. (See Chart Search)

10.4 Finding a Chart in the Current Chart File

The Stored Charts list box displays a list of all the chart
names that are in the current chart file. You can use any of
the following ways to help find the required chart or
charts.
Scroll the list by using the scroll bar on the right hand
side of the list box.
Jump to the beginning entry for any letter of the
alphabet by selecting any chart on the list and then
pressing the key for the letter you want. Hit the same
key to move through each successive entry beginning
with the same letter.
Use the Find... button to find charts with any
character string in their name or in their chart
comments, or to find charts with certain planetary
placements or aspects.
Sort the list in various ways to make finding charts
easier, by clicking on the Name, Date or other column
headers and using the Reverse Chart Names and
Descending Sort Order check boxes.
The sort options have the following effects:
Name will list charts in either alphabetical order of their
listed names, or in the order in which the charts are stored
in the file. Subsequent selection of this option will toggle
between these sort modes.
Date will list charts in order of their date and time.
Other column headers will list charts in the order of
the value of that columns. For example, the Zodiac
column sorts the charts into alphabetical order of the
zodiac type name.
Reverse Chart Names will display the listed chart

names starting with the last distinct character string (i.e.

preceded by at least one blank) in each chart name as it
was entered. e.g. an entered name of “Bill Clinton” is
displayed as “Clinton, Bill”. If this option is not checked,
then the chart names are shown exactly as they were
entered. (Note that the titles of charts that are marked as
Horary or Event charts are not affected by this option –
they are always displayed exactly as they were entered.)
Descending Sort Order will list the charts starting from
the highest value to the lowest value i.e. from Z to A, from
last date to earliest date, from last chart entered to first
chart entered. If this option is not checked, then the charts
will be listed in ascending order of the current sort option,
instead.
10.4.1 Searching for Character Strings
>> To find charts containing certain character

strings in their names or comments
1. Select the Find... button.
2. From the drop-down menu, select one of the
following options
2.1.Next Chart Name with... - to select the next
chart on the list (after the currently highlighted
chart) which contains a specified character string
in its name
2.2.All Chart Names with... - to select all the
charts on the list which contain a specified
character string in their name
2.3.Next Chart Comment with... - to select the
next chart on the list (after the currently
highlighted chart) which contains a specified

character string in its comments

2.4.All Chart Comments with... - to select all the
charts on the list which contain a specified
character string in their comments
3. In the displayed dialog box, type in the series of
characters that you wish to find (e.g. type in
“kennedy” to find all charts with Kennedy in their
name, or “athlete” to find all charts with the word
athlete in their comments), and select the OK
button.
4. If any chart or charts are found with the specified
string, then they will be selected (highlighted) on the
list. It is then possible to open, copy or delete all of
these charts using the appropriate buttons.
10.4.2 Performing an Advanced Search for Chart Details

or Astrological Criteria
You can search for charts in the current chart file or

other chart files using a variety of advanced criteria.
>> To enter the “Chart Search” dialog box

1. Select the Find... button.
2. From the drop-down menu, select the Chart
Search... option
This displays the Chart Search dialog. See Chart Search
for a full explanation of this feature.

10.5 Selecting Charts Manually

A chart is selected by clicking the mouse onto its name
in the Stored Charts list box. A selected chart is shown
in the list box with a reverse video, highlighted entry. It is
possible to select any number of charts to open, copy,
delete or print a summary, by holding down the Ctrl key
whilst clicking on subsequent charts in the list. Any
selected chart may also be deselected by clicking on it
again whilst holding down the Ctrl key.
>> To select all the charts in the current file

Click on the Select All button.
>> To deselect all selected charts

Click on the Clear button.
Note: The chart edit button is only enabled if a single
chart has been selected, because it is not possible to edit
multiple charts simultaneously.
10.6 Opening Charts

Any number of selected charts from the current chart file
may be opened and added to the list of calculated charts
in the Main Screen. If opening a single chart, you can also
automatically view it in a wheel as well.
>> To open a single chart from the list of Stored

Charts
Select the required chart and then click on the Open
button, or double-click on the required chart.

>> To open multiple charts at once

Select all the required charts and then click on the Open
button.
>> To open a single chart, and immediately view it

as a wheel
Select the required chart and then click on the
Open+View button.
This is simply equivalent to opening the chart, and then
choosing Current Chart from the View menu.
11 Manipulating Charts in Files
This section gives you the tools to keep your chart files
up-to-date and organised. It shows how to correct a
chart that has been incorrectly cast; how to add
comments to a stored chart, such as notes on the source
of the data, biographical notes or other client notes; how
to copy, delete and move charts from one file to another;
how to add a descriptive title to a chart file, making it
easier to tell what the file contains; how to print a
summary of charts contained in a file.
The instructions in this section assume a basic
knowledge of how to find, select and open charts as
described in the previous section. See Retrieving Charts
From a File for further information.

11.1 Editing Chart Details

Instead of opening a chart exactly as it is stored in the
chart file, you may wish to change some of the chart’s
details, for example to correct an incorrect birth time, or
to specify a different location, house system, zodiac or
event type for the chart.
>> To edit a chart

Select a single chart, and then click on the Edit button.
This will display the “New Chart Data Entry” dialog box
with the data from the selected chart. Type any new data
over the existing data. Before selecting the OK button:
>> To replace the stored chart with the newly

edited chart
Select the Replace Chart in File option by ensuring
that it is checked. The original chart will be overwritten
with the newly edited details, and you will be returned to
the “Chart Database” screen.
>> To create a separate copy of the edited chart

Do not select the Replace Chart in File option (ensure
that it is unchecked). The original chart will remain in the
chart file, and a new chart will be opened with the newly
edited details. To keep a permanent copy of this new
chart you will need to save it to a file yourself. See Saving
Charts to a File for further instructions on saving files.
>> To alter one or more chart’s event type

Select one or more charts by highlighting them, and then

use the shortcut keys shown below to set the selected

chart/s event type.
Ctrl+F1 - Unspecified
Ctrl+F2 - Male
Ctrl+F3 - Female
Ctrl+F4 - Event
Ctrl+F5 - Horary
11.2 Copying Charts

You can copy any number of charts from the current
chart file into any other chart file, either existing or new.
>> To copy charts into another file

1. Select the required charts
2. Click on the Copy... button. This will display the
File Manager with a list of target chart files.
3. Either select one of the files on the list, or select the
Create button to create a new empty chart file to
copy the charts into.
4. A "Copy Charts" dialog box will be displayed,
giving the options of copying all of the selected
charts without confirmation, of being asked for
confirmation of the copying of each individual chart,
or of cancelling the copying process. If the Yes
button is selected then, for each selected chart in
sequence, a dialog box will be displayed asking
whether or not that individual chart should be
copied. If the No button is selected then all of the
selected charts will be copied immediately. If the

Cancel button is selected then no charts are

copied.
Note: When charts are copied to another chart file, any
chart comments that are associated with the charts are
copied as well.
11.3 Deleting Charts

>> To delete charts from the current chart file
1. Select the required charts
2. Click on the Delete... button, and choose the
Selected Charts... item from the drop-down
menu
3. This will display a "Delete Charts" dialog box,
giving the options of deleting all of the selected
charts without confirmation, of being asked for
confirmation of the deletion of each individual chart,
or of cancelling the deletion process. If the Yes
button is selected then, for each selected chart in
sequence, a dialog box will be displayed asking
whether or not that individual chart should be
deleted. If the No button is selected then all of the
selected charts will be deleted immediately. If the
Cancel button is selected then no further charts are
deleted.
In certain situations you may find that you have stored
more than one copy of a chart in a chart file. This might
occur if you are copying various charts from one file to
another, for example, and accidentally copy the charts
more than once. Fortunately there is an easy way to get
rid of any duplicate charts without having to find them all
manually.

>> To remove duplicate copies of charts from the

current chart file
The process is the same as above, except instead of
choosing the Selected Charts... item, choose the
Duplicate Charts... item from the drop-down menu.
Note: Charts are considered to be duplicates if they
have the same basic chart details (Name, date, time,
location, house system, zodiac etc.). However, special
conditions apply if the comments associated with each of
the duplicate charts are different: If comments are present
on only one of the charts, then those comments are
retained. However, if comments are present on both
charts, but are different, then only the comments from the
chart that is stored later in the file will be kept.
11.4 Moving Charts

>> To move charts from the current chart file to
another chart file
First copy the charts to the new file, and then delete
them.
11.5 Adding or Editing Chart Comments

You can add permanently saved comments to any chart.
These comments are displayed in the Chart Comments
box whenever the chart is highlighted in the list of Stored
Charts.
>> To add or enter comments for a chart

1. Select the required chart from the list of Stored

Charts
2. Click inside the Charts Comments box, or select
the Comments… button
This will display the comments editing dialog where you
can type in whatever text you wish
Any changes that you make are permanently saved as
soon when you select the Save button. You can enter up
to about 30,000 characters of text (which is equivalent to
about 10 pages of typewritten text).
11.6 Changing the Chart File Description

To aid in identifying and selecting chart files, you can
give any Solar Fire chart file a description of up to 80
characters. This description is displayed in the File
Manager, as well as on the “Chart Database” screen.
However, note that you cannot enter a description for
Solar Fire chart files which are v2 (Standard Edition)
format or earlier.
>> To add or edit a chart file description

Click inside the chart description box above the list of
chart names, and type in whatever you want. Any changes
that you make are permanently saved as soon as the
cursor leaves the description box.

11.7 Printing a Summary of Charts in a File

You can print out a summary listing of any or all charts
contained within a single chart file. The summary may be
printed at three different levels of detail:
Brief Listing - Each chart occupies a single line of
output, and contains only the essential details that would
be required to recast the chart: Name, date, time,
timezone, latitude and longitude.
Full Listing - Each chart occupies two lines of output,
and contains the same information as the brief listing plus
the coordinate system (geocentric/heliocentric), zodiac
type, house system, place name and country/state.
Full with Comments - The details of each chart occupy
two lines of output, containing the same information as the
full listing, and any chart comments that are associated
with the chart occupy additional text lines below the chart
details.
>> To print a summary of all charts in the current

chart file
1. Select the Print Details... button and from the
drop-down menu select the All Charts option.
drop-down menu select one of the listing options
Brief Listing..., Full Listing... or Full with
Comments....
3. The “Print” dialog box will appear, from which you
can alter printer settings, add this job to the print
queue, or print it immediately. See Printing from
Solar Fire for further information on printing.

>> To print a summary of only the selected charts

in the current chart file
drop-down menu select the Selected Charts
Only option.
2. Proceed as in steps 2 to 3 above.
11.8 Chart File Limitations

The number of charts which can be stored in a single
chart file is about 64,000.
As a general recommendation, it is suggested that you
save no more than several thousand charts in any one
chart file. This will ensure that Solar Fire’s performance
remains good, and avoids the likelihood of the chart file
limitations ever being reached.
12 Casting Subsidiary Charts

This chapter describes how to select, enter data for and
cast Solar Fire's subsidiary chart types. These types
include
Transit charts
Progressed charts - secondary, tertiary, minor,
user-defined rate
Directed charts - solar arc, ascendant arc, vertex
arc, user-defined arc
Return charts - any planet or asteroid, any
harmonic, plus Wynn-Key and progressed solar
returns
Ingress charts - any planet or asteroid

Harmonic charts - any harmonic or age harmonic

Arc Transform charts - any pair of chart points
Antiscia or Contra-Antiscia charts
Zodiacal Analogue charts
Relationship charts - from 2 charts
Composite charts - from up to 15 charts
Coalescent charts - from 2 charts
Prenatal charts - 19 types
Rising/Setting charts - rising, setting, culminating or
anti-culminating of any planet or asteroid
Lunar phase and eclipse charts - any of the main
transiting phases or progressed phases plus lunar
phase return charts
Locality charts - relocated, Johndro or Geodetic
Vedic charts – various Vedic divisional charts
12.1 Selecting a Base Chart

Nearly all of the above chart types require a base chart,
which is usually a natal chart. If you have not already cast
the natal chart see Casting a Natal Chart for instructions
on creating a new chart, or Retrieving Charts From a File
for instructions on opening an existing chart.
You can cast most subsidiary chart types for any natal
chart. Whether or not you can use other types of charts as
base charts depends on the type of subsidiary chart you
are casting. If the base chart that you select is
inappropriate, then the data in the Base Chart Details
box will become greyed, and the OK button will become
greyed and disabled. In this case you cannot proceed until

you choose another base chart which is of an appropriate

type.
12.2 Selecting or Entering Event Details

If the base chart you are using has any stored life events
associated with it, then you have the option of selecting
one and automatically filling in the event details instead of
entering them all manually.
If you would like to re-use any new event details that
you are about to enter, then you can create a new life
event to be stored with the base chart instead of making a
one-off data entry here.
>> To create a new stored Life Event for this base

chart
1. Click on the Events button, which opens the Event
Selection dialog.
2. Click on the Edit button, which opens the Life
Events dialog, ready for you to add a new life event.
Once you have created the new Life Event, you can
select it by highlighting it in the Event Selection dialog and
clicking the OK button.
>> To select a previously stored Life Event

1. Click on the down arrow at the right of the Event
Description box, and select one of the events from
that drop-down list, OR
2. Click on the Events button, and select one of the
events from the Event Selection dialog box.

Whether or not you are using stored Life Event details

here, you have the option of entering an event description.
This description becomes the main title of the subsidiary
chart to be calculated, with the base chart name as a
secondary title.
If you omit an event description, then the subsidiary
chart title is simply the same as that of the base chart (as
was always the case in earlier versions of Solar Fire).
12.3 Entering Subsidiary Date, Time and Place

Data
If you have not selected a stored Life Event, then you
must enter the event details in this dialog manually.
The Date, Time, Place, Country, Zone, Latitude and

Longitude fields in the subsidiary charts data entry
screens follow the same data-entry conventions as those
in the New Chart Data Entry screen, and you can use
the Solar Fire place database and ACS Atlases in the
same way. Most forms of data entry will work, and Solar
Fire will give you a message if the data that you enter is
not acceptable. See Casting a New Chart for further
information.
12.4 Casting a Transiting, Progressed or Directed

Chart
You can create a progressed or directed chart from any
natal type chart. You can progress geocentric,
heliocentric, Tropical and Sidereal charts. The resulting
coordinate system and zodiac type of the progressed

chart are always of the same as those of the natal type

chart that you are progressing.
Whilst it is also possible to cast a transits chart as if it
was an ordinary natal chart independent of any other chart
by using the Chart / New menu item, casting it is as a
subsidiary chart instead has the following advantages.
It is possible to retrieve stored Life Events details
instead of having to re-enter them as you cast the
chart
The transits chart can include an event description
It is possible to apply precession correction or a
converse transits option
The progression rate may be:-
Secondary - a day for a year
Mean tertiary - a day for a mean lunar month
True tertiary - a day for each true lunar month
Minor - a mean lunar month for a year
User-defined - a rate that can be set in the
Preferences dialog
The direction arc may be:-
Solar Arc - the longitudinal distance moved by the
secondary progressed sun
Ascendant Arc - the longitudinal distance moved by
the secondary progressed ascendant
Vertex Arc - the longitudinal distance moved by the
secondary progressed vertex
User Rate - a rate that can be set in the
Preferences dialog
User Arc – a fixed angle that can be set each time

this option is used

Profection Annual – an annual rate of 30 degrees,
corresponding to a direction of one sign (or house)
per year.
Progressed charts are calculated according to certain
options that are set in the Preferences dialog.
>> To pre-set basic progression options

From the Preferences menu of the main screen, select
Edit Settings…, and click on the Progs/Dirns tab.
Chart Angle Progressions Type - to determine
how to progress the Midheaven (which also
determines the Ascendant, house cusps and other
chart angles). See Chart Angle Progression Type.
Progression Day Type - to determine the type of
daily cycle on which the progression rate is based.
See Progression Day Type.
User Progression Rate... - to determine what
progression rate is used when the User-Defined
progression rate option is chosen. See Rate for
User Defined Progs.
User Direction Rate... - to determine what annual
direction rate is used when the User-Defined
direction arc option is chosen. See Rate for User
Defined Directions.

>> To cast the transiting, progressed or directed

chart
1. Ensure that the required natal type chart that you want
to progress or direct is already calculated.
2. Choose the Tran/Prog/Dirn... menu item from the
Chart menu
3. Select a chart type from the Chart Type to Generate
list box.
4. Select a chart from the Base Chart list box.
5. Enter the Date to which you wish to progress or direct
the base chart.
6. (Optional) Enter the Time to which you wish to
progress or direct the base chart. The time is not
important for secondary progressed chart (and most
directed charts), unless the Mean Quotidian rate is
being used for angle progressions.

7. Select the Location type. Normally the location of a

progressed or directed chart would be the same as the
natal chart location. However, if the natal chart is that
of a person who moved during the first few months of
their life, it may be appropriate to relocate the
secondary progressed chart. If the Natal option is
selected then all the boxes relating to location, including
time zone, longitude and latitude will contain the
location details from the selected base chart. Note that
although it may be technically correct to alter the time
zone if the current time zone is different from the natal
one, in practice this is not necessary, as the difference
in the resultant progressed chart would be negligible. If
the Relocated option is selected then all the boxes
relating to location, including time zone, longitude and
latitude will contain the current default values. (See
Saving and Restoring Settings for details on default
values.) Any of these values may be altered in the same
manner as when creating a new chart. See Casting a
New Chart for instructions on how to alter location
values.
8. (Optional) Select Special Options. It is possible to
apply two types of special options to the calculation of
the progressed or directed chart. If the Prec. Corr.
option is checked, then the calculation of the chart will
be done according to how far the planets have moved
on the Sidereal zodiac, rather than the Tropical zodiac.
However, the resulting chart will be still be calculated
for the Tropical Zodiac. Note that if the base chart
which you are progressing or directing already has a
Sidereal zodiac, then this option will have no effect,
and the resulting chart will have a Sidereal zodiac.
Note that for most progressed or directed charts, the

effect of precession is negligibly small, and this option

is included for completeness. If the Converse option is
checked, then the calculation of the progressed or
directed chart will be done backwards in time from the
time of the base chart instead of forwards. An
additional arc multiplier button (Mult) is visible
whenever Solar Arc, Ascendant Arc or Vertex Arc
directions have been selected as the method to
calculate. Clicking on this button produce a drop-
down menu with the possible arc multipliers - x1
(Normal), x2 (Double Arc), x0.5 (Half Arc), x-1
(Negative Arc), x-2 (Negative Double Arc), x-0.5
(Negative Half Arc).
9. Select either the Apply or OK button. The subsidiary
chart will be calculated and added to the list of
calculated charts in the list box on the main screen of
the program. Use the OK button to close this dialog
after the calculation. Use the Apply button to leave this
dialog open to calculate further charts. After this dialog
closes, you can view, print, report on, and otherwise
manipulate the newly calculated charts.
12.5 Casting a Return, Ingress or Transit Chart

You can cast solar, lunar, planetary or asteroid returns,
ingresses into any zodiac sign, or transits to any planet in a
base chart or to any user-defined zodiac point. You can
also produce multiple returns from one starting date,
including demi, quarti and other partial or harmonic
returns. You can also calculate two types of progressed
solar returns.
You can cast returns for geocentric, heliocentric,
Tropical and Sidereal charts. The resulting coordinate

system and zodiac type of the progressed chart are

always of the same as those of the natal type chart that
you are progressing.
>> To cast a single Solar or Lunar return or Wynn-

Key or Progressed Solar Return
1. Ensure that the natal type chart that you want the return
for is already calculated.
2. Choose the Return... menu item from the Chart menu
3. Select the required chart type from the Chart Type to
Generate list box.
5. Enter the Date from which you wish to search, or for
Wynn-Key or Progressed Solar Returns enter the
exact date for which you wish to calculate the return

chart.
6. The Time is not needed for ordinary solar or lunar
returns, as the program will find the exact time of the
return. However you should enter a time for Wynn-
Key or Progressed Solar Returns, as this is used as the
time for which the return is calculated.
7. Select the Location type. Normally the return chart is
relocated to wherever the person is living at the time of
the return. If the Natal option is selected then all the
boxes relating to location, including time zone,
longitude and latitude will contain the location details
from the selected base chart. Note that although it may
be technically correct to alter the time zone if the
current time zone is different from the natal one, in
practice this is not necessary, as the difference in the
resultant progressed chart would be negligible. If the
Relocated option is selected then all the boxes relating
to location, including time zone, longitude and latitude
will contain the current default values. (See Saving and
Restoring Settings for details on default values.) Any of
these values may be altered in the same manner as
when creating a new chart. See Casting a New Chart
for instructions on how to alter location values.
8. Select a Which Return option. If the Current option
is selected, then Solar Fire will search backwards from
the entered date to find the return that occurred most
recently. If the Next option is selected, then Solar Fire
will search forwards from the entered date to find the
return that will occur next. If the Nearest option is
selected, the Solar Fire will find either the current or
the next return, depending on which is closer to the
entered date.

9. (Optional) Select Special Options. It is possible to

apply two types of special options to the calculation of
the progressed or directed chart. If the Prec. Corr.
option is checked, then the calculation of the chart will
be done according to how far the planets have moved
on the Sidereal zodiac, rather than the Tropical zodiac.
However, the resulting chart will be still be calculated
for the Tropical Zodiac. Note that if the base chart
which you are using already has a Sidereal zodiac, then
this option will have no effect, and the resulting chart
will have a Sidereal zodiac. For each year of life, about
50 seconds of arc will be added to the return planet’s
longitude, thus allowing for the precession of the
equinoxes. If the Converse option is checked, then
the calculation of the progressed or directed chart will
be done backwards in time from the time of the base
chart instead of forwards.
10.Select either the Apply or OK button. The subsidiary

>> To cast multiple solar, lunar or other returns

1. Follow the steps 1 to 7 above, under “To cast a single
solar or lunar return”.
2. In the Chart Type to Generate box, select
Advanced & Ingress, and then click on the
Options... button. This will display the “Advanced
Return Selections” dialog box.
3. From the list of chart points on the left of the screen,
select the body for which you wish to find a return.
4. Select the options in the Which Return/s and Special
Options as in steps 8 and 9 above.
5. Next to Number of Returns, type in the number of
successive returns that you want, or click on the spin
button to increase or decrease the number of returns.
6. Select the OK button. Solar Fire will calculate the first
return just as it would for a single return chart, and then
each successive return after that up to the number that
you specified. When you return to the Main Screen,
you will find that all these returns have been added to
the Calculated Charts listbox.

>> To cast demi, quarti or other harmonic returns

1. Follow the steps 1 to 5 above, under “To cast multiple
solar, lunar or other returns”.
2. In the Return...To area, select Natal Position, and
next to Harmonic, type in a number or use the spin
button to change the number. You would enter 2 for
demi returns, 4 for a quarti returns, etc.
3. Select the OK button.
>> To cast planetary or asteroid returns

1. Proceed as you would for casting multiple returns,
choosing a planet or asteroid instead of the Sun or
Moon, and then select the OK button.
If you are casting geocentric planet/asteroid returns, then
it is possible that there may be three or even five possible
dates for that return. If so, then a Return Selection dialog
box will appear containing a list of all the dates, showing
whether each return is direct or retrograde.

If only one return date is found, then the chart for that
date is calculated automatically, and the temporary dialog
box will disappear. If more than one return is found then
you may choose one or more of the return charts to be
calculated. Use the Ctrl key whilst clicking on each
required chart in order to make multiple selections. (Note
that if you have specified a number of returns greater than
1, then selecting the Cancel button will prevent any
further returns from being calculated.)
Note: Even with the most accurate astronomical
calculations, the slower a planet is moving, the harder it is
to pinpoint the exact time of its return. For outer planets in
general, and for inner planets when they are near a station
point, it is best to treat the chart angles and house
positions as approximate. In the chart details of the return
chart, an estimated accuracy of the return time is given, so
that you can judge how accurate the chart angles and

house cusps really are, in each case.
>> To cast a chart for a sign ingress or for a transit

to any planet or user-defined point
1. Follow the steps 1 to 5 under “To cast multiple solar,
lunar or other returns”.
2. In the Return...To area, select Position or Ingress,
and in the drop-down box below this, either select one
of the existing longitudes for sign ingresses, or type in
you own value. If you are finding a return to a planet’s
position, then you can automatically insert that planet’s
position into this box by double-clicking on that planet
in the listbox on the left of the screen. (However, don’t
forget to subsequently reselect the required return
planet by highlighting it with a single click.)
12.6 Casting an Harmonic, Transform, Antiscia or

Analogue Chart
You can create an harmonic, arc transform, antiscia or
contra-antiscia or zodiacal analogue chart from any other
type of chart.
These chart types are calculated as follows:
Harmonic - The longitude of each point in the chart is
multiplied by the specified harmonic value.
Harmonic Age - The longitude of each point in the
chart is multiplied by the exact age (in decimal years) of
the base chart’s subject at the time of the event. (The
harmonic value is zero at time of birth.)
Harmonic Age+1 - The longitude of each point in the

chart is multiplied by the exact age of the base chart’s

subject at the time of the event plus one year. (The
harmonic value is one at time of birth.)
Arc Transform - The longitude of each point in the
chart is multiplied by an harmonic value calculated from
the longitudinal separation between a pair of points in the
chart. This has the effect of bringing that planetary pair
into exact conjunction in the Arc Transform chart.
Antiscia - The longitude of each point is reflected in the
0 Cancer/0 Capricorn axis.
Contra-antiscia - The longitude of each point is
reflected in the 0 Aries/ 0 Libra axis.
Long Equiv Decl – The declination of each point is
converted into longitude equivalent (keeping it in the same
quadrant of the circle as its original longitude).
Long Equiv Decl (Ant) – The declination of each point
is converted into longitude equivalent and then reflected in
the 0 Cancer/0 Capricorn axis.
Z-Analogue Latitude – Zodiacal analogue of latitude.
The latitude of each point is expressed as a longitude.
Latitudes from 0 to +90 degree correspond to 0 Aries to
0 Cancer, whereas latitudes from 0 to –90 degrees
correspond to 0 Aries to 0 Capricorn.
Z-Analogue RA – Zodiacal analogue of right ascension.
The right ascension of each point is expressed as a
longitude.
Z-Analogue Decl - Zodiacal analogue of declination.
The declination of each point is expressed as a longitude.
Declinations from 0 to 90 degree North correspond to 0
Aries to 0 Cancer, whereas declinations from 0 to 90
degrees South correspond to 0 Aries to 0 Capricorn.

Z-Analogue Azi - Zodiacal analogue of azimuth. The

azimuth of each point is expressed as a longitude. Due
east corresponds to 0 Aries, and due north corresponds
to 0 Cancer. Although this is the traditional way of
displaying azimuth as a zodiacal analogue, in contrast with
the local horizon coordinate chart, it produces a rotated
image of the true compass directions (rotated by 180
degrees), so cannot easily be used as a map overlay.
Z-Analogue Loc Horz - Zodiacal analogue of local
horizon coordinate. The local horizon coordinate of each
point is expressed as a longitude. Due west corresponds
to 0 Aries, and due north corresponds to 0 Capricorn.
This produces a chart which corresponds to planetary
compass directions for the chart’s location, and is similar
to the Local Horizon chart generated by Solar Maps.
Z-Analogue Altitude - Zodiacal analogue of altitude.
The altitude of each point is expressed as a longitude.
Altitudes from 0 to +90 degree correspond to 0 Aries to
0 Cancer, whereas altitudes from 0 to –90 degrees
correspond to 0 Aries to 0 Capricorn.
Z-Analogue Prime Vert - Zodiacal analogue of prime
vertical. The prime vertical of each point is expressed as a
longitude. This chart is also known as a Campanus
Mundoscope.
Z-Analogue PV Amp - Zodiacal analogue of prime
vertical amplitude. The prime vertical amplitude of each
point is expressed as a longitude. Prime vertical
amplitudes from 0 to +90 degree correspond to 0 Aries
to 0 Cancer, whereas prime vertical amplitudes from 0 to
–90 degrees correspond to 0 Aries to 0 Capricorn.
Z-Analogue Diurn Arc - Zodiacal analogue of diurnal
arc. The diurnal arc of each point is expressed as a

longitude. Points which do not cross the horizon during

their diurnal rotation are omitted and are not displayed. 0
Aries corresponds to rising across the horizon, 0
Capricorn to culminating, 0 Libra to setting across the
horizon, and 0 Cancer to anti-culminating. This chart is
also known as a Placidus Mundoscope.
>> To cast an harmonic, antiscia, contra-antiscia,

longitude equivalent or zodiacal analogue chart
1. Ensure that the natal type chart that you want to use is
already calculated.
2. Choose the Harmonic/Transform... menu item from
the Chart menu
Generate list box.

5. [Harmonic Only] Type a numerical value into the

Harmonic box, or use the spin button to set an integer
value. The harmonic value may be any positive
number, either integer or real (i.e. it may contain
decimal places).
6. [Arc Transform Only] Select a planetary pair from the
Arc Transform Pairs list.
>> To cast an age or age+1 harmonic chart

1. Ensure that the natal type chart that you want to use is
already calculated.
2. Choose the Harmonic... menu item from the Chart
menu
Generate list box.
5. Either select a stored life event or enter the event
details into the appropriate edit boxes.


12.7 Casting a Combined Chart

This section describes how to create a composite,
relationship or coalescent chart by combining two charts,
or a group composite chart composed of up to 15 base
charts.
>> To cast a composite, Davison relationship or

coalescent chart
1. Ensure that the natal type charts that you wish to
combine are already calculated.
TIP: If you are just combining two charts,first select

both charts you want to combine, then you can skip

step 4 (nominating the charts to use)
2. Choose the Combined... menu item from the Chart
menu
Generate list box.
4. Select two or more charts from the Base Chart list
box. Holding down the Ctrl key allows multiple charts
to be selected at once. You should only select two
charts, unless you have selected the “Composite
Group” chart type, in which case you may select up to
15 charts.
5. (Optional) Edit the Title1 and Title2 boxes. As charts
are selected, these title boxes are automatically
updated. When either one or two charts are selected,
the title list boxes contain the chart name of each chart
suffixed with its chart type. When more than two charts
are selected then the Title1 box contains the last
names of each selected chart, separated by slashes (/),
and the Title2 box contains the chart type of the first
selected chart on the list of base charts. These titles will
appear whenever the chart is displayed or printed.
These may be edited if you wish.
6. Select the Location type. If have selected the
“Composite - Midpoints” or “Relationship - Davison”
then this option will be disabled, and you can pass to
the next step. Normally the combined chart is
relocated to wherever the relationship exists. If the
Natal option is selected then all the boxes relating to
location, including time zone, longitude and latitude will
contain the location details from the selected base
chart, although only the latitude is used in the chart

calculation. If the Relocated option is selected then all

the boxes relating to location, including time zone,
longitude and latitude will contain the current default
values. (See Saving and Restoring Settings for details
on default values.) Any of these values may be altered
in the same manner as when creating a new chart. See
Casting a New Chart for instructions on how to alter
location values.
Note - You cannot calculate a composite chart based on
other composite charts. The mathematical basis on which
composite charts are calculated does not work if
composite charts are combined. The only way of
combining more than two natal charts is to use the “Group
Composite” method.
12.8 Casting a Prenatal Chart

This section describes how to create a prenatal chart for
an individual whose natal chart has already been cast. The
most commonly used type of prenatal chart is the
conception chart, for which two different methods of
calculation are available. However, there are many other
types of prenatal chart type available, plus the ability to
derive a natal chart from the date of conception or
quickening, if they are known. See Prenatal Charts for a

full discussion of the different types of prenatal charts that

can be calculated.
>> To cast a prenatal chart

1. Ensure that the base chart that you wish to use is
already calculated.
2. Choose the Prenatal... menu item from the Chart
menu
Generate list box.
5. Select the Location type. Normally, a prenatal chart
should be located where the individual was at the time
of the prenatal chart. For example, a conception chart
should be located to where the conception took place.

However, for some of the other prenatal chart types

you cannot know a definite location. In these cases it is
recommended that the natal location is used. If the
Natal option is selected then all the boxes relating to
location will contain the details from the selected base
chart. If the Relocated option is selected then all the
boxes relating to location, will contain the current
default values, and any of these values may be altered
in the same manner as when creating a new chart. See
Casting a New Chart for instructions on how to alter
location values.
6. If the prenatal chart type is one for which the
calculation is based on a number of lunar cycles, then
you can specify the number of cycles in the Lunar
Cycles box. The number of lunar cycles is
automatically preset to a suggested value e.g. for the
conception charts it is set to 10 lunar cycles (about
273 days) which is the normal term of pregnancy. If
you know that the pregnancy was especially short or
long term, then this number may be changed.
7. If you have selected a “Bailey Conception” or “Bailey
Birth (C)” charts, you should indicate the sex of the
individual using the Sex of Subject option buttons. If
the sex is not known, then the best alternative is to use
the Jayne Uranus (C) or Jayne Birth (C) chart types
instead, as these are equivalent to the Bailey
Conception and Birth charts but ignore the sex of the
subject.
8. Select the OK or Apply button
A dialog box may appear listing details of the possible
prenatal charts. You can select one or more entries from
the list and then select the OK button in order to calculate

the selected charts. These calculated charts will be added

to the list of Calculated Charts on the Main Screen.
12.9 Casting a Rising/Setting Chart

This section describes how to create a chart for the
moment of rising, setting, culmination or anti-culmination
of any planet or asteroid on any given day. For rising and
setting charts it is possible to choose whether to calculate
the chart for the time at which the planet or asteroid
would appear to cross the horizon visually, or alternatively
to calculate the chart for the time at which its centre
crosses the true astronomical horizon.
You can create these types of charts without a base
chart. However, if you wish to base them on the date of
an existing chart, you should have already cast or opened
the chart that you wish to use.

1. Choose Rising/Setting... from the Chart menu.

2. Select the chart type you want from the Chart Type
to Generate list box.
>>> To base the rising/setting chart on the date

and location of an existing chart:
Select a chart from the Base Chart list box.
>>> To do a rising/setting chart for some other date

or place:
1. Fill in the required Date, or click on the Now button
for today’s date. Select the Relocated option button
and fill in the required location details.
2. If you are doing a rising or setting chart (as opposed to
a culmination or anti-culmination chart), select one of

the following Rise/Set Type options

True Altitude - the rising or setting time is that for
which the centre of the body crosses the astronomical
horizon. This ignores atmospheric refraction, the size
of the body and parallax effects.
Visual - the rising or setting time is that for which the
leading edge of the body rises or the trailing edge
would set visually on an idealised flat horizon. This
takes account of atmospheric refraction and the size
of the body. In the case of the moon, the lunar
parallax is also taken into account.
A dialog box will appear listing the times of rise, set,
culmination and anti-culmination were found. Select one
or more entries on the list and then select the OK or
Apply button in order to generate the charts. These charts
will be added to the list of Calculated Charts on the Main
Screen.
12.10 Casting a Lunar Phase or Eclipse Chart

This section describes how to create a chart for
Progressed Lunar Phases - Any of 8 main
progressed lunar phases (new moon, crescent, first
quarter, gibbous, full moon, disseminating, third
quarter, balsamic), starting 2 phases prior to the
search date.
Transiting Lunar Phases - Any of the 4 main
transiting lunar phases (new moon, first quarter, full
moon, last quarter), starting 4 phases prior to the
search date.

Phase Returns - Any lunar phase return (a chart in

which the phase angle between the sun and the moon
returns to its natal phase angle), starting one lunar
month prior to the search date.
Phase Family - Any lunar phase belonging to a
“moon phase family”, connected to the other members
in the family either past or present. The Lunar
Gestation Cycle divides the "Moon phase family" by 9
month intervals beginning the series at any New Moon
and locates the next or nearest "family related" Moon
phase being a First Quarter, Full Moon and finally
Last Quarter Moon, all occurring at similar positions in
the zodiac. (For a detailed explanation, please see the
book “Lunar Shadows, The Lost Key to the Timing of
Eclipses” by Dietrich Pessin, who originated this
concept.)
Eclipses (List) - Any total or partial solar or lunar
eclipse, selectable from a list, starting one year prior to
the search date. Note: The calculated eclipse times
may be either times of maximum eclipse or times of
exact lunar phase depending on the eclipse settings in
Preferences.
Eclipse (Solar or Lunar) - The most recent or next
eclipse of any type.
Eclipse (Solar only) - The most recent or next solar
eclipse.
Eclipse (Lunar only) - The most recent or next lunar
eclipse.
New Moon - The most recent or next new moon.
Full Moon - The most recent or next full moon.
New or Full Moon (Syzygy) - The most recent or

next syzygy moon.

You can create a transiting lunar phase chart without a
base chart. However, before creating any other type of
lunar phase or eclipse chart, it is necessary to have either
cast or opened the base chart that you wish to use.
>> To cast a transiting, progressed or lunar phase

return or family chart
1. Choose Lunar Phase... from the Chart menu.
2. Select the chart type you want from the Chart Type
to Generate.
3. If you want to base the lunar phase chart on an existing
chart, then select a chart from the Base Chart list box.
This is optional for transiting lunar phase or family
charts, but obligatory for progressed phases.

4. Optionally enter or select event details (including Date

and Time around which to search for the charts). As
the program will find the exact time of the lunar phases
around the entered date, there is often no need to enter
or alter the time.
5. If you have selected “Progressed Lunar Phases” or
“Lunar Phase Returns”, then you will probably want to
select a current date. You can do this by either
manually entering a new date, or by selecting the Now
button. For all other chart types to generate, selecting a
base chart will automatically set the date and time from
the base chart. This makes it quick and easy to find the
prenatal lunar phases and eclipses.
6. Select Location type. If you select the Natal option,
then all the boxes relating to location will contain the
location details from the base chart. If you select the
Relocated option, then all the boxes relating to
location will contain the current default values, and you
can enter new location data if you wish to.
7. If you have selected a chart type to generate that
produces a list of possible events to choose from, then
you can set the number to find in the Phases to Find
or Eclipses to Find box.
8. If you have selected a chart type to generate which
results in a single chart, then you can choose whether
to find the chart prior to (Current), nearest to (
Nearest), or after (Next) the search date in the
Which One box. If your search date is the date of
your base natal chart, then the Current option will find
a pre-natal chart, and Next will find a post-natal chart.
9. Select the OK or Apply button.
10.For those chart types to generate which produce

selection lists, a dialog box will appear listing the lunar

phases that were found and their dates and times. You
can select one or more entries on the list and then
select the OK button in order to generate the charts for
the chosen lunar phases. Any charts calculated from
this procedure are automatically added to the list of
Calculated Charts on the Main Screen.
12.11 Casting a Locality or Relocated Chart

This section describes how to relocate a chart or to cast
a chart for a locality.
The types of locality charts that may be calculated are
Relocated - calculated for the exact same time as the
base chart, but for a different latitude and longitude.
Geodetic - using either right ascension or longitude, and
optionally allowing a user-defined geographic longitude
base point. This technique involves adjusting the MC of
the base chart according to a projection of the zodiac
onto the earth’s surface.
Johndro - using either right ascension or longitude. This
technique is similar to the geodetic technique, but
incorporates a zodiacal precession adjustment in fixing the
base point longitude.
You can create a locality chart based on any geocentric
natal type chart. The house system and zodiac type of the
resulting chart are always the same as that of the base
chart that you have selected.
>> To relocate a chart

1. Choose Locality... from the Chart menu.

2. Select the “Relocated” chart type from the Chart

Type to Generate.
3. Enter the details of the location to which you wish to
relocate the chart.
The relocated chart will be added to the list of Calculated
Charts on the Main Screen.
>> To cast a Geodetic or Johndro type chart

1. Choose Locality... from the Chart menu.
Generate.
3. Enter the details of the location for which you wish the
chart to be calculated.
If you have selected a User Geodetic chart type, then
you will be prompted to enter the terrestrial longitude at
which you wish the zodiac to start. In standard Geodetic
charts, this longitude is 000W00 (i.e. the Greenwich
meridian). The Geodetic or Johndro chart will be added
to the list of Calculated Charts on the Main Screen.
12.12 Casting a Vedic Chart

This section describes how to cast a Vedic or Vedic
divisional chart.
A Vedic Natal chart is identical to any other natal chart
in Solar Fire except that it must use a sidereal zodiac
rather then the tropical zodiac as conventionally used in
Western astrology. (The most commonly used sidereal
zodiac is “Lahiri”, which is the officially nominated zodiac

in India.)
It is possible to calculate any Vedic divisional chart using
a tropical chart as the base chart. However,
conventionally, they are only calculated using base charts
that have a sidereal zodiac. Therefore, if you try to
calculate a Vedic divisional chart using a base chart that
does not have a sidereal zodiac, then Solar Fire will
prompt you with a warning message. (This warning may
be switched off if you wish).
If you wish to work with Vedic charts in the
conventional way, then it is recommended that you ensure
that you have all your required base charts already
calculated in a sidereal zodiac. You can do this in a
variety of ways, as follows.
Create a new natal chart using Chart / New, and
ensure the selected zodiac is a sidereal one.
Use Chart / Edit / Edit Chart or Copy and Edit
Chart and change the selected zodiac to a sidereal
one.
Use Chart / Edit / Toggle Chart Zodiac to change
the zodiac (and optionally also house system) of an
existing base chart. See Default Zodiac and Default
House System for information on changing your
preferred zodiac and house system for vedic (sidereal)
charts.
Use Chart / Vedic (i.e. this dialog) and choose the
“Vedic Natal” method to create a new base chart
using the default sidereal zodiac.
>> To cast a Vedic or Vedic divisional chart

1. Choose Vedic... from the Chart menu.


Generate.
3. Select the OK or Apply button.
The chart will be added to the list of Calculated Charts on
the Main Screen.
13 Saving Charts to a File

This chapter describes how to save a calculated chart to
a chart database file, so that it may be opened again in
subsequent sessions with the Solar Fire program.
You can save charts of all types created in Solar Fire
apart from multiple composite charts. Although these
types of charts cannot be saved to a chart database file,
you may still retain them for use in subsequent sessions of
Solar Fire. See Retaining Charts for details on how to
retain charts.
The Chart Details display box on the Main Screen
indicates whether or not the chart can be saved, and if it
can be saved, whether it has already been saved or
retained.
It is possible to save as many copies of a chart as you
wish, either to the same chart file or to a different one.
(See Using the File Manager for information about how to
create new chart files.)
Note that if the Auto Chart Save option is switched on,
then all new or edited charts will be saved automatically to
the currently selected chart file as soon as they are cast.
See Auto Chart Save for more information about this
option.

>> To save one or more charts from the Main

Screen
1. Select the required chart or charts from the list of
Calculated Charts
2. Select the Save to File... item from the Chart menu
3. If you are saving a single selected chart, and that chart
is already saved, then a dialog box will appear asking
you to confirm whether you wish to save another copy
of the chart. If you are have selected more than one
chart to save, then you will not be asked to confirm
whether to resave any saved charts - all selected charts
will be saved to the selected chart file regardless of
whether or not they have been previously saved.
4. The File Manager will appear, listing all of the available
chart database files. Select the required chart file from
this list, or click on the Create button to create a new
empty chart file, and then click on the OK button.
>> To save the currently displayed chart in the

“View Chart” screen
Select the Save button and then follow step 4 above.
>> To save any unsaved charts before exiting from

Solar Fire
When you exit from Solar Fire you will be asked
whether you want to save any charts that have not yet
been saved. If you choose not to, then the program will
close immediately. Otherwise the Unsaved Charts dialog
will appear.

>> To save one or more charts to the displayed

chart file
1. Highlight the charts you wish to save to this file.
2. Click on the Save button.
Once the charts are saved they will disappear from the
list, leaving only any other unsaved charts. If no unsaved
charts remain, then the program will close.
>> To select a different chart file to save charts

into
Click on the File button
This will display the File Manager, from which you can
select another chart file or create a new one.
>> To exit without saving any more charts

Click on the Discard All button.
The program will close without saving any remaining
charts.
>> To go back to Solar Fire without closing

Click on the Cancel button.
14 Backing Up and Restoring Chart Files

Most files in Solar Fire can be easily re-installed or fairly
readily reconstructed if should you experience serious
problems with your computer’s hard disk or operating
system. However, chart files cannot be reconstructed
unless you keep some sort of copy of all the charts that
you cast or import. Therefore, it is wise to make backups

of your chart data on a regular basis.
>> To backup your data to any other location on

your computer or network (e.g. a USB Flash Drive)
For Chart Files only: Select the Backup Chart Files…
item from the Utilities menu.
For All User Files: Select the Backup All User Files…
item from the Utilities menu.
You will be prompted to select a drive or location to
save the backup files to.
If you want to create a backup copy that you can keep
separately from your computer, then you should choose
an external drive, but you can also save copies to another
directory or disk on your computer, or to another
computer linked to yours on a network.
>> To find your Solar Fire User Files folder

Select the Open User Files Folder... item from the
Utilities menu.
>> To restore your backup chart data

Copy the chart files from their backup location into the
Charts subfolder under the Solar Fire User Files folder.
>> To restore your backup user files

Copy the files from their backup location into the Solar
Fire User Files folder.

15 Manipulating Calculated Charts

As soon as you calculate a chart or retrieve a chart from
a chart file, the name of the chart is added to the
“Calculated Charts” list on the Main Screen. A calculated
chart is open and ready to view, see reports on, cast
subsidiary charts from, and print. Calculated charts may
or may not have been saved to a file.
This section describes certain file-type manipulations that
you can do with calculated charts, even though they may
not yet have been saved to a file.
If a calculated chart has not already been saved, it can
be saved after being edited or retained. Once an unsaved
chart is removed from the list of “Calculated Charts”, it
cannot be saved or retrieved.
15.1 Editing a Calculated Chart

This section describes how to copy and edit, or edit and
replace, a natal or event chart that appears on the list of
"Calculated Charts" on the main screen. It is not possible
to edit any type of chart other than a natal or event chart
or its equivalent. If you wish to alter any other type of
chart you will have to use one of the subsidiary chart
options such as Progressed, Return, Harmonic, etc.
It is also possible to copy and edit, or to edit and
replace a chart that is already stored in a chart file. For
instructions on how to do this, see Retrieving Charts From
a File.
>> To copy and edit a natal type calculated chart

1. From the main screen, select the required chart in

the list of “Calculated Charts”.

2. Select the Edit / Copy and Edit... item from the
Chart menu. (If the selected chart is not editable,
then this option is disabled).
3. The “New Chart Data Entry” dialog box will
appear, displaying the details of the selected chart.
4. Type over whatever details you wish to change.
5. Select the OK button. An edited copy of the
original chart will be created and added to the list
of calculated charts. The original chart will remain
in the list.
>> To edit and replace a natal type calculated chart

1. From the main screen, select the required chart in
2. Select the Edit / Edit Chart... item from the Chart
menu. (If the selected chart is not editable, then this
option is disabled).
3. The “New Chart Data Entry” dialog box will
appear, displaying the details of the selected chart.
4. Type over whatever details you wish to change.
5. Select the OK button. An edited copy of the
original chart will replace the original chart on the
list of calculated charts.
15.2 Toggling Zodiac, Lunar Node or Coordinates

If you wish to change the zodiac or lunar node type of a
chart that appears on the list of "Calculated Charts" on the
main screen, then you can do so via a shortcut, without
having to edit the chart details.

>> To toggle the zodiac (and optionally also house

system) of a chart
1. From the main screen, select the required chart/s in
2. Either select the Edit / Toggle Chart Zodiac from
the Chart menu OR right-click on the highlighted
chart/s on the "Calculated Charts" list and select
Edit / Toggle Chart Zodiac OR, on the
keyboard, press two keys together, Ctrl+Z.
The change is instantly applied to the selected chart/s. See
Default Zodiac and Default House System for information
on changing your preferred zodiac and house system for
vedic (sidereal) charts.
>> To toggle the lunar node of a chart between true

and mean
1. From the main screen, select the required chart/s in
2. Either select the Edit / Toggle Lunar Node from
Edit / Toggle Lunar Node OR, on the keyboard,
press two keys together, Ctrl+L.
The change is instantly applied to the selected chart/s.
However, any new charts you cast or open will still use
the default lunar node type. To change the default lunar
node type, see the Calculations section in Editing Settings.
>> To toggle the coordinates of a chart between

geocentric and heliocentric

1. From the main screen, click on the required chart/s

in the list of “Calculated Charts” to highlight it/them.
2. Either select the Edit / Toggle Coordinates from
Edit / Toggle Coordinates OR, on the keyboard,
press two keys together, Ctrl+K.
The change is instantly applied to the selected chart/s.
However, any new charts you cast or open will still use
the default coordinates.
15.3 Deleting Charts from the List of Calculated

Charts
This section describes how to remove one or more
charts from the list of "Calculated Charts". You might wish
to do this if you already have a large number of charts
calculated, and wish to reduce the list of charts to a more
manageable size. Any type of chart may be deleted.
>> To remove one or more charts from the list of

“Calculated Charts”
Select the required chart(s) from the list of "Calculated
Charts"
1. Select the Delete... item from the Chart menu
2. A dialog box will appear, asking you to confirm
whether or not you wish to delete the selected
charts. If you select the OK button, then the charts
will be removed.

15.4 Retaining Charts

This section describes how to retain or remove a
selection of calculated charts to appear automatically in
the list of Calculated Charts in subsequent Solar Fire
sessions.
Retained charts are different from saved charts in that
any types of calculated charts may be retained, whereas
multiple composite charts may not be saved to file. Also,
retained charts are stored with all the planetary positions
pre-calculated, whereas charts saved to file must have
their planetary positions re-calculated each time that the
chart is opened. Retained charts use much more disk
storage than saved charts - about 3000 bytes for each
chart, whereas saved charts use only about 300 bytes.
Typically it is useful to retain only a small number of charts
that you like to work with frequently. Retaining a large
number of charts uses a lot of space and clutters up the
list of calculated charts. For example, if you frequently
work with your own and your partner’s charts, then you
might like to retain both of your natal charts plus your
composite chart, and perhaps also your current solar
return charts.
>> To retain one or more charts for subsequent

sessions of Solar Fire
Select the required charts from the list of "Calculated
Charts"
Select the Retain Chart/s... option from the Chart
menu
This will display a dialog box asking you to confirm
whether or not you wish to retain the selected charts. If
you select the OK button, then these charts will be added

to the list of retained charts for subsequent sessions
>> To clear the retained charts

Select the Clear Retained... option from the Chart
menu
This will display a dialog box asking you to confirm
whether or not you wish to clear the selection of currently
retained charts. If you select the OK button, then no
charts will be retained for subsequent sessions.
Note that these options have no effect on the list of
calculated charts during the current session. They only
take effect when Solar Fire is next started up.
15.5 Cloning Charts

Cloning charts is a process where you can keep in view
a copy of one or more chart wheels you are interested in.
Sometimes you might be in one of the many screen
reports in Solar Fire and wish to see instantly see the
chart wheel rather than closing the reports you are
studying. By using the "Clone" feature after you open or
enter a chart, you can now keep any number of copies of
the chart wheel on screen for an instant reference.
This feature is particularly useful if you have more than
one monitor on your computer or have a monitor that is
large and has a lot of screen "real estate" to display things.
Solar Fire also remembers the position and size of
previous clone windows and automatically creates new
clone windows in those positions with those sizes.
>> To clone a chart for viewing

1. From the main screen, select and highlight the

required chart in the list of “Calculated Charts”
(only one highlighted chart at a time).
2. Either select the Clone item from the Chart menu
OR right-click on the highlighted chart on the
"Calculated Charts" list and select Clone OR, on
the keyboard, press two keys together, Ctrl+O.
3. Once the chart wheel appears in a separate smaller
window, you can move this window to other parts
of the screen by using the mouse, . You can also
change the size of the cloned chart window by
4. You can repeat Steps 2 and 3 for either the same
chart or select another chart.
>> To reposition and resize a Clone

window
1. To reposition a clone window using the window
title bar you can just drag the window to where you
want it.
(To drag a window : hold the mouse cursor over
the window's title bar, push the left mouse button
down, hold it down, and then drag the window
to where you want it, then release the left mouse
button).
2. To resize a clone window drag on the the window's
borders, or the bottom right hand corner of the
window, to expand or shrink it.
(To drag a window border : hover the mouse
cursor over one of the borders until the cursor
changes to a thin black horizontal line with a
small arrowhead on each end. Push the left

mouse button down, hold it down, and then drag

the window border in or out to where you want
it, then release the left mouse button).
(To drag a window corner : hover the mouse
cursor over the bottom right corner of the
window until the cursor changes to a thin black
diagonal line with a small arrowhead on each
end. Push the left mouse button down, hold it
down, and then drag the window corner in any
direction to where you want it, then release the
left mouse button. Dragging the corner
diagonally upwards towards the opposite corner
is the quickest way to resize the window to it's
smallest size).
>> To close the cloned chart window

Click on the "X" button at the top right of the cloned
chart window.
Note: at the bottom left corner of the cloned window,

you will see the option "Always on top". By default, this
option is ticked so that it is always in view even if other
windows are opened - it always remains on top of other
windows. If you click this option, to take away the tick
mark, this window will be placed behind any other larger
windows that you may subsequently use.

16 Converting Chart Files

This chapter describes how you can use Solar Fire's
Chart Conversion Utility to import and/or export natal
type charts to or from chart files created by Solar Fire or
various other astrological software, as well as sending
chart details to text files.
Note that you can also export planetary type data such
as longitudes and latitudes – please refer to Exporting
Data to Text Files for further details.
Most charts produced by Astrolabe and Matrix
Blue*Star or QuickCharts compatible software may be
imported into Solar Fire format. The capability to import
other types of chart files may also be added at a later
date. If you have Nova, Chartwheels, Professional Natal
Report, Blue*Star, or QuickCharts, and you have
calculated and saved important natal charts using these
programs, Solar Fire can import them into its own chart
file format.
This utility searches for and processes only the natal
chart records in your chart files. It does not import or
export derived-type charts such as progressed charts,
solar and lunar returns, and composite charts, for
example.
Note: The ASCII text data that can be imported or
exported using this utility can consist only of chart details
such as name, date, place, timezone etc, and cannot
include planetary or house data such as planetary and
house cusp longitudes, declinations etc. If you wish to
export planetary type data from Solar Fire, then you must
use the Export Charts as Text… item from the Chart
menu, instead. See Exporting Data to Text Files for
further details.

Note: Solar Fire is able to open, read and save charts in

Nova type chart files directly, without the need to import
or export chart files. Hence, if you are using Nova type
chart files, then you do not need to import or export using
this utility them unless you want to do so.
16.1 Chart Files You Can Import From

You can import natal type charts from any of the
following types of chart files.
Solar chart files - This feature is useful for importing
charts created in current or earlier versions of Solar
Fire (v1/2/3/4/5/6,7), Solar Maps, Solar Spark or
Solar Writer.
JigSaw project files – JigSaw v1 or v2 project files
have the extension .DAT.
Nova chart files - Nova and Nova-series software
has charts in files with the extension .NOV.
Example: FRIENDS.NOV.
Blue*Star chart files - Blue*Star saves charts in
files with the extension .RND.
QuickCharts chart files - QuickCharts saves charts
in files with the extension .QCK.
ASCII files – These can be text files that contain
chart data in fixed length or comma quote delimited
format, with a file extension of .ASC, .TXT or .
DAT.
Other file formats - Any additional file formats
which are added after publication of this manual
Note: This utility cannot import Win*Star charts directly.
However, if you convert your Win*Star charts into

QuickCharts format first (or alternatively into an ASCII

text file), then these charts may be imported with this
utility.
16.2 Chart Files You Can Export To

You can export natal type charts to any of the following
types of chart files.
Solar Fire v6/v7 Chart Files
Solar Fire v5 chart files
Solar Fire v3/v4 chart files
JigSaw v2 project files
ASCII files – These can be flexibly defined to
contain selected chart details in fixed length or
comma quote delimited format.
16.3 Starting the Solar Fire Chart Conversion Utility

>> To start the utility
From the Start / Programs / Solar Fire Gold menu,
select the Chart Conversion item.
After the utility loads, Solar Fire displays a chart
conversion dialog containing three tabbed dialogs.
Import From - To select the file from which data
will be read
Save To - To select the file to which data will be
exported or written
Options – To select various conversion options

16.3.1 Import From
>> To select the file to import from

1. Select the required File Type from the Chart Type
to Import From drop-down list box. This
selection determines which file types will be visible
in the file list below.
2. Select the required Drive from the drop-down list
of drive names.
3. Select the required Directory or Folder by
navigating through the directories/folders. Each time
you change the directory or folder, the list of files
available to import from will be updated, to reflect
the newly selected location. When you have
selected the required directory or folder, all the files
of the selected chart type that are in that folder will
be listed in the file list.
4. Select the required file from the file list. When you
do so, the “Import From” box at the bottom of the
dialog will be updated to give the full path and file
name of your selected file.
16.3.2 Save To
You have the option of saving or exporting charts either

into a new file, or to be appended to an existing file.
>> To select the file to save or export to

1. Select the required File Type from the Chart Type
to Save Into drop-down list box. This selection
determines which file types will be visible in the file
list below.

2. Select the required Drive from the drop-down list

of drive names.
3. Select the required Directory or Folder by
navigating through the directories/folders. Each time
you change the directory or folder, the list of
existing files of the selected type will be updated, to
reflect the newly selected location. When you have
selected the required directory or folder, all the files
of the selected chart type that are already in that
folder will be listed in the file list. If you are
importing chart for use in Solar Fire, then you
should select Solar Fire’s USERDATA directory
(or whichever other directory you are using to store
its chart files).
4. If you wish to save your charts into a file that
already exists, then select the required file from the
file list.
5. If you wish to save your charts into a new file, then
enter a new file name into the File Name to Save
Into box. When you do so, the “Save To” box at
the bottom of the dialog will be updated to give the
full path and file name of your selected file. If you
omit the file extension, then the correct extension
type will be appended to the file name
automatically when the file is created.
16.3.3 Options

16.3.3.1 New Solar Fire Chart Files
This option is used only when you are saving charts into
a new Solar type chart file. It determines the internal
format of any Solar type chart file which is created by this
utility.
Create v3/4 format chart files – Newly created
chart files will be compatible with Solar Fire v3, v4,
v5, v6 and v7, but when used with Solar Fire v5, v6
and v7, cannot be used to store non-natal type
charts, chart ratings or source comments. Choose
this option if you wish to create chart files that can
be used by owners of Solar Fire v3 and v4.
Create v5 format chart files - Newly created
chart files will be compatible with Solar Fire v5, v6
and v7, but when used with Solar Fire v6 and v7
cannot be used to store Life Events. Choose this
option if you wish to create chart files that can be
used by owners of Solar Fire v5.
Create v6/v7 format chart files - Newly created
chart files will be fully compatible with Solar Fire v6
and v7, but cannot be used with any older version
of Solar Fire. Choose this option if you want to be
able to save Life Events with your charts.
16.3.3.2 Default House System
a Solar type chart file.
The default house system that is selected in this drop-
down list is applied whenever the chart data that is being
imported does not have a house system stored with it, or
has a house system that is not recognised in Solar Fire.

If the Force all converted charts to use this house

system option is checked, then all imported charts are
given the default house system, regardless of what house
system may be stored in the imported chart.
16.3.3.3 Default Zodiac
The default zodiac that is selected in this drop-down list
is applied whenever the chart data that is being imported
does not have a zodiac stored with it, or has a zodiac that
is not recognised in Solar Fire.
If the Force all converted charts to use this zodiac
option is checked, then all imported charts are given the
default zodiac, regardless of what zodiac may be stored in
the imported chart.
16.3.3.4 Default Coordinates
The default coordinate system that is selected in this
drop-down list is applied whenever the chart data that is
being imported does not have a coordinate system stored
with it, or has a coordinate system that is not recognised
in Solar Fire.
If the Force all converted charts to use these
coordinates option is checked, then all imported charts
are given the default coordinate system, regardless of
what coordinate system may be stored in the imported
chart.

16.3.3.5 ASCII Format to Use
This option is used only when you are importing from or

exporting to an ASCII text type chart file.
You can either select a pre-defined ASCII format from
the drop-down list, or click on the Edit ASCII
Formats… button to create new ASCII format
definitions, or edit or browse existing ASCII format
definitions.
See Editing ASCII Definitions for instructions on editing
ASCII format definitions.
16.4 Converting Charts

Once you have selected all the required options, you can
start the conversion by clicking on the Convert button.
If the Save To file already exists, then you will be
prompted whether or not you wish to append new charts
after any existing charts in that file.
When the process has finished, you will be notified how
many charts were successfully converted.
Note: If you import a Solar Fire chart file, then any
comments associated with the charts in that file will also
be imported.
17 Emailing Charts
This chapter explains how to send chart files and chart
data by email, either from Solar Fire’s main screen, or
from the “Chart Open” dialog.

You can send data directly from within Solar Fire

provided that you have a MAPI compliant email program.
If you do not have a MAPI compliant email program,
then Solar Fire will generate files that you can attach to
your emails manually, instead.
17.1 About MAPI

MAPI is a mail automation protocol that allows third
party programs to automate the generation of email.
In order to use these automated email options, you must
have a MAPI compliant email program. All Microsoft
email programs (e.g. Outlook and Outlook Express) and
Eudora are MAPI compliant, for example.
You may also need to ensure that the MAPI options are
activated in some email programs, for example in Eudora
Pro v3, you may need to go into the Tools / Options
menu item, find the MAPI category, and ensure that “Use
Eudora MAPI server” is switched to either “When
Eudora is Running” or “Always”. If you are unsure about
any of these options, you should consult the
documentation of your email program (e.g. search for
“MAPI”), or contact the manufacturer of your email
program.
17.2 Sending Charts By Email

>> To send a chart file from the main screen
1. Select the required chart/s from the list of
calculated charts
2. Select the Send Charts by Email… item from the
Chart menu.

3. Select any required chart email options (as

described in the following section)
>> To send a chart file from the Chart Open dialog

1. Optionally, select the required chart/s from the list
of charts in the current chart file
2. Optionally, click on the Send/Add... button to
choose between the Selected Chart Only or All
Charts items.
3. Click on the Send/Add... button and select the
Send Charts by Email item.
4. Select any required chart email options (as
described in the following section)
These methods will create any optionally required
temporary chart files containing the selected charts (and
optionally also a chart comments file containing any
comments associated with these charts), and start up your
email program with these files already attached to an
outgoing email, and optionally also with chart details
already listed within the body of the email.
You will need to address the email, and optionally edit it
or append text to the body of the message as required
before sending it.
17.3 Selecting Chart Email Options

You have various options available to you regarding the
format in which the chart data will be sent. For example,
you can send it as an attached chart file, or alternatively
with the chart details appearing as written text within the
body of your message. If it is sent as an attached file, then

you can choose whether this will be a Solar Fire chart file
(readable only by others who own Solar Fire), or whether
it will be a text file containing written chart details.
Whenever you invoke any chart email command in Solar
Fire, you will be presented with the Email Charts dialog,
which allows you to select from the various options.
If you uncheck the “Show me” option at the bottom of

the dialog, then your current settings will be remembered
and applied to all future chart emailing, without you being
re-prompted with this dialog. However, you can re-
enable this, or edit any of the settings in this dialog at any
time by choosing Preferences / Edit Settings / Charts /
Chart Data Email Options from the main screen.

17.3.1 Attach chart file to email
This option is recommended if you have a large number

of charts to send, because there are limits to how many
chart details may be sent in the body of the email.
You must also choose this option if you wish to make
the charts available to the recipients to open within their
own copies of Solar Fire.
Chart File Format – If all recipients own Solar
Fire Deluxe or Gold, then choose Solar Fire v6/v7
format. If all recipients own Solar Fire v5, but not all
own Deluxe or Gold, then choose Solar Fire v5
format. If any recipients might not own Solar Fire,
then you have a choice of either using the Text File
format instead of a Solar Fire chart file, or
alternatively of attaching a Solar Fire chart file
anyway (for the benefit of all those recipients who
do own a copy), but additionally including chart
details as text in the body of the email for those
recipients who do not own Solar Fire.
Include Chart Comments – This is only relevant if
any of the charts you are emailing contains any
comments text. If so, you can choose to include or
omit it with this option.
Include Life Events – This is only relevant if any
of the charts you are emailing contains any stored
life events. If so, you can choose to include or omit
them with this option. Note that this option is not
available if you have chosen the Solar Fire v4/v5
chart file format, because this format cannot store
life events.

17.3.2 Write chart details as text in body of email
This option is recommended only if you don’t have a

large number of charts to send, because there are limits to
how many chart details may be sent in the body of the
email.
This option may be chosen in addition to the chart file
option if you wish – thus providing the chart information to
your recipients both as an attached file and within your
email.
Include Chart Comments – This is only relevant if
any of the charts you are emailing contains any
comments text. If so, you can choose to include or
omit them with this option.
Include Life Events – This is only relevant if any
of the charts you are emailing contains any stored
life events. If so, you can choose to include or omit
them with this option.
Following is an example of chart details as text, as it
would appear both in the body of the email, or as an
attached text file. This example includes comments text,
but no life events.
Mary Decker - Natal Chart

4 Aug 1958, 2:59 am, EDT +4:00
Raritan New Jersey, 40N34'10'', 074W38'
Geocentric Tropical Zodiac
Rating: AA
Comments: From Birth Certificate (Mary Frances
Wood, AA)
Mary Theresa Decker

Athlete
Decker (later Slaney) was an outstanding athlete and
winner in major competitions during the Eighties. At the
Olympics, this world-class runner never fulfilled her
potential. During the 1984 Olympics she was accidentally
tripped up by Zola Budd, ruining both athletes' chances
for medals.
18 Exporting Data to Text Files

This chapter describes how to export chart details and
astronomical data into text files or to the clipboard for
pasting elsewhere. You have some control over the
format of the exported data, as well as a selection of what
types of data to include.
You are able to export data either for a selection of
calculated charts from Solar Fire’s main screen, or
directly from an existing chart file.
>> To export data from a selection of calculated

charts
1. Highlight the required charts in the list of charts on
Solar Fire’s main screen.
2. Select the Export Charts as Text… item from
the Chart menu.
This will invoke the Export Chart Data dialog.
>> To export data from an existing chart file

1. Select the Open… item from the Chart menu
2. If you only wish to export data for selected charts,

then you must highlight the required charts first.

3. Click on the Send/Add… button, and selected the
required option from the popup menu.
This will invoke the Export Chart Data dialog.
18.1 Using the Export Chart Data Dialog

This dialog allows you to select various options relating
to the process.
Types of Points – You can select any combination
of the available point types. Note that most point
type names are followed by the name of the current
file selection for that point type. If you wish to
change the file selection for any point type, then you
must return to Solar Fire’s main screen to do so. If
you select no types of points, then only header lines
with chart details will be exported.
Types of Data – You can select any combination
of the available types of data. If you are exporting
data for more than one chart, and you are not
including header lines for each chart, then you will
probably wish to include “Chart Name”, so that you
can identify which data belongs to which chart.
Header Lines to Include – If you select the
Column Titles option, then the first line in the
exported data will simply be a label for each column
included in the output, allowing you to identify which
column is which. If you select the Chart Details
option, then there will be an additional line at the
beginning of each chart’s data, giving showing
certain chart details. The exact format of this line is
dictated by the selection in the drop-down list box

below the Edit ASCII button. The Edit ASCII

button can be used to edit or create new formats
defining how the chart details are written. See
Editing ASCII Definitions for further details on this
option.
Field Delimiters – Comma Quote (CQD) format
can be read by most other programs that allow data
to be imported. It places any text fields inside
double quote marks, and separates the fields with
commas. Tab format is also quite common, and
does not use quote marks, but separates the fields
with tab characters.
Destination – If you export to clipboard, then you
can paste it into another program. If you export to
file, then you can specify a file name and location
first, by clicking on the Browse button.
When you have finished your selections, click on the
Export button to start the process. You will be notified
with a message box as soon as it is complete.
Hints
1. If you wish to export the chart details only, without
any astronomical data, then ensure that no types of
points are selected. This will result in only the chart
details lines being included.
2. If you are exporting data for multiple charts, and
wish to import it into a spreadsheet, then it is best
to include “Chart Name” as one of the types of
data, and not to include the “Chart Details” header
line. This is because the Chart Details header line
has a different layout from the other data lines, and
will cause problems if you want to do things like

sorting the data in your spreadsheet.

3. If you are exporting data for natal charts and
subsidiary charts for the same people, then include
the “Chart Type” data type, so that you can
differentiate between the natal data and subsidiary
data.
4. If you intend to do a large export job to a file, then
try it first with a small number of charts and export
it to the clipboard, so that you can easily preview
that data to check that it is formatted as you
expect.
18.2 Editing ASCII Definitions

If your exported data contains chart details in addition to
planetary type data, then you must select an existing (or
create a new) ASCII Data Definition, which controls what
types of chart data are exported, the order in which items
appear on a line, and the format in which they are written.
You can select an existing definition whenever needed
by highlighting its name in the drop-down list of definition
names. This drop-down box appears on the Export Chart
Data dialog as well as the Chart Conversion Utility.
The ASCII Data Definition editor allows you to browse
through the existing definitions, as well as creating new
ones or deleting old ones.
Note that ASCII Data Definitions are used for both
exporting data from Solar Fire, and also whilst using the
chart conversion utility to import or export chart files.
>> To enter the ASCII Data Definition editor

Click on the Edit ASCII… button.

This will display the ASCII Format Definitions dialog.
>> To Select a Definition To Browse, Edit or

Delete
Click on the drop-down list labelled Definitions and
select the required item on the list by clicking on it.
>> To Delete a Definition

1. Ensure that the required definition is selected
2. Click on the Delete Definition button
This will remove that definition from the list.
18.3 Specifying Record Format

Record formats may be either comma-quote delimited
(CQD) or fixed length.
CQD - All fields in each record must be separated by

commas, and character fields must be enclosed in double
quote marks. If a line break occurs before all the fields
are read in, then it is assumed that the remaining fields can
be found on the following line/s. This format is commonly
used for data exchange with spreadsheets, where each
field corresponds to one cell in a row of the spreadsheet.
e.g.
“John Smith”,”1 Jan 1972”,”12:13
pm”,85.6312,42.9832
Fixed Length - Each field in the record is a fixed user-

specified length, so that the length of the full record is

exactly equal to the sum of the length of each field in the
record. Each record must be terminated by a line break.
e.g.
”John Smith 01011972 1213P 85E38 42N59
If you choose this option then you must specify the

length of each field individually so that the total record
length is matched exactly. You can use “Filler” fields if
there are items in the record that are not relevant to the
data exchange.
18.4 Specifying the Fields in a Record

>> To add a new field to the record definition
Highlight the required field from the list of available fields
and click on the < button.
>> To delete a field from the record definition

Highlight the required field from the list of fields in the
record and click on the > button.
>> To change the position of a field in the record

Highlight the required field from the list of fields in the
record and click on the Up or Dn button.
This will move the highlighted field up or down the list.

18.5 Available Fields

The available fields are:-
Name/Description - A character string which
contains a name for the chart eg “John Smith”
Date (String) - A character string which contains a
date for the chart. This may be in any format that is
understood by Esoteric Technologies’ programs
such as the Solar range and JigSaw e.g. “1 Apr
1999”
Year - The year number, which can also be negative
for BC years (where 1BC = Year 0, 2BC = Year -
1 etc...)
Month - The month number (1-12)
Day - The day number (1-31)
Time (String) - A character string which contains a
time for the chart. This may be in any format that is
understood by Esoteric Technologies’ programs
such as the Solar range and JigSaw e.g. “12:59:17
pm”
Hour - The hour number (0-23)
Minute - The minute number (0-59)
Second - The second number (0-59)
AM/PM Indicator - A character string which flags
whether the time is AM or PM if its hour number is
12 or less. (The value of this flag for recognising PM
times may be specified as an additional option.)
Zone Abbreviation - A character string which is a
label for the time zone (e.g. “EST”, “ACDT” etc.)
Zone Time (String) - A character string which
contains a timezone for the chart. This may be in any

format that is understood by Esoteric Technologies’

programs such as the Solar range and JigSaw e.g.
“-9:30”
Zone Time (Numeric) - The numeric value of the
timezone in decimal hours from GMT. The standard
used in Esoteric Technologies’ programs is to use a
-ve number for times east of the Greenwich
Meridian e.g. -9.5. (If you need to use the opposite
convention, then you can choose to reverse its sign
automatically as an additional option.)
Zone Time Hour - The hour number of the timezone
(-13 to +13)
Zone Time Minute - The minute number of the
timezone (0-59)
Zone Time Second - The second number of the
timezone (0-59)
Place Name - A character string which contains a
name for the place of the chart eg “Adelaide”
Country/State Name - A character string which
contains an additional name for the place of the
chart eg “Australia”
Longitude (String) - A character string which
contains a longitude for the chart. This may be in
any format that is understood by Esoteric
Technologies’ programs such as the Solar range and
JigSaw e.g. “84E59 59”
Longitude (Numeric) - The numeric value of the
longitude in decimal degrees. The standard used in
Esoteric Technologies’ programs is to use a -ve
number for longitudes east of the Greenwich
Meridian e.g. -123.7891. (If you need to use the

opposite convention, then you can choose to

reverse its sign automatically as an additional
option.)
Longitude Degree - The degrees number (0-180)
Longitude Minute - The minutes number (0-59)
Longitude Second - The seconds number (0-59)
Longitude Hemisphere - A character string which
flags whether the longitude is East or West. (The
value of this flag for recognising Western longitudes
may be specified as an additional option.)
Latitude (String) - A character string which contains
a latitude for the chart. This may be in any format
that is understood by Esoteric Technologies’
programs such as the Solar range and JigSaw e.g.
“35S55”
Latitude (Numeric) - The numeric value of the
longitude in decimal degrees.
Latitude Degree - The degrees number (0-90)
Latitude Minute - The minutes number (0-59)
Latitude Second - The seconds number (0-59)
Latitude Hemisphere - A character string which
flags whether the latitude is North or South. (The
value of this flag for recognising Northern latitudes
may be specified as an additional option.)
Filler - Any character string or number. The value
for the filler must be specified as an option of the
current field when it is selected.

18.6 Choosing the Appropriate Fields

You can select any combination of fields in any order,
but there are certain combinations of fields which are
often used together, and some that are incompatible with
one another.
Dates
If the dates in the ASCII records are expressed in
everyday date format (e.g. “31 Dec 1957” or “Dec 31
1957” etc.), then it will usually be possible to use the Date
(String) field, and there is no need to use any of the other
date related fields. However, if the dates in the ASCII
records are split up into year, month and day parts, then
the Year, Month and Day fields should be used instead.
Times
If the times in the ASCII records are expressed in
everyday time format (e.g. “12:17pm” or “18:23:59”
etc.), then it will usually be possible to use the Time
(String) field, and there is no need to use any of the other
time related fields. However, if the times in the ASCII
records are split up into hour, minute and second parts,
then the Hour, Minute, Second and AM/PM Indicator
fields should be used instead.
Note: If no time field is present in the record definition,
then the time defaults to 12:00 (Midday) when data is
imported.
Zone Times
If the zone times in the ASCII records are expressed in
everyday time format (e.g. “-9:30” or “+5:00” etc.), then

it will usually be possible to use the Zone Time (String)

field, and there is no need to use any of the other zone
time related fields. However, if the zone times in the
ASCII records are split up into hour, minute and second
parts, then the Zone Hour, Zone Minute, Zone Second
fields should be used instead. If the zone times are
expressed in decimal hours, then only the Zone Time
(Numeric) should be used.
Note: If no zone time field is present in the record
definition, then the zone time defaults to 0:00 (GMT or
UT) when data is imported.
Longitudes and Latitudes

If the longitudes and latitudes in the ASCII records are
expressed in everyday time format (e.g. “84W59 59”,
“34S55 21” etc.), then it will usually be possible to use
the Longitude (String) and Latitude (String) fields, and
there is no need to use any of the other longitude and
latitude related fields. However, if the longitudes or
latitudes in the ASCII records are split up into degree,
minute and second parts, then the Longitude and Latitude
Degree, Minute, Second and Hemisphere fields should be
used instead. If they are expressed in decimal hours, then
only the Longitude (Numeric) and Latitude (Numeric)
should be used.
Note: If no longitude or latitude field is present in the
record definition, then they default to 0W00 and 0N00
when data is imported.
Fillers
Filler fields must be used in the following circumstances

Importing Data - when the input records contain an

item which is not relevant to the data required for
import
Exporting Data - when the output record needs to
contain an item which is fixed in every record
Filler fields may have a default value specified for them.
This default value is ignored when the record definition is
being used for imported data, but if the same definition is
ever used to export data, then that default value is inserted
into the output record in the position where the Filler field
appears in the definition.
Example
Import data record: “John
Smith”,”1 Jan 1972”,17.834,”12:13
pm”,85.6312,42.9832
The 3rd field in the record (17.834) is not relevant to the

chart data, so the third field in the definition of the CQD
definition should be a Filler.
Suitable record definition for above record format:
Name/Description
Date (String)
Filler “0.0”
Time (String)
Longitude (Numeric)
Latitude (Numeric)
If the same definition was used for exporting data, then
this would produce the following output record:

“John Smith”,”1 Jan

1972”,0.0,”12:13
PM”,85.6312,42.9832
18.7 Limitations
It is not possible to create a definition for a file which
contains records of differing layouts. All records in the file
must be of the same format.
Only those field types listed in the editor may be selected
e.g. if you have a file which contains the time of day in
decimal hours, this cannot be used, because only files
which contain integer hour/minute/second (e.g. 12,13,00)
or time character strings (eg “12:13 pm”) can be selected
as fields in the record.
19 Viewing Charts, Grids and Pages

This chapter describes how to view charts, aspect grids
or other page displays for charts that appears on the list of
"Calculated Charts" on the main screen.
Before viewing a chart or its grid, it is necessary to have
either cast or opened the charts that you wish to use. If
you have not yet done so, see Casting a Natal Chart for
instructions on casting a new chart, or Retrieving Charts
From a File for instructions on opening an existing chart.
19.1 Viewing a Single Chart or Grid

Any type of chart that Solar Fire calculates can be
viewed in wheel form or in an aspect grid as follows.

>> To view a chart from the main screen

Select a chart on the list of "Calculated Charts".
Choose Current Chart... from the View menu, or
Double click the mouse on a chart on the list of
"Calculated Charts".
>> To view an aspect grid from the main screen

Choose Current Grid... from the View menu.
>> To view a chart and aspect grid on the same

page, from the main screen
Choose Current Chart+Grid... from the View menu.
>> To view a chart or grid whose image was the

last one to be displayed
Choose Last Image... from the View menu.
19.2 Viewing MultiWheels and Synastry Grids

There are a variety of wheel and grid displays that show
more than one chart e.g. biwheels, synastry grids, dual
wheels etc.
>> To view any displays which require more than

one chart
Select the required option from the View menu. These
options are

Dual Wheels - Two separate charts

BiWheel - Two concentric charts
TriWheel - Three concentric charts
QuadriWheel - Four concentric charts
QuinquiWheel - Five concentric charts
Synastry Grid - An aspect grid showing inter-chart
aspects
Selecting any of these options will display the "Chart
Selection" screen, which allows two or more charts to be
selected for viewing, printing or reporting.
>> To select the positions of charts on the

multiwheels (or on the synastry grid)
Select a wheel (or grid) position on the Selected
Charts list box
Select a chart for this position from the Charts list box
Repeat above steps for each chart position

When a chart is selected, its name and type is written

into the Selected Charts list box. If there are further
selections to be made, then the highlight bar will move to
the next wheel (or grid) position on the Selected Charts
list, ready for the next chart to be selected from the
Charts list box. It is possible to change the selection of
any chart by repeating the above procedure as often as
required. Whilst all the chart selections have not yet been
made, the View, Report and Print... buttons are
disabled, and cannot be used.
>> To clear all the selections that have been made

so far
Select the Clear button. This will return the state of the
screen to how it appeared before any selections were
made.
When all required charts have been selected, then the
following options are available.
>> To view the chart, grid or page

Select the View button. If this image has not already
been created, then it will create the image. Otherwise it
will locate the old image, and in both cases it will then
display the desired image on the "View Chart" screen.
>> To print the chart, grid or page

Select the Print... button. This displays the "Print Chart"
dialog box, allowing the user to cancel printing, add the
print job to the batch print queue, to alter printer settings,
or to print immediately. See Casting a Natal Chart for
more details on these options.

For dual wheels, biwheels, synastry grids and page

displays which contain 2 charts only, a further option is
available.
>> To view a report using the two selected charts

Select the Reports... button. This will display the
"Report View" screen, which allows a variety of synastry
reports for the selected charts to be browsed, edited or
printed. See Synastry Reports for further details about
synastry reports. The same set of synastry reports is
generated regardless of whether the user has selected the
biwheel, synastry grid or other user defined page option.
Reports are not available for triwheels or quadriwheels
or other pages that contain more than two charts. (It is
possible, however, to generate reports on the individual
charts in a multiwheel by selecting the appropriate options
from the main screen menu.)
19.3 Viewing Pages

There are a variety of supplied and customisable pages
that may show one or more charts and other astrological
data in ways that are not possible from any of the other
display options in Solar Fire. For example, a page may
display a single wheel in a non-standard scaling and
positioning, or may display multiple wheels, grids or
tabulations on a single page.
>> To view any page

From the main screen:-
Select the Page Topic Index... option from the View

menu. This will display the Page Selection by Topic dialog

box, listing all available page layout files categorised by
topic. If you select a page layout file that displays the
same number of charts as are already selected in the list of
calculated charts, then it will display that page
immediately, using the currently selected charts.
Otherwise the "Chart Selection" screen will be displayed,
which allows the charts to be selected prior to viewing the
page.
From the View Chart screen:-
Select the Pages… button (or make a right hand mouse
button click over the list of images at the top right of the
screen). This will display the “Page Selection by Topic”
dialog box, listing all page layout files that use the same
number of charts as the currently displayed page type.
When you have chosen a page, you have the option of
selecting the View button to preview the new page
without creating a new image, or selecting the OK button
to create a new image and close the Page Selection
dialog.
>> To view any of the four most recently viewed

page types
From the main screen, select the name of the required
page from the list in the View menu underneath the User
Defined Page... option. This list is empty the first time
you run Solar Fire, but is updated each time you view a
user-defined page, and is retained from one session on
Solar Fire to the next.
The user may change the appearance of any existing

pages, and new pages may be created from scratch. See

Editing a Page Design File for more information.
19.4 Using the Page Topic Index

The Page Topic Index is a dialog that contains a list of
displayable wheels and pages, categorised into various
topics, in a collapsible/expandable list. You have the
ability to select pages from this list to view or preview,
and to re-organise the arrangement and names of topic
categories as you wish.

Cancel – closes this dialog without selecting a page.

Edit… – opens the highlighted page for editing in
the Page Designer.
OK - selects the highlighted page and closes the
dialog.
Apply - selects the highlighted page but leaves the
dialog open. This is useful in order to preview
multiple pages before selecting a final one.
Transparent – (only available in Windows 2000,
XP or later) allows the dialog to be made semi-
transparent. This is useful in helping you to see
otherwise hidden parts of pages when you are using
the Apply button to preview pages without closing
this dialog.
>> To add a new topic category

Click on any topic category name and use the right hand
mouse button to display a pop-up menu, and select the
Add Topic item.
This will display a dialog allowing you to enter the new
category name
>> To rename a topic category

Click on the topic category name and use the right hand
mouse button to display a pop-up menu, and select the
Rename Topic item.
This will put a focus box around the topic category name
and allow you to edit it.

>> To move a page from one category into another

Simply drag the page description onto another topic
category name.
If the topic category you wish to move to is off the top
or bottom of the page, then drag the page off the top or
bottom of the list. This will cause the list of pages to
collapse, and scroll up or down respectively, thus making
the required target topic category visible.
>> To refresh the list of pages after creating a new

page or editing a page title
Use the F5 key.
This is the standard Windows key for refreshing lists of
files.
19.5 Shortcuts for Viewing Multiple Wheels or

Charts
It is possible to expedite the process of viewing wheels,
grids and pages by selecting multiple charts from the list of
Calculate Charts before selecting the required viewing
option.
>> To create chart wheel images for several charts

at once
1. Select all of the required charts from the list of
2. Select the Current Chart menu option from the
View menu.
An image will be created for each of the selected charts

without any further action on your part.
>> To view a biwheel without using the Multiwheel

selection screen
2. Select the BiWheel menu option from the View
menu.
An image of the biwheel will be displayed immediately.
The first chart on the list of calculated charts will be on the
inner wheel. If you want to reverse the order of charts,
then you can select the Swap button.
>> To create images for several biwheels at once

2. Select the BiWheel menu option from the View
menu.
An image will be created for each pair of selected
charts. The first chart of each pair will be on the inner
wheel. If you want to reverse the order of charts, then you
can select the Swap button.
The same principle applies for any selectable page as
well. For example, if you have an eight-wheel page, then
you can select the eight charts from the list of Calculated
Charts in order to avoid having to select them later in the
Multiwheel selection screen. The main limitation of this
shortcut is that the charts are always taken in the order in
which they appear in the list of Calculated Charts.

20 Using the View Screen Features
The View Chart dialog is sizeable down to minimum

dimensions of 640x480 pixels.
If you are viewing a chart or page for the first time, then
its image will be drawn according to the currently selected
chart options, and the chart's reference number will be
added to the list box on the top right hand side of the
screen.
If you are viewing a chart or grid whose image has
already been created previously, then its existing image
will simply be redisplayed.
>> To change any of the display options

Place the mouse over any part of the displayed chart or
page image and click on the right-hand mouse button.

This will display a pop-up menu containing the same items

as the main screen's Chart Options (such as displayed
points, aspect set, color schemes etc.) from which you
may select any items to change with the left-hand mouse
button, as usual. See Changing Chart Options for
instructions on altering chart options. After you have
changed any display options, select the ReDraw button in
order to regenerate the image using the current set of
chart options.
If you invoke this menu while the mouse is hovering over
an object on the page (such as a wheel, grid of
tabulation), then the pop-up menu also has an option
allowing you to edit properties of that object. See Editing
Properties of Objects on the Page for further information.
>> To view any other previously created image

Select the desired chart or page item from the list box.
The image of the selected chart, grid or page will be
displayed in place of the last image.
It is possible, during computation of a chart or grid
image, that the computer may run out of video memory. In
this case an error dialog box will appear, notifying the user
of the problem. If this happens, you can take several
different corrective steps. The first time that this happens,
it might still be possible to generate the image despite the
error. To try to generate the image despite the problem,
select the ReDraw button. If the error recurs, then use
the following procedure. Firstly, print all the chart images
that you wish to keep (or add them to the batch print
queue), and then from the main screen. Then select the
Clear Images... option from the View menu. This will
delete all the chart, grid and page images that have been

created so far, and free up all associated memory. You

can then proceed normally again.
Whilst viewing a chart, there are a number of buttons
and controls that may be used for various purposes.
Some of these, such as the Rectify button or the Save
button may be used when a single chart is being viewed,
and others, such as the Swap button, when multiple charts
are being viewed.
20.1 Using View Screen Buttons

There are three page viewing mode buttons underneath
the Quit button. These are:-
Normal view - this displays the page as optimized for
normal viewing on the screen
Printer Preview (Full) - this displays the full page as it
would be printed
Printer Preview (Zoomed) - this displays the page as it
would be printed, but zoomed enough to allow its full
width or height to fit in to the available space, and
allowing the rest of the page to be viewed by scrolling
Note: Page designs may contain multiple page sizes. If
the page design you are using contains different
information in its page sizes for screen as opposed to its
printer page sizes, then you will see this difference
reflected when you change viewing modes.
Note: If the page design you are displaying contains only
printer sized pages, then the Normal view button will be
hidden.
The other buttons are:-
ReDraw - This option causes the displayed page to be

redrawn according to the current settings and display

options.
Swap - This option is only available for page displays
involving two or more charts. It causes the displayed
charts to be swapped or cycled. For example, if you are
displaying a biwheel, then the inner and outer charts are
swapped. If you are viewing a quadriwheel, then each
time you use this option, the innermost chart moves to the
outermost position, and the others charts are moved
inwards correspondingly.
Rectify - This allows you to easily and interactively edit
the date, time, Ascendant, Midheaven, latitude or
longitude of the chart (or of the first or innermost chart on
the page if there are multiple charts). It is described fully in
Adjusting a Chart to a new Time or Date.
Save - This allows the displayed chart to be saved to a
file. It is fully described in Saving Charts to a File.
Reports - This invokes the Reports screen, which is
fully described in Generating Chart Reports.
Transits - This invokes the Dynamic Report
Selection screen, which is fully described in Using
Dynamic Reports and Time Maps.
Copy/Send - This invokes a “Copy Image To” dialog
that allows you to select whether to send the currently
displayed image to the clipboard, to a file, or to an email
attachment, with various selectable options. See Copying,
Publishing and Sending Graphics.
Print - This allows the displayed image to be sent to
your printer, or to the print queue for printing later. You
can also alter printer settings before printing, if desired.
Pages – This displays the “Page Selection by Topic”
dialog, allowing you to select other page types to preview

or display.
Charts – This displays the chart selection dialog,
allowing you to select alternative charts to be displayed
with the currently displayed page type. Note: You can
also edit the charts events or comments from this dialog,
by using a right hand mouse click to bring up a pop-up
menu when hovering over any chart in the list.
Wheel Style – If the currently displayed page has only
one wheel type displayed, then this will display the File
Manager with a list of wheel style files that you can select
for this wheel type. If there is more than one wheel type
displayed on the current page (e.g. a uniwheel and a
biwheel), then this will display the Chart Options menu,
from which you can choose one of the wheel style types.
20.2 Adjusting a Chart to a new Time or Date

This section describes how to use a rectification-assisting
tool to adjust the date, time or angles of a natal or event
chart. (If the chart that you are displaying is not a natal or
event type chart, then the Rectify... button will be
disabled.)
>> To adjust a chart

1. Display the chart that you wish to rectify in the
"View Chart" window. (If you are viewing a
multiwheel, then make sure that the chart you wish
to rectify is the first charts listed, which is usually
the innermost chart.)
2. Click on the Rectify... button
3. This will display the "Rectify Assist" dialog box.

>> To adjust the chart’s date

Click on the spin button next to the Date box to change
the date by 1 day at a time, or type a new date directly
into the box.
>> To adjust the chart’s time

Click on the spin button next to the Time box to change
the time by whatever interval is selected in the Time Step
Interval box, or type a new time directly into the box.
(You can make the Time Step Interval box visible by
clicking on the More button.)
>> To adjust the chart’s MC or Asc

Click on the spin button next to the MC or Asc box to
change the angle by whatever interval is selected in the
Angle Step Interval box, or type a new time directly
into the box. (You can make the Angle Step Interval
box visible by clicking on the More button.)
>> To adjust the chart’s latitude or longitude

1. Click on the More button to make the Lat and

Long boxes visible.
2. Click on the spin button next to the Lat or Long
box to change the angle by whatever interval is
selected in the Angle Step Interval box, or type a
new latitude or longitude into the box.
Whenever you adjust any of the values, then the data

displayed in each of the other boxes is updated
automatically to ensure inter-consistency between them.
For example, adjusting the MC by 1 degree will cause the
time to shift by 15 seconds.
Note that if spin buttons are used to pass the time
forward through midnight, then the date is automatically
incremented by one day. If the time passes backwards
through midnight, then the date is automatically
decremented by one day.
Angles can be entered in degrees, minutes and seconds
(e.g. "133 24 20") or in zodiacal annotation (e.g. "13 Cn
24 20"). For more information on entering angles see
Entering Angles.
Time can be entered in hours, minutes and seconds and
include an am/pm indicator (e.g. "7:30" or "2:23pm"). See
Entering a Time for more details.
>> To preview the effect of the changes on the

chart image
Click on the Apply button. This will create a new
calculated chart, and replace the chart image with an
image using the new chart, but leave the “Rectify Assist”
dialog box where it is for further adjustments to be made.

You can check the Transparent box to make this

dialog semi-transparent. This allows you to see otherwise
hidden parts of the chart when you are applying changes
and leaving this dialog open.
>> To apply the changes and return to the Chart

View screen
Click on the OK button. This will create a new
calculated chart, and replace the chart image with an
image using the new chart, and The “Rectify Assist” dialog
box will disappear.
You may repeat these procedures as many times as you

wish with the same chart image. When you display the
first adjusted image, a new chart is created. When
subsequent adjustments are made, this new chart is
edited, and no further new charts are created. Note that
the new chart calculated this way will be unsaved (unless
you have switched on the Autosave option), so you may
wish to save it before proceeding by clicking on the Save
button.
20.3 Using Dials and Pointers

It is usually possible to alternate between displaying a
chart wheel and a dial display of the same chart or charts
by simply selecting the desired option with the mouse
from the Wheel/Dial drop-down list. The style of wheel
or dial that is displayed depends on whatever is selected
as the default style under the Wheel Styles... and Dial
Styles... of the Chart Options menu.
This option has no effect if the displayed page is one that

uses a specifically named wheel or dial style. However, if

you are using any of Solar Fire’s pre-defined displays
from the View menu, such as the Biwheel or
Wheel+Grid options, or if you are using an ordinary
page layout which uses default display styles, then this
option will work as expected.
Whenever a dial is displayed, a pointer is displayed in
the middle of the innermost chart in the dial. Initially this
pointer will be pointing to the zero point on the dial scale.
You can move the pointer in a variety of ways, set an orb
for the display of midpoints, and select which chart the
pointer is associated with. Before any of these things can
be done, you must first switch on the pointer options box.
>> To switch on the pointer options box

Click anywhere inside the innermost chart of the dial that
you want to use. If the page you are viewing has more
than one dial on it, then the pointer options box will only
appear inside one dial at a time. Clicking on another dial
will switch it off in the previous dial, and switch it on in the
newly selected dial.

>> To step the pointer around the dial

1. Click on the Options button in the pointer options
box to see the drop-down menu
2. Select one of the following Step options
o Step by Degree - Step by one degree on the
dial scale at a time
o Step by Minute - Step by one minute of a
degree on the dial scale at a time
o Step by Planet - Step to the next planet position
on the dial
3. Click on the left or right arrows on the spin button
above the options button. Each click will step the
pointer to the next degree, minute or planet position
on the dial, depending on which step option was
chosen.
If the dial is a multiwheel, then the pointer will always
initially be associated with the innermost chart in the dial.
However, you can select another chart to use the pointer
with, as follows.

>> To select which chart to use the pointer with

box to see the drop-down menu.
2. Select one of the charts listed at the bottom of the
menu.
When the pointer reaches a position where it is at the

midpoint of two planets, then a solid red line is drawn
between those two planets. If those two planets also
happen to form an aspect in the chart, then a dashed line
is drawn from each planet to the centre of the dial. The
dashed line takes on the same color as the color of the

aspect is formed, according to the current selected aspect

colors.
In addition to the lines which appear, a midpoint tree is
displayed underneath the options box indicating which
planets are forming the midpoint to the pointer position,
and if an aspect is formed, then the aspect symbol is also
displayed.
In the example shown, the pointer is pointing to 78°32’,
and this is the midpoint of the Ascendant and Venus, and
also of Neptune and the Moon. Additionally, Neptune
and the Moon are in quincunx (150°) aspect.
Initially the orb for midpoints and aspects is set to 1°00’.
However, you can change this orb. The orb is measured
in terms of a 360 degree circle, regardless of the modulus
of the dial, so a 1 degree orb corresponds to 1/4 degree
on the dial scale of a 90 degree dial, and to 1/8 degree on
the dial scale of a 45 degree dial, for example.
>> To change the orb of the midpoint tree in the

dial
box to see the drop-down menu.
2. Select the Change Orb... option.
3. This will display a dialog box which allows you to
enter the orb that you require, in decimal degrees
or degrees and minutes, separated by a space.

20.4 Editing Properties of Objects on the Page

Some objects on the displayed page (such as wheels,
grids and tabulations) have properties that may be edited
in place, without the need to first open the page design in
the page designer.
Place the mouse over an object on the displayed chart
or page image and click on the right-hand mouse button.
If the object has any editable properties, then the first item
on the menu will be “Properties of <ObjectType>…”,
and selecting it will display a small pop-up dialog which
allows you to edit these properties.
When this dialog appears, it contains a list of properties

that may be edited in the selected page object, and the
values to which they are currently set.
Properties that have no predefined value are shown as
“Default”, followed by the name of the current Solar Fire
default value that applies in the absence of a specifically

selected value. For example, the Points File value is

“Default (PLAN&CH)”, which means that this object has
no Points File value, and therefore Solar Fire’s current
default points file will be applied when this object is
displayed, and that the current default points file happens
to be “PLAN&CH.PTS”.
The types of properties that may be edited are as
follows:
Frame Type – for any object that has a rectangular
frame.
Points File – for any object that requires a point file
selection.
Aspect File – for any object that requires an aspect
file selection.
Rulership Level – for any object that uses a
rulership level.
Weighted Scores – for any object that has an option
of weighted versus unweighted scores.
Zodiac Type – for any object that requires a zodiac
type setting.
Modulus – for any object that uses a modulus value
(such as a sort strip).
Maximum Orb – for any object that uses a
maximum orb (such as an aspects list).
Graphic File – for the graphic object only.
Dignity/Almuten File – for objects that use dignity/
almuten definitions.
Star File – for objects that require a star file
selection.
Parts File – for objects that require an Arabic Parts

file selection.
Asteroid File – for objects that require an asteroid
file selection.
Extra Bodies File – for objects that require a extra
bodies file selection.
Extra Ring Points File – for objects that require an
extra ring points file selection.
Wheel File – for wheel objects (uniwheel, biwheel,
triwheel, quadriwheel).
>> To edit a property

Click on the property name on the list of available
properties.
If the current value of this property is not a “Default”
value, then the edit box below the list will be set to that
value, ready for you to edit.
If the current value of this property is a “Default” value,
then the edit box below the list will remain empty, ready
for you to enter a value if you wish.
There are three ways of choosing a value.
For properties which are file names – click on the >
button to open a file selection dialog.
For properties which have a pre-set list of possible
values - click on the down-arrow to scroll through
the list of values and select one.
For other properties – type the new value directly
into the edit box.
After you have edited each property, its new value will
be displayed in the list.

>> To reset a property to its default value

Move the cursor into the edit box, delete any text in it,
and then press the Enter key.
>> To apply and view your changes

Click on the Save button.
This will close the dialog and redraw the page.
Note: Only the currently displayed page size is
affected by any changes you make in this way. Page
designs may contain multiple page sizes. If you wish to
alter properties of objects in any other page sizes (such as
the page size which is used when printing the page), then
you must open the page file in the Page Designer and edit
the objects in each page size individually, as required.
20.5 Direct Access to the Chart Options menus

When you are in the View Chart screen, if
you right-click anywhere in the page layout
area, you will see a menu pop up. This menu is
a replica of the Chart Options menu located
on the main screen of Solar Fire. Clicking on
any menu item here enables to quickly access
any of the Chart Options and to make
changes. In many cases, if you do make
changes then when you return to the View
Chart screen, you will most likely need to
click on the ReDraw button, to update the
current page layout with any setting changes
you make.

Page Object Properties

In addition to the Chart Options menu, you
will also see "Properties of..." as the first item
of the menu. The properties depend on what
page object your mouse cursor was sitting
over when you right-clicked to display the
menu. The Properties item allows you to
modify some of the properties of the page
object "in-place" without using the Page
Editor. Also see Editing Properties of Objects
on the Page
Half Aspect Grid Page Object

On many page layouts, you will see a half
aspect grid showing the planetary aspects. If
you right-click over a half aspect grid object,
to display the Chart Options menus, there is
an additional menu item, called Grid Settings.


If you click on the Show angles in aspect

grid checkbox, the half aspect grid changes
so that while it still displays the aspects that
are active, it now also displays all angles
between planets. There is a further option to
display the angle in Degree/Minute/Second
format or in Decimal degree format. There is
also an option to display the angle up to 180
degrees, the usual practice in astrology, or as
an angle up to 360 degrees. When 360 degrees
is selected, the grid displays the angle the
faster planet is away from the slower planet
after the last conjunction, increasing the angle
from 0 to 360.
Because this half aspect grid takes up space
on screen, on some page layouts, it is likely to
overlap other page objects. A new page has
been designed that only displays the half
aspect grid near the middle of the page so that
it can expand easily when the angles are
added. You can find this new half aspect grid
page layout, named Half Aspect Grid -
Single Chart [halfaspectgrid.pag], at
View / Page Topic Index / Added Recently.
One useful application of this half aspect grid
and the grid settings is when you use the
Dynamic / Real Time Clock menu items.
Once this screen displays, it begins "ticking

over". By clicking on the Page button, you

can double-click on the Half Aspect Grid -
Single Chart [halfaspectgrid.pag] sitting
under the Added Recently topic. By right-
clicking over the aspect grid and selecting the
Grid Settings item, described above, you can
now see the angles changing, especially the
ones associated with the As and Mc.
21 Copying, Publishing and Sending Graphics

You can copy any of Solar Fire’s chart displays and
graphic ephemerides to the Windows clipboard (to be
pasted into another program), to a file anywhere on your
computer or network, or to a file that is automatically
attached to an email ready to be addressed and sent.
Various graphic file formats may be used, as well as some
other options governing the appearance of the output.
>> To copy, publish or send a graphic

From the Chart View screen, select the Copy
button
From the Graphic Ephemeris screen, select the
Copy menu item after using the right hand mouse
button over the ephemeris area
This will display the “Copy Image To…” dialog,
allowing various selections to be made.

Destination
Clipboard – This will send the graphic to the
Windows clipboard, from where it can be pasted
into any other program that recognises the graphic
type. For example, you can paste it into a word
processor or desktop publishing program.
File – This will send the graphic to a file of your
choice. You will be prompted to specify a file name
and location.
Email attachment – This will generate a graphic
file that is automatically attached to an outgoing
email, ready to send, provided that you have a
MAPI compliant email program. See About MAPI
for further details.
Graphic Type
Bitmap – This will create a bitmap file, which is a

fixed resolution graphics file used in many Windows

applications. This type of graphic may be placed
and scaled in some other application, but as it has a
fixed resolution, doing so may cause some loss of
image quality. Typically this type of file is rather
large (often over 1Mbyte), and is therefore not
usually suitable for sending over the internet, unless
it is first zipped or compressed in some way.
Metafile - This will create a Windows metafile,
which is a scalable graphics file used in many
Windows applications. It is possible to place and
scale the graphic to your requirements without loss
of image quality, using the commands of the
application that you are using. Hence this format is
good for high quality desktop publishing. This type
of file is usually very small in size, but it has the
disadvantage that if you send it over the internet, the
recipient must have the required Solar Fire fonts
installed on their machine, or else they will see
incorrect symbols in place of any astrological
glyphs. (See PDF as a possible better alternative).
JPEG – This will create a JPEG file, which is a
somewhat like a compressed bitmap file. This type
of graphic may be placed and scaled in some other
application, but as it has a fixed resolution, doing so
may cause some loss of image quality. Generally the
JPEG format is preferred when your images contain
photographic or artistic elements. (Otherwise the
GIF format is usually much better).
GIF – This will create a GIF file, which is a
compressed bitmap file (without loss of clarity)
allowing a maximum of 256 colors. Typically this

type of file is very small, and is especially well suited

to sending over the internet and via email. The main
exception is if the image you are sending contains a
very large range of colors (such as you would find in
a photographic image). In such cases, there would
be a significant loss of color depth, and the JPEG
format may be preferable.
PDF – This will create a PDF file containing the
graphic on a single page, the size of which is
dictated by your default printer page size settings.
This format is fully scalable, so is well suited for
desktop publishing type requirements. This option
automatically includes embedded astrological font
glyphs inside the PDF file, to ensure full portability
to other computers over the internet, for example.
Special Options
Include Captions - When copying to a Metafile or
PDF format, it is possible to select whether or not
the chart details and compliments text are included
in the output. Sometimes, for desk-top-publishing
requirements, it is preferable to have the chart on its
own without any text, and for any captions to be
added separately to the document.
Monochrome - When copying to a Metafile or
PDF format, it is possible to select whether or not
the generated graphic should be in the currently
displayed color scheme, or in monochrome (black
lines and text only). As many publications are only in
monochrome, this option makes it easy to ensure
that the graphic is in an appropriate format.
Quality – When copying to a JPEG format, it is

possible to choose the level of trade-off between

quality and size of the graphic. The range is 1
(lowest quality, smallest storage size) to 100
(highest quality, largest storage size). Typically, a
value of 50 provides an adequate level of quality
without using too much storage. If you are sending
graphics that have a lot of detail and small text, you
may wish to increase the quality, whereas if the
graphic does not have much fine detail, and only has
large glyphs, then you might be able to economise
by decreasing the quality.
22 Viewing Interpretations
Solar Fire contains text on a large variety of astrological
topics, including the meanings of certain astrological
archetypes, plus interpretations of planets in signs, houses,
in aspect to one another etc. You may view any of the
text by opening the interpretations window. This can be
done from the main screen of Solar Fire, or from the
"View Chart" or “Animation” screens.
Solar Fire is supplied with three separate sets of
interpretations – for natal charts, for synastry between
two charts, and for transits to a natal chart.
Solar Fire allows you to create or use sets of
interpretations of the following types
Natal - Supplied with Solar Fire
Progressed
Return
Combined
Prenatal

Synastry (Natal to Natal) - Supplied with Solar Fire

Transits to Natal - Supplied with Solar Fire
Progressions to Natal
Directions to Natal
Transits to Natal (Calendar)
Firdaria
When you open the interpretations window, Solar Fire
automatically detects which category of interpretations is
required in the current circumstances, and opens that
interpretations file. For example, if you are viewing a
Solar Return chart when you open the interpretations
window, then Solar Fire will open the interpretations file
that has been selected to apply to Return charts.
When Solar Fire is first installed, most of the categories
are set to use the standard natal interpretation set. Only
the Synastry and Transits to Natal category use a different
set. In order to change which set of interpretations Solar
Fire will use for each of the above categories, you must
change the appropriate settings on the Interpretations
Files option of the Interps menu. See Changing the
Interpretations File for instructions on how to do this.
You can use any set of interpretations with any type of
chart if you wish to, for example using the natal
interpretations for a progressed chart, return chart or
composite chart. However, if you do so, then you will
need to bear in mind that some of the interpretations will
not apply in the same way as they would to a natal chart.
It is also possible, in the future, that you will be able to
purchase alternative sets of interpretations which are
written in different styles, or which apply to different chart
types.

You can edit the existing text or create you own new set
of interpretations by using a separate utility program which
is supplied with Solar Fire. For instructions on how to use
this, see Compiling Interpretations.
The interpretations window has two modes of operation:
General Mode - In this mode, you can browse through
every possible combination of interpretation and definition
text.
Current Chart Mode - In this mode, you are limited to
browsing through interpretation relating solely to the
current chart. (The current chart is whichever chart was
last selected from Solar Fire's main screen, or the chart
which you were displaying in the "View Chart" screen
immediately before opening the interpretations window.
22.1 Opening the Interpretations Window

>> To open the interpretations window from the
main screen
Choose the View... item from the Interps menu
If there are any calculated charts in the main screen's list
of calculated charts, then the interpretations window will
open in Current Chart Mode and initially contain text
relating to the current chart. If there are no charts
calculated yet, then the interpretations window will open
in General Mode and initially contain general definitions
text.
You can open the interpretations window from the
"View Chart" screen provided that you are displaying at
least one single wheel or multiwheel chart. However, it is
not possible to open the interpretations window from this
screen if you are only displaying a grid.

>> To open the interpretations window from the

“View Chart” screen
You must be displaying at least one chart in a single or
multi-wheel - you cannot open the interpretations window
if you are displaying only a grid or other tabulations. The
interpretations window will appear when you click on
parts of the wheel as follows:
1. Double-click on any displayed chart point (i.e.
planet, asteroid or angle glyph). This displays an
interpretation of that chart point in its house and
sign e.g. Jupiter in the 11th House in Cancer. If this
is a multi-wheel, then the house placement is based
on the houses of the anchor chart, which is usually
the innermost chart.
2. Double-click on the degrees, sign glyph or
minutes of any chart point. This displays
information about the degree occupied by that
chart point e.g. 17th degree of Pisces.
3. Double-click on a sign glyph on any house cusp.
This displays an interpretation of the selected house
when ruled by its sign e.g. Leo on the 3rd house
cusp.
4. Double click on the degrees or minutes of any
house cusp. This displays information about the
chart degree of that house cusp e.g. 3rd degree of
Aries.
5. Double-click on any unoccupied space inside a
house. This displays information about the meaning
of that house e.g. the 7th House.
6. Double-click inside the aspect ring, or outside the

chart. This displays explanatory text about the set

of interpretations, such as who wrote it and to what
type of charts it applies.
7. Click once on any chart point followed by a single
click on any other chart point within 3 seconds.
This displays an interpretation of the aspect
between those two points, if there is an aspect
made between them e.g. Jupiter Trine The Sun. If
the chart points that you click on are in different
wheels, then Solar Fire will automatically select the
Synastry, Transits to Natal, Progressions to Natal
or Directions to Natal set of interpretations,
depending on what chart types are involved.
8. Click once on any chart point followed by a single
click on either the sign glyph on the 1st house
cusp, or the sign glyph on the 10th house cusp.
This displays an interpretation of the aspect
between the first point and the Ascendant or
Midheaven respectively, if there is an aspect made
between them e.g. Venus Conjunct Ascendant.
The following diagram shows an example of the
"sensitive" areas of a chart, which are numbered
according to the list above.


22.2 Browsing the Interpretations
Once the interpretations window is open, it is possible to

browse through all the categories of interpretations for a
chart as well as all the general definitions, without leaving
the window again.
In order to browse through all the available definitions or
interpretations relating to the currently selected mode and
information type, select any item from any of the drop-
down list boxes.
You can also browse through the definitions or
interpretations simply by using the cursor keys (UP,
DOWN, LEFT and RIGHT). The UP and DOWN keys
will move you up and down the items in the currently

highlighted drop-down list box. The LEFT and RIGHT

keys will move you between the drop-down list boxes e.
g. if there are two drop down-list boxes using the left key
will shift the highlight to the left box, and using the right
key will shift the highlight to the right box.
Note that some information types do not have any drop-
down list boxes, as there is only one type of information
available for them. For example, if you are in Current
Chart Mode, then the Element information type shows a
single set of information about the balance of elements in
the current chart. However, if you are in General Mode,
then there will be drop-down list boxes allowing you to
browse the different elements (fire, earth, air, water) and
emphasis types (definition, weak, strong).
22.3 Switching Modes

>> To switch between General Mode and Current
Chart Mode
Select the desired option from the Mode menu.
A tick appears to the left of whichever menu option is
selected. Also, when you are in General Mode, the title of
the interpretations windows is "General Interpretations",
whereas when you are in Current Chart Mode, the title
consists of the chart's name and its type e.g. "Marilyn
Monroe - Natal".
It is not possible to select Current Chart Mode if you
have not yet cast or opened any charts. Otherwise you
can freely switch between modes as you wish.
In most cases the information type that you are browsing
will be retained when you change mode e.g. if you are
looking at information about the degree of Mercury in a

chart (in Current Chart Mode), then when you switch to

General Mode you will still see the same text about that
degree, but you will be able to browse through the text
relating to all the adjoining degrees.
22.4 Selecting Information Types

There is a large variety of information types available.
These can be accessed from the Info menu.
>> To switch between information types

Select the desired option from the Info menu
A tick appears to the left of whichever menu option is
selected.
Most information types show different text depending on
whether the mode is set to "General Mode" or to "Current
Chart Mode". The information types, and a description of
the text which they show in each mode are:
Introduction
General Mode - Title, copyright and explanatory text
Current Chart Mode - Same as General Mode
Degree
General Mode - Information about any degree of the
zodiac
Current Chart Mode - Information about the degree of
any chart point

Decanate
General Mode - Information about any decanate (10
degree subdivision) of the zodiac and its ruler
Current Chart Mode - Information about the decanate
of any chart point, and its ruler
Sign
General Mode - General definition plus weak and strong
definition of any sign
Current Chart Mode - Balance of the signs using a
scoring system
Element
definition of any element
Current Chart Mode - Balance of the elements using a
scoring system
Mode
definition of any mode
Current Chart Mode - Balance of the modes using a
scoring system
House
definition of any house
Current Chart Mode - Balance of the houses using a
scoring system

Quadrant
definition of any quadrant
Current Chart Mode - Balance of the quadrants using a
scoring system
Hemisphere
definition of any hemisphere
Current Chart Mode - Balance of the hemispheres using
a scoring system
Aspect
General Mode - General definition of any aspect
Current Chart Mode - Interpretation of the aspect
between any two chart points in the current chart
Ray
definition of any ray
Current Chart Mode - Balance of the rays using a
scoring system
Lunar Phase
General Mode - Interpretation of any of 8 lunar phases
Current Chart Mode - Interpretation of the lunar phase
of the current chart

Sign on House
General Mode - Interpretation of any sign on any house
cusp
Current Chart Mode - Interpretation of any house cusp's
sign in the current chart
Chart Point
General Mode - Definition of any chart point
Current Chart Mode - Basic technical information and
aspect list for any chart point in the current chart
Point in House/Sign
General Mode - Interpretation of any chart point in any
sign and any house
Current Chart Mode - Same as above two information
categories combined
Point Ruling House

General Mode - No information available (disabled)
Current Chart Mode - Definition of each of the houses
ruled by any chart point in the current chart
Dispositor's House/Sign
General Mode - No information available (disabled)
Current Chart Mode - Definition of the house and sign
of the dispositor of any point in the current chart

Point's Aspects
General Mode - Any chart point in any aspect to any
other chart point
Current Chart Mode - Interpretations of all of the
aspects formed to any chart point in the current chart
Point's Rays
General Mode - Definition of each ray relating to any
chart point
Current Chart Mode - Same as General Mode
22.5 Speaking Interpretations

Speaking options are available only on those computers
on which the Microsoft Speech engine has been installed.
This is installed by default on Windows XP, but not on
any earlier versions of Windows).
>> To speak the displayed interpretation text

Select Speak Interpretations from the File menu.
This will speak the displayed text using the built-in
speech synthesizer. Closing this window stops the speech.
>> To automatically speak the displayed

interpretations whenever this dialog opens
Select the AutoSpeak item from the Options menu. This
may be switched off simply by re-selecting it.

22.6 Changing Rulerships

Some information types, such as decanates, house
rulerships, dispositors and rays, contain information
relating to planetary rulerships of signs and decanates. It is
possible to select any available set of rulerships (such as
Modern, Old and Esoteric) to be used in the text for these
items as follows.
>> To change rulerships

Select the desired rulership set from the Rulerships
menu. It is possible to browse or edit these rulerships, and
add or delete rulership sets with a separate utility, which is
described in detail in Changing Rulerships and Weightings.
22.7 Changing the Display Options

You can select a variety of display options as follows:
>> To ensure that the interpretations window

remains visible on top of any other window
Select the Always On Top item from the Options
menu. This may be switched off simply by re-selecting it.
>> To make the interpretations window transparent

Select the Transparent item from the Options menu.
This may be switched off simply by re-selecting it.
(This option is available only for Windows 2000, XP,
Vista or later.)
>> To display the interpretations window at full

screen size
Click on the maximise button at the top right of the
window. You can restore the window to its original size
simply by clicking on the restore button at the top right of
the window.
>> To alter the font style, size or color

Select the Font... item from the Options menu. This will
display a standard font selection window, from which you
can select any available screen font, plus its style, size and
color.
>> To alter the size of the interpretations window

Drag the window's borders with the mouse button held
down
22.8 Sending an Interpretations Report to a Word

Processor
Solar Fire’s interpretations are designed for personal
and professional use rather than for mass-production of
printouts for sale.
For beginners they provide a fun-to-use learning tool,
and a way to print out chart readings for themselves,
friends and family.
For professionals they can be the basis for personalised
written interpretations. The text database itself can be
revised and expanded to reflect one’s own astrological
ideas, and the interpretations for any chart can be sent to
a word processor and modified for a particular individual.
Today’s word processors offer many sorts of font and

formatting possibilities. Combining creatively formatted

text with the special chart wheels and page designs that
you can create in Solar Fire, you can produce distinctive
and attractive printouts for gifts and special occasions.
22.8.1 Selecting a Word Processor
You can select which word processor you wish to use

when viewing and printing interpretation reports. If you do
not select one yourself, then Solar Fire will use the default
word processor on your computer system. See Interps
for more details on selecting a word processor.
22.8.2 Viewing a Full Interpretations Report
>> To generate a chart interpretations report

Select the Full Report... item from the Interps menu,
or View Full Report... option from the File menu of the
interpretations window. This will display a selection dialog
box from which you can choose which categories of
interpretations will be included in the report.
You can select any of the available text categories by
ensuring that the check box for that category contains an
"X". Click on any of these to select or unselect them. If
you switch off the "Chart Points" category then it is not
possible to include categories relating to rulerships and
aspects between points, so these option become disabled
(greyed). When you are happy with the selection, click on
the View... button. Your word processor will be opened
up displaying this report. You are then free to browse the
report, to print it, or to save it under another name if you
wish. Note that, to keep a permanent copy of the report,

you must save it under a different name, because Solar

Fire always uses the same report name. When you have
finished with the report, exit from your word processor.
Note: If you do not exit from your word processor,
then the next time that you generate an
interpretations report you will see the old report
instead of the newly generated one. If this happens,
then exit from your word-processor, and generate the
report again.
>> To generate a synastry interpretations report

Select the Synastry Report... item from the Interps
menu, or View Full Report... option from the File menu
of the interpretations window when you are already
viewing synastry interpretations. This will display a
selection dialog box from which you can choose which
categories of interpretations will be included in the report,
and also the gender of each of the charts.
The interpretation categories may be selected in the
same manner as for natal interpretations. However, bear
in mind that the some categories do not apply to the
synastry report, so that selecting them will make no
difference to the final report. In particular, the following
items are not included in the default synastry report.
Balances
House Cusps
Rulerships & Dispositor
Rays

22.9 Exporting Text to a File

You can send a selection of the available interpretations
for the current chart to an external DOS file to be used in
a separate text editor, printing utility or word-processor.
The resulting text file will have an ANSI format without
any carriage return/line feeds within the body of each
paragraph. This makes it easy to use if it is imported into a
word-processor as it will not be necessary to remove
"hard" carriage returns from each paragraph of text.
>> To send interpretations to a text file

Select the Export Text... option from the File menu of
the interpretations window. This will display a selection
dialog box from which you can choose which categories
of interpretations will be exported.
You can select any of the available text categories by
ensuring that the check box for that category contains an
"X". Click on any of these to select or unselect them. If
you switch off the "Chart Points" category then it is not
possible to include categories relating to rulerships and
aspects between points, so these option become disabled
(greyed). When you are happy with the selection, click on
the Export... button.
You will then be able to select a directory and filename
to which the interpretations text will be sent from a
standard Windows "Save File" dialog screen. Initially the
filename is set to INTERPS.TXT, but you may change
this if you wish, to any valid DOS filename. You might
also prefer to select the directory in which your word
processor resides in order to make it easier to find the
exported file from you word processor.
Once you click on the Export... button, the

interpretations will be sent to the file that you specified, a

series of beeps will be sounded to let you know that it has
finished, and you will be returned to the interpretations
window.
Note that you cannot export text if you are in General
Mode. This export utility can only be used with the
interpretations relating to the current chart.
22.10 Changing the Interpretations File

When you first install Solar Fire, there are only two
interpretations files available, for natal charts and transits
to natal charts. However, if you have created additional
interpretation files with the interpretations compiler, or
purchased any additional interpretations files, then it is
possible to select another file. The possible categories of
interpretations are
Natal
Progressed
Return
Combined
Prenatal
Synastry (Natal to Natal)
Transits to Natal
Progressions to Natal
Directions to Natal
Transits to Natal (Calendar)
Firdaria
Each of these categories can have a different
interpretations file associated with it, which is used

whenever a chart of that type is selected. It is possible for

all of them to use the same interpretations file, although
ideally each category would have its own separate
interpretations file, with text that has been written
specifically for that chart type.
When Solar Fire is first installed, you will find that all the
categories use the same interpretations file (standard.int)
apart from Synastry (synastry.int) and Transits to Natal
(transits.int) and Progressions to Natal (progress.int).
>> To change the selected interpretations file

Do either of the following.
From the Interpretations window, select the Open...
item from the File Menu.
From the Main Screen, select the required file type from
the Interpretations Files menu item under the Interps
menu.
You will then see the File Manager Dialog Box, from
which you can choose any other available interpretations
file. If you click on the Select button, then the chosen
interpretations file will become the default for
interpretations of the chosen category (if selected from the
Interps menu), or for the category that is currently being
viewed (if chosen from the Interpretations window).
22.11 Exiting from the Interpretations Window

You can exit from the interpretation window in two
different ways. One way will close and unload the
interpretations file, which means that next time you open
up the interpretations window a few extra seconds will be

taken to load the file again. The other way simply

minimises the interpretations window without unloading
the interpretations, so that it can be accessed again almost
instantaneously.
>> To exit from the interpretations and unload the

interpretations file
Choose the Exit option from the File menu of the
Interpretations window.
>> To minimise the Interpretations window

Click on the minimise button on the top right of the
Interpretations window. Once it is minimised, you can
retrieve it by double-clicking on its icon, or by using any
of the methods previously described to open the
Interpretations window.
23 Viewing Astro-Locality Maps

Solar Fire contains Solar Maps. What follows is a brief
description of the features of Solar Maps.
Solar Maps allows you to
Display world maps in rectangular or spherical
formats
Display planetary positions on maps for any natal
type chart that has already been calculated in Solar
Fire
Display lines of culmination, anti-culmination, rise or
set for the chart’s planets and bodies
Display planetary direction lines in local space

Display day/night shading for any chart on a

rectangular world map
View solar eclipse paths for any solar eclipse in the
period 1951 to 2200
Measure angular and linear distances between maps
locations or planetary lines
Add, edit or remove cities which are displayed on
maps
Apply alternative pre-defined map and line color
selections
>> To start Solar Maps and display the currently

select chart
1. Select the required chart from the list of calculated
charts
2. Select the Solar Maps item from the View menu.
This will start up Solar Maps, displaying the selected
chart over the last selected map.
>> To get further help with Solar Maps

Click on the Help menu in Solar Maps
24 Viewing the Planetarium
Any calculated chart in Solar Fire may be viewed in a
planetarium style display showing planets and asteroids
against the fixed stars and constellations, from a variety of
perspectives. It is possible to get textual and technical
information on the fixed stars in so far as it has been
entered with Solar Fire’s Fixed Star Editor.

>> To display the planetarium for any calculated

chart
Select the required chart from the list of Calculated
Charts on the main screen
Select the Planetarium option from the View menu
This will cause the planetarium screen to be displayed,
displaying the currently selected set of Displayed Points,
and the currently selected set of Fixed Stars.
It is also possible to start up the planetarium directly,
without running Solar Fire, by double-clicking on its icon
in the Solar Fire Group window. However, in this case no
planets or asteroids are displayed, and the star file that is
used is whatever was last saved as the default Fixed Star
file in Solar Fire. See Selecting a File for instructions on
selecting another star file.
Whilst you are in the planetarium screen, it is possible to
explore the celestial sphere in various ways which are
explained below.
24.1 Choosing the Coordinate System

The possible coordinate systems are
Equatorial - Coordinate lines on the sphere are lines of
right ascension and declination.
Ecliptical - Coordinate lines on the sphere are lines of
longitude and latitude.
Local - Coordinate lines on the sphere are lines of
azimuth and altitude. When viewing a chart, the local
horizon is that for the location of the chart at the time of
the chart. If no chart is being displayed, then the local
horizon is that of the default location of Solar Fire, as

displayed on Solar Fire’s main screen, and the time is

current time according to your computer’s system clock.
When you select the required system from the drop-
down list box, the display will be updated automatically to
reflect the new coordinate system.
24.2 Choosing the View Direction

The possible view directions for equatorial or ecliptical
coordinates are
Equator - The line of the equator or ecliptic is shown
horizontally across the screen, with the north pole
upwards and the south pole downwards.
North Pole - The view is towards the north pole, with
the pole in the centre of the screen.
South Pole - The view is towards the south pole, with
the pole in the centre of the screen.
For local coordinates
Horizontal - the line of the horizon is shown horizontally
across the screen.
Above Horizon - The view is upwards, with the horizon
around the edge of the screen.
Below Horizon - The view is downwards, with the
horizon around the edge of the screen.
When you select the required view direction from the
drop-down list box, the display will be updated
automatically to reflect the new coordinate system.

24.3 Choosing the View Heading

The view heading may be moved through a full 360
degrees by using the horizontal scroll bar at the bottom of
the frame. Its precise value is written at the top right of the
frame. When using an equator or horizontal view, the
heading is the angle towards which you are looking. When
using a polar or above/below horizon view, then the
heading is the angle at the top of the display.
24.4 Choosing a Star

>> To select an individual star
Do either of the following
Select a star from the Star List - If it is not visible on the
currently displayed hemisphere, then you will hear a beep.
If the selected star is visible on the current display, then it
will be highlighted.
Click somewhere on the displayed sphere - The nearest
star to where you clicked will then be highlighted in the list
of stars. This is especially useful if you wish to find the
nearest star to a planet in the chart - to do this, all you
need do is click on the planet symbol.
When the star is highlighted, it becomes brighter than the
other stars, and expanding and contracting rings will be
shown around it for a few seconds to help you locate it.
Also, the constellation in which that star resides will
appear in the Constellation list box.

24.5 Viewing a Constellation

>> To see a particular constellation
Select it from the Constellation drop-down list box. If
the selected constellation is not visible in the displayed
hemisphere, then you will hear a beep. If it is visible, then
the stars in that constellation will be highlighted in red, to
differentiate them from the other stars.
24.6 Viewing Information About a Star

>> To see a pop-up information box which lists
information about a star
Do either of the following.
Select the required star from the Star List and then
Select the Info button
Double-click somewhere on the displayed sphere - This
will show information on the nearest star to where you
clicked.
The information shown on the star is everything that may
be entered into the Fixed Star editor, including name,
nomenclature, NGC number, magnitude, spectral class
and any text available for that star. Also, the longitude,
latitude, right ascension, declination, azimuth, altitude and
rising and settings times are shown. These times are on the
24hr clock, and are listed as “Always Above” or “Always
Below” if the selected star does not cross the horizon
during this day.
Note: The rise and set times shown in the planetarium
are “apparent” times i.e. they take account of the average
refraction of the atmosphere. These may differ by several
minutes from “true astronomical” rise or set times. The

apparent rise and set are calculated to occur when the

star is astronomically 34 minutes of arc below the horizon
(i.e. about half of a degree).
24.7 Animating the Planetarium

The planetarium can be stepped around continuously by
clicking on either the play forward or play backward
buttons. You can click on the stop button to halt this at
any time.
Note: This option simply rotates the planetarium
continuously, and does not change the date or time for the
displayed data.
24.8 Printing the Planetarium

>> To obtain a full page printout of the currently
displayed view
Select the Print button - This will print on the default
printer using the currently selected page orientation and
resolution. If you wish to change these settings, then you
must do so before printing.
25 Viewing Stellarium
Stellarium is a free open source planetarium
for your computer. It shows a realistic sky in
3D, just like what you see with the naked eye,
binoculars or a telescope.
>> To display any calculated chart in Stellarium

Select the required chart from the list of Calculated

Select the Stellarium option from the View menu.
If Stellarium is already installed on your computer, then
this will start it up, with location and time set according to
the current chart in Solar Fire.
Is Stellarium is not already installed on your computer,
then you will be presented with a link to the Stellarium
site, from where you may download and install it.
If, for any reason, Stellarium is already installed on your
computer, but Solar Fire cannot find it, then you will be
prompted to navigate to the folder into which the
Stellarium program was installed. Once you have done
this, Solar Fire will remember its location in future.
Note: Due to limitations of Stellarium, when a Solar Fire
chart is displayed, Stellarium shows the chart time
according to your local timezone - not according to the
timezone of the chart. However, it is still the correct
instant in time, so the celestial phenomena are still all
correct for that chart.
Note: Stellarium is a third party product, and Esoteric
Technologies has no control over it, or how it may change
in future. This link is offered "as-is", and we cannot take
any credit for its features, or any responsibility for its
flaws. However, we will do our best to maintain
compatibility with it in future.
26 Generating Chart Reports and Tabulations

This chapter describes how to view and print any of
Solar Fire’s report or tabulation types relating to a single
chart or synastry report types relating to two charts. It is

not possible to generate a report relating to more than two

charts at a time.
If you wish to generate dynamic transits and
progressions reports, rather than a chart report, then refer
to page Using Dynamic Reports and Time Maps.
Before generating a report, it is necessary to have either
cast or opened the chart or charts that you wish to report
on. If you have not yet done so, see Casting a Natal
Chart for instructions on casting a new chart, or page
Retrieving Charts From a File for instructions on opening
an existing chart.
Also it is necessary to have selected the required set of
displayed chart points and aspects to be used in
generating the report. See Displayed Points for
instructions on selecting the set of displayed points and the
aspect set.
26.1 Descriptions of the Reports

These are the different types of reports you can choose
from:
Chart Analysis
Chart details: name, birth date, birth time, latitude,
longitude, etc.
Astronomical information: DeltaT, Ephemeris Time,
Julian Day, Sidereal Time at Greenwich, Local Sidereal
Time, Obliquity of the ecliptic, Adjusted Calculation Date
for midnight and midday ephemerides.
Chart angles: the longitudes of the Ascendant and
Midheaven computed to the second of arc.

House cusps: the longitudes of the intermediate house

cusps and angles computed to the second of arc.
Chart points: longitudes, daily travel, latitudes,
declinations, azimuths and altitudes of all planets and
points selected.
Stationary Points: for any points deemed stationary,
shows the distance from exact station in time and
longitude
Lunar phase: the Sun/Moon angle and its phase out of 8
and 28 phases.
Sign Elements and Modalities analysis: weighted points
showing the concentration of planets and points in Fire,
Earth, Air and Water; Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable.
House Modalities analysis: weighted points showing the
concentration of planets and points in Angular Succedent,
Cadent.
Chart Shape: name of chart shape, if any
Note: In the Chart point listing, the daily travel values
are normally given in degrees and minutes per day.
However, if the rate of travel is less than 1 degree per
day, then it is given in minutes and seconds of arc per day
instead.
Note: In the Chart points listing, the following flags may
be shown immediately after the longitude:
(no flag) - Direct, not within orb of a station
R - Retrograde, not within orb of a station
SD - Within orb of a station - Direct, following the
exact station
DS - Within orb of a station - Direct, prior to the exact
station

SR - Within orb of a station - Retrograde, following the

exact station
RS -Within orb of a station - Retrograde, prior to the
exact station
Rulerships Report
This report is available using any available level of
rulerships. (It is possible to add your own rulerships to
Solar Fire. Refer to page Changing Rulerships and
Weightings for instructions on how to do this.) It shows
the following:
Planets: accidentally dignified, in mutual reception, in
rulership, detriment, exaltation and fall, and the final
dispositor.
Chart points: in signs, house, house ruled, dispositor and
dispositor's house.
Horary Report
Planetary day, planetary hour, hour of day or night
House Cusps: Almutens (calculated according to the
options in the houses.alm almuten definition file)
Chart Points: Ruler, Exalted, Triplicity, Term, Face,
Detriment, Fall, Score, Peregrine (calculated according to
the options in the essdig.alm dignity definition file)
Chart Hyleg: according to Bonatti’s method and
Ptolemy’s method.
Aspects List
Aspects used: aspect abbreviation or glyph, aspect
angle, luminary applying and separating orb (Sun/Moon to

other planets), other planet or chart point applying and

separating orb, aspect name.
Aspects list: listing of aspects in order from the Moon to
the Lunar South Node, showing orb and whether applying
or separating.
When this report is produced as a synastry report,
aspects shown are between the two charts instead of
between planets within the single chart.
Sorted Aspects
Orb used: maximum orb angle
Aspects list: listing of aspects in order of increasing orb
and whether applying or separating.
aspects shown are between the two charts instead of
between planets within the single chart.
Aspects Analysis
Major aspect patterns found: Click on the Patterns…
button to preview all the available aspect patterns and to
switch any patterns on or off.
Aspect distribution grid: the number of aspects found

among the inner planets, outer planets, and angles.

Aspect frequency analysis: aspect type, actual aspect
hits, likely aspect hits, and the percentage of difference
from expected frequency of aspect hits.
aspect patterns do not appear on the report, and the
aspect distribution relates to aspects between the two
charts.
Note: The "Orb Tightness" of each pattern indicates
how close the aspects involved in the pattern are to being
exact. A value of 100% would indicate that all the aspects
in the pattern are exact, whereas a value of 0% would
indicate that all the aspects are at the outer limit of their
allowable orbs. In more technical terms, it uses an RMS
(root mean square) value of the normalised orbs (where
normalised means the ratio of actual orb to maximum
allowable orb).
Chart Point Sort

Modulus used: modulus angle
List of chart points: In order of modulus angle, including
zodiacal positions
When this report is produced as a synastry report, the
points from both charts are listed together, and are
flagged to show which chart they belong to.
Sensitive Points

List of sensitive points: zodiacal position, aspect made,

chart point aspecting this position
This report is especially useful for quickly finding what is
being triggered in a chart by a transiting planet, for
example. It is also useful simply as a list of what points in
the zodiac are sensitive in chart.
MidPoint Listing
List of midpoints: In planetary order, modulus angle
List of midpoints: In midpoint order, modulus angle
When this chart is produced as a synastry report, the
midpoints from the first chart are mixed with the primary
positions (i.e. the positions of the chart points themselves)
of the second chart, and these are flagged to show which
chart they belong to. In this manner it is possible to see
the positions of the transiting planets relative to a chart's
midpoints, for example.
MidPoint Axes
Orb used: orb angle
List of Axes: In planetary order down the screen.
Midpoints within orb are listed across the page (and onto
next line if line is full).
Example: *Ura* Vp/Sat 0 02d *Asc* 0 05 Mar/Jup 0
09
This shows that Uranus is within 2 minutes of arc of the
midpoint of the Vernal Point (0 Aries) and Saturn; within
5 minutes of arc of the Ascendant; and within 9 minutes of

arc of the midpoint Mars and Jupiter, within the modulus

specified. Also note that the "d" indicates that the midpoint
is a conjunction or opposition, regardless of the modulus
chosen.
MidPoint Trees
Orb used: orb angle
List of Trees: In planetary order across the screen.
Midpoints within orb are listed down the page under each
point.
Example, showing the same midpoints as in the previous
example:
*Ura*
Vp/Sat 0 02d
*Asc* 0 05
Mar/Jup 0 09
Midpoint Modes
Cardinal Points: Zodiacal position of chart points and
midpoints which are in cardinal signs, plus modulus angle
of points which are in semisquare or sesquisquare to chart
points and midpoints.
Fixed Points: As for cardinal points
Mutable Points: As for cardinal points
This report is especially useful for quickly finding any 8th
harmonic aspects to midpoints in a chart. For example, in
the cardinal section of the report, if two of the entries are:-
Mar/Nep 14Li59 Mer/Nod 15 25

then a transiting point at 15Cp00is square the Mar/Nep

midpoint in the chart with an orb of 1 minute, and is either
semisquare or sesquisquare the Mer/Nod midpoint with
an orb of 25 minutes.
Arabic Parts
List of Parts: Name and zodiacal position
List of Aspects: Aspects to chart points, orbs
Star Aspects
Chart Points: Zodiacal position and declination
List of aspects: Aspects to fixed stars in current fixed
star file, orb and star keywords
Star Parans
Parans Used: List of which parans are included (rise, set,
upper culmination, lower culmination)
Paran Orb: maximum paran orb
Chart Points: Zodiacal position and declination
List of parans: Parans to fixed stars in current fixed star
file, star keywords

Planetary Nodes
Chart Points: North node position and daily travel, South
node position and daily travel
List of aspects: Aspects to other chart points, in order of
increasing orb
Asteroids
List of Asteroids in current asteroid file: Longitude, daily
travel, latitude, R.A. and Declination, list of aspects from
asteroid to other chart points, orbs
Other Bodies
List of Bodies: Name, longitude, daily travel, latitude, R.
A. and Declination
List of Aspects: Aspects to chart points, orbs
The bodies which appear in this report are those whose
orbital elements are defined in a file called “extras.dat”,

which resides in Solar Fire’s \USERDATA directory. If

you have adequate knowledge of orbital elements, it is
possible to add or remove bodies from this file, and these
changes will be reflected in this report. See Format of the
Orbital Elements File for an explanation of the format of
this file.
MWA (Munkasey Midpoint Weighting Analysis)

Total Hits, Midpoints in weighted order, Hits in weighted
order, Planets in weighted order, sign weights, house
weights, harmonic weights.
Unlike the original MWA that includes all of Munkasey’s
PSPs (personal sensitive points), this version of the report
uses only the currently selected chart points.
The weightings are specified in the file MWA.INI in
Solar Fire’s Settings directory, and adventurous users can
edit this file if they wish to alter the weightings.
Difference Listing
List of differences: In planetary order, modulus angle
List of differences: In difference order, modulus angle
The difference between a pair shown in the report as “A/
B” is computed as (Position B – Position A), i.e. it
indicates the zodiacal distance from point A forward
through the zodiac to point B.
Extra Ring Points



List of points in current extra ring points file: Longitude,
daily travel, latitude, R.A. and Declination, list of aspects
from asteroid to other chart points, orbs
26.2 Descriptions of the Tabulations

The tabulations are a series of pre-defined collections of
page objects organized into useful groupings. These are
the same page objects that are used in Solar Fire's pages,
and if users wish to create their own collections of page
objects and customize them differently from the way they
are presented here, then this can be done by designing
your own pages using the Page Designer. However, the
tabulations presented here allow users to quickly access
some of the page objects without having to create new
pages for them first.
Each tabulation displays a header for the currently
selected chart, showing the name, birth date, birth time,
latitude, longitude, etc. These are the different types of
tabulations you can choose from:
Stations
For each displayed point, shows the longitude, speed
indicator, the zodiacal positions of the last and next
station, and the time since the last station and until the next
station.
The speed indicator is determined according to the
typical speed of each point, and can be Fast, Slow,
Stationary or Retrograde.

Rise/Set Times
For each displayed point, shows the longitude, and the
paran values for the rise, culmination, set and anti-
culmination of that point.
The paran values may be displayed as local times, or
LST angles or times, according to the user-setting in the
Preferences dialog.
Gauq. Sectors
For each displayed point, shows the longitude, distance
in A.U. (usually geocentric, but heliocentric if the chart is
heliocentric), the Gauquelin sector (1 to 36) and a flag to
show if it is in one of the Gauquelin plus sectors.
Note that (for a planet on the ecliptic) the sectors start at
the horizon, and sectors 1 to 9 run from the Ascendant to
the Midheaven, 10 to 18 run from the Midheaven to the
Descendant, 19 to 27 run from the Descendant to the IC,
and 28 to 36 from the IC to the Ascendant.
The Plus sectors are 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 36.
Modulus Sort
For each displayed point shows the longitude, and the
modulus of the longitude according to the current modulus
value which may be set by the user on this screen.
There is also a graphical modulus sort strip.
Chart Balances
This shows graphical representations of the balance of
modes, elements, rays quadrants and hemispheres. Note

the asterisked (*) objects denote that they are showing

weighted values i.e. adjusting the scores for each category
using the user-editable weightings for each point.
House Cusps
For each house cusps, show the longitude and its degree
almuten (calculated according to the options in the houses.
alm almuten definition file).
Phases/Eclipses
Shows the four last lunar phases and the next phase due
(using the standard 4 lunar phases).
Also shows the last two and next three eclipses due
(both solar and lunar).
The times are for either maximum eclipse or for the exact
corresponding lunar phase, depending on the eclipse
settings in Preferences.
Essential Dignities
For each chart point: Ruler, Exalted, Triplicity, Term,
Face, Detriment, Fall, Score, Peregrine (calculated
according to the options in the essdig.alm dignity definition
file)
Further Dignities
Shows a collection of page objects with various types of
dignities, including planetary sect, planetary hour and day,
chart hyle.g. mutual receptions, horary consideration and
lunar aspects.

AstroDyne Plan&Asp
For each chart point, shows its astrodyne score, giving
the overall power score, the % contribution towards the
total power score, and a Harmony/Disharmony score.
Also, the strongest, best and worst nine aspects are
listed, along with their scores.
AstroDyne Houses
For each house and house type, shows its astrodyne
score, giving the overall power score, the % contribution
towards the total power score, and a Harmony/
Disharmony score.
AstroDyne Signs
For each sign and sign type, shows its astrodyne score,
giving the overall power score, the % contribution
towards the total power score, and a Harmony/
Disharmony score.
Declinations
For each displayed point shows the declination, the
longitude, and longitude equivalent of its declination.
There is also a graphical declination strip.
Aspects - Closest
This list all the aspects currently selected, and then lists the
aspects within the current chart in order of closeness of
orb. Aspects will not appear in this list unless their orb is
within i) the maximum orb specified for this object, and ii)

the maximum orb allowed for that aspect in the aspect set
which is being used. The total number of aspects shown is
limited to 24.
Midpoint Trees
This displays midpoint trees for each displayed point in
the chart, using the currently specified modulus and orb,
both of which may be edited by the user on this screen.
Planetary Hours
This shows the planets of each planetary hour on the
chart's date, starting at dawn and ending with dawn of the
following day.
Almuten Scores
This object displays planetary scores for various dignity
or almuten calculations. The scores are calculated
according to the default dignity and almutens scores
stored in the file general.alm, which resides in Solar Fire’s
program folder.
Firdaria (and Firdaria variant)

This lists the starting dates of planetary periods and the
ages of the individual at each of these dates, for the
current chart. There are two variants of this object, one
using planetary periods as they were used by Al Biruni
and Schoener, and the other is a variant of this which
places the nodes in a different order for night-time charts.

(The variants give identical results for daytime charts.)
Vedic Dasas
This displays a list of Dasas (major planetary periods) and
Bhuktis (sub planetary periods) using the current default
sidereal zodiac for the selected chart.
Nakshatras
This shows the Nakshatras (Vedic lunar divisions) for the
current chart according to the default sidereal zodiac. The
names and types of the mansions are given, as well as a
few keywords describing the attributes of the mansion.
Arabic Mansions
This lists, for each displayed point, the number of the
Arabic mansion it occupies (1 to 28), the name of the
mansion as given in the Picatrix, the Arabic name, and the
English name.
Chinese Mansions
This shows the Chinese Lunar Mansion occupied by
each chart point. These mansions are divisions in right
ascension, the boundaries of which are defined by the
positions of certain fixed stars. The Chinese and English
names of the mansion are given, as well as a few
keywords describing the attributes of the mansion.
Direction of Divisions

This lists the starting dates of planetary term periods and

the ages of the individual at each of these dates, according
to the primary direction of the Ascendant of the current
chart by oblique ascension.
Miscellaneous
This first object displays the same information as the
Planetary Hour/Day object, but also indicates the current
planetary rulers of a 36 year cycle. Each 36 year period is
ruled by one of the 7 planets from Mars to Neptune, and
each year within that 36 year period is sub-ruled by a
planet. The periods of rulership start on the tropical Aries
ingress each year. This 36 year cycle is described in
American Astrology Magazine - Year 1940, in an article
by David Anrias (although it is referred to in that article as
a 35 year cycle), and is also alluded to in the title of the
book “The Initiate in the Dark Cycle” by Cyril Scott –
Publ. Samuel Weiser Inc. This “Dark Cycle” is the 36
year period from 1909 to 1945 which was ruled by Mars.
The second object shows the polarity, element (of the
five Chinese Elements) and the animal of the current
Chinese lunar year.
Temperaments
Four temperaments weighted according to Lilly –
Choleric, Sanguine, Melancholic, Phlegmatic.
Points used: Sun, Moon, Ascendant, Aspects to Sun,
Moon
Aspects Used: Conjunction, Square, Trine, Opposition
and Sextile
Data and References for the Temperaments have been

kindly provided by Lee Lehmann
26.3 Report Options

The fixed star paran report lists stars that are in paran to
points in the chart. Parans may be of four types - rising,
setting, culminating or anti-culminating. It is possible to
select which parans to include or exclude from the report.
For example, if only rising and settings parans are
selected, then the report will list any stars which are rising
or settings as the chart points rise or set, but not as the
stars or chart points culminate or anti-culminate.
>> To select which parans to use in the fixed star

parans report
Click on any of the Parans to Use options from the
Reports menu - Parans that are selected will have a
check mark on their left of their entry in the menu.
Clicking on an unselected paran will switch it on, and
clicking on a selected paran will switch it off. Note that
the fixed star paran report lists which parans are currently
in use when the report is generated.
26.4 Reports or Tabulations for a Single Chart
>> To view a report for a single chart
Do either of the following:
From the main screen, select a chart from the list of
"Calculated Charts", and then choose Current Chart
from the Reports menu.

From the "View Chart" screen, select an image of the

required single chart, aspect grid or user-defined page
from the list box, and select the Reports button.
This will display the "Chart Report" screen, which allows
reports to be selected, browsed, edited and printed.
The list box on the top left of the screen contains a list of
all the report types that may be displayed.
>> To display any report

Select the required report name from the list box on the
top right of the window.
If you select a chart point sort report, or any midpoint

type of report, then you can select a modulus angle for the
report.
>> To select a Modulus angle

Click on the Modulus drop-down list box and select a
pre-defined value - It is possible to select a modulus for
any harmonic from the 1st to the 12th
Enter an angle into the Modulus box - It is possible to
type in any angle from 1 minute of arc to 360 degrees in
degrees, minutes and seconds (e.g. "67 23" for 67° 23').
If you select a report which requires an orb to be
entered, such as a midpoint axes or trees report, or a star
paran report then you can enter a limiting orb.
>> To enter an orb

Type the required orb into the Orb box - Any orb may
be entered from 0 to 10 degrees, in degrees, minutes and
seconds (e.g. "0 10" for 10 seconds of arc).
You can browse through the report by clicking on the
scroll bars to the right and bottom of the report display
box. You can alter the appearance of the report by
switching on or off any of the following options:
Use Glyphs - This will substitute astrological glyphs
into the report wherever appropriate, replacing
abbreviations for planets, asteroids, zodiac signs and
aspects.
Use Colors - This allows you to switch on or off the
selected colors of each planet, asteroid, zodiac sign
and aspects wherever they appear in the report. When

this option is switched off, all items appear in black. It

is possible to alter which colors are used for each item
by selecting Point Colors..., Sign Colors... and
Aspect Colors... from the Chart Options menu of the
main screen. See Editing a Color File for instructions
on how to do this.
Bold Text - This allows you to switch between
regular (light) text and bold text.
Full Headers - This allows you to switch on or off
the full chart details and full listing of aspects used (in
reports which use aspects). This option is useful if you
do not need to see the full details, or if you wish to use
less paper when printing a report.
>> To select an alternative chart for the same

report
Select the Charts... button - This will display a list of
calculated charts, from which you may select any one.
Note: By switching on the "Auto-apply" option, you may
also scroll through charts and see the report automatically
updated for each chart you select, without having to close
the chart selection dialog.
Note: You can also use this dialog to view or edit the
events or comments for any chart by using a right hand
mouse click over that chart's entry, which brings up a
pop-up menu.
>> To send a copy of the report to the Windows

Clipboard
Select the Copy... button - Note that glyphs and colors
cannot be copied to the clipboard. Abbreviations are

used instead of glyphs when the report is copied into the

Clipboard. Also, report columns may not align correctly in
the Clipboard. If you paste the Clipboard contents into
your word-processor, you may have to edit the document
to ensure that the columns align correctly, (from where it
may be pasted into a word-processor document, for
example):
>> To print the report which is currently displayed

Select the Print... button. - This will display the "Print"
dialog box, allowing you to cancel, alter printer settings,
add the report to the batch print queue, or to print it
immediately. See Printing from Solar Fire for instructions
on printing. The printed report will contain glyphs (if you
have the Use Glyphs option selected), and colors (if you
have a color printer and you have the Use Colors option
selected). However, the printed report always uses
regular (light) text. It is not possible to print the report
using bold text.
26.5 Synastry Reports

>> To view a synastry report
From the main screen, choose Synastry... from the
Reports menu - you must then select charts as described
in Viewing MultiWheels and Synastry Grids, and then
select the Report button.
From the "View Chart" screen, select the image of the
required biwheel or synastry grid from the list box, and
then select the Reports button.

This will display the "Reports" screen, which allows

reports to be selected, browsed, edited and printed.
Refer to the previous section for instructions on how to
use this screen.
26.6 Ashtkoot Reports

The Ashtkoot Compatibility System is a system that has
its roots in India and is primarily used in Vedic astrology.
“Ashtkoot” simply means “8 factor”. The scoring within
this system is based on the position of the sidereal Moon
(Lahiri) of the two people and the 8 factors are scored on
the integration of these two Moon positions. The
maximum score is 36. The implementation of this system
in Solar Fire allows a user to select two charts from either
the chart files or ones that have been entered and if a
zodiac used in those charts is one other than the Lahiri
zodiac then Solar Fire automatically converts the Moon
position to the Lahiri (sidereal) position internally and the
scores calculated.
>> To view an Ashtkoot report

Highlight two charts on the Calculated Charts list
Click on the “Reports” menu item then click on the
“Ashtkoot Compatibility...” sub-menu item
Set the gender of the two charts if they have not already
been previously selected for those charts
The Compatibility score will display in the Summary
report next to the Total. The individual scores making up
the Total score can also be seen together with a short
description of the 8 factors. If you are already familiar
with the Ashtkoot Compatibility system then you can also

click on the “Ashtkoot Detailed” option on the right of the

screen to see the individual factors for each chart. Some
of the words will be familiar and some will not be familiar.
Neville Lang has studied about 100 couples over a 10

year period (still a small sample size) using the Ashtkoot
Compatibility system. He has come up with some
tentative boundaries of the Total score. If you think about
using traffic lights as a quick indicator then the Red light
will represent scores of 40% of the maximum 36 (a score
of 14.4) and lower, the Orange light will represent the
range from 40% (14.5) to 69% (24.7), and the Green
light will represent scores of 24.8 and higher. Basically,
the Red light indicates a warning for the long term viability
of the relationship, the Orange light means that is it
“middling” and requires more analysis of the two
individual charts while the Green light indicates a high
degree of compatibility for the relationship to run for the
long term.
27 Chart Search and Electional Search
These two modules both allow you to search using a
variety of simple or advanced criteria, such as for a planet
being in specified house or sign, a particular aspect being
formed between two planets, a specified aspect pattern
existing, the moon being void of course, and many others.
As well as searches using a single condition, you can
combine criteria to perform complex searches involving
many different factors. For example, you could search for
the Moon in either Taurus or Gemini, and the Sun in the
7th house square Uranus.
The Electional Search module allows you perform
searches through time, and presents a list of matching

periods of time during which the criteria are satisfied. It

also lists times when exact aspects are formed or other
exact criteria reached, where relevant. You can search for
purely mundane conditions on their own (involving
transiting positions), or you can search for transiting
positions in relation to a given radix chart.
The Chart Search module allows you to search through
your stored charts, and presents a list of stored charts
that satisfy the criteria. In addition to astrological criteria,
this module also allows you to use chart data criteria in a
search (such as chart name, date, time, house system etc).
You can search based purely on the information in the
stored charts, or you can search for stored chart positions
in relation to a given radix chart.
27.1 Chart Search

>> To open the Chart Search dialog
From the main screen, select the Chart Search item
from the Chart menu, or
From the Chart Database dialog, click on the Find...
button and select the Chart Search menu item.
This will display the Chart Search dialog, which initially
displays the last selection criteria that you used.

You have three different options to determine which

chart file/s are searched.
Current chart file – this option shows the name of
the currently selected chart file. If selected, only this
file will be searched.
All Chart Files in Userdata folder – If selected, then
all charts files in the Userdata folder of Solar Fire
will be searched.
Selected Chart Files – If selected, then only those
chart files listed immediately below will be searched.
Note that you may select any chart files from any
folders.
>> To add a new selected chart file to search

Click on the Add button.
If necessary, navigate to the folder in which the required
chart file/s reside.

Highlight one (or more) chart files that you wish to add
to the search.
Note: You can include multiple chart files at once by
using the Mouse + Shift or Ctrl keys.
>> To remove a selected chart file from the search

Highlight the file that you wish to remove from the
search.
Click on the Remove button.
>> To clear the list of chart files to search

>> To select a radix chart to use in your search

conditions
Select any calculated chart from the Chart For Radix
Positions drop-down list.
If you wish to use a chart which is not in this list, then
you must first cast or open that chart, after which it will be
available in this list for selection.
Note: Many searches do not involve radix positions, in
which case the chart selected here is not relevant.
However, if you do use a search condition that involves a
condition including a radix chart position, then this is the
chart that will be used.

27.2 Electional Search

>> To open the Electional Search dialog
Select the Electional Search item from the Dynamic
menu.
This will display the Electional Search dialog, which
initially displays the last selection criteria that you used.
>> To set the time period for search

Enter a start date and time
Enter an end date and time
Note: The timezone for your entered dates and times is
either the current timezone for your default location, or the
timezone taken from a specified calculated chart,
according to the choice you make below.
Depending on what criteria you select, the search results
may vary depending on the location and other settings for

which the search is performed. For example, if you are

searching for an aspect between a planet and a chart
angle such the ascendant, then the timing of aspects
formed will vary widely depending on the latitude and
longitude used for the calculation. The settings that may be
used during the search are as follows:
Location – the latitude and longitude to use when
criteria involve chart angles and/or houses
Timezone – the default timezone to use for the
specified time period to search and for the output
results
House System – the house system to use when criteria
involve house cusps or placements
Zodiac – the zodiac to use when criteria involve
celestial longitudes
Coordinate System – the coordinate system to use
when criteria involve calculating chart points
>> To determine the location and other settings for

the search
Click on the "..." button in the Location and Settings
for Search frame.
This will open the Search Location and Settings
dialog.

Select one of the following options.

Use default location and settings – Choosing this
option ensures that your current default location and
settings are used for the search.
Specify my own location and settings - Choosing
this option allows you to enter the required place
details and other settings in the Location and
Settings frames below.

>> To ensure that the results of the search include

automatic timezone change for daylight savings
periods
Enable the Auto DST checkbox.
If the Auto DST option is unchecked, then the results
will show times for the specified timezone only, whether
or not this is the standard timezone for the given location.
This is useful if you would like to see all the results in
Universal Time, for example, rather than in the normal
timezone for the selected location.
>> To select a radix chart to use in your search

conditions
Select any calculated chart from the Chart For Radix
Positions drop-down list.
If you wish to use a chart which is not in this list, then
you must first cast or open that chart, after which it will be
available in this list for selection.
Note: Many searches do not involve radix positions, in
which case the chart selected here is not relevant.
However, if you do use a search condition that involves a
condition including a radix position, then this is the chart
that will be used.
27.3 Specifying Search Conditions

When this dialog box is first displayed, the List of Search
Conditions contains whatever search criteria were last
used here. You can re-use these criteria, edit them or
clear them to start afresh.
To make this search tool as simple to use as possible,

there is an option whether to display advanced options or

not. The advanced options allow you see and use point
and aspect modifiers (explained in more detail later),
which give much greater power over the types of
conditions that may be specified. It is expected that only
advanced astrologers will want to use these, and unless
you need this extra power, you may prefer to leave the
advanced options switched off.
>> To switch on or off the visibility of advanced

options
Click the Show Advanced Options checkbox.
The Search Condition Selection box contains a series of
tabs, each of which allows you to specify a different type
of condition.
The types of search conditions available from each tab
are described individually in the sections below.
27.3.1 In Sign
This allows you to select

A Planet, Point or Cusp – any of Solar Fire’s
standard chart points, or any of the 12 house cusps
A Modifier – a modifier to apply to the selected
point or cusp, such as the ruler of that point, the
degree almuten of that point, the antiscia of that
point, the contra-antiscia of that point.
A Sign or Sign Type – any of the 12 signs, any sign
element, any sign mode or either sign polarity.
Examples: Mars in Cancer; The Traditional Ruler of the
5th House Cusp in a Fixed Sign; the Antiscia of the

Ascendant in Taurus.
27.3.2 In House

A Modifier – a modifier to apply to the selected
point or cusp, such as the ruler of that point, the
degree almuten of that point, the antiscia of that
point, the contra-antiscia of that point.
A House or House Type – any of the 12 houses,
any house mode or above horizon (7th to 12th) or
below horizon (1st to 6th).
Also, for Chart Searches only, whether the house
placement relates to the houses of
The same chart - i.e. the houses of the chart you are
searching (the selected radix chart is not used)
The radix chart - i.e. the houses of the selected
radix chart for this search
Or, for Electional Searches only, whether the house
placement relates to houses of
The transiting chart - i.e. the houses varying with
time (the selected radix chart is not used)
The radix chart - i.e. the houses of the selected
radix chart for this search
Examples: Mars in 4th House; The Traditional Ruler of
the 5th House Cusp Above Horizon; the Antiscia of the
Ascendant in a Cardinal House.

27.3.3 In Aspect

A First Planet, Point or Cusp – any of Solar Fire’s
A First Point Modifier – a modifier to apply to the
selected point or cusp, such as the ruler of that
point, the degree almuten of that point, the antiscia
of that point, the contra-antiscia of that point.
An Aspect or Aspect Type – an individual aspect in
the currently selected aspect set, any aspect, any
soft aspect, any hard aspect.
An Aspect Modifier – a modifier to apply to the
selected aspect, such as applying only, separating
only, or applying or partile.
A Second Planet, Point or Cusp
A Second Point Modifier
Also, for Chart Searches only, whether the second point's
placement relates to
The same chart - i.e. the aspect occurs between the
two points in the charts being searched (the selected
radix chart is not used)
The radix chart - i.e. the aspect occurs from the first
point in the charts being searched to the second
point in the selected radix chart
Or, for Electional Searches only, whether the second
point's placement relates to
The transiting chart - i.e. the aspect occurs
between the two transiting points (the selected


The radix chart - i.e. the aspect occurs from the
transiting first point to the second point in the
selected radix chart
The aspect types which may be chosen are defined as
follows
Any Aspect – Any one of the aspects which is
switched on in the currently selected aspect set,
using the orbs defined within that aspect set.
Any Soft Aspect – Any one of Conjunction, Trine,
Sextile, using the orbs defined for those aspects
within the currently selected aspect set, regardless
of whether or not they are individually switched on
in the aspect set.
Any Hard Aspect – Any one of Opposition,
Square, SemiSquare, SesquiSquare, using the orbs
defined for those aspects within the currently
selected aspect set, regardless of whether or not
they are individually switched on in the aspect set.
Examples: Mars conjunct Saturn; The Traditional Ruler
of the 5th House Cusp in any applying aspect to the
Ascendant; The antiscia of the Ascendant in applying soft
aspect to the almuten of the 9th House Cusp.
Note: The aspect orbs that will be used in the search are
those natal orbs specified in the currently selected aspect
set, as specified in the “Aspect Set” box at the bottom of
this dialog. If you wish to change the orbs, then you can
either edit this aspect set, or select a different aspect set.

27.3.4 In Phase

A First Planet, Point or Cusp – any of Solar Fire’s
A First Point Modifier – a modifier to apply to the
A Phase – any individual phase division of 2, 4 or 8
in zodiacal longitude.
A Second Planet, Point or Cusp
A Second Point Modifier
Also, for Chart Searches only, whether the second point's
placement relates to
The same chart - i.e. the phase occurs between the
two points in the charts being searched (the selected
The radix chart - i.e. the phase occurs between the
first point in the charts being searched and the
second point in the selected radix chart
point's placement relates to
The transiting chart - i.e. the phase occurs
between the two transiting points (the selected
The radix chart - i.e. the phase occurs between
the transiting first point and the second point in the
selected radix chart
Examples: Moon in Phase 1 of 2 with Sun; The
Traditional Ruler of the 5th House Cusp in Phase 3 of 4

with the Ascendant.

Note: The phase is determined by the angle of the first
point in relation to the second point i.e. by how far the
first pint LEADS the second point in the zodiac.
Therefore Moon in Phase 1 of 2 with the Sun means that
the Moon leads the sun by between 0 and 180 degrees.
Note: With the Moon as the first point, and Sun as the
second point, these phases are typically given the
following names:
Phase 1 of 2 – Waxing Moon
Phase 2 of 2 – Waning Moon
Phase 1 of 4 – New Moon
Phase 2 of 4 – First Quarter Moon
Phase 3 of 4 – Full Moon
Phase 4 of 4 – Third Quarter Moon
Phase 1 of 8 – New Moon
Phase 2 of 8 – Crescent Moon
Phase 3 of 8 – First Quarter Moon
Phase 4 of 8 – Disseminating Moon
Phase 5 of 8 – Full Moon
Phase 6 of 8 – Gibbous Moon
Phase 7 of 8 – Third Quarter Moon
Phase 8 of 8 – Balsamic Moon
27.3.5 At Position


A Point Modifier – a modifier to apply to the

An Aspect or Aspect Type – an individual aspect in
the currently selected aspect set, any aspect, any
soft aspect, any hard aspect.
An Aspect Modifier – a modifier to apply to the
selected aspect, such as applying only, separating
only, or applying or partile.
A Fixed Zodiacal Longitude
Examples: Mars conjunct 23Ta00’; The Traditional
Ruler of the 5th House Cusp in any applying aspect to
17Cp30’; The antiscia of the Ascendant in applying soft
aspect to 9Cn23’48”.
those specified in the currently selected aspect set, as
specified in the “Aspect Set” box at the bottom of this
dialog. If you wish to change the orbs, then you can either
edit this aspect set, or select a different aspect set.
27.3.6 In Dignity

A Dignity Type – in rulership, in exaltation, in

triplicity, in term, in face, in detriment, in fall, is

peregrine, is planet of hour, is planet of day, is
cazimi, is combust, is under Sun’s beams, is oriental,
is in accidental dignity by house, is unaspected.
A Rulership Level – any one of the available
rulership level types, such as Modern, Traditional,
Esoteric. This is relevant only for those dignity types
that vary according to rulership level i.e. rulership,
exaltation, detriment, fall, and accidental dignity by
house. For other dignity types it is ignored.
Examples: Moon in its Modern Rulership; Venus is
cazimi; Modern Ruler of the Sun is Oriental.
Note: The orbs used are: cazimi 0°17’; combust 8°30’;
under Sun’s beams 17°00’.
27.3.7 Is Planet

Any Planet - out to Pluto only
Examples: Modern Ruler of the Moon is Mercury;
Almuten is the 10th House Cusp is Saturn.

27.3.8 Consideration
This allows you to select any one of the following

considerations:
Moon is Void of Course – this occurs after the
Moon makes it last aspect in any sign until its ingress
into the next sign, using Conjunctions, Oppositions,
Trines, Squares and Sextiles, with aspects to the
Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and
optionally also to Uranus, Neptune and Pluto,
depending on which user-defined void of course
definition has been selected.
Moon is VOC (Lilly method) – this is the same as
above except that only planets out to Saturn are
used (i.e. ignoring Lunar aspects to Uranus,
Neptune and Pluto), and the signs Taurus, Cancer,
Sagittarius and Pisces are deemed never to have
void of course occurring in them.
Moon is Waxing – this occurs when the Moon leads
the Sun by between 0 and 180 degrees.
Moon is Fast – this occurs whenever the Moon is
travelling at faster than its average rate of travel (i.e.
faster than 13°10’35” per day).
Moon is in via Combusta – this occurs when the
moon is between 15° Libra and 15° Scorpio.
Asc is near sign boundary – this occurs when the
Ascendant is within 3° of any sign boundary (i.e.
less than 3° or greater than 27° of any sign).
Sun is Above Horizon – this occurs when the Sun’s
is above the Ascendant/Descendant axis.

27.3.9 Aspect Pattern
This allows you to select one of the available aspect

patterns to search for.
>> To see a list and preview of each available

aspect pattern type
Click on the View Patterns… button.
This displays the Aspect Pattern dialog allowing you to
browse through the available patterns, and see a preview
of the pattern showing its shape and individual aspect
makeup.
Note: The chart points that will be used in the search are
those specified in the currently specified pattern points set.
If you wish to change the selection of points to use, then
you can either edit this point set, or select a different point
set by clicking on the > button to the right of the Pattern
Points box. In particular, it is important to decide whether
you want chart angles (such as the Ascendant and
Midheaven) to be included in your search. If you are
doing an Electional Search, and you include any chart
angles, then the search will take much longer (and
produce many more hits) because the chart angles move
so quickly. If you are doing a Chart Search, this factor is
not relevant, but you may still want to decide whether or
not you are interested in pattern involving the chart angles,
or whether you prefer to limit the search only to planets,
for example.
those specified in the currently selected aspect set, as
specified in the “Aspect Set” box at the bottom of this
dialog. If you wish to change the orbs, then you can either
edit this aspect set, or select a different aspect set by

clicking on the > button to the right of the Aspect Set box.
27.3.10 Coordinates
This allows you select

A Coordinate Type – Longitude, Speed in
Longitude, Latitude, Speed in Latitude, Right
Ascension, Speed in Right Ascension, Declination,
Speed in Declination, Azimuth, Altitude
A Comparison Type – Less than (<), Less than or
equal to (<=), Equal to (=), Greater than or equal to
(>=), Greater than (>)
A Comparison Value – the types of comparison
value required depends on the coordinate type. A
zodiacal position (including zodiac sign) is required
for longitude, an angle from 0° to 360° is required
for Right Ascension and Azimuth. An angle from -
90° to +90° is required for Latitude, Declination
and Altitude, and a daily rate of motion in degrees is
required for any speed.
Examples: Sun Longitude is >= 15°Ta00’; Moon Speed
in Longitude is >= 13°10’35”; Midheaven Altitude > 75°
00’
Note: If you wish to test for a range of values, then you
must create two conditions combined with a Boolean

operator. For example, to test for the Sun being in the 3rd
decanate of Libra, you would need to use two conditions
combined with an AND operator i.e. Sun Longitude >=
20°Li00’ AND Sun Longitude < 0°Sc00’.
27.3.11 Chart Details
Note: The items available in this category depend on

whether you are performing a Chart Search or an
Electional Search. A Chart Search allows you to select
any and all of the items listed below. However, as an
Electional Search is a search through time rather than a
search of stored charts, most of these items have no
relevance to this type of search. Therefore, the only chart
detail type that is available for selection within an
Electional Search is “Time”, which may be used to limit
the times of day to be searched.
This category allows you to select
A Chart Detail Type – as listed below
A Comparison Type – For chart details types which
are numerical, date, time, latitude or longitude types,
the available comparison types are Less than (<),
Less than or equal to (<=), Equal to (=), Greater
than or equal to (>=), Greater than (>). For string
type chart details, the available comparison types
are “contains” (the item being searched contains the
comparison value anywhere), “starts with” (the item
being searched contains the comparison value
starting at the beginning only), “contains word” (the
item being searched contained the comparison value
as a whole word i.e. separated by at least one
space from any other characters in the searched

value).
A Comparison Value - the types of comparison
value required depends on the chart details type.
String type chart details require a character string
comparison value. Date type requires a date
comparison value. Time type requires a time
comparison value. Latitude requires a geographic
latitude comparison value and Longitude requires a
geographic longitude comparison value.
Chart Detail Types

Chart Type – the name of this chart type e.g.
Natal, Progressed, Prenatal (string type value).
Name – the chart name (string type value).
Date – the chart date (date type value).
Time – the chart time (time type value)
Zone – the chart’s timezone offset in decimal hours
(numerical type value)
Place – the chart’s place name (string type value)
Country – the chart’s country name (string type
value)
Lat – the chart’s geographic latitude (latitude type
value)
Long – the chart’s geographic longitude (longitude
type value)
Coords – the chart’s coordinate system i.e.
Geocentric of Heliocentric (string type value)
Zodiac – the chart’s zodiac type e.g. Tropical,
Lahiri, Fagan-Allen (string type value)

Houses – the chart’s house system name e.g.

Placidus, Koch, Equal Houses (string type value)
Rating – the chart’s source rating e.g. AA, A, B,
C, DD, X, XX (string type value)
File – the name of the file in which this chart is
stored (string type value)
Folder – the name of the folder, including the full
pathname, in which this chart’s file resides (string
type value)
Rec – the record number where this chart is stored
in its file (numerical type value)
Days to Birthday – days remaining until next
birthday from current date, from 0 to 365
(numerical type value)
Comments – comments text stored with this chart
(string type value)
Day of Week - the name of the day of the week
for the chart date (i.e. "Monday", "Tuesday", etc.)
Examples: Name contains “Bush”; Latitude is > 0°N00’;
Days to Birthday is < 30; Rating matches “AA”; Day of
Week contains "Sunday"
Note: String comparison types are always case
insensitive.
Note: If you wish to test for a range of values, then you
must create two conditions combined with a Boolean
operator. For example, to test for times between 9am and
5pm, you would need to use two conditions combined
with an AND operator i.e. Time >= 9am AND Time <
5pm.

27.3.12 Chart Shape

One of the available chart shapes
Some chart shape also have a key planet (e.g. "lead" or
"handle" planet), in which case you can also select
A planet as the key planet relating to this shape, or
"Any Planet" if you don't mind which planet is the
key one
Examples: Chart contains "Bowl"; Chart contains
"Locomotive" with any planet as "Lead Planet"; Chart
contains "Bucket" with Sun as "Handle Planet".
Note: Chart Shape searches always include only a
standard planet set (Sun, Mon, Mer, Ven, Mar, Jup, Sat,
Ura, Nep, Plu). You cannot change this behaviour, as the
chart shape definitions rely on using this fixed set, and
would not produce meaningful results with any less or
more points included.
27.3.13 Midpoint

First Midpoint, consisting of 2 Planets, Points or
Cusps (A and B) – any of Solar Fire’s standard
chart points, or any of the 12 house cusps
Modulus – any degree value available on the drop-
down list, or any other value typed in by the user
Orb – any degree value available on the drop-down
list, or any other value typed in by the user
Second Midpoint, consisting of 2 Planets, Points or
Cusps (A and B) – any of Solar Fire’s standard

chart points, or any of the 12 house cusps

Also, for Chart Searches only, whether the
second midpoint's placement relates to
The same chart - i.e. the contact occurs between
the two midpoints in the charts being searched (the
selected radix chart is not used)
The radix chart - i.e. the contact occurs from the
first midpoint in the charts being searched to the
second midpoint in the selected radix chart
midpoint's placement relates to
The transiting chart - i.e. the contact occurs
between the two transiting midpoints (the selected
The radix chart - i.e. the contact occurs from the
transiting first midpoint to the second midpoint in
the selected radix chart
Examples: Mon/Ven contacts Sun/Mer in 90° modulus
within 1° orb;
Note: To specify a normal chart point instead of a
midpoint, simply ensure that both the A and B points are
the same point.
27.4 Creating the List of Search Conditions
After creating a search condition, as described in the
previous section, you must add it to the list of search
conditions before the search can be started.
If you have only a single condition to search for, and the
list of search conditions is empty, then the condition will
be automatically added to the list when you click on the
search button.

Otherwise, if you create a search condition, and click on

the search button before adding it to the list, then you will
get a warning message reminding you that you have not
added it yet, and allowing you to cancel the search in
order to do so, if you wish.
You have the ability to either add your new condition to
the end of the list, or to replace any existing condition on
the list with your new condition.
27.4.1 Adding, Replacing, Deleting or Clearing

Conditions
>> To add a new condition to the end of the list

Compose your new condition using the Search
Condition Selection options.
Click on the Add button.
>> To replace an existing condition with a new

condition
Highlight the existing condition you wish to replace.
Compose your new condition using the Search
Condition Selection options.
Click on the Replace button.
>> To clear the list of conditions

>> To delete an existing condition

Highlight the existing condition you wish to delete

Click on the Delete button.
27.4.2 Combining Search Conditions with Boolean Logic
If you have more than one search condition, then you

must ensure that they are combined using the correct
logical (Boolean) operators.
The AND operator requires that BOTH conditions
which it links are satisfied in order to pass the test.
The OR operator requires that EITHER ONE or
BOTH conditions which it links may be satisfied in
order to pass the test.
It is also possible to apply a NOT operator, which
simply reverses the individual condition to which it is
applied.
>> To apply the NOT operator to a condition

Highlight the condition you wish to negate.
Click on the Not button.
>> To toggle between the AND or OR operator

between two conditions or bracketed group of
conditions
Highlight the second condition of the two you wish to act
on (or the first condition of the second group of
conditions, if it forms part of a bracket group).
Click on the And/Or button.
>> To toggle bracketing on subgroups of conditions

Highlight all the conditions you wish to bracket or

unbracket together (must be a sequential group of
conditions in the list).
Click on the (...) button.
If that group is not already bracketed, then it will be
bracketed. If it is already bracketed, then it will be
unbracketed.
27.4.3 Saving and Restoring Lists of Search Conditions
When you exit from the search screen, the list of

conditions is automatically saved and then redisplayed the
next time you return to the same search screen. However,
it is also possible to save and restore lists of conditions to
and from files, so that you can re-use them at any later
time without having to re-enter each individual search
condition again.
>> To save the current list of search conditions

Click on the Save to File button
Either specify a new file name of your choice, or else
select an existing file name to overwrite
Click on the Save button
>> To restore a previously saved set of search

conditions
Click on the Add from File button
Select the required file name
Click on the Open button
Note: When you restore a set of criteria, they are added

to the end of your existing list. This is useful if you have

stored “snippets” of conditions that you wish to combine.
However, if you prefer to overwrite your existing list, then
you must clear the list before you restore the set of
criteria.
27.4.4 Selecting the Aspect Set and Pattern Points
If you intend to use criteria that involve aspects (In

Aspect, At Position, Aspect Pattern), then you can
specify which set of aspects you wish to use. This will
determine which individual aspects are available for
selection, and what orbs each aspect has.
>> To select which aspects and orbs to use

Click on the > button to the right of the Aspect Set.
This will display the “File Management” dialog box from
which an aspect set may be selected, edited or created.
If you intend to use criteria that include an aspect
pattern, then you can specify which chart points to allow
as part of the aspect pattern.
>> To select which pattern points to use

Click on the > button to the right of the Pattern Points.
This will display the “File Management” dialog box from
which a point set may be selected, edited or created.

27.4.5 Running the Search
>> To start the search

Click on the Search button.
You will see a results dialog appear, into which the
results are added as the search progresses.
27.4.6 Working with the Results of a Chart Search
When the Chart Search starts running, the Chart Search

Results dialog appears.
As the search progresses, the top caption shows the

progress, indicating how many matching charts have been
found, how many have been searched, and what
percentage of those searches have resulted in matches.
Each matching chart that is found is added to the main
list below, as it is found.

>> To stop the search while it is still running.

Click on the Stop button.
After the search has been stopped, or finishes on its
own, the caption on the Stop button changes to Quit.
>> To preview charts in the results list

Click on the Preview checkbox to toggle it on or off.
When it is checked, whenever you click on a chart in the
results list, the chart preview window will be displayed or
updated with the currently highlighted chart. The Chart
preview window may be moved and resized according to
your preferences. See ??? for more information about the
Chart Preview dialog.

>> To edit the column selection and order

Use a right hand mouse click when the cursor is over the
column headers.

You can select or unselect any of the available columns

by either clicking in the checkbox to the left of the column
name, or by using the Show or Hide buttons.
You can change the order of a column by highlighting it
and then using the Move Up or Move Down buttons to
re-order it relative to the other columns.
Note: If the selected columns’ widths are cumulatively
wider than the displayed width of the list, a horizontal
scroll bar will appear at the bottom of the list, allowing
you to scroll to see the extra columns. Alternatively you
can increase the displayed width of the list by resizing the
width of the entire dialog.
>> To copy selected charts from the results list into

another chart file
1. Select the required charts (use Ctrl or Shift +

Mouse to make multiple selections).

2. Click on the Copy... button. This will display the
File Manager with a list of target chart files.
3. Either select one of the files on the list, or select the
Create button to create a new empty chart file to
copy the charts into.
A "Copy Charts" dialog box will be displayed, giving the
options of copying all of the selected charts without
confirmation, of being asked for confirmation of the
copying of each individual chart, or of cancelling the
copying process. If the Yes button is selected then, for
each selected chart in sequence, a dialog box will be
displayed asking whether or not that individual chart
should be copied. If the No button is selected then all of
the selected charts will be copied immediately. If the
Cancel button is selected then no charts are copied.
Note that when charts are copied to another chart file,
any chart comments and events that are associated with
the charts are copied as well, provided that the destination
chart file is of a format that can store these.
>> To email charts in the results file

Select the Email... button and from the drop-down
menu select either the All Charts… option or the
Selected Charts… option.
You will then see the Email Charts dialog with various
options for sending the charts by email. See ??? for more
information about this dialog.
>> To print a chart details summary of charts from

the results list

The summary may be printed at three different levels of

detail:
Brief Listing - Each chart occupies a single line of
output, and contains only the essential details that would
be required to recast the chart: Name, date, time,
timezone, latitude and longitude.
Full Listing - Each chart occupies two lines of output,
and contains the same information as the brief listing plus
the coordinate system (geocentric/heliocentric), zodiac
type, house system, place name and country/state.
Full with Comments - The details of each chart occupy
two lines of output, containing the same information as the
full listing, and any chart comments that are associated
with the chart occupy additional text lines below the chart
details.
drop-down menu select either the All Charts… or
Selected Charts… option.
drop-down menu select one of the listing options
Brief Listing..., Full Listing... or Full with
Comments....
3. The “Print” dialog box will appear, from which you
can alter printer settings, add this job to the print
queue, or print it immediately. See Printing from
Solar Fire for further information on printing.
>> To open a selected chart in the Chart Database

screen
Double-click on the selected chart, OR
Select the required chart.

Click on the Open button and choose the option to

open the chart file.
>> To open selected charts and add them to the

main list of calculated charts
Select the required chart or charts (use Ctrl or Shift +
Mouse to make multiple selections).
Click on the Open button and choose the option to add
the charts to the list of calculated charts.
27.4.7 Working with the Results of an Electional Search
When the Electional Search starts running, the Electional

Search Results dialog appears.
As the search progresses, the top caption shows the

progress, indicating how many matching periods have
been found, and what percentage of the time searched has
resulted in a match. Each matching period that is found is

added to the main list below, as it is found.

There are three types of events listed:
Enters - this gives the date and time after which the
search condition (or combined search conditions if
more than one) become satisfied.
Leaves - this gives the date and time after which the
search condition (or combined search conditions if
more than one) are no longer satisfied.
Is Exact - this gives the date and time on which the
search condition (or one specific search condition if
more than one) is exact. This entry is preceded by a
number in square brackets e.g. [1], [2] etc. The
number inside the brackets refer to which particular
one condition in the list of conditions is exact,
according to the order in which they are specified. For
example, if you have searched for (Jup Cnj Sat and
Mar Opp Sat) then "[1] Is Exact" refers to (Jup Cnj
Sat) and "[2] Is Exact" refers to (Mar Opp Sat).
Note: "Is Exact" events only appear for those types of
conditions which can be considered to have exact hits,
rather than just having a period of time during which they
are in orb or in effect. The only types of conditions which
do have exact events are
In Aspect - this has an exact event when the aspect
orb is zero, in addition to Enters/Leaves events when
entering or leaving orb according to the orbs specified
in the aspect set.
At Position - this also has an exact event when the
aspect orb is zero, in addition to Enters/Leaves events
when entering or leaving orb according to the orbs
specified in the aspect set.

Coordinates - if the search condition uses a

"Comparison Type" of "=" (equals) then this only
produces exact events. If the search condition uses a
"Comparison Type" involving greater than or less than
operators, then it only produces Enters/Leaves events.
All others types of conditions - can produce only
Enters/Leaves events.
>> To stop the search while it is still running.

After the search has been stopped, or finishes on its
own, the caption on the Stop button changes to Quit.
>> To preview charts in the results list

Click on the Preview checkbox to toggle it on or off.
When it is checked, whenever you click on a chart in the
results list, the chart preview window will be displayed or
updated with the currently highlighted chart. The Chart
preview window may be moved and resized according to
your preferences. See Current Chart Preview for more
information about the Chart Preview dialog.
You can also click on the Dial checkbox to toggle it on
or off. If it is on (ticked) then a Dial or BiDial will be
displayed in the preview window instead of a UniWheel
or BiWheel. The dial will have all the Dial Pointer features
available to use (see Using Dials and Pointers).



>> To refine the search within one of the periods

found
Highlight either the entering or leaving line of a found
matching period.
Click on the Refine button.
This will re-open the Electional Search dialog, with the
start and end dates and times set to the these entering and
leaving times. This allows you to easily perform a further
search within this time period.
>> To view one of the entering, leaving or exact

events in the animation module
Highlight a line on the list of matches (either entering,
leaving or exact)
Click on the Animate button.
This will open the animation screen displaying a chart set
the date and time of the selected event. You can then step
the chart forward or backward through time as you
desire.
>> To copy the results to the clipboard as text

Click on the Copy button.
This will copy the search results to the clipboard as text.
You can then paste the contents of the clipboard into
another application (such as a word processor), where
you can edit or print it, for example.

>> To open selected entering or leaving events and

add them as calculated charts on the main screen
Select the required lines on the list of matches (use Ctrl
or Shift + Mouse to make multiple selections).
Click on the Open button.
28 Using Dynamic Reports and Time Maps

This chapter describes how to generate, view and print a
report of transits or progressions to any chart (hereafter
referred to as the "radix" chart). It also describes how to
view the output in the form of a “Time Map”.
Before generating a dynamic report, it is necessary to
have either cast or opened the chart for which you wish to
generate the report. If you have not yet done so, see
Casting a Natal Chart for instructions on creating a new
chart, or page Retrieving Charts From a File for
instructions on opening an existing chart.
Report Header
The full header of the dynamic report usually takes up
about half a page, and includes details of all the selections
you made to generate the report. It is possible to prevent
this information from being printed in order to save this
space. If this option is switched off, then only the base
chart name and the name of the saved selection are
printed.
>> To switch the full transit header option on or off

Choose Full Transit Header from the Dynamic menu -

This will switch it on if it was off, or off if it was on.

Note: If you want to show your report to others who may
need to know the settings you used to generate your
report, then ensure the report header option is switched
on.
Report Accuracy
It is possible for Solar Fire to calculate its dynamic
reports using two different methods
With Maximum Accuracy switched on - In this case
all dynamic report calculations are performed using an
iterative method that ensures that the time given for each
events is accurate to within one second of time. However,
the "cost" of this accuracy is that it is considerably slower
than less accurate methods.
With Maximum Accuracy switched off - In this case
some dynamic report calculations (i.e. aspect hits) are
performed using a quadratic curve-fitting method, which
approximates the correct result, and is generally not quite
as accurate as the iterative method, but has the advantage
of being much quicker. The loss of accuracy is usually
very small - typically giving results within several seconds
of the maximally accurate result, although in some isolated
cases it could be out by up to ten seconds or more.
Typical users of Solar Fire will probably prefer to have
the Maximum Accuracy option switched off, because it
makes dynamic report and calendar generation much
quicker, and still retains a level of accuracy which is more
than adequate for most astrological purposes. However,
those users who do need results which are always
accurate to the nearest second of time should switch
Maximum Accuracy on.

Note: All sign ingresses and planetary stations in

dynamic reports and calendars are always calculated to
maximum accuracy, regardless of whether the Maximum
Accuracy setting is on or off.
>> To alter the report accuracy setting

Choose Maximum Accuracy from the Dynamic menu -
This will switch it on if it was off, or off if it was on.
Note: This option also affects the calendar module,
because it uses dynamic reports which run in the
background to generate its calendar events.
28.1 Generating a Dynamic Report
>> To generate a dynamic report

Choose Transits & Progressions... from the

Dynamic menu - This will display the "Dynamic Report
Selection" dialog box that allows the selection of a radix
chart and options to be used in generating the report.
Select a chart from the Dynamic Radix Chart list box.
Optionally select a different chart from the Alternate
Radix Positions Chart drop-down listbox. Usually this
should be the same chart, but if you choose a different
chart, then the generated dynamic report will show
dynamic events of the Dynamic Radix Chart in relation to
the chart points of the alternate chart. For example, if you
choose “Sarah Jones” as your dynamic radix chart, and
“David Smith” as your alternate radix chart, then when
you generate a progressions report, it will show Sarah’s
progressed planets making aspects to David’s natal
planets.
Optionally, choose an item from the drop-down list of
Saved Selections - Doing so will cause all the options on
this screen to be updated according to what was last
saved in this Saved Selection. Having done this, you may
still alter any of the options on the screen without causing
any changes to the Saved Selection. For example, if your
Saved Selection has a report period of 1 year, you might
wish to alter this to 2 years for this particular report, or
you may wish to add Eclipses to the report. These new
options will remain in effect until you either choose
another item from the drop down list of Saved Selections,
or alter any of the other options yourself. (If you select the
same Saved Selection again, then the options will be reset
to what they were when you last selected it.)
Either use the Date Options button to choose an
automated date setting (see below for a full description),

or else enter the Start Date for the report manually.

There are some shortcuts to setting the date quickly and
easily as follows: Select the Now button to get today’s
date; double-click on the Days option button to set the
date back by one day; double-click on the Months
option button to set the date back to the first day of the
month (or to the previous month if the day is already the
1st of the month); double-click on the Years option
button to set the date back to the first day of the year (or
to the previous year if the day is already the 1st of
January).
Set the length of the reports by selecting any one of the
Days, Months or Years option buttons, and enter the
number of days, months or years in the Period box. This
must be a positive integer. The period for which the report
will run will be this number of years, days or months,
depending on which of these periods has been selected
with the option buttons.
Select Location type to be either Natal or Relocated.
If a dynamic report is being generated for an individual,
then it should normally be relocated to wherever they are
living during the period of the report. However, if the
chart's subject is someone who is living in the same
location as they were born during the time of the report,
then the natal option is appropriate. If only progressions
are being generated for an individual, then the location
should normally be the same as the natal chart location.
However, if the radix chart is that of a person who moved
during the first few months of their life, it may be
appropriate to relocate it. If the Natal option is selected
then all the boxes relating to location, including time zone,
longitude and latitude will contain the location details from
the selected base chart. Note that although it is technically

correct to alter the time zone if the current time zone is

different from the natal one, in practice this is only
necessary if you are examining lunar or chart angle
transits, as the difference in the resultant times is otherwise
not significant. If the Relocated option is selected then all
the boxes relating to location, including time zone,
longitude and latitude will contain the current default
values. (See Saving and Restoring Settings for details on
default values.) Any of these values may be altered in the
same manner as when creating a new chart. See Casting a
Natal Chart for instructions on how to alter location
values.
The Auto DST option allows you to choose whether or
not the results of the report will be shown in the given
timezone only, or whether the timezone should be
adjusted automatically to take account of daylight savings
periods for the given location.
In the Event Selection area, click on the options which
you wish to include. These options are:
Transits to Radix - transits of planets/asteroids/
angles to points in the selected radix chart
Transits to Transits - transits of planets/asteroids/
angles to one another
Transits to Progressions - transits of planets/
asteroids/angles to their progressed positions
Transits to Directions - transits of planets/
asteroids/angles to their arc directed positions
Progressions to Radix - progressions of planets/
asteroids/angles to points in the selected radix chart
Progressions to Progressions - progressions of
planets/asteroids/angles to one another

Directions to Radix - arc directed positions of

planets/asteroids/angles to points in the selected radix
chart
Note that at least one of the above options MUST be
selected in order to produce a report. Also note that,
unless the radix chart is a natal or event type chart, then it
will only be possible to select the Transits to Radix or
Transits to Transits options. In this case, the other options
will be disabled (greyed).
House Ingress - If selected, then the report will
contain an entry for each chart point that crosses a
house cusp in the radix chart, either direct or
retrograde.
Sign Ingress - If selected, then the report will
contain an entry for each chart point that crosses a
zodiac sign cusp in the radix chart, either direct or
retrograde.
Parallels of Declination or Latitude - If selected,
then the report will contain entries for parallels and
contra-parallels of declination or latitude, as well as
for aspects of longitude. The selection of either
declination or latitude may be made by clicking on the
up-down arrow button to the right of this option. This
button toggles the setting between declination and
latitude.
Stationary Points - If selected, then the report will
contain entries showing the dates when planets or
asteroids are geocentrically stationary. (This has no
effect if the radix chart is heliocentric.)
Solar & Lunar Eclipses - If selected, then the
report will contain entries showing the dates and
zodiacal positions of either maximum eclipses or of

exact associated lunar phases, depending on the

eclipse settings in Preferences.
Void of Course Moon – If Selected, then the
report will contain entries showing the date and time
of the last aspect made by the Moon as it enters its
void of course state, as well as the sign ingresses,
which indicate where the Moon ends it void of course
state. (Void of Course is calculated according to the
user-selected options).
Entering/Leaving - If selected, then the report will
contain an entry for each chart point as it enters
transiting orb and leaves transiting orb, as well as
when the transit, progression or solar arc direction is
exact. Also, any aspects which are already in orb at
the beginning of the report period will be listed. If this
option is not selected, then the report contains entries
only for exact hits. The angle of the transiting orb used
for the report is taken from the current aspect set file.
This orb may be altered by editing the aspect set file.
See Aspect Set for instructions on how to edit the
aspect set file.
Note: If you need to ensure that slow moving transits are
always shown in a short time-period report, whether or
not they actually make any exact hits during that time
period, then make sure the Entering/Leaving option is
selected.
Note: Only one of the parallels options can be selected
at one time. It is not possible to produce a report
containing both parallels of declination and of latitude.
If you have selected any events involving Progressions or
Directions, then in the Dynamic Type box, select which
type of progressions or directions you wish to use by

selecting one of the available types from the drop-down

list boxes. The progression types are:
Secondary - This is the most commonly used type
of progression, based on a day for a year i.e. one
day per solar cycle.
Tertiary - This method of progression is based on
the mean rate of a day for a lunar month.
Minor - This method of progression is based on a
mean lunar cycle for a year.
User Rate - This method allows you to define
whatever rate of progression you choose. The rate
used here must be set in the User Progression
Rate option of the Preferences dialog.
The direction types are:
Solar Arc - This is the most commonly used
method. Chart point longitudes are directed by the
secondary progressed arc in longitude, and chart
point declinations are directed by the secondary
progressed arc in declination.
Ascendant Arc - Chart points are directed by the
ascendant arc (which is itself derived from the
secondary progressed solar arc.)
Vertex Arc - Chart points are directed by the
vertex arc (which is itself derived from the secondary
progressed solar arc.)
User Arc - Chart points are directed by a user-
defined annual arc rate. The rate used here must be
set in the User Direction Rate... option of the
Preferences menu.
Primary Mundane - This method directs chart
points along their respective diurnal arcs according to

the rotation of the earth about its axis. This option is

different from all the others in that aspects formed
using this method are mundane aspects rather than
aspects of zodiacal longitude. The rate of direction
can be selected from the Primary Direction Rate
option of the Preferences menu. See Rate for
Primary Directions.
Profections (Annual) – This directs the chart by 30
degrees per year. Conventionally, you would use this
direction method to find when the directed Ascendant
makes conjunctions to points in the radix chart.
Optionally, select the Prec. Corr. or Converse
options and an arc multiplier. If the Prec. Corr.
option is checked, then the calculations will be done
according to the position of the planets in the Sidereal
zodiac, rather than the Tropical zodiac. However, the
resulting report will still be calculated in Tropical
Zodiac. Note that if the radix chart which you are
using already uses a Sidereal zodiac, then this option
will have no effect, and the resulting report will be in
the Sidereal zodiac. If the Converse option is
checked, then the calculation of the transits and
progressions will be done by searching backwards
from the converse entered time in relation to the time
of the dynamic radix chart. An additional arc multiplier
button (Mult) is visible whenever Solar Arc,
Ascendant Arc or Vertex Arc directions have been
selected for inclusion in the report. Clicking on this
button produce a drop-down menu with the possible
arc multipliers - x1 (Normal), x2 (Double Arc), x0.5
(Half Arc), x-1 (Negative Arc), x-2 (Negative
Double Arc), x-0.5 (Negative Half Arc).

You may wish to alter the Point Selection.

The items that you can select are:
Transits - Transiting points. You may, for example
want to include just transits from the outer planets
only. On the other hand, for a very short-term report,
you may want to include transits by the Moon.
Extras - Extra transiting points. This can include any
combination of midpoints between planets or other
chart points, as well as fixed stars, asteroids and extra
bodies.
Progs - Progressing and Directed points. You can
specify a different set of points from the transiting
points.
Extras - Extra Progressing and Directed points.
This can include the same types of points as for the
extra transiting points.
Radix - Points in the radix chart that you want to
include in the report. You could exclude the MC and
Ascendant if the birth time was uncertain; add
asteroids, use inner planets only, etc.
Extras - Extra radix points. This can include any
combination of midpoints between planets or other
chart points, and fixed stars, arabic parts, asteroids,
extra bodies, fixed zodiacal positions and house
cusps.
The names of the currently selected sets are displayed,
and it is possible to select different sets, browse or edit
them etc. by clicking on the name of the desired set.
Doing so will cause the File Manager screen to be
displayed See Using the File Manager for instructions on
using the File Manager to alter any settings.

You may also wish to alter the Aspect Selection. The

items that you can select are:
Transits - Aspects formed from transiting points to
radix points.
Progs - Aspects formed from progressed or
directed points to radix points. This can be a different
set of aspects from the transiting aspects.
Optionally select the Merge checkbox – If you do so,
then the new report that you generate will be merged with
the previously generated dynamic report, and all events
for both reports will be displayed together. This option is
useful for generating reports that require combinations of
settings that are not possible in a single report. For
example, you could produce a report using Solar Arc
directions, and then merge this with another report using
Ascendant Arc directions. The final result is a report
containing both types of directions.
Finally select the View button - The "Dynamic Events
Report" screen is displayed, and the report is generated
as you watch.
Instead of viewing the report immediately, you have the
option of adding the report to the print queue, to be
printed later.
>> To add the report to the print queue

Select the Queue... button - This will display a dialog
box asking you to confirm whether or not you wish to add
this dynamic print job to the Solar Fire print batch queue.
If you select the OK button, then it will be added to the
queue, and it will not be calculated or printed at this time.
It is possible, at any later time, to start printing all the jobs

that are on the batch print queue by selecting the Start

Print Queue... option from the View menu of the main
screen. Note that any dynamic report that is calculated on
the batch queue will be sorted into date order. If you wish
to see the report in any of the other available sort orders,
you must generate the report using the View button.
28.1.1 Automated Date Options
It is possible to allow the start date for the report to be

set automatically, based on the current date or the date of
the radix chart begin used. If one of these automated
options is chosen, and the current settings are saved as a
Saved Selection, then the next time this Saved
Selection is used, the report start date will be updated
automatically as required.
Clicking on the Date Options… button displays the
Report Start Date dialog.

The available options are

Fixed date as entered – using this option has the
same effect as manually entering a start date. The
date you enter remains fixed for all subsequent
reports unless you manually update it again.
Relative to the current date – this allows you to
set a report period that moves forward in time as
the current date changes. This is useful for creating a
limited period report that always remains up-to-
date.
Relative to the radix chart date – this allows you
to set a report period which is fixed relative to the
birth date. This is useful for creating a report that
always starts at or near the radix chart’s birth date,
i.e. a lifetime report.
The adjustment options for relative dates are as follows.
Go to – allows you to adjust from the reference
(current or radix) date back to the beginning of the
day, month, quarter, half year or year.
Adjust date by – allows you to adjust from the
reference date by any integer multiple of days,
months or years. This may be a positive or negative
multiple, for an adjustment forward or backward in
time respectively.
Examples:
If the settings are Relative to Current Date, Go To Start
of Month, Adjust by –1 months, then any current date in
December 2005 results in an automate report start date of
1st November 2005 i.e. the first day of the month
preceding the current month.

If the settings are Relative to Radix Chart Date, Go To

Start of Month, Adjust by +1 months, then a radix chart
date of 28th December 1957 results in an automated
report start date of 1st January 1958 i.e. the first day of
the month following the birth date.
28.1.2 Saving and Deleting Selections
Solar Fire is supplied with a list of predefined dynamic

report selections. It is possible to select any of these, edit
them, delete them, or to create your own selections. Each
named selection in the list is simply a record of all the
selections that can be made on this screen, including start
date, period, location details, event types etc. In this
manner, it is possible to customise your own set of
dynamic report options and to save them for easy access
in future sessions.
>> To save or re-save the currently selected

dynamic options
Select the Save Selection... button. You will be asked
to enter a description under which to save this selection. If
you then select the OK button, it will then be saved to the
list.
>> To delete a saved selection

Highlight the desired selection in the Saved Selections
list and use the Del key.

28.2 Viewing the Report
During report generation, you can stop further report

calculation by selecting the Cancel button. When the
report is finished, it is possible to exit from this screen by
selecting the Quit button.
The status of report generation is shown in the three
boxes at the top right hand side of the screen. The top
box shows the type of calculations being performed, the
second box shows the date for which calculations are
currently being performed, and the lower box shows an
approximate percentage completed so far, both by
percentage number, and with a graphical "flood-fill" bar,
for the current calculation type.
There is a limit of 10,000 dynamic events in any one
report. If this limit is reached, or if your computer runs out
of memory before this limit is reached, then you see a
dialog box indicating the problem, and the report will be

truncated at that point.

When the report calculation is complete, the report is
sorted into whichever sort order was last chosen. It is
possible to sort the report into a variety of different orders
as follows.
>> To change the sort order

Select the required sort order option from the drop-
down list. Possible orders are
Date - Entries in the report will be sorted according
to date and time, in ascending order of time.
E/X/L Event - Entries in the report will be sorted into
groups of in orb at the beginning of report (B),
entering orb (E), exact (X) and leaving orb (L) events
for the same transit or progression, and then the
groups are sorted into date order of the first item in the
group. If the Entering/Leaving option was not selected
for this report, then this order is the same as Date
order.
Point 1 - Entries in the report will be sorted into
groups of entries for each point in the first column of
the report. These are the dynamic chart points. The
entries are sorted by date within each dynamic point
group.
Point 2 - Entries in the report will be sorted into
groups of entries for each point in the third column of
the report. These are normally the radix points, but
may also be dynamic points if the event is a transit to
transit, transit to progression, transit to solar arc or
progression to progression. The entries are sorted by
date within each point group.

Weighting - Entries in the report will be sorted into

an order calculated according to weightings ascribed
to each transiting point, aspect and radix point. The
weightings relate to the speed of movement of each
chart point, so that transits involving (slow moving)
Pluto are at the top of the report, and within the
transits of each planet, transits involving the (fast
moving) ascendant are at the top. In many instances
this order will approximate to the level of significance
of the transit. However, due to the subjective nature of
determining the importance of particular transits, this
report should only be used as a potential aid - not as a
definitive statement of the relative importance of each
transit!
Event Type - Entries in the report will be sorted into
groups of the same event types, for example all the
transits to radix (Tr-Na) will appear first, the transits
to transits (Tr-Tr) next etc. The entries are sorted by
date within each group.
Aspect - Entries in the report will be sorted into
groups of aspect. For example, all conjunctions
appear at the top, oppositions next etc. The order in
which of the aspects appear is determined by Solar
Fire’s internal aspect ordering, which is the same
order in which aspects appear in the aspect editor, for
example.
You can alter the appearance of the report by switching
on or off the Use Glyphs, Use Colors, and Bold Text
option. These work in the same way as for the Chart
Reports, as described in Generating Chart Reports.
If you wish to keep the report to view again later, then
you can click on the screen's minimise button (at the top

right of the screen). This will turn the screen into an icon at
the bottom of your Windows desktop area, and you may
view it again at any time by double-clicking on its icon.
Note, however, that if you generate another dynamic
report, then it will overwrite your existing report. If you
wish to save it then you must print it or copy it to the
clipboard before producing another dynamic report.
28.2.1 Description of Report Layout
The report appears on the screen in two parts - at the

top is a small window giving a report header. This
contains details of the radix chart, the points and aspects
selected and the types of events selected, and the period
of the report. Below this is the large window, containing
the body of the report. You can browse through the
report by clicking on the scroll bars to the right of the
report display boxes.
A typical report line has the following items:
Point1 Asp Point2 Hit Type Date Time Zone Position1 Position 2
Ura (10) Sqr Ven (7) (X) (Tr- Jun 12 11:07:23pm BST +1:00 19Cp23 R 19Li23 D
Na) 1993
In this sample report line, transiting Uranus (retrograde)

at 19°23' of Capricorn in the 10th house is making an
exact square to natal Venus (direct) at 19°23' of Libra in
the 7th house on 12th June 1993.
The possible items in each line are defined in the
following table.
Point1 The dynamic point and the house it is occupying on
the radix chart
Aspect The aspect formed between Point1 and Point2
Point2 The radix point (or second dynamic point) and its

house in the radix chart

EXL (X) for exact hit, (E) for entering orb, (L) for leaving
orb, (B) for already in orb at beginning at report, (S)
for sign ingress, (H) for house ingress.
Type A combination of abbreviations from the list below,
indicating the type of dynamic event and radix chart
for Point1 and Point2.
Date The date of the event
Time The time of the event on the given day
Zone The timezone abbreviation for the given time of the
event
Age Age of native in decimal years at time of event
Position1 Zodiacal position of Point1 - R indicates retrograde,
D direct. If the aspect is a parallel or contra-parallel,
then this shows the declination or latitude. If this
relates to a primary mundane direction, then this
shows the position of Point1 in its diurnal arc in
pseudo degrees (0°=Eastern horizon,90°=Upper
culmination).
Position2 Zodiacal position of Point2 - R indicates retrograde,
D direct. If the aspect is a parallel or contra-parallel,
then this shows the declination or latitude.
Chart 1 Indicates the chart number and name of the dynamic
radix chart. This column only appears if an alternate
radix positions chart has been selected, or if the
report is merged with other reports which use a
different dynamic radix chart.
Chart 2 Indicates the chart number and name of the alternate
radix positions chart. This column only appears if an
alternate radix positions chart has been selected.
Possible Type abbreviations are as follows.
Tr - Transits
Sp – Secondary Progressed
Tp – Tertiary Progressed
Mp – Minor Progressed
Up – User Rate Progressed

Sa – Solar Arc Directed

Aa – Ascendant Arc Directed
Va – Vertex Arc Directed
Ua – User Arc Directed
Pm – Primary Mundane Directed
Pv – Primary van Dam
Pf - Profected
Na – Natal Radix
Pn – Progressed Radix
Di – Directed Radix
Re – Return Radix
Co – Composite Radix
Ha – Harmonic Radix
AH – Age Harmonic
A1 – Age+1 Harmonic
Prefix “c” – Converse
Prefix “p” – Precession Corrected (Prec. Corr.)
Postfix “x2”, “x0.5”, “x-1”, “x-2”, “x-0.5” –
indicate the arc multiplier that was used, if any.
(Applies to Solar Arc, Ascendant Arc and Vertex
Arc directions only.)
Some examples of these types are as follows.
Tr-Na - Transits to Natal
Sp-Na - Secondary Progressed to Natal
cpVa-Na - Converse Precession Corrected Vertex
Arc Directions to Natal
Sax0.5-Na – Ascendant Arc Directions (Half Arc)

to Natal
Tr-Pn – Transits to a Progressed Radix chart
Tr-Pr – Transits to progressions (same radix chart)
Point1 and Point2 may be any of the following types.
Any chart point (planet, asteroid,
Transneptunian, angle) - Shown by either it’s
glyph or by it’s abbreviation (eg ¿ or “Ura”)
A midpoint between any two points - Shown
by either their glyph or by their abbreviations (e.g.
¿/¶ or “Ura/Mon”)
A fixed star - Shown by either s* where * is a
number of by its first six letters (e.g. “s12” or
“Mirach”)
An Arabic Part - Shown by either p* where * is
a number of by its first six letters (e.g. “p7” or
“Brothe”)
An asteroid - Shown by either a* where * is a
number or by its first six letters (e.g. “a3” or
“Apollo”)
A fixed position - Shown by either f* where * is
a number or by its position (e.g. “f1” or
“00Ar00”)
A house cusp – shown by a number from 1 to
12.
Note: If you have a listing with a large number of fixed
stars, Arabic Parts, asteroids or fixed positions, then you
may wish to switch between the alternate display styles to
help you identify which item is which on the list.
>> To switch between the alternate display styles

for Point1 and Point 2

Click on the Use Glyphs option in the Report Style
frame
28.2.2 Editing the Report
You can delete lines from a report, change the widths of

the columns, reorder the columns, and add or remove
columns.
You can also change the width of the entire report by
resizing the entire report window.
>> To delete lines from the report

It is possible to delete lines from the report, on a line-by-
line basis. In order to delete a line, you must first
Select the line by clicking on it. The line is shown to be
selected by a dashed rectangle enclosing it. Then simply
use the Del key. The line will be deleted, and the other
report lines adjusted as necessary to fill the gap. Note that
deleted lines cannot be undeleted. You will need to
regenerate the entire report in order to get any deleted
lines back.
>> To change the width of a column

Drag the column border on the report header bar with
the mouse
>> To reorder, add or remove columns

Use a right hand mouse click on the report header bar.

You can select any combination of columns to display by

checking or unchecking them in the checkboxes to the left
of the items in the list, and change the order of the
columns by highlighting a column and then using the
Move Up or Move Down buttons repeatedly until the
desired new position is reached.
Note: If not all columns are visible in the report after
adding or resizing them, you can increase the visible area
by resizing the entire report window.
28.2.3 Item Info
It is possible to view further information on items in the

dynamic report, such as interpretations or a list of aspects
to eclipses. This option also makes it possible to see the
full name of any fixed star, Arabic Part or asteroid that
appears in abbreviated form in a line of the dynamic
report
>> To view further information on an item

Select a report line by clicking on it and then select the
Item Info button, or double-click on a line in the report
The Item Info dialog box will be displayed.

The top box in this screen will show in words, what

dynamic event this line contains, followed by an
interpretation of that event, if interpretation text exists for
that type of event.
The bottom box will list any similar events that are found
in the report, e.g. if the selected line is transiting Saturn
square natal Moon, then any other exact, entering or
leaving hits of this transit will also be listed. Also, if the
selected event is a transit to a radix chart, then the total
number of exact hits that will occur during this transit is
listed, plus the number of hits that occurred before the
report period, and/or the number that will occur after the
report period.
If the event is an eclipse or a stationary point of a planet
(i.e. going direct or retrograde), then a list of aspects of
points in the radix chart to the eclipse or stationery
position is shown. The aspects used in this list are those in
Solar Fire’s currently selected aspect set.
When you have finished looking at the information in this
dialog box, clicking on the OK button will cause it to
disappear.
28.2.4 View Chart
It is possible to calculate and display a full chart for date

and time of any event in the report. The type of chart
depends on what type of dynamic event is selected, for
example for transits to a natal chart, you see a biwheel
showing a transit chart on the outside and the natal chart
on the inside; for a stationary point you see a single wheel
showing transits; for transits to progressions you see a

biwheel with transits on the outside and progressions on

the inside, etc.
>> To display a chart for any event in the dynamic

report
Select a report line by clicking on it
Select the View Chart button
This will cause any required chart or charts to be
calculated and added to the list of Calculated Charts, and
the “View Chart” screen to be displayed. When you have
finished looking at the chart and Quit from this screen,
you are returned to the dynamic report screen.
28.2.5 Viewing a Dynamic Interpretations Report
You can send all the available interpretations for a

dynamic report to be viewed in a separate word-
processor. You may also wish to select which word
processor to use (see Selecting a Word Processor), and
whether or not the report will be formatted using Rich
Text Format (see Interps).
>> To view an interpretations report

Select the Interps Report... button. Your word
processor will be opened up displaying this report. You
are then free to browse the report, to print it, or to save it
under another name if you wish. Note that, to keep a
permanent copy of the report, you must save it under a

different name, because Solar Fire always uses the same

report name. When you have finished with the report, exit
from your word processor.
28.2.6 Copying to the Clipboard
>> To copy the report to the Windows clipboard

Select the Copy button.
From the clipboard, the report may be pasted into a
word-processor or page layout program, for example.
Note that glyphs and colors cannot be copied to the
clipboard. Abbreviations are used instead of glyphs when
the report is copied into the Clipboard. Also, report
columns may not align correctly in the Clipboard. If you
paste the Clipboard contents into your word-processor,
you may have to edit the document to ensure that the
columns align correctly.
28.2.7 Printing the Report
>> To print the report in the displayed sort order

Select the Print... button.
The printed report will contain glyphs (if you have the
Use Glyphs option selected), and colors (if you have a
color printer and you have the Use Colors option
selected). However, the printed report always uses
regular (light) text. It is not possible to print the report
using bold text.
Note that it is not possible to add a report to the print
batch queue from this screen. To do so you must use the
Queue... button on the "Dynamic Selections" dialog box.

28.3 Time Map

>> To view a graphical display of the dynamic
events in your report
Select the Time Map button.
After a brief calculating period, the TimeMap screen will
appear.
The time scale for the time map corresponds to the

period of the dynamic report upon which it is based. The
list of dynamic events is the same as those in the dynamic
report, expect that all the Entering, Exact and Leaving
events of a particular transit or progression are grouped
together into single entries. Also, to optimise space, the
events are listed using astrological glyphs, using subscripts
to indicate what kind of dynamic event they relate to.
These subscripts are
t - transiting

p - progressing
d - directed
n - natal
r - radix
It is possible to alter the display to show either transiting
hit numbers or dates/times on which certain events
occurred, on the map. The Hit Nos option shows which
hit in a series of direct/retrograde transits to a point is
occurring. For example, if the transit has three hits (1st hit
direct, 2nd hit retrograde, and 3rd hit direct), then these
events will be labelled 1:3, 2:3, and 3:3 respectively. If the
transit has only one hit, then it will be labelled 1:1. This
enables you to see at a glance whether there are
associated hits which occur before or after the duration of
the time map. Note, however, that progressions and
directions and special dynamic events do not have hit
numbers shown, as these will generally always be single
events. The Date option shows the day and month of each
major event on the map. For example an event which
occurs on the 23rd March will be labelled either 23/3 or
3/23 depending on the date order in your Windows setup.
However, if the duration of the time map is less than 7
days, then this option shows the time in 24 hour format,
instead of the date. For example an event which occurs at
3:46pm is labelled 15:46. It is possible to scroll through
this list by using the scroll bars on the right of the screen.
It is also possible to reorder and delete lines in the map.
>> To delete one or more lines from the map

Select the required lines by clicking on them
Select the Delete... button

You will be asked to confirm whether or not you wish to

delete them. Note that clicking on any line selects it on the
first click, and unselects it on a subsequent click.
>> To move a line on the map

Drag and drop the required line as follows
Position the mouse over the line you wish to move and
hold down the left hand button
Drag the mouse to the required position in the map
Release the mouse button
>> To print a copy of the time map

Optionally use the Printer... button to alter printer
settings such as paper orientation
Select the Print button
This will print the entire list, in the displayed order, using
as many pages as are required. Each page will have a time
scale printed at the top.
>> To view further information on an item

Double click on a line
The Item Info dialog box will be displayed, showing

interpretations and event information. This may be used in
the same manner as in the dynamic report screen.
>> To return to the dynamic report screen

Select the Quit button.

29 Using the Graphic Ephemeris

graphic ephemeris of longitudes of transits, progressions
or directions, and of declinations or latitudes of transits
and progressions, for any chart.
It is also possible to generate a graphic ephemeris of
transits without reference to any chart, which can be
printed out as a pro-forma ephemeris for use with any
chart. A graphic ephemeris may also be added to the print
batch queue, to be printed later.
Before generating a graphic ephemeris, you should cast,
open or generate the subsidiary chart that you wish to
base the ephemeris on, so that it is showing in the
“Calculated Charts” list box on the Main Screen.
>> To generate a graphic ephemeris

Choose the Graphic Ephemeris menu item from the
Dynamic menu. This will display the “Graphic Ephemeris
Selection” screen that allows the selection of a base chart
and various other options.
29.1 Choosing Ephemeris Options

>> To select a base chart
Click on the required base chart in the list of Dynamic
Radix Charts.
You may also optionally select a different chart from the
Alternate Radix Positions Chart drop-down listbox.
Usually this should be the same chart, but if you choose a

different chart, then the generated ephemeris will show

dynamic events of the Dynamic Radix Chart in relation to
the radix chart points of the alternate chart. For example,
if you choose “Sarah Jones” as your dynamic radix chart,
and “David Smith” as your alternate radix chart, then
when you generate an ephemeris, it will show Sarah’s
progressed planets making aspects to David’s natal
planets.
>> To select previously saved options

Choose an item from the Saved Selections drop-down
list on the left hand side of the screen. This will
immediately update all the selections on the screen with
whatever was stored under that saved selection
description.
>> To set the date from which the ephemeris will

start
Select the Now button - If the Now button is selected,
then the Date will be updated to correspond to the
computer's internal clock. This button is useful if you wish
to produce an ephemeris covering a period from today
onwards.
Enter a Date - Enter a date in any acceptable format.
Most commonly used formats are acceptable. If the
format is not acceptable then an error dialog box will be
displayed. Acceptable formats are described in detail in
Entering a Date.
Alternatively, to facilitate the setting of the date, there is
a special feature to help you quickly set the date back by
a day, to the beginning of a month, or to the beginning of a

year. To set the date back by one day, double-click on

the Days option button. To set the date back to the first
day of the month (or to the previous month if the day is
already the 1st of the month), double-click on the
Months option button. To set the date back to the first
day of the year (or to the previous year if the day is
already the 1st of January), double-click on the Years
option button.
Once you have the desired start date then you can set
the duration of the ephemeris to be any number of days,
months or years.
>> To select the duration of the ephemeris

1. Select any one of the Days, Months or Years
option buttons
2. Enter the number of days, months or years in the
Period box. This must be a positive integer. The
period that the ephemeris will cover will be this
number of years, days or months, depending on
which of these periods has been selected with the
option buttons.
>> To select the location for which you wish the

ephemeris to apply
Select either the Natal or Relocated option button - If
a dynamic report is being generated for an individual, then
it should normally be relocated to wherever they are living
during the period of the report. However, if the chart's
subject is someone who is living in the same location as
they were born during the time of the report, then the natal
option is appropriate.

If only progressions are being generated for an

individual, then the location should normally be the same
as the natal chart location. However, if the base chart is
that of a person who moved during the first few months of
their life, it may be appropriate to relocate it.
If the Natal option is selected then all the boxes relating
to location, including time zone, longitude and latitude will
contain the location details from the selected base chart.
Note that although it is technically correct to alter the time
zone if the current time zone is different from the natal
one, in practice this is only necessary if you are examining
lunar or chart angle transits, as the difference in the
resultant times is otherwise not significant.
If the Relocated option is selected then all the boxes
relating to location, including time zone, longitude and
latitude will contain the current default values. (See Saving
and Restoring Settings for details on default values.) Any
of these values may be altered in the same manner as
when creating a new chart. See Casting a Natal Chart for
instructions on how to alter location values.
>> To select the ephemeris dynamic type

Select one of the following options from the Ephemeris
Selection list:
Transits - to display transiting planetary positions
Progressions - to display any type of progressed
planetary positions
Directions - to display any type of directed planetary
positions
If you select progressions, then the Progressions drop-
down listbox in the Dynamic Type box will become

enabled, and you can select any of the available

progression types from that list. The progressions may be
secondary, tertiary, minor, user-defined rate, age or
age+1 harmonic.
If you select directions, then the Directions drop-down
listbox in the Dynamic Type box will become enabled,
and you can select any of the available direction types
from that list. The directions may be solar arc, ascendant
arc or vertex arc.
Also note that, unless the base chart is a natal or event
type chart, then it will only be possible to select the
Transits option. In this case, the other options will be
disabled (greyed).
If you wish to view Prec. Corr. or Converse planetary
position, then you can optionally also click on their check
boxes in the Dynamic Type box, and you can also
choose an arc multiplier using the Mult button if your are
using Solar Arc, Ascendant Arc or Vertex Arc directions.
>> To select the graph coordinate type

Select Longitude, Declination or Latitude from the
drop-down list box below the dynamic type selection.
(Only longitude is available if you have chosen to use
directions.)
If you select longitude, then you have the option of
selecting an ephemeris modulus angle. If you select
declination or latitude, then you can select an angle extent.
>> To select the ephemeris modulus angle

Select a pre-defined modulus angle from the Modulus
Angle drop-down list

Alternatively, you can type any desired angle from 10

minutes of arc to 360 degrees directly into the Modulus
Angle box. You can type in degrees and minutes and
seconds, separating each with a space (e.g. 22 30 for 22°
30’), and you can also use decimal format (e.g. 22.5 for
22°30’).
The graph will display the zero line at the top, and
extends downwards by the amount of the specified
modulus angle.
>> To select the angle extent

Select a pre-defined angle from the Angle Extent drop-
down list
Alternatively, you can type any desired angle from 10
minutes of arc to 90 degrees directly into the Angle
Extent box. You can type in degrees and minutes and
seconds, separating each with a space (e.g. 22 30 for 22°
30’), and you can also use decimal format (e.g. 22.5 for
22°30’).
The angle extent determines how many degrees are
displayed on either side of the zero line. For example,
selecting 30 degrees for a declination graph will create a
graph from 30 degrees south to 30 degrees north.
Note: The graph always shows an equal angle extent
above and below the zero line. You cannot produce a
graph that shows only one hemisphere.
>> To select other display options

Click on the Radix Positions check box in order to
have the radix chart’s planetary positions displayed on the
ephemeris.

Click on the Radix Aspects check box in order to have

an aspect glyph displayed wherever a dynamic planetary
position crosses a radix position.
Click on the Sign Labels check box in order to have
zodiac sign labels for each planetary line (both radix and
dynamic), and sign change bullets on each planetary line
wherever the planet crosses into a new sign.
Click on the Lunations check box to have New and
Full moon position markers on the graph. These appear
as small circles containing an N for a new moon (without
eclipse), F for a full moon (without eclipse), ¨ for a solar
eclipse on the new moon, and © for a lunar eclipse on the
full moon. Note: This option setting is included as part of
the Saved Selection, so if you wish its setting to be
remembered as part of the current selection, you must use
the Save Selection button after changing it.
Click on the Deg Gridlines check box in order to have
dashed lines drawn across the ephemeris at each degree
division. Having this option switched on helps locate
positions within the ephemeris more easily, but may be
distracting when viewing the ephemeris on a small screen.
Click on the Date Gridlines check box in order to have
dashed lines drawn down the ephemeris at each date
division.
Click on the Back Shading check box to have the
entire ephemeris data area shaded with a light grey. This
option affects the aesthetic appearance of the ephemeris
only.
>> To select which chart points to use in the

ephemeris

Click on the required point type (Transits, Progs or

Radix) inside the Points Selection box. This will display
the File Manager which lists all the available point files. To
select a file, highlight it and click the Select button. To see
what is in a file and optionally make changes, click the
Edit button. For more details on selecting and editing
point files, see Editing a Chart Points File.
Note: Only those point types which are applicable to the
current selections will be enabled.
>> To save these selections for future use

Click on the Save Selection... button. You will be
asked to enter a description under which to save this
selection. Type in a brief description, and then click on the
OK button. The description will appear in the Saved
Selections list on the left of the screen, ready to reselect
in future.
>> To delete a saved selection

Highlight the desired selection in the Saved Selections
list, and press the Del key.
29.2 Viewing and Printing the Graphic Ephemeris

Once all the options have been set in the Graphic
Ephemeris Selection screen, it is possible to view the
ephemeris, to print it now or later, and to copy it to the
clipboard for pasting into other programs.
>> To add the ephemeris to the print batch queue

Click on the Queue... button. This will display a dialog


this job to the Solar Fire print batch queue. If you select
the OK button, then it will be added to the queue, and it
will not be calculated or printed at this time. It is possible,
at any later time, to start printing all the jobs which are on
the batch print queue by selecting the Start Print
Queue... option from the View menu of the main screen.
>> To view the graphic ephemeris

Click on the OK button. The "Graphic Ephemeris"
screen is displayed, and the ephemeris is generated as you
watch. Once the ephemeris is finished, you have the
option of resizing the screen. If the screen is smaller than
the available screen size, then clicking on the screen’s
maximise button will generate a larger display, which may
be easier to read.
>> To step the graphic ephemeris forward or

backward in time
Click on the >> or << buttons in the top corners of the
screen. These will recalculate and display the graphic
ephemeris for the time periods adjoining the time period
of the current graph.
>> To print the graphic ephemeris

Click on the Print... button. The usual print dialog box
will appear enabling you to select Setup... or Print.
However, the Queue button will be disabled. In order to
queue the ephemeris, you must return to the Graphic
Ephemeris Selection screen.

>> To copy the ephemeris as a graphic

Position the mouse anywhere over the graphic ephemeris
and click once on the right-hand mouse button. This will
display the copy dialog with the options to copy the graph
to various locations in various formats. See Copying,
Publishing and Sending Graphics for a full description of
these options.
30 Searching for Eclipses

This chapter describes how to use Solar Fire’s eclipse
database to list eclipses and eclipse data, cast eclipse
charts, and search for eclipses that make aspects to any
specified position or any points in a specific chart.
>> To enter the eclipse module

Select the Eclipses… item from the Dynamic menu
You will then see the Find Eclipses dialog from which
you can make various selections.

Dates - You must always specify a date range in

the From and To fields. These accept dates in the
same way as all other date entry fields in Solar Fire.
See Entering a Date for details on entering dates.
Eclipse Types – You can select any combination
of eclipse types and/or Saros Numbers by using the
check boxes for each option, and optionally entering
a specific (van den Bergh) Saros Number. See a
description of eclipse types below.
Eclipse Aspects – If you wish to find only those
eclipses that make an aspect to a fixed position,
then check the first box, and enter the required
zodiacal position. If you wish to find all eclipses that
make an aspect to a planet or point in a chart, then
check the second box and select a chart from the
drop-down list of calculated charts. You can select
which set of aspects are used by clicking on the

Aspects box, and which set of chart points are used

by clicking on the Chart Points box.
Solar Eclipse Types

Partial – There is no region of complete
obscuration of the Sun. This occurs when the axis of
the Moon’s shadow passes outside of the disk of
the Earth. Maximum partial eclipse therefore occurs
in polar regions.
Annular – This occurs when the size of the Moon’s
disk is less than the size of the Sun’s disk, so that
when the Moon is directly in front of the Sun, a ring
of sunlight (annulus) is still visible around the Moon.
Total – This occurs when the Moon’s disk is larger
than the Sun’s disk, and completely obscures the
Sun for a period of time.
Hybrid - Hybrid eclipses are also known as
annular/total eclipses. They occur when the vertex
of the Moon's umbral shadow pierces Earth's
surface along the central path of an annular eclipse.
The eclipse's character then changes to total along
the section of the path where the umbral vertex
extends beneath Earth's surface. The central paths
of hybrid eclipses usually (but not always) begin and
end as annular eclipses, but become total along
some middle portion of the path.
Lunar Eclipse Types

Appulse – This occurs when the Moon passes
across the penumbra of the Earth’ shadow, and this
darkens part of the Moon’s surface, but obscures

none of it completely.
Partial – This occurs when the Moon passes partly
across the umbra of the Earth’s shadow. Part of the
Moon’s surface becomes completely obscured.
Total – This occurs when the Moon passes
completely into the shadow of the Earth, and the
whole disk of the Moon becomes completely
obscured.
When you have made all your selections, click on the
Start Search button. Solar Fire will list all of the eclipses
that match your selection in the list box on the bottom
right of the dialog.
When you highlight any eclipse on this list, the full details
of that eclipse will appear in the box at the top, right of the
dialog, and any aspects that are made between the eclipse
point and the (optionally) selected chart will be displayed
below that. The items displayed are as follows.
Eclipse Type – Solar / Lunar and whether Partial /
Annular / Total / Hybrid / Appulse.
Date and Time – The date and time (Universal
Time, timezone +0:00) of maximum eclipse, given to
the nearest whole minute or else the date and time
to the nearest second of exact lunar phase,
depending on the eclipse setting under Preferences.
Position – The zodiacal position of the Sun (in
Solar Eclipses) or Moon (in Lunar Eclipses).
Saros Number – The number of the Saros cycle to
which this eclipse belongs. The Saros is a period of
approximately 18 years and 11 days, after which
eclipses are repeated with only slightly altered
characteristics. The standard astronomical

numbering system is that first described by Prof G.

van den Bergh in “Periodicity and Variation of
Solar (And Lunar) Eclipses” publ. Haarlem,
Netherlands, 1955. An alternative numbering
system was described by Robert Carl Jansky in
“Interpreting the Eclipses” publ. Astro
Computing Services 1979, and extended by
Bernadette Brady in “The Eagle and the Lark”
publ. Samuel Weiser Inc, 1992.
Gamma – In a lunar eclipse, this is the distance of
the Moon from the axis of the Earth’s shadow, at
the time of greatest eclipse. In a solar eclipse, this is
distance of the shadow cone axis from the centre of
Earth at the instant of greatest eclipse. Units are of
equatorial radii.
Magnitude – The fraction of the Sun’s diameter
obscured by the Moon.
Umbral Magnitude – The fraction of the Moon’s
diameter obscured by the umbra.
Penumbral Magnitude – The fraction of the
Moon’s diameter obscured by the penumbra.
Duration Total – The duration of total or annular
eclipse phase at the point of greatest eclipse.
Semi-Duration Total – The half-time of totality
(complete obscuration of moon) of eclipse. Adding
this time to the time of maximum eclipse would give
the time of ending of totality.
Semi-Duration Partial – The half time of partial
(partial obscuration of moon) phase of eclipse.
Adding this time to the end of totality would give the
time of ending of the partial phase of the eclipse.

>> To calculate a chart for one or more listed

eclipses
1. Highlight the required eclipse (or multiple eclipses)
in the list box.
2. Click on the Chart button.
This will calculate a chart for the time of maximum global
eclipse (or multiple eclipse charts if you have highlighted
multiple eclipses).
If you were finding eclipses only with aspects to a
specified radix chart, then the location and timezone of the
eclipse chart will be adopted from the specified radix
chart. Otherwise, the current default location and
timezone are adopted.
If you wish to see the same eclipse chart for another
location, then use the Chart / Locality menu items to
relocate the eclipse chart to the required location.
31 Real Time Clock and Animation

This chapter describes how to use Solar Fire’s real time
astrological clock, and how to animate charts and page
displays by running or stepping them forward and
backward through time. This module also allows the one-
step construction of biwheels, triwheels and quadriwheels
showing transits, progressions and directions around natal
chart.
Some things that can be done in this module are as
follows.
Display a real time astrological clock for the current
location

Display a real time astrological clock for any other

location and timezone
Display multiple real time clocks
Display a natal chart ready to step forward or
backward in time
Display a progressed or directed chart ready to step
forward or backward in time
View pop-up interpretations of a chart (see Viewing
Interpretations)
Display and operate a dial pointer (see Using Dials
and Pointers)
Display a biwheel with a natal chart (or radix chart)
on the inner ring, and current transits on the outer
ring, ready to step forward or backward in time
Display a triwheel with a natal chart (or radix chart),
current secondary progressions and transits, ready
to step forward or backward in time
Display a quadriwheel with a natal chart (or radix
chart), current secondary progressions, solar arc
directions and transits, ready to step forward or
backward in time
Display other combinations of fixed and dynamic
charts in uni, bi, tri and quadriwheels
Display any astrological page ready to step forward
and backward in time
Run, step or jump the charts or pages through time
These options are described more fully below.
Note that the wheel styles and other color options used
in this module are always the same as those that are in
effect on the View Chart screen, and can be altered by

using a right hand mouse click somewhere over the

display to bring up the Chart Options menu.
31.1 How to Setup Real Time Clocks and

Animations
>> To display a real time astrological clock for the
current location
Select the Real Time Clock item from the Dynamic
menu
This will display a chart for the current default location,
updated at regular intervals.
>> To display a real time astrological clock for any

other location and timezone
[A]
1. Cast a new natal chart for the required location for
any date and time
2. Select that chart as the current chart
3. Select the Animate Chart… item from the
Dynamic menu
4. Click on the Clock option button at the top right of
the screen
This will display a chart for the required location,
showing the correct current local time for the timezone of
the chart, updated at regular intervals. For example, if
your default location is Sydney, Australia (AEST –10:00),
and it is currently 3pm in Sydney, and you cast a chart for
London, UK (GMT +0:00), then display that chart in the
real time clock, then the clock time will be displayed as
5am GMT, which is the correct current time for London.

[B]
1. Select the Real Time Clock item from the
Dynamic menu (this will display a chart for the
current default location)
2. Click on the Location button on the right hand
side of the window. In the resulting Change
Location dialog box you can set a new place and
timezone and apply that to the clock.
>> To display multiple real time clocks

When you select Dynamic / Real Time Clock, the first
window displayed will be the real time chart for the
current location. However, if you move that window to
another place on the monitor then select another chart that
has been opened on the "Calculated Charts" list and then
select Dynamic / Real Time Clock again, a new real
time clock window will open that "inherits" some settings
from the highlighted chart. Some of the settings that are
passed into the new real time clock window are: Place,
Country, Timezone, House System, Zodiac and
Coordinates. As an example, you can create two charts,
one for a place with geocentric coordinates and one for
the same place but using heliocentric coordinates. When
you create two real time clock windows from these two
charts, you will now have two windows "ticking over" but
using two different coordinate systems. Likewise, you can
display two (or more) real time clocks using different
house systems.
Note: this multiple window feature only applies to the
Real Time Clock feature and not to the Animate features.

>> To display a natal chart ready to step forward

or backward in time
1. Select the required natal chart as the current chart
Dynamic menu
This will initially display the chart exactly as it has been
cast. If you use the time controls to alter or step the time,
then the chart’s date and time are used as the starting
point, and then adjusted according to the options you
choose.
>> To display a progressed or directed chart ready

to step forward or backward in time
1. Select the required progressed or directed chart as
the current chart
Dynamic menu
This will initially display the chart exactly as it has been
cast. If you use the time controls to alter or step the time,
then the chart’s date and time are used as the starting
point, and then adjusted according to the options you
choose.
>> To display a biwheel with a natal chart (or radix

chart) on the inner ring, and current transits on the
outer ring, ready to step forward or backward in
time
2. Select the Animate BiWheel… item from the
Dynamic menu

This will display the natal chart as a fixed chart on the

inner ring, and the current transits on the outer ring. If you
use the time controls to alter or step the time, then the
current date and time are used as the starting point, and
the transits chart is then adjusted according to the options
you choose.
>> To display a triwheel with a natal chart (or radix

chart), current secondary progressions and transits,
ready to step forward or backward in time
2. Select the Animate TriWheel… item from the
Dynamic menu
inner ring, and the current secondary progressions on the
middle ring, and transits on the outer ring. If you use the
time controls to alter or step the time, then the current
date and time are used as the starting point, and the
progressions and transits charts are then adjusted
according to the options you choose.
>> To display a quadriwheel with a natal chart (or

radix chart), current secondary progressions, solar
arc directions and transits, ready to step forward or
backward in time
2. Select the Animate QuadriWheel… item from
the Dynamic menu
inner ring, and the current secondary progressions on the
middle inner ring, solar arc directions on the middle outer

ring and transits on the outermost ring. If you use the time
controls to alter or step the time, then the current date and
time are used as the starting point, and the progressions,
directions and transits charts are then adjusted according
to the options you choose.
>> To display other combinations of fixed and

dynamic charts in uni, bi, tri and quadriwheels
If you are already displaying a dynamic wheel with the
required number of charts, then click on the Charts…
button to display a dialog which allows you to select
alternative charts.
Alternatively, you can select the Animate Page… item
from the Dynamic menu. You will be prompted to select
the required page type from the list of available pages,
and then the required chart types. (See below)
>> To display any astrological page ready to step

forward and backward in time
If you are already displaying a dynamic wheel or page
with the required number of charts, then click on the
Page… button to display a dialog that allows you to
select alternative pages. Note that you will only be able to
select another page which requires the same number of
charts as the wheel or page you are currently viewing.
Alternatively, you can select the Animate Page… item
from the Dynamic menu. You will be prompted to select
the required page type from the list of available pages,
and then the required chart types. (See below)
>> To change the Place and/or Timezone of charts

in a multi chart animation

Click on the Location button on the right hand side of
the window. In the resulting Change Location dialog box
you can set a new place and timezone and apply that to
any of the charts simultaneously.
As an example, if you open a natal chart from a chart file,

have it highlighted in the Calculated Charts list then click
on Dynamic > Animate QuadriWheel, Solar Fire
automatically calculates and displays the Natal, the
Secondary Progression, the Solar Arc and the current
Transit chart, all with the same natal location and
timezone. In this situation you may wish to retain the natal
location for the Natal and Secondary Progressed chart
but use a different location for the Solar Arc and Transit
chart, particularly if the person is now living at a different
location than their place of birth.
31.2 Selecting Alternative Chart Types

The dynamic chart selection dialog is similar to the
multiwheel selection dialog, except for the additional
option of selecting a dynamic method to apply to some or
all of the charts in the wheel or on the page.
You can select the following chart types or methods:-
Transits – This will display a chart of transiting
positions, varying with the animation date and time.
When this option is selected, there is no need to
select a base chart.

Fixed Base Chart – This will display the selected

base chart as fixed, so that it does not vary with the
animation date and time. This option should be
selected, for example, with a natal chart that you
wish to place in the centre of a multiwheel, with
transits or progressions around it.
Secondary Progressions – This will display a
chart of the progressed positions calculated from the
selected base chart.
Mean Tertiary Progressions – As above
True Tertiary Progressions – As above
Minor Progressions – As above
User Progressions – As above. The user
progression rate is one of the settings that may be
specified in the Preferences dialog of Solar Fire.
Solar Arc Directions – This will display a chart of
the directed positions calculated from the selected
base chart.
Ascendant Arc Directions – As above
Vertex Arc Directions – As above
User Rate Directions – As above. The user
direction rate is one of the settings that may be
specified in the Preferences dialog of Solar Fire.
Annual Profections – As above. The profection
rate is equivalent to a direction arc of 30 degrees
per year.
Age and Age+1 Harmonic - These will display a
chart of the age and age+1 harmonic positions
calculated from the selected base chart.
When you select a progression or direction method, you

may also choose whether to apply converse or precession

correction options, by checking the appropriate boxes as
required. If Solar Arc, Ascendant Arc or Vertex Arc
methods are chosen, then you can also use the Mult
button to select an arc multiplier if you wish. These
options have the same effect as the same named options
when casting subsidiary charts under the Chart menu.
See Casting Subsidiary Charts for further information on
these options.
The Selected Chart list at the bottom of the dialog
contains a list of which chart types have already been
selected. If you have selected a uniwheel or page which
requires only one chart, then this list will only have a single
item in it. If there are multiple items in the list, then you
must click on the one you wish to select or edit before
changing your selection of base chart and/or dynamic
chart method.
>> To select a transits chart to animate

In the Selected Charts list, click on the item that you
wish to change to transits.
In the Dynamic Methods list, click on the Transits item.
It is not necessary to select a base chart in this case,
because transits depend only on the animation date and
time, and are calculated independently of any base chart.
>> To select a fixed base chart

wish to change to a fixed base chart.
In the Base Charts list, click on the required base chart.

In the Dynamic Methods list, click on the Fixed Base

Chart item.
Any chart that you select this way will remain fixed, even
though you may be running an animation. This option is
only to be used when you have other dynamic charts in
the same wheel page, such as transits or progressions to
the base chart, and you want the base chart to remain
fixed as a radix chart whilst the other dynamic charts are
animated as the date and time change.
Note: If you use the fixed base chart option when you
are only viewing a single chart on a wheel or page, then
the animation features will have no effect.
>> To select a dynamic chart to animate

wish to change to an animated chart.
In the Base Charts list, click on the required base chart.
In the Dynamic Methods list, click on the required
dynamic method (such as Secondary Progressions, Solar
Arc Directions etc,), and optionally also select the Prec.
Corr. and Converse options.
Any chart calculated by this method will be derived as a
subsidiary chart of the selected base chart, and updated
according to the animation date and time.
31.3 Exporting Animated Charts

It is possible to export any animated charts into Solar
Fire’s list of calculated charts from where they may be
saved to a chart file or used anywhere else in Solar Fire.
It is also possible to automatically export the animated

charts and simultaneously display them in the Chart View

screen, from where various extra functions are available,
such as rectify assist, reports, and copy/send.
These functions are useful when you have used the
animation module to find particular charts of interest, and
then wish to be able to save them or use them in other
parts of Solar Fire.
>> To export the current animated chart/s to the

list of calculated charts
Click on the Export button, and select To Calculated
Chart List from the pop-up menu.
>> To export the current animated chart/s and

display them as a fixed Chart View page
Click on the Export button, and select To Fixed
Page… from the pop-up menu.
31.4 How to Control the Animation

When the real time clock is running, you cannot perform
any of the animation functions. Before using the animation
features, you must ensure that the Animation option is
chosen at the top right of the screen.
If this is a multiwheel animation, and includes a fixed
natal chart that has stored life events, then it is possible to
select any life event from a list to set the animation time
and date automatically.
>> To set the time and date to that of a stored life

event

Click on the Events… button, and select one of the

events from the Event Selection dialog box. The Auto
Apply checkbox is ticked by default, which means as you
click on any life event to select it, the date of the event will
automatically be reflected in the wheels outside the inner
wheel. To prevent this from happening untick the Auto
Apply checkbox by clicking in it.
Note: You can also add new life events from this dialog
if you wish.
>> To set the time and date to a particular value

Enter new values directly into the date and time boxes.
(See Entering a Date and Entering a Time for details on
acceptable formats for dates and times). Depending on
whether you want Daylight Savings to be accounted for
when stepping through time then make sure the Auto DLS
checkbox is ticked/unticked (repeatedly clicking in the
checkbox toggles it between ticked and unticked).
>> To set the time step interval

1. In the Step By drop-down box, select one of the
pre-defined time intervals.
2. Optionally enter a numeric multiple into the box
immediately to the left.
For example, to specify a 5 minute interval, select the
“Minutes” item from the list, and then enter the value 5.
>> To run the chart through time

The left and right arrows will start the animation running
backward or forward in time respectively, with the display

being recalculated at the specified intervals. Click on the

red square Stop button to halt the animation.
>> To step the chart forward or backward

The left and right arrows with the adjacent vertical bars
will step the animation backward or forward in time
respectively, one step for each mouse click.
Alternatively, after ensuring that the displayed wheel or
page has the focus (by clicking on it), you can use the left
or right arrow keys to step back or forward with one step
per keypress.
>> To change the rate of animation

Use the mouse to slide the Animation Speed control left
or right.
When at its leftmost position, this will attempt to update
the display as often as the power of your computer will
allow. When moved further right, the display is only
updated after a fixed interval of time has elapsed. If your
computer is not a very recent, powerful model, you may
wish to leave this control at or near its fastest setting. If
your computer is especially powerful, you may prefer to
choose a slower setting so that the animation does not run
overly fast.
>> To reset the date and time to now

1. Click on the Clock option button – this will reset
the date and time to match your computer’s system
clock, and the timezone of the first displayed chart.
Note that this means that the displayed time and
date will be correct for the location of the chart

according to its timezone, and may therefore be

different from your current local time, but the
planetary zodiacal positions will still be the correct
ones for the current instant.
2. If you wish to animate again from this date and
time, then click on the Animation option button.
32 Generating an Ephemeris Listing

This chapter describes how to use Solar Fire's
Ephemeris Generator Utility to view or print an ephemeris
for selected planets and asteroids over a selected time
period. Ephemeris positions generated in this utility have
the same accuracy as they do in any other Solar Fire
chart.
32.1 Starting the Ephemeris Generator

>> To start the utility
Select the Ephemeris Generator item from the
Dynamic menu.
Solar Fire then displays a screen allowing you to select
what kind of ephemeris you want.
32.2 Setting Ephemeris Options

The selections that you may make are as follows.
Period of Ephemeris - Enter the date and time from
which you wish the ephemeris to start and the date and
time at which you wish the ephemeris to finish. Dates and
times may be entered in the same way as they entered for

Solar Fire charts. The starting date and time are used for
the first ephemeris entry, and entries are then calculated at
the specified frequency until the end date and time are
reached. (You may stop the ephemeris generator at any
point during calculations if you wish).
Frequency of Entries - Specify the required interval
between ephemeris entries by choosing a unit from the
dropdown list box, and optionally a number of units. It is
possible to specify an interval from 1 minute up to
thousands of years if required. Typically, you may wish to
generate entries every 1 day, 10 days, 1 month or 1 year.
Ephemeris Time Zone - Published ephemerides are
usually calculated for the GMT timezone (+0:00).
However, you may enter any timezone that you wish,
either manually by typing in a zone abbreviation and/or
time, or by using the Zone button and selecting a zone
from the list.
Zodiac - Select the zodiac in which you wish the
ephemeris to be generated from the drop-down list of
zodiacs. The available zodiacs are the same as those that
can be used in other Solar Fire charts. The topical zodiac
is that most commonly used in western astrology.
Coordinates - Select the desired coordinate system
from the option buttons. Published ephemerides are
usually in geocentric coordinates.
Lunar Node - If you are including the moon’s node as a
selected point to list, then select the desired lunar node
type from the option buttons. This option is ignored if the
moon’s node is not selected as a point to list.
Items to List - You may select one or more items to list
by clicking on their check boxes. The generated
ephemeris will have one column for each item to list for

each selected point to list.

Points To List - You may either select any set of
Transiting Points and/or Extra Points (as in the dynamic
report). Click on the name of the file to see the File
Manager with a list of selectable files. You can also create
new selections by using the Create button in the File
Manager. Note that some of the points you can select will
give different results depending on the location. For
example, chart angles like the Ascendant and Midheaven,
and the parallax corrected Moon will vary according to
location. The location adopted for these calculations is
always that of the currently selected chart in the list of
Calculated Charts. Hence, if you wish to list chart angles
for another location, you must first cast a chart for that
location, and then select it as the current chart, before
entering the ephemeris generator.
Precision - You can select whether to display the
calculated positions to the nearest minute of arc or second
of arc. Bear in mind that most of Solar Fire’s planets are
accurate to seconds of arc, but some asteroids are only
accurate to about a minute of arc. Therefore, displaying
the asteroid positions to the nearest second of arc is not
useful.
Notation - The generator can display its output in
normal Zodiacal notation, or in Decimal Degrees. The
Decimal Degrees option is useful if you want to export the
data generated into a spreadsheet or database program,
and have it recognized as a numerical value rather than as
a text string.

32.3 Viewing the Ephemeris

>> To start the generation of the ephemeris
according to your selections
Click on the Start button. You will then see the View
Ephemeris screen which displays the ephemeris in a grid
as it is generated. The percentage of the ephemeris
completed is updated continuously in a display at the top
right of the screen. This disappears when the generator
has finished.
>> To stop the generator at any point, before it is

finished.
You can browse through the ephemeris by clicking on
the horizontal or vertical scroll bars.
>> To print the output

Click on the Print button. This will open the print dialog
allowing you to choose printer setup options and send the
ephemeris to the printer. Note that if your ephemeris will
take more than one page to print, then you will be given
an estimate of how many pages are required, and given
the option of cancelling without printing. This is to avoid
paper wastage should you accidentally choose to print an
ephemeris which is longer than you intended.
The ephemeris is automatically formatted to fit as many
columns as possible onto each page. However, if the
ephemeris is wider than a page, then extra pages will be
generated to print the additional columns.
Note: If the formatting of the printed output is not ideal
for you purposes, then it is recommended that you export

the ephemeris listing instead, and use the options in your

spreadsheet program to create your required formatting
and layout.
>> To export the listing to Excel or an ASCII file

1. Click on the Export... button. This will display a
standard File Save dialog.
2. Select a Save as Type option
3. Select a file name and location to send the output
to.
4. Click on the OK button.
Under Save as Type, you may select any of the
following.
Excel Spreadsheet - This will generate a file with a ".
xls" file extension, and after generation, if MS Excel is
installed on your computer, then it will be automatically
sent to Excel, and Excel opened if necessary in order
to display it.
ASCII Text - This will generate a file with a ".asc"
extension, and will be a comma-quote delimited file.
All Files - In this case you can choose any file name
and extension you like. It will also generate a comma-
quote delimited file.
Note: When exporting the output, any astrological
glyphs are automatically converted to text abbreviations,
ensuring that the listing will be comprehensible without the
need for special astrological fonts.

33 Using Calendars
calendar containing transits, progressions and/or
directions for any radix chart. Calendar data may also be
exported to other calendaring programs, such as MS
Outlook and others.
Before generating a calendar, it is necessary to have
either cast or opened the chart/s for which you wish to
generate the calendar. If you have not yet done so, see
Casting a Natal Chart for instructions on creating a new
chart, or page Retrieving Charts From a File for
instructions on opening an existing chart.
>> To open the Calendar module

Choose Calendar... from the Dynamic menu - This will
open the "Calendar" screen, and display calendar entries
for the current chart and date.

>> To change the calendar duration

Either, choose the Day, Week or Month items from
the View menu
Or, click in the Day, Week or Month button on the
top, left toolbar.
Day - shows one calendar day only
Week - shows a 7 day period with the current date in
the middle i.e. 3 days to either side of the current
calendar date
Month - shows the full calendar month for whatever

month the current date falls into
>> To change the current calendar date

Do any of the following
Click on the drop-down arrow to the right of the date
entry, and use the standard calendar control to select a
new date
Click on the "-" (minus sign) button - this moves the
current calendar date back by one day, week or
month, depending on the current calendar duration
Click on the "+" (plus sign) button - this moves the
current calendar date forward by one day, week or
month, depending on the current calendar duration
>> To change the current radix chart for the

calendar
Select the required chart from the drop-down listbox
just above the calendar viewing frame.
33.1 Calendar Information

Each calendar day displays the following
information.
The day number - at top left.
The time zone - at top centre - this is the
time zone for which any calendar entries
showing times relate to.
Lunar zodiacal info - at top right. This

shows the Moon glyph, followed by its

current sign glyph, or two glyphs if the
moon makes an ingress into a new sign
during this calendar day. Where there is an
ingress, the exact time of ingress is shown
below this. If the Moon goes void of
course during the day, then the time that this
occurs is also shown.
Lunar phase information - at bottom centre.
This shows a small graphic representation
of the current lunar phase, plus a further
description of the phase. The graphic will
show the phase as it is viewed for the
hemisphere of the chart that the calendar is
based on. If any of the four major phases
occur on this day, then the time of the exact
phase is given. On any other day, the name
of the current phase, and the lunar phase
angle at midday are shown instead.
Dynamic calendar events - in the central
section. This lists all the transits,
progressions and/or directions and other
dynamic events which are currently selected
in the Calendar Preferences.
Dynamic Calendar Events

Each entry is given in one of the following
formats

For the first item on a line - Event Type,

Point1, Aspect, Point2, Time (optional)
If there is enough space, then there may be
additional entries on the same line which relate
to the same Event Type and Point1.
For additional entries on the same line - ,
Aspect, Point2, Time (optional)
Event Types which appear here are the same
event types as those which appear in the
dynamic reports, and are described fully in the
description of report layouts.
Ordering of the Events

If the option "Show Exact Times of Hits" is
selected in Calendar Preferences the events are
ordered by the time of the day, with the most
recent events at the top of the list and the least
recent event at the bottom of the list.
If the option "Show Exact Times of Hits" is
not selected in Calendar Preferences the events
are grouped firstly by the type of event, and
then within that by planet and/or point.
>> To view an interpretation of an

individual calendar event
Hover the mouse over that calendar event
This causes a tooltip to pop up showing the
interpretation of that event. The interpretation

is automatically taken from whichever

interpretation file is currently selected for use
with the calendar.
>> To view a report containing all events

and their interpretations
Select the View Interpretations Report...
item from the View menu.
Your word-processor will be opened up
displaying this report.
Note: To keep a permanent copy of the
report, you must save it under a different
name, because Solar Fire always uses the
same report name.
33.2 Setting Calendar Preferences
>> To open the Calendar Preferences
dialog
Select Edit Settings... from the Preferences
menu item of the Calendar screen.
This will display the Calendar Options dialog.

Many of the options available here are the

same as those in the Dynamic Reports
module.
Note: The options that you select and set
here are always remembered for future
sessions. To revert to any previous settings,
you must reselect those settings yourself,

using this dialog.
Dynamic Events To Include

Check the options which you wish to include.
These options are:
Transits to Radix - transits of planets/
asteroids/angles to points in the selected
radix chart.
Transits to Transits - transits of planets/
asteroids/angles to one another.
Progressions to Radix - progressions of
planets/asteroids/angles to points in the
selected radix chart.
Progressions to Progressions -
progressions of planets/asteroids/angles to
one another.
Directions to Radix - arc directed positions
of planets/asteroids/angles to points in the
selected radix chart.
Sign Ingresses - movements of points
across sign boundaries.
House Ingresses - movements of points
across house cusps of the radix chart.
Stations - times when points become
stationary.
Parallels of Declination - aspects of

declination (in addition to aspects of

longitude, which are always included).
Show Exact Times of Hits - whether or not
to show the time (to the nearest minute) of
each event, rather than just the day on
which it occurs.
Exported Events
Include Interpretations - If this option is
selected, then calendar data that is exported
to other applications will include Solar
Fire's interpretation of each event, in
addition to the event details themselves.
Switching this off reduces the volume of
exported information, by limiting it to
include only the name, date and time of
each event.
Timezone/Location Options
Use default timezone – to use your current
default location and timezone settings for
the calendar events.
Use radix chart's location and timezone - to
use the current chart's location and settings
for the calendar events.
Specify my own location/timezone - allows
you to enter the required place details and
other settings in the Location frame below.

Location (for Calendar Timezone)

You can select location details in a similar manner to
choosing a location for a new natal chart.
The location is relevant only 1) for the selection of which
timezone to use, and the switching dates between daylight
savings and normal time for that location, and 2) for the
calculation of transiting angles. However, it is not
recommended to include chart angles as transiting points.
Normally the Auto DST option would be switched on.
If the Auto DST option is unchecked, then the results will
show times for the specified timezone only, whether or not
this is the standard timezone for the given location. This is
useful if you would like to see all the results in Universal
Time, for example, rather than in the normal timezone for
the selected location.
Point Selection
Transits - Transiting points. You may, for
example want to include just transits from
the inner planets only. On the other hand,
for a more detailed calendar, you may want
to include transits by the Moon.
Progs - Progressing and directed points.
You can specify a different set of points
from the transiting points.
Radix - Points in the radix chart that you
want to include in the report. You could
exclude the MC and Ascendant if the birth

time was uncertain; add asteroids, use inner

planets only, etc.
Note: Given the large number of transiting angle
events that occur every day, it would only be possible to
display only a very a small proportion of such events in
the calendar dialog, so it is strongly recommended that
you do not include chart angles as transiting points
Aspect Selection
Transits - Aspects formed from transiting
points to radix points.
Progs - Aspects formed from progressed
or directed points to radix points. This can
be a different set of aspects from the
transiting aspects.
Calculation Options
If you want all events to be precession
corrected, select the Prec. Corr. checkbox.
Interps Report Options

If you want Moon Ingress and Void of
Course (VoC) text categories printed in the
Calendar Interpretations report then select
these options.
Font Size

Small - allows up to about 10 lines of event

data per calendar day
Medium - allows up to about 8 lines of
event data per calendar day
Large - allows up to about 6 lines of event
data per calendar day
Note: The font size selection affects only the
lines containing the dynamic events. The day
number, lunar sign and phase information
always remain at a fixed font size.
Note: To display more events per calendar
day, you can also switch off the Show Exact
Times of Hits option, as this usually allows
more individual events to be listed per line of
event data.
33.3 Exporting Calendar Events

>> To copy or send a copy of the
calendar image
Choose Copy/Send Image... from the
Export menu of the Calendar dialog
This invokes the Copy Image To dialog that
allows you to select whether to send the
currently displayed image to the clipboard, to
a file, or to an email attachment, with various
selectable options. See Copying, Publishing
and Sending Graphics.

>> To send calendar events to MS

Outlook
Choose Send Calendar Events / To MS
Outlook... from the Export menu of the
Calendar dialog.
This will display the MS Outlook Export
Options dialog, giving you the ability to add or
remove calendar entries in MS Outlook.
This feature allows you to label all Solar
Fire's generated entries so that you can then
easily remove them all later, without interfering
with any other existing Outlook calendar
entries. It is recommended that you use "Solar
Fire" as the whole label name, or at least as the
start of a longer label name, to reduce the risk
of accidentally deleting entries which were not
generated by Solar Fire.
Note: You can, if you wish, export more than
one person's calendar events to Outlook. In
that case, it is recommended that you append
the chart name to the label before exporting,
so that you can tell the entries apart in MS
Outlook e.g. "Solar Fire - Sarah" and "Solar
Fire - John". Doing this also allows you to
remove just one person's entries (by using
""Solar Fire - John" in the delete dialog), or all
entries at once (by using "Solar Fire" in the
delete dialog.)

>> To delete existing calendar events

from MS Outlook
Optionally edit the category label in the
Existing Outlook Calendar Entries frame.
Click on the Remove button.
You will get a notification message telling you
how many entries were deleted.
Note: This removes all entries that start with
the given text, so entering "Solar Fire" will
delete all entries for "Solar Fire - John" and
"Solar Fire - Susan", for example.
>> To add the existing calendar events to

MS Outlook
Optionally edit the category label above the
Export button.
Click on the Export button.
Note: If you wish interpretation text to be
included with each event, make sure you have
switched on the Include Interpretations
options in the Calendar Preferences dialog.
>> To export calendar events to another

calendaring application
Either choose Send Calendar Events / To
iCalendar file... from the Export menu of the

Calendar dialog.
Or choose Send Calendar Events / To
vCalendar file... from the Export menu of
the Calendar dialog.
You will be prompted to enter a filename and
location to save the file to.
Once you have exported the data, you will
need to import it into whatever application you
wish to use it with, instructions for which you
must obviously obtain from that application's
own documentation.
iCalendar and vCalendar Formats

iCalendar is a standard for calendar data
exchange, sometimes also referred to as
"iCal". vCalendar was the precursor of the
iCalendar exchange format. It is implemented
and supported by many different calendaring,
including Apple's iCal application, Facebook,
Google Calendar, Lotus Notes, Microsoft
Entourage, Microsoft Exchange, Mozilla
Calendar Windows Calendar, Microsoft
Works Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, and
many others.

34 Printing from Solar Fire

This section describes how to send a chart page, report
or time map to the printer which is attached to your
computer system, how to add a print job to the batch
print queue, to be printed at a later time instead of
immediately, and how to alter printer settings such as the
number of copies of each page to be printed, the page
orientation and the print resolution.
If you wish to set page margins, then you must do this
before printing. See Setting Page Margins for information
on how to do this.
Before printing a chart, grid or report relating to a chart
or grid, it is necessary to have either cast, opened or
generated the charts which you wish to print, or to have
generated the report which you wish to print.
You can print from any screen with a Print... button, or
with a Print menu option.
34.1 Printing from a View screen

You can print any wheel, grid, user-defined page,
dynamic report, Time Map, ephemeris page or
Planetarium view by clicking on the Print button on the
screen. In most cases a print dialog box will appear,
which you can use as described in following sections.
>> To print any chart or grid or page layout for

which an image has already been created
From the "Chart View" screen, select the required image
from the list of images
Select the Print... button

>> To print any report, from the "Chart Report"

screen
Select the desired report from the list of reports
Select the Print... button
34.2 Printing without Viewing

If you just want printouts, you can print single and
multiple wheels and grids without first viewing them on the
screen. These printouts will use whatever displayed
points, aspects set, wheel style, display options, colors,
fonts and other options that are currently selected in the
Chart Options and Preferences menus.
>> To print one or more charts or aspect grids from

the main screen
Select the chart(s) from the list of "Calculated Charts".
Select the Print Chart... or Print Grid... options from
the Chart menu.
>> To print a multiwheel chart or synastry grid

from the main screen
Follow the instructions in Viewing MultiWheels and
Synastry Grids to select the required charts.
Select the Print... button.

34.3 Using the Print Dialog Box

Most Print options in Solar Fire will display the "Print"
dialog box, which allows the user to add the print job to
the batch print queue, to alter printer settings, or to print
immediately.
If you wish to exit from this dialog box without taking

any action, then the Cancel button may be used.
>> To select a Color/Greyscale/Black options

Choose one of the two options provided.
Color/Greyscale - if you have a color printer (on which
the color printing ability is enabled), then the output will be
printed using the colors selected in your current color
scheme for printers. If your printer is not a color printer
(or is a color printer, but on which the color printing ability
is disabled), then it will appear in greyscale equivalents to
the colors selected in your current color scheme for
printers.

Black Only - this converts all color output to black.

This produces the clearest output on most monochrome
printers.
>> To send output to the printer immediately

Optionally select a Color/Greyscale/Black option.
Optionally enter a number of Copies to print.
Select the Print button - This will start the print job, and
messages will appear on the screen to indicate the status
of printing. Generally the printer will not actually start
printing until the "Print" dialog box disappears. It is not
possible to cancel printing once it has started, although it
is possible to delete an item from the Windows print
queue if it has not already been sent to the printer in its
entirety. See your Windows manual for information on the
Windows print queue.
If the printer is switched off, not connected to the
computer, or has other problems, then Windows will issue
a message asking whether you wish to cancel or retry.
You may then attempt to remedy the problem and select
the Retry button, or select the Cancel button if you wish
to continue working without fixing the problem now. If the
Cancel button is selected then the output will not be sent
to the printer, but it will remain on the Windows print
queue (not to be confused with the Solar Fire batch print
queue). Please refer to your Windows manual for
instructions on using the Windows Printer object to deal
with the Windows print queue.
>> To add this output to the print batch queue

Optionally enter a number of Copies to queue for

printing.
Select the Queue... button - This will display a dialog
this print job to the Solar Fire print batch queue. If you
select the OK button, then it will be added to the queue,
and it will not be printed at this time. It is possible, at any
later time, to start printing all the jobs which are on the
batch print queue by selecting the Start Print Queue...
option from the View menu of the main screen.
Note: If you have specified more than one copy, then
the print queue will have the specified number of copies
added to it instead of just one.
>> To alter printer setup options

Select the Setup... button
See Altering Printer Settings for information on altering
printer settings.
Note: The number of copies you set in the printer
settings is ignored by Solar Fire. To print multiple copies,
you must set the number of copies required in this dialog
instead.
Note: The number of copies you select in this dialog is
always automatically reset to one when it is next opened.
This is done deliberately to prevent you accidentally
printing multiple copies when you have simply forgotten to
reset it from last time you printed.
34.4 Setting Page Margins
It is possible to set page margins which apply to all types
of Solar Fire’s printed output, including charts, reports
and time maps.

>> To set page margins

Select the Page Margins... option from the Charts
menu - This will display a “Page Margins” dialog box in
which it is possible to view the current page margins or to
set new ones.
There are four margins (left, right, top and bottom), each
of which may be different, if desired. These margins are
expressed in terms of a ratio of page dimensions (based
on the printable page area, not the full page size), so a
setting of 0.1 indicates a margin of 1/10th of the printable
page size, for example.
Each margin must be between 0 and 0.4 inclusive. A
page margin of 0 indicates that printed output will extend
right to the edge of the printable area of the page.
For example, if you wish to set a 10% left hand binding
margin, but to otherwise use the full printable area, then
enter
0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0
When you select the OK button you will be asked to
confirm your settings before they are saved. Note that the
page margin settings are saved for subsequent sessions
only if you choose to Save Settings or if Save Settings
on Exit is on.
34.5 Altering Printer Settings

>> To alter printer settings
From Solar Fire’s Print Dialog box, select the Setup...
button

Select the Printer Setup... option from the Options

menu of Windows Print Manager in the Control Panel
This will display a "Print" dialog box that allows the
selection of an alternative printer, and the number of
copies of each page to print and whether to collate the
pages in order.
If you wish to exit from this dialog box without altering

any settings, then the Cancel button may be used. If you
wish any changes that you make to take effect, then the
OK button should be used.
There is also a Properties... button which allows page
orientation and size and other options to be selected. Use
this option if you wish to alter the page orientation from
portrait (normal orientation) to landscape (page sideways)
or vice-versa. However, note that if you use landscape
format to print charts, then any reports subsequently
printed will also be in this orientation unless you switch

this option back first.

Please refer to your Windows manual for further
information on how to specify printer settings.
Any alterations made with this option result in changes to
the printer setup being stored in Windows, and these
changes will therefore affect any other Windows
applications that use the printer.
34.6 Using the Batch Print Queue

The batch print queue is a means of storing instructions
for the printing of a series or charts and/or reports and
then allowing them to be printed all together at a
convenient time. The purpose of the option is to allow the
user to generate a large number of charts and reports in a
short space of time, without having to wait for each one to
print before generating the next one. Then at a convenient
time, the user may take a break whilst the whole batch of
charts and reports in printed out without requiring any
further user interaction. The print queue keeps a record of
all the chart display options that were in effect at the time
when each item was added to the queue, and uses the
appropriate options for each chart individually as it is
printed, when the queue is released. After the batch queue
has finished printing, the chart display options are
automatically restored to the settings that were in effect
immediately before the queue was released.

34.6.1 Adding Items to the Print Queue
For instruction on how to add items to the batch print

queue, see Printing from Solar Fire. It is possible to put
any type of chart or grid image and most types of reports
onto the batch print queue.
34.6.2 Starting the Print Queue
This section describes how to start the batch print

queue, which will print all the items that have been added
to the print queue during this session, or since the batch
print queue was last printed or cleared.
>> To start the print queue

From the main screen, select the Start Print Queue...
option from the Chart menu - This will display a dialog
box asking for confirmation of whether to start printing
items on the batch print queue. Select the Cancel button
to quit without starting the queue, or the OK button to
start printing.
34.6.3 Clearing the Print Queue
This section describes how to clear all the items from the
print batch queue that have been added since it was last
printed or cleared. If the print batch queue is cleared, then
all the items on the print queue will be lost.
>> To clear the print queue

From the main screen, select the Close Print Queue...
option from the Chart menu - This will display a dialog

box asking for confirmation of whether to clear all the

items from the batch print queue. Select the Cancel
button to quit without clearing the queue, or the OK
button to clear it.
35 Using the File Manager

This chapter describes how to use the file manager. The
file manager is a common access point to various file
management functions for all the file types which exist
within the program. It is possible to create new files,
delete existing files, copy files, rename files or select files
to be the current file, from within the file manager. For
certain file types it is also possible to edit the file.
The file manager is accessed from a variety of different
menu options and screens within the program.
Choosing any of the following types of options from the
main screen menu, or from other locations in Solar Fire,
will invoke the file manager.
Chart File…
Displayed Points...
Displayed Transiting Points…
Extra Ring Points…
Aspect Set...
Aspected Points...
Fixed Star File...
Arabic Parts File...
Asteroid File...
Extra Bodies File…
Wheel Styles...

Dial Styles...
Point Colors...
Aspect Colors...
Sign Colors...
Interpretations File...
In the dynamic report selection and graphic ephemeris
selection screens, clicking on any of the following boxes
will also invoke the file manger.
Transiting Points
Extra Transiting Points
Progressing Points
Extra Progressing Points
Radix Points
Extra Radix Points
Transiting Aspects
Progressing Aspects
The file manager will also be invoked if the File... button
is selected from any screen.
When the file manager screen appears its title line will
display the name of the file type that has been chosen, and
the list box will contain an entry for each file name of this
file type. The file name that is highlighted is always initially
the "current" file (i.e. the last selected file). If there are no
files of this type then the list box will be empty, and it will
only be possible to create files.

The File Manager dialog can be resized horizontally or

vertically as required by dragging its borders with the
mouse. It is possible to leave the file manager at any time
by selecting the Cancel button.

35.1 Selecting a File

Selecting a file causes the contents of that file to be read
into the program to be used wherever appropriate. For
example selecting a "Displayed Points" file called
"plan&ast.pts" updates the list of points that will be
displayed on any subsequently drawn chart.
Also that file becomes the "current" file, and the display
box on the main screen is updated to show the name of
this file as the currently selected file.
>> To select a file

Select a file from the list of file names and click on the
Select button, or double-click on a file on the list of file
names. If you are selecting a chart file, then you also have
the option of choosing a directory of folder to look in first.
After file selection, the file manager screen is hidden.
Note: If you need more space to see long file or
directory names, then resize the dialog box by dragging its
border with the mouse.
35.2 Selecting a Directory or Folder

When selecting Chart Files, it is possible to access
directories other than Solar Fire’s standard USERDATA
directory. This can be useful if you wish to read from or
save charts to a diskette, networked computer, or any
other location on your own computer, for example.
>> To select a directory or folder

If the directory selection box is not already visible, then
click on the Folder… button to make it visible.

You can select an alternative drive by finding it on the

drop-down list box of drives, and any directory on that
drive by navigating through the directories or folders on
that drive.
>> To re-select a recently used folder

Click on the down arrow button to the right of the
Folder… button.
This will display a pop-up menu allowing you to select
from any of the ten most recently used folder names.
35.3 Creating a File

>> To create a new file
Select the Create... button.
This will display the "Create File" dialog box, which
allows the entry of the file name to create. Note that the
file name must be a valid file name, without a file extension
(the file manager automatically adds the appropriate file
extension for this file type). A valid file name can consist
of up to 80 characters. If the name is not valid then an
error dialog box will be displayed.
When the file has been created its name is added to the
list of file names on the file manager screen, and it may be
edited if it is of an edible file type.
The initial contents of a newly created file depend on the
file type:
For a "Charts" or "Places" file, the file will be empty after
it is created, and it will be possible to add entries by
saving charts or entering places into the place database
screen, respectively.

For "Displayed Points", “Displayed Transiting Points”,

"Aspected Points", "Radix Points", "Transiting Points" and
"Progressing Points" files, the file will contain a selection of
points containing all the planets, Chiron, the North Node,
the Ascendant and the Midheaven.
For "Point Colors", "Aspect Colors" and "Sign Colors"
files, the file will contain colors all set to black.
For "Aspect Set" files, the file will contain a list of
standard 12th harmonic aspects.
It is not possible to create an "Interpretations” file. If you
wish to do so, you must use the Interpretation Editor,
which is a separate utility program.
If you wish to create a new file that is to be only slightly
different from an existing file, it may be easier to copy the
existing entry to the new file name instead of creating the
new file name. This will result in less editing being
required.
35.4 Deleting a File

>> To delete a file
Select the file from the list of file names.
Select the Delete... button.
This will display a dialog box asking for confirmation of
deletion. When the file has been deleted its name is
removed from the list of names on the file manager screen.

35.5 Copying or Renaming a File

Copying a file results in a new file being created with a
copy of the contents of the selected file, whereas
renaming a file results in the name of an existing file being
changed.
It is possible to use these options to copy or rename files
to or from floppy disks or other directories or folders on
the computer's hard disk.
>> To create a copy of an existing file under a new

file name
Select a file from the list of file names
Select the Copy... button
This will display a standard file save dialog box allowing
you to enter a new name and/or location
>> To rename a file

Select a file from the list of file names
Select the Rename... button
Then follow the same procedure as for copying a file.
Note: If any files other than chart files are copied or
renamed to other directories or floppy disks then the file
manager will not be able to display them in its list of
selectable files. The file manager only displays the names
of files that are in the Solar Fire’s default USERDATA
directory.

35.6 Editing a File

You can edit the contents of any file for which the Edit
button in the File Management dialog box is enabled. It is
not possible to edit "Charts" or "Places" files from the file
manager. Charts files can only be manipulated in the Chart
Database screen, and Places files in the Place Database
screen.
The manner in which each of the various file types can
be edited is described in the following sections.
36 Changing Chart Options

It is possible to alter any of the following items that relate
to the manner in which charts and reports are calculated
and displayed.
Chart points displayed
Points displayed in transits charts
Current chart’s displayed points
Points included in an extra wheel ring
Aspects used and their orbs
Chart points which have aspects drawn to them
Fixed Star file, Arabic Parts file, Asteroids file and
Extra Bodies file
Style of displayed chart wheels
Style of displayed chart dials
Selection of whether to display houses proportionally
Application of house cusps adjustment when houses
are over-full
Selection of whether aspect lines appear in displayed

charts
Selection of whether aspect glyphs appear in
displayed charts
Selection of aspect highlighting and filtering options
Special chart superimposition options when displaying
multi-wheels
Colors schemes used for chart points, aspects, zodiac
signs and as backgrounds
Fonts used for screen displays and printouts
The selection of each of these is described in detail in the
following sections. It is possible to save any of these
selections so that they will be used automatically when the
program is next started up. See Saving and Restoring
Settings for instructions on how to do this.
36.1 Displayed Points

Displayed points are the planets, asteroids and other
points which appear on a displayed chart or synastry grid
or in any report.
A set of displayed points is a named file containing a list
of which points are switched on and which are switched
off.
The name of the currently selected set of displayed
points is shown in the information box on the main screen
of the program.
When the program is first installed, there are a variety of
named displayed point sets which may be selected. It is
possible to alter which points are displayed by selecting
an alternative set of displayed points, or by editing an
existing one or creating a new one.

>> To alter the displayed point set, from the main

screen
1. Choose the Displayed Points... option from the
Chart Options menu
2. Then follow the instruction relating to displayed points
in Using the File Manager.
36.2 Current Charts Displayed Points

It is possible to select a set of displayed points which will
be used only with the currently selected chart. This is
useful, for example, when you wish to display a chart of
the current transits in a biwheel with a natal chart. In this
case, you might prefer the transits chart to display only the
outer planets, because the inner planets and chart angles
move so quickly as to be of much lesser importance.
>> To alter the current chart’s displayed point set,

1. Select the chart that you wish to use from the list of
Calculated Charts
2. Choose the Current Chart’s Displayed Points...
option from the Chart Options menu
Whenever this chart is subsequently displayed, it will
always contain the newly selected displayed points instead
of the current set of displayed points which are used in all
other cases.
If you wish to reset the displayed points for this chart to

be the current set of displayed points again, then you must

re-use this option to select whichever set of displayed
points is the current set.
36.3 Displayed Transiting Points

A set of displayed transiting points is a named file
containing a list of which points are switched on and
which are switched off.
Displayed transiting points are the planets, asteroids and
other points which can appear on a displayed multi-wheel
chart when both of the following are true.
the chart is deemed to be a “transits” chart by Solar
Fire.
when that chart is not the house cusp anchor chart for
that wheel (which is usually means when it is not the
innermost chart).
The criteria by which Solar Fire deems a chart to be a
“transits” chart are either one of the following.
Any natal type chart that has an event type
of “Event”.
Any natal type chart that has an event type
of “Unspecified”, and that contains either
“transit” or “event” anywhere in its name.
Unless either of these conditions is met, Solar Fire
assumes that the chart is not a “transits” chart, and
therefore uses only the default Displayed Points set.
However, when either of these conditions is met, then
the points which are actually displayed are all those points
which are switched on in BOTH the default Displayed

Points AND in the Displayed Transiting Points. Therefore,

you should use this selection to switch OFF only
those points that you DO NOT wish to see in a
transits chart (e.g. chart angles, and perhaps other fast
moving points such as the moon), and you should leave
ALL other points switched ON, even if you do not
normally display them in a chart. Doing this will allow you
to later choose a set of ordinary Displayed Points
containing some additional points, and have those
additional points automatically also appear in transits
charts, without having to also reselect a set of Displayed
Transiting Points.
named displayed point sets which may be selected. It is
possible to alter which points are displayed by selecting
an alternative set of displayed points, or by editing an
existing one or creating a new one.
>> To alter the displayed transiting point set, from

the main screen
1. Choose the Displayed Transiting Points... option
from the Chart Options menu
36.4 Extra Ring Points

Extra Ring Points is a selection of points or bodies of
various types that can be displayed in a special chart
wheel which includes an extra ring in addition to the
normal ring which displays the standard chart points.
The types of extra points that can be selected are

standard chart points, midpoints, fixed zodiacal positions,

fixed stars and astronomical objects, Arabic parts,
asteroids, bodies calculated from orbital elements, prior
lunar phases, eclipse points and planetary nodes.
named extra ring point sets which may be selected. It is
possible to alter these selections by editing an existing set
or creating a new one.
>> To alter the extra ring points set, from the main
screen
1. Choose the Extra Ring Points... option from the
Chart Options menu
2. Then follow the instruction relating to extra ring points
in Editing an Extra Ring Points File.
36.5 Aspect Set

Aspect sets are named files containing a list of which
aspects are switched on and off and what orbs each
aspect has. The aspect set controls which aspects are
displayed on charts or synastry grids and in any reports. It
is also used when any dynamic transits or progressions
report is created.
The name of the currently selected aspect set is shown in
the information box on the main screen of the program.
named aspect sets which may be selected. It is possible to
alter which aspects are displayed and their orbs by
selecting an alternative aspect set, or by editing an existing
one or creating a new one.

>> To alter the aspect set, from the main screen

1. Choose the Aspect Set... option from the Chart
Options menu
2. Then follow the instruction relating to aspect sets in
Using the File Manager.
36.6 Aspected Points

Aspected points are the planets, asteroids and other
points to which aspects are drawn on a displayed chart.
A set of aspected points is a named file containing a list
of which points are switched on and which are switched
off.
It is possible for an aspected point set to be different
from a displayed point set. In this case the displayed chart
will not have aspects drawn between every chart point.
This is useful in order to switch off aspects to the
Ascendant and Midheaven, for example, when they are
still required to be displayed in the chart.
The name of the currently selected set of aspected points
is shown in the information box on the main screen of the
program.
named aspected point sets which may be selected. It is
possible to alter which points are aspected by selecting an
alternative set of aspected points, or by editing an existing
one or creating a new one.
>> To alter the aspected point set, from the main

screen

1. Choose the Aspected Points... option from the

Chart Options menu
2. Then follow the instructions relating to aspected
points in Using the File Manager.
36.7 Files
This menu option allows you to select any of four
different types of files to use as the default, or to edit or
browse their contents. These file types are as follows.
Fixed Stars – files containing selections of fixed stars
or other astronomical objects
Arabic Parts – files containing lists of Arabic part
definitions
Asteroids – files containing lists of asteroids
Extra Bodies – files containing orbital elements for
various bodies
See Using the File Manager for more details on how to
select, edit and use these file types.
36.8 Wheel Styles and Dial Styles

It is possible to select from a range of available chart and
dial styles to be used whenever Solar Fire displays or
prints charts. Solar Fire comes supplied with several
different pre-defined chart styles, and it is also possible to
create your own designs with the separate Wheel
Designer program. The most common types of wheel
styles that you might like to use are the Anglo/American
style, European Style and French style.
You can select any available pre-defined style for use

with single chart displays, bi-chart displays, tri-chart

displays, quadri-chart displays, small wheel displays
(which includes dual wheels on a page and wheel and grid
on the same page), and preview wheel displays, such as
on Solar Fire’s main screen.
>> To select a particular style of display for all

subsequent wheel or dial display and printing
1. Click on the Wheel Styles or Dial Styles button, or
choose the required chart combination option from
the Wheel Styles or Dial Styles option of the
Chart Options menu
2. Then follow the instruction relating to wheel and dial
styles in Using the File Manager.
Once a particular style is selected, all subsequent
displays of that chart combination type will use that
selected style. For example, if you select a “French” style
for biwheel chart combinations, then all subsequent
biwheel displays will use the “French” style.
36.9 Proportional Houses
Most house systems, apart from equal house systems,
have houses that vary in size. In some cases, especially at
high latitudes, there can be a considerable "distortion" so
that a couple of houses are very narrow, whilst others are
very wide. It is possible to display Solar Fire charts either
with equal-sized (non-proportional) houses, or with
proportional houses. However, when displaying a chart
using a wheel style which contains a zodiac ring (such as a
French or European style), then this option is
automatically overridden, as in this case the house cusps
must always maintain their positions in relation to the

zodiac ring. When a chart is displayed with non-

proportional houses, the planets will not be drawn in their
correct geometrical positions. Instead they will be moved,
wherever possible, to fall within the correct house cusps.
Also, in this case, the tick marks on the inside rim of any
single wheel display will also be moved to correspond to
the displayed position of the planet. Therefore, when
displaying non-proportional charts, it is advisable to either
switch on the House Expansion option, or to carefully
check whether planets are in their correct houses by
looking at their angles, as this will not necessarily be
obvious from their plotted positions. Generally, this
problem does not occur if the chart is drawn with
proportional houses, as the tick marks will clearly show
exactly where each planet is in relation to the house cusps,
even if the planet symbol is not in its correct house.
>> To alter the current Proportional Houses

setting, from the main screen
Choose the Proportional Houses option from the
Display Options submenu of Chart Options menu. This
will switch on the option if it is currently off, or switch it
off if it is currently on. When this option is switched on, a
tick appears to the left of this item on the menu.
Once this setting is altered, any chart or grid
subsequently displayed on the screen will be affected. To
alter the house display on a chart which has already been
displayed previously, the ReDraw button must be
selected from the "Chart View" screen before the change
will come into effect.

36.10 House Expansion

A chart may sometimes have many planets or other chart
points in a single house. In this case, when you view the
chart you may find that some of these points spill over into
adjacent houses. If this happens, you can switch this
option on to prevent this from happening. When switched
on, this option will cause any over-full houses to be
expanded to accommodate all the required points, so that
it is clear in which house they reside.
>> To change the current house expansion setting,

Choose the House Expansion option from the Display
Options submenu of the Chart Options menu
This will switch on the option if it is currently off, or
switch it off if it is currently on. When the house expansion
option is switched on, a tick appears to the left of this item
on the menu.
Once this setting is altered, any chart subsequently
displayed on the screen or printed will be affected. To
alter this option on a chart which has already been
displayed on the screen previously, the ReDraw button
must be selected from the "Chart View" screen before the
change will come into effect.
36.11 Aspect Lines

Any single-wheel chart which you view on the screen or
print may optionally display aspect lines inside the central
ring of the chart.

>> To alter the Aspect Lines setting, from the main

screen
Choose the Aspect Lines option from the Display
Options submenu of the Chart Options menu
This will switch on the option if it is currently off, or
switch it off if it is currently on.
Once this setting is altered, any single-wheel chart
subsequently displayed on the screen or printed will be
affected. To alter this option on a chart which has already
been displayed on the screen previously, the ReDraw
button must be selected from the "Chart View" screen
before the change will come into effect.
36.12 Aspect Glyphs

Any single-wheel chart which you view on the screen or
print may optionally display aspect lines inside the central
ring of the chart. When they are displayed (i.e. when the
Aspect Lines option is on), it is also possible to choose
whether or not to show the aspect glyphs in the middle of
each aspect line.
>> To alter the Aspect Glyphs setting, from the

main screen
Choose the Aspect Glyphs option from the Display
Options submenu of the Chart Options menu. This will
switch on the option if it is currently off, or switch it off if it
is currently on.
Once this setting is altered, any single-wheel chart
subsequently displayed on the screen or printed will be
affected. To alter this option on a chart which has already

been displayed on the screen previously, the ReDraw

button must be selected from the "Chart View" screen
before the change will come into effect.
36.13 Aspect Highlighting and Filtering

This option allows you to highlight aspects according to
their tightness of orb, use different line styles for applying
and separating aspects, and to display conjunction lines.
The filtering features allow you to flexibly switch on or off
aspect lines according to a range of useful criteria, such as
limiting the orb, displaying only aspects belonging to a
particular harmonic, or only those aspects emanating from
a selected chart point. This can be performed quickly and
interactively whilst displaying a chart (without having to
change the currently selected aspect set), and is therefore
a powerful tool in assisting the analysis of aspects.
>> To open the Aspect Highlighting and Filtering

Dialog
Choose Aspect Highlighting and Filtering… from the
Chart Options menu.
If you wish to apply highlighting or filtering to a chart
interactively, then you should first display the required
chart in the View Chart or Animation window, and use a
right hand mouse click over the chart to bring up the
Chart Options menu.
The Apply button is enabled when you are already
viewing a chart on the Main Screen, in the View Chart,
Animation or any Chart Preview window. It may be used
to apply any changes you make without closing this
dialog.

The Transparent option (only available in Windows

2000, XP or later) allows the dialog to be made semi-
transparent. This is useful in helping you to see otherwise
hidden parts of pages when you are using the Apply
button to preview any changes without closing this dialog.
36.13.1 Aspect Highlighting
No highlighting – the aspect lines are not highlighted.

All aspect line thicknesses are set to their standard
default line width.
By relative tightness of orb – the aspect line
thickness are scaled according to how tight they are
(by taking the ratio of the actual orb to the maximum
possible orb i.e. by relative orb ratio). The tightest

orbs have the thickest lines, and the widest orbs have
the thinnest lines. The maximum line width multiplier
can be set to control the factor by which the line width
is increased for the tightest orbs. The Linear option
thickens the lines in direct proportion to the relative
orb ratio e.g. an aspect whose orb is half of its
maximum allowed orb has its thickness multiplied by
half the maximum line width multiplier. The Sqr option
thickens the line in proportion to the square of the
relative orb, so an aspect whose orb is half of its
maximum allowed orb has its thickness multiplied by
one quarter of the maximum line width multiplier. The
Sqr*Sqr option thickens the line in proportion to the
fourth power of the relative orb, so an aspect whose
orb is half of its maximum allowed orb has its
thickness multiplied by one eight of the maximum line
width multiplier.
Partile aspect only (same degree) – only those
aspects that are partile (i.e. those which are in the
same whole degree of their sign at each end of the
aspect) are highlighted by the line width multiplier. All
other aspects are set to their standard default line
width.
By absolute tightness of orb - the aspect line
thicknesses are scaled according to their actual orbs in
degrees. When this option is selected, the list box
below contains a list of orb limits and the
corresponding line width multipliers to apply. This list
may be edited by the user. Use the Add button to add
a new line, the Del button to remove a line, and use
the Max Orb box to set the orb in degrees and
minutes.

App=Solid; Sep=Dotted – When this box is

checked, all applying aspects are shown as solid lines,
and all separating aspects are shown as dotted lines.
This can be used in addition to the line thickness
options.
Display Conjunction Aspect Lines – When this box
if checked, an aspect line is drawn between points
which are conjunct. Note: If the points are very
closely conjunct, then these conjunction lines will not
be easily visible.
36.13.2 Aspect Filtering
No filtering – the aspect lines are not filtered. The

aspects displayed are those that are enabled and

within orb according to the currently selected aspect

set.
By applying/separating – only those aspect types
shown in the drop-down list box at the right are
displayed. This may be All Aspects (no filtering),
Applying only, Separating only. This option may be
used together with some of the other options below.
For example, if you are filtering by aspect harmonic,
then you can use this to limit the aspect to applying or
separating aspect of that harmonic.
By % of maximum orb – only those aspects whose
orbs are less than the prescribed percentage of their
maximum possible orb are displayed. The prescribed
percentage may be adjusted by the user either by
typing a new number into the adjoining box, or by
using its spin buttons.
By absolute maximum orb - only those aspects
whose orbs are less than the prescribed orb are
displayed. The prescribed orb may be adjusted by the
user by typing a new maximum orb angle into the
adjoining box.
By aspect harmonic – only those aspects that belong
to the selected harmonic family are displayed. When
this option is selected, the orbs from the current aspect
set are used, but the enabled or disabled aspect
settings are ignored.
By individual aspect - only the selected aspect type
is displayed. When this option is selected, the orbs
from the current aspect set are used, but the enabled
or disabled aspect settings are ignored.
By aspect pattern – only those aspects that form the
selected aspect pattern type are displayed. If a chart

does not contain the selected aspect pattern, then no

aspects are displayed in that chart. If a chart contains
multiple instances of the selected aspect pattern, then
all instances are shown. When this option is selected,
the orbs from the current aspect set are used, but the
enabled or disabled aspect settings are ignored.
By chart point – only those aspects that emanate
from the selected chart point are displayed. When this
option is selected, only those aspects that are enabled
in the current default aspect set are displayed.
Switch filtering off after close – ensure this box is
checked unless you want the filtering options you set
to be maintained permanently. As most filtering is done
on a temporary basis, this options helps you avoid
forgetting to set the filtering off when you finish, which
might result in unexpected or missing aspect lines when
you subsequently view charts.
Auto apply changes – setting this option on saves
you from having to click on the Apply button after
every change you make. This is especially helpful if
you wish to scroll through many filtering options (such
as through the whole list of aspect patterns, to see if
any are present in the chart being examined).
36.14 Multiwheel Superimposition

This is a special option that determines the manner in
which charts are aligned with one another (i.e.
superimposed). The usual manner of superimposition is
“zodiacal”, meaning that when charts are displayed in a
biwheel, for example, 0 Aries in one chart is aligned with
0 Aries in the other chart. This method is the one used in

almost all astrological books and publications.

However, it is also possible to align charts by other
methods, for example according to their house cusps, or
according to the position of points within the charts.
The options available are
Zodiacal (Normal) – This is the default option
when the program is first installed, and should
always be selected unless you specifically wish to
use non-standard superimposition methods.
By Sign of Selected Point – This will align 0
degrees of the sign of the selected superimposition
point in the superimposed chart with 0 degrees of
the sign of the selected base point in the base chart.
In this case the superimposition adjustment will
always be an exact factor of 30 degrees.
By Exact Position of Selected Point – This will
align the exact zodiacal position of the selected
superimposition point with the exact position of the
selected base point in the base chart. In this case the
superimposition adjustment can be any angle.
The last two options require a specific chart point to be
selected. For example, if the “Exact Position of Selected
Point” option is selected, then the selected
superimposition point and base point might both be set to
Ascendant. In this case, when a biwheel is displayed, the
outer chart will have its ascendant aligned exactly to the
ascendant of the inner chart, so that the houses of each
chart coincide with one another.
This option never affects a single chart on its own – it
only affects multiwheels, reports or page objects that
show chart inter-relationships. Specifically, the items
affected are:

Biwheels – The outer chart is adjusted. The inner chart

remains fixed.
Triwheels - The two outer charts are adjusted. The
inner chart remains fixed.
Quadriwheels - The three outer charts are adjusted.
The inner chart remains fixed.
Quinquiwheels - The four outer charts are adjusted.
The inner chart remains fixed.
Synastry aspects – Chart B is adjusted. Chart A
remains fixed.
Further options are as follows.
Use Radix Point in Subsidiary Charts – This option
only affects subsidiary charts (such as progressed charts)
that are superimposed onto other base charts. In this case
it is possible to superimpose the charts by aligning the
subsidiary (progressed) point with the base chart, or
alternatively by aligning the radix position of the selected
point of the progressed chart. For example, if we view
John’s progressed chart in a biwheel around Susan’s natal
chart, and we have selected to superimpose by exact
position of ascendants, then, when this option is switched
off, John’s progressed ascendant will be aligned to
Susan’s natal ascendant. However, when this option is
switched on, John’s natal (radix) ascendant will be
aligned to Susan’s natal ascendant, instead.
Display Superimposed Positions – This option
determines whether the planets and zodiac of the
superimposed chart retained their original zodiacal
positions in the wheel or reports, as opposed to the entire
chart being shifted in the zodiac to appear as if it was
aligned with the zodiac of the base chart. For example, if
we view John’s natal chart in a biwheel around Susan’s

natal chart, and we have selected to superimpose by

exact position of ascendants, then, when this option is
switched off, John’s ascendant will be notated with its
original (un-superimposed) zodiacal position, and the
zodiac of the outer chart will be shown as offset from that
of the inner chart. However, when this option is switched
on, John’s ascendant will be notated with its
superimposed position (i.e. identical to Susan’s ascendant
position), and the zodiac of the outer chart will appear to
align exactly with the zodiac on the inner chart. The
purpose of this option is to allow inter-chart aspects to be
seen much more readily than would otherwise be the
case.
Note: Using these options can cause much confusion if
you are not familiar with the concept of superimposition.
After use, please remember to switch this option back to
Zodiacal (Normal) in order to avoid the likelihood of
mistaking a superimposed zodiac with an erroneously
calculated chart!
36.15 Color Schemes

A “color scheme” is a set of color selections for aspects,
chart points, sign glyphs, sign fills as well as a background
color or graphic which is displayed on the chart viewing
screen.
You can select existing color schemes or create and
save your own schemes. The name of the currently
selected color scheme for both screen and printer is
shown in the information box on the main screen of the
program.

>> To select, edit or create a color scheme

Choose Color Scheme… from the Chart Options
menu
This will display the color scheme selection dialog.
The elements in the Screen and Printer Colors frame

are as follows.
Screen Colors / Printer Colors – You can assign

different color selections to be used for the screen

and the printer. This is useful, for example, if you
wish to print in monochrome even though you have
a color printer, or if you want the colors on the
printer to be darker than the colors on the screen to
make them more legible on a white page. This is
especially useful if you have selected a dark
background color for the screen, but still wish to
print onto white paper. In this case you can choose
light colors to contrast well with the screen
background, and dark colors to contrast well with
the printed white page. Note that any colors you
select apply only to either the Screen or the Printer,
depending on which option is selected. Thus, when
you change screen colors, the colors that appear on
the printer will remain unchanged unless you also
change the printer colors.
Scheme Name – When this program is first
installed, there are a number of predefined color
schemes that can be selected from this drop-down
list box. Selecting a named scheme from this list will
result in the subsequent items on this dialog being
updated to reflect all the color selections stored in
that selection. If you have made changes to any
color selections, then you can save the new color
scheme by clicking on the Save As… button and
specifying a name for the scheme. If you specify an
existing scheme name, then that scheme will simply
be replaced with your new scheme. You can also
delete any named scheme by first selecting it from
the list, and then clicking on the Delete button.
Note that the list of scheme names is different for
screen and printers.

Aspect Colors - Aspect colors are the colors in

which aspect symbols and aspect lines will appear in
any displayed chart or grid. A set of aspect colors is
a named file containing a list of which color is
assigned to each aspect. When the program is first
installed, there are a variety of named aspect colors
sets which may be selected. It is possible to alter the
colors in which aspects are displayed by selecting
an alternative set of aspect colors, or by editing an
existing one or creating a new one. To alter the
aspect colors set, click on the box containing the
name of the current aspect colors, and then follow
the instruction relating to aspect colors in Using the
File Manager.
Point Colors - Point colors are the colors in which
planets, asteroids and other points will appear in any
displayed chart or grid. A set of point colors is a
named file containing a list of which color is assigned
to each point. When the program is first installed,
there are a variety of named point colors sets which
may be selected. It is possible to alter the colors in
which points are displayed by selecting an
alternative set of point colors, or by editing an
existing one or creating a new one. To alter the
point colors selection, click on the box containing
the name of the current point colors, and then follow
the instruction relating to point colors in Using the
File Manager.
Sign Text Colors - Sign text colors are the colors
in which zodiac sign glyphs will appear in any
displayed chart. A set of sign colors is a named file
containing a list of which color is assigned to each
sign. When the program is first installed, there are a

variety of named sign colors sets which may be

selected. It is possible to alter the colors in which
signs are displayed by selecting an alternative set of
sign colors, or by editing an existing one or creating
a new one. To alter the sign colors set, click on the
box containing the name of the current sign text
colors, and then follow the instruction relating to sign
colors in Using the File Manager. Usually you will
want to choose colors which contrast well with the
background color or graphic e.g. if the background
is white, then dark sign colors will be most legible.
Sign Fill Colors - Sign fill colors are the colors in
which zodiac signs in chart zodiac rings will appear
in any displayed chart. A set of sign colors is a
named file containing a list of which color is assigned
to each sign. When the program is first installed,
there are a variety of named sign colors sets which
may be selected. It is possible to alter the colors in
which signs are displayed by selecting an alternative
set of sign colors, or by editing an existing one or
creating a new one. To alter the sign colors set,
click on the box containing the name of the current
sign text colors, and then follow the instruction
relating to sign colors in Using the File Manager.
Usually you will want to choose colors which blend
well with the background color or graphic e.g. if the
background is white, then light sign text colors will
be most appealing.
Background Color – The background color of the
Chart View screen may be set with this option. You
can select any color, but usually it is best to choose
either a fairly light color or a fairly dark color. If you
choose a moderately light or dark color, then you

may have difficulty viewing aspects, points and

wheels on the page. This option determines whether
charts and page objects are drawn with dark
(black) outlines or light (white) outlines. When you
choose a light color, charts are drawn with dark
lines, and when you choose a dark color, charts are
drawn with light lines, in order to maximise the
visibility of the displayed items. Note that if you
choose a dark background graphic, then it will be
necessary also to choose a dark background color
to ensure that the chart is drawn with light lines.
Background Graphic – You can select any
graphic of type *.jpg, *.wmf, *.gif, from any
location, to display as the background to the Chart
View screen. Ideally you should choose a graphic
which does not have large contrasts in color, to
avoid the possibility of making the charts or page
objects difficult to see. If you choose a dark graphic
then you will also need to select a dark (e.g. black)
background color to ensure that the page objects
are drawn with light colored lines. Similarly, if you
choose a light graphic then you will also need to
select a light (e.g. white) background color to
ensure that the page objects are drawn with dark
colored lines. You have the option to stretch the
graphic to fit the size of the display, or to tile it, in
which case the graphic is repeated as many times as
needed to fit the full display area. You can clear any
graphic selection by clicking on the Clear button.
The Color Schemes for Chart Art frame allows you to
choose special color settings for any pages which have
been designed with full-page background graphics - as is
the case for the "Chart Art" pages in Solar Fire. It is

necessary to have a special color setting for these because

Solar Fire would normally display line and text colors
according to the current color scheme selected above, but
these settings may clash with the colors of the background
graphic of the page. For example if your current color
scheme is for a light background color then lines are
displayed in black, but if the Chart Art page has a dark
colored background graphic, then black lines would not
be very visible on top of that. Therefore most page
objects have a "Force Color" property which may be set
in order to ensure that one of the following schemes is
applied to that object instead of the default color scheme
selected above.
Light Backgrounds - You can choose any color
scheme that has been designed to work with light
backgrounds.
Dark Backgrounds - You can choose any color
scheme that has been designed to work with dark
backgrounds.
Note: If you use a background graphic, then you may
notice that some chart wheels are displayed transparently,
so that the graphic shows through them, and some are
opaque, so that the background graphic is not visible
inside them. This behaviour depends on whether the rings
within the wheel have been designed to be transparent or
to have a fill color. You can alter any wheel design to
make it transparent or opaque by setting the its ring fill
color option in the wheel designer. See Editing a Wheel
Design File for further information.

36.15.1 Color Depth
Solar Fire can be used on any computer that is capable

of displaying at least 256 colors or greater color depths
known as “HiColor” and “TrueColor”, and in this case
you will be able to generate more attractive displays. In
most cases, whenever you select a color from one of
Solar Fire’s color selection options (e.g. sign colors,
aspect colors, planet colors etc.), the color which is
actually displayed on the screen will be whichever of the
available colors matches your selected color most closely.
If your display supports only 256 colors, then you may
find that some of the displayed colors are different from
your original selections. If you are using HiColor or
TrueColor, then you will find that the displayed colors
match your original selections very well.
If you have a 256 color display, then Solar Fire allows
you to choose from three different palettes (color ranges)
in order to help you most closely match the colors that
you have chosen. The color palettes which are available
for displays with 256 colors are as follows.
Bright Colors - A selection of colors which are at the
brighter end of the scale
Pastel Color - A selection of colors which are softer in
tone
Rainbow Colors - A selection of colors which covers a
wide range of tones
If you are viewing a chart, you will need to click on the
ReDraw button to see the effect of the new palette.
Note: Changing the color palette does not change your
original color selection, it only affects how your color
selection is currently displayed. For example, if you
choose the color orange for a planet, then displaying it

with the Pastel Colors palette shows it as a browny

color, because that is the closest match to orange in that
palette. However, if you then switch to the Bright Colors
palette and redraw the chart, it is displayed as orange,
because an orange color is included in that palette.
36.15.2 Changing the number of colors your monitor can

display
Most modern computer displays allow you to select how

many colors they will display, so if you are currently
displaying only 256 colors, then you can probably alter
your display settings to allow more colors to be displayed.
Warning: It is not recommended that you try the
following unless you are proficient in the use of Windows,
and able to deal with potential problems caused by
changing the display driver. For further assistance, you
should contact your computer dealer, or a qualified
Windows instructor.
>> To select a greater color depth for your display

Exit from Solar Fire
From the Control Panel, select the Display icon
Click on the Settings Tab
Select a color setting from the Color Palette drop-
down box
Note: If you do not exit from Solar Fire before changing
color depth, then some colors may be displayed
incorrectly. If so, you should exit from Solar Fire and then
start it up again. This will clear the problem.

36.16 Fonts
It is possible to choose which text font style you wish to
use on chart captions displayed on the screen, as well as
another text font style for any charts and reports which
are printed on your printer. You can also select a base
font size for printed reports and tabulations.
When the Solar Fire program is first installed on you
computer, it sets your screen font as "ET Sans Serif 2"
and your printer font as "ET Symbol 2". However, you
are free to select alternative fonts if you so wish. If you
select any other fonts, then Solar Fire will use your
selected font for displaying any normal text, but will
continue to use the astrological fonts when displaying any
astrological symbols.
These two fonts contain all the astrological symbols that
are needed by the program, without which you will not be
able to display charts and reports with astrological
symbols. Therefore you must not delete them from your
computer. If, for any reason, these fonts are removed,
then Solar Fire will display spurious symbols instead of
the correct astrological symbols.
>> To examine or alter the existing font selections

Choose the Fonts... option from the Chart Options
menu. This will display the "Font Selection" screen, which
allows the selection of any available font for your printer
or screen.

When this screen is first displayed, the current font

selections will be highlighted in each of the list boxes.
>> To change a font selection

Select a font name from either list box.
An example of text in the selected font is shown in the
display boxes below each list. Some printer fonts cannot
be displayed on the screen, in which case the display box
will contain a message to this effect.
>> To alter the base font size used for printing

reports, time maps and graphic ephemerides
Select a font size from the drop-down list.
Note: This base font size does not affect printed charts
or user defined pages, as these use font sizes which vary
according to user-defined font size selections in the wheel
and page designs, and also on the size of the displayed
page.

>> To activate the new font selections

Click on the Select button.
37 Changing Preferences
It is possible to perform any of the following actions
from the Preferences menu
Editing current settings
Save all the current settings
Restore the previously saved settings
Switch on or off an option to save settings
automatically upon exit
Edit the toolbar buttons
Switch on or off various panels on the main screen
The selection of each of these is described in detail in the
following sections. It is possible to save any of the
switchable preferences so that they take effect
automatically when the program is next started up by
using the Save Settings option.
37.1 Saving and Restoring Settings

Whenever the program is started up, all current settings
are read in from the SOLFIRE8.INI file, which resides in
the Solar Fire User Files settings directory of your
computer. The program's settings may be saved or
restored at any time. Whenever the settings are saved, the
SOLFIRE8.INI file is updated, so that these will be
retained for use next time the program is started up.

These settings include such things as chart calculation

options, compliments text, date entry and display options,
atlas type selection, email options etc.
Some additional items are also stored in the SOLFIRE8.
INI file, but these are stored automatically whenever they
are changed, and do not depend on the user selecting a
save option. These include things like the default place,
report screen’s modulus and orb, the dynamic report
entry screen’s selection, the dynamic report sort order
etc.
>> To save all the current settings in the program

Choose the Save Settings... option from the
Preferences menu. This will display a dialog box asking
you to confirm whether or not you wish to overwrite the
previously stored selections. Selecting the Cancel button
will prevent any action from being taken. Selecting the
OK button will save the current settings.
>> To restore all the previously saved settings in

the program
Choose the Restore Settings... option from the
Preferences menu. This will display a dialog box asking
you to confirm whether or not you wish to overwrite the
current selections. Selecting the Cancel button will
prevent any action from being taken. Selecting the OK
button will restore the previously saved settings and make
them the current settings.
Note that it is not possible to save or restore settings
individually - all settings are saved or restored together.

37.2 Save Settings on Exit

It is possible to ensure that any alteration made to
settings and defaults (described above) are saved
automatically whenever the user exits from the program.
>> To switch the Save Settings on Exit option on or

off
Choose the Save Settings on Exit option from the
Preferences menu. This will switch on the option if it is
currently off, or switch it off if it is currently on. When the
save on exit option is switched on, a tick appears to the
left of this item on the menu. If there is no tick then it is
currently switched off.
37.3 Editing Settings

Choose the Edit Settings… option from the
Preferences menu. This will display the Preferences
dialog with various tabbed panels grouping the available
options into various topics.
37.3.1 Calculations
37.3.1.1 Lunar Node Type
The lunar node is one of the chart points which may be

displayed in any chart or grid. It is possible to select the
lunar node as either the true node or the mean node.
True Node - is the real position of the moon's node
at any time.

Mean Node - is the position of the moon's node

according to a mathematical formula which ignores
many of the minor perturbations in its orbit.
Any chart display or report indicates which type of lunar
node has been used during its calculation. The lunar node
type is not saved with a chart - it is only applied when a
chart is being calculated.
37.3.1.2 Black Moon Type
The Black Moon is one of the chart points which may be

displayed in any chart or grid – also sometimes known as
the Black Moon Lilith. This point is the empty focal point
of the Moon’s orbit around the earth, which is also the
apogee of the Moon’s orbit.
It is possible to select the Black Moon as either the true
(osculating) apogee or the mean apogee.
True Apogee - is the position of the moon's
apogee, taking into account short term fluctuations
(osculations) in the plane of the moon’s orbit.
Mean Apogee - is the position of the moon's
apogee according to a mathematical formula which
ignores many of the minor perturbations in its orbit.
The selected Black Moon type is not saved with a chart
- it is only applied when a chart is being calculated.
Note: Other objects called Lilith are also sometimes
used in astrology.
The asteroid Lilith - asteroid number 1181
The Dark Moon Lilith – a possible second satellite
of the earth (not confirmed by modern astronomy),
as first postulated by Waltemath, and written about

by Delphine Jay
These are NOT the same as the Black Moon Lilith.
37.3.1.3 Part of Fortune Type
The way in which the Part of Fortune, as displayed in

charts, is calculated may be selected by the user. The
options are as follows.
Different Day/Night - According to researchers of
ancient astrological texts, the correct method of
calculating the Part of Fortune is to use Asc+Moon-Sun
for daytime charts, and Asc+Sun-Moon for nighttime
charts.
Fixed Formula – (Daytime Only) Many astrological
programs in the past (including earlier versions of Solar
Fire) have used a calculation for the Part of Fortune which
is based on a single formula for both day and night charts
i.e. Asc+Moon-Sun. Although this is now thought to be
incorrect, many astrologers have become accustomed to
using it in this way, so this option is included for their
convenience.
Any charts subsequently opened or calculated will use
the newly selected calculation type.
Note that this option affects the position of the Part of
Fortune as shown in charts and all reports with the
exception of the Arabic Parts report of Solar Fire. If you
wish to alter the calculation of the Part of Fortune in the
Arabic Parts report, then you must use the Arabic Parts
Editor.

37.3.1.4 Optional Correction Factors
Apply Geocentric Correction to Latitude

Apply Parallax Correction to Moon
37.3.1.4.1 Apply Parallax Correction to Moon
Traditionally, the planet’s positions are calculated as if

they were observed from the centre of earth (hence
“geocentric”). However, as the moon is much closer to
the earth than the other planets, certain geometrical effects
come into play that are negligible for the other planets. In
particular, due to the moon’s proximity to the earth, it
appears to be in a slightly different zodiacal position
depending on where on earth it is observed from. This
effect is known as lunar parallax (or also as a
“topocentric” coordinate system).
Typically, this can make a difference to the moon’s
longitude of the order of 1 degree. Thus, if the moon is
near the end of a sign, applying this correction can actually
put the moon into the next sign in same cases.
Any charts opened or calculated, or dynamic reports
generated are calculated according to the current setting
of this option. When this option is switched on for a
particular chart, the chart details text has an additional line
indicating that the parallax correction has been made.
Note that, although the altitude of the observer also
makes a small difference to the parallax calculation, it is
negligible in comparison with the observer’s location, so is
ignored by Solar Fire. For example, an altitude of 3000
metres makes a maximum difference of only 2 to 3
seconds of arc in the moon’s position, and it is usually less
than this.

37.3.1.5 Void Of Course
The Moon is generally said to be “void of course” after it

has made its last aspect to another planet in its current
sign, and the void of course period ends when the Moon
makes it ingress into the next sign. However, the precise
interpretation of this condition varies according to different
authorities. In Solar Fire, the Moon is considered to be
void of course when it is not applying to any aspect
(within the given set of aspects to any planet within the
given set of planets) whose position of perfection currently
falls within the same sign. The possible user-defined
options are as follows.
Modern - uses Conjunctions, Oppositions, Trines,
Squares and Sextiles, with aspects to the Sun,
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus,
Neptune and Pluto.
Traditional - uses Conjunctions, Oppositions,
Trines, Squares and Sextiles, with aspects to the
Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn.
Lilly – uses Conjunctions, Oppositions, Trines,
Squares and Sextiles, with aspects to the Sun,
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn. The signs
Taurus, Cancer, Sagittarius and Pisces are deemed
never to have void of course occurring in them.
37.3.1.5.1 Apply Geocentric Correction to Latitude
It is possible to calculate charts based either on

geographic (also known as geodetic) latitude or
geocentric latitude.
Atlases such as the ACS International Atlas, the ACS
American Atlas and Solar Fire’s own place databases,

contain geographic latitudes. Geographic latitudes are

based on the measurement of the angle of the local
horizon (also known as the geodetic horizon) onto the
celestial sphere. It is assumed that all latitudes entered into
Solar Fire are geographic latitudes, and all displayed
latitudes, such as in chart details text, are geographic
latitudes.
However, because the earth is not perfectly spherical it
is also possible to define a latitude based on where the
horizon would be if the earth was a perfect sphere, which
also corresponds to the angle of a line from that location
to the centre of the earth. This is known as a geocentric
latitude. The geocentric latitude is never more than 12
minutes of a degree different from the geographic latitude.
There are arguments for and against using each of these
types of latitude. Astrologers are divided about which is
the most appropriate to use.
Solar Fire always displays latitudes as a geographic
latitudes. However, when this option is on, any chart
calculations performed will have a correction applied to
the latitude to convert it from geographic to geocentric.
Any chart that has had this correction applied will have a
“G” appended to its latitude. For example, a geographic
latitude of 34°S55’ is displayed as 34°S55’G when this
option is on.
In order to determine exactly what the geocentric
correction is, you must view a “Chart Analysis” report for
the chart. If the geocentric correction has been applied,
then this will be specified in the report, and the corrected
geocentric latitude will shown as well as the originally
entered geographic latitude.
Any charts opened or calculated, or dynamic reports

generated are calculated according to the current setting

of this option.
37.3.1.6 Vulcan Calculation
As Vulcan is a hypothetical planet, there is no officially

accepted ephemeris for the calculation of its position.
However, two of the more widely used methods of
calculating its position have been included in Solar Fire,
and it is possible to choose which of these methods you
would like to be used whenever Vulcan’s position is
calculated. The possible methods are
L.H.Weston - Professor Weston produced a set of
orbital parameters for Vulcan based on a number of
supposed sightings during last century and early this
century. This proposed orbit has Vulcan orbiting the Sun
once every 19.5 days, and having a maximum orb of
about 8° from the Sun, as observed from the earth. The
complete theory is published in the booklet “The Planet
Vulcan”, published by the American Federation of
Astrologers, Inc. Some doubt has been cast on the
correspondence of this proposed orbit with the
observations on which it is based, but no alternative has
yet been proposed.
D.Baker - Dr Baker has documented a theory for
Vulcan based on a quantum mechanical type of
behaviour. Vulcan is positioned 3° from Mercury in the
direction of the Sun. If Mercury is within 3° of the Sun,
then Vulcan is conjunct the Sun. It is always on the same
side of the Sun as Mercury. The full rationale behind this
concept is explained in his Dictionary of Astrology.
When this option is changed, any charts that are

subsequently opened or calculated will use the newly

selected calculation method, but charts that have already
been calculated retain the option that was in effect when
they were calculated.
37.3.1.7 Ray Weightings
The Rays are the seven primary energetic influences

proposed and described in various works relating to
esoteric astrology and philosophy.
Each sign is considered to be influenced by a subset of
rays, and possibly in varying proportions. Two of the
most commonly used schemes for assigning weightings to
the rays influencing each sign are provided as options.
Equal – This scheme is based directly on
tabulations in the book “Esoteric Astrology” by
Alice A. Bailey, and assumes that each ray
influencing a sign does so in equal proportion.
D.Baker – This scheme is based on the works of
Dr. Douglas Baker, and assumes that the rays
influence each sign disproportionately.
Sign Equal D.Baker

Aries 1 = 50% ; 7 = 50% 1 = 40% ; 7 = 40% ; 6 = 20%
Taurus 4 = 100% 4 = 70% ; 1 = 20% ; 5 = 10%
Gemini 2 = 100% 2 = 80% ; 4 = 10% ; 3 = 10%
Cancer 3 = 50% ; 7 = 50% 3 = 40% ; 7 = 40% ; 6 = 20%
Leo 1 = 50% , 5 = 50% 1 = 40% ; 5 = 30% ; 2 = 30%
Virgo 2 = 50% ; 6 = 50% 6 = 60% ; 2 = 30% ; 5 = 10%
Libra 3 = 100% 3 = 80% ; 1 = 10% ; 5 = 10%
Scorpio 4 = 100% 4 = 80% ; 6 = 20%
Sagittarius 4 = 33.3% ; 5 = 33.3% ; 6 = 4 = 40% ; 5 = 30% ; 6 = 30%

Sign Equal D.Baker

33.3%
Capricorn 1 = 33.3% ; 3 = 33.3% ; 7 = 3 = 40% ; 1 = 40% ; 5 = 20%
33.3%
Aquarius 5 = 100% 5 = 40% ; 7 = 40% , 4 = 20%
Pisces 2 = 50% ; 6 = 50% 2 = 50% ; 6 = 40% ; 1 = 10%
Whichever option is selected here will affect any Ray
tabulation page objects and interpretation reports that
include a balance of Rays section, when they are
subsequently produced.
37.3.1.8 MC in Polar Regions
Historically, astrology has been developed mainly in

temperate latitudes, and therefore the mathematical
problems that occur in polar regions have not received
much attention in astrological texts. As a result, many
modern astrology programs have failed to deal with these
issues in a consistent manner.
The crux of the problem is that the normal (temperate
latitude) way of defining chart angles and houses breaks
down in polar regions. In these latitudes, it becomes
possible for the Ascendant to retrograde, and for certain
portions of the zodiac never to rise at all.
Generally, except in some very specific polar locations, it
is always possible to identify the Ascendant as that part of
the zodiac that is rising across the horizon (even though it
may in fact be retrograding), and this happens to occur
always in the Eastern horizon.
However, there are two different ways of determining
the Midheaven (MC), which sometimes give diametrically

opposed answers for its position in the zodiac.

Always towards equator – In this case the MC is
defined as the intersection of the prime meridian
with the ecliptic, towards the equator (or more
precisely the ecliptic). This means that the MC is
always due south in northern polar regions (and
conversely is due north in southern polar regions),
even though, on those days when the Sun does not
rise, the MC also remains below the horizon.
Another consequence of this definition is that the
MC is the same for any location along a line of
longitude, right from one pole to the other.
Always above horizon – In this case the MC is
defined as the intersection of the prime meridian
with the ecliptic, above the horizon. This means that
the MC is always above the horizon (even when the
Sun does not rise during the day), but as a
consequence, the position of the MC in the zodiac
jumps by 180 degrees (i.e. has a discontinuity) as
you move along a line of longitude from the equator
to the winter pole.
When this option is changed, any charts that are
subsequently opened or calculated will use the newly
selected calculation method, but charts that have already
been calculated retain the option that was in effect when
they were calculated.
37.3.2 Progs/Dirns

37.3.2.1 Chart Angle Progression Type
When charts are progressed, it is normal to progress all

the planets according to the prescribed progression rate,
but to apply a separate calculation to determine the
position of the Midheaven (MC), and then to derive the
other chart angles (Ascendant, Vertex, Equatorial
Ascendant) from that newly calculated MC. Solar Fire
includes 5 different methods by which the Mc’s
progressed position may be calculated. These methods
are as follows.
True Solar Arc in Longitude - The Mc’s longitude is
progressed by the same longitude arc as the Sun. This
method is possible the most commonly used method
today.
True Solar Arc in Right Ascension - The Mc’s right
ascension is progressed by the same right ascension arc
as the Sun
Naibod in Longitude - The Mc’s longitude is
progressed at the rate of the mean motion of the Sun in
longitude (this is 0°59’08’’ per day). This method is also
widely used.
Naibod in Right Ascension - The Mc’s right
ascension is progressed at the rate of the mean motion of
the Sun in right ascension (this is 3m56.5s of arc per day).
Mean Quotidian - The MC is progressed by the same
method as the planets, thus moving about 361° per day,
as opposed to the Sun’s movement of about 1° per day.
This method is also known as “Daily Houses”.
You can select your desired method from the drop-
down list. Any progressed charts or dynamic reports
involving progressions that are subsequently calculated
will use the newly selected angle progressions method. It

is possible to determine which angle progression method

has been used in a progressed chart by checking the chart
type in the chart details text - the chart type description
includes the angle progressions method that was used.
Similarly, it is possible to determine which rate was used
in a dynamic report by looking at the list of selected
events in the report header. This contains a description of
the progression type, method and rate.
37.3.2.2 Rate for User Defined Progs
In addition to the secondary, tertiary and minor rates of

progression, it is possible for the user to specify their own
rate. The existing rates that are pre-defined are as follows.
Secondary Rate - one day per solar year = 1 /
365.24219907 = .00273790926
Mean Tertiary Rate - one day per lunar cycle = 1 /
27.32158648 = .03660109676
Minor Rate - one lunar cycle per solar year =
27.32158648 / 365.24219907 = .07480402242
You can define your own rate by simply working out the
required ratio e.g. if you wish to use a lunar progression
rate
Lunar Progression Rate = 1 day per lunation cycle = 1 /
29.53059027778 = .033863190359
You can select a previously entered rate from the drop-
down list or simply enter a new progression arc rate as a
decimal number. The last ten rates that you enter here are
stored in the list for easy reselection later.
The progression rate selected here will be used
whenever you select to use the User Progressed chart
method when creating a progressed chart from the

Progressed... option of the Charts menu. This rate is

also used in dynamic reports whenever you select User
Rate from the Progression Type option of the
“Dynamic Report Selection” screen.
37.3.2.3 Rate for Primary Directions
When primary directions are calculated in a dynamic

report or in a page object, there are several different
methods of determining the exact rate of direction. The
primary direction rate is always about one year of life per
degree of directed arc, but any of the following options
may be selected.
1 Year per Degree (Ptolemy) - The progression rate
is exactly one degree of arc for each year of life.
Naibod (1 Year for 59’08’’) - The progression rate is
59’08’’ of arc for each year of life.
Natal Solar Rate - The progression rate is the natal
Sun’s rate of motion in R.A. for each year of life.
Any dynamic reports or page objects which use primary
directions that are subsequently calculated or displayed
will use the newly selected calculation method.
37.3.2.4 Progression Day Type
When charts are progressed by secondary or tertiary

rate, it is possible to base the progression rate on either a
solar day or a sidereal cycle. (Minor progressions are not
based on days, so are not affected by this option). The
solar day is the time taken for the sun to move from the
Midheaven on one day to the Midheaven on the next day
- that is 24hrs. This is the standard rate, also known as

Q2. This is the rate that is in most common use by

western astrologers. The sidereal cycle is the time taken
for a fixed star to move through 24hrs of arc, which is
slightly more than 24hrs of clock time. This is the Bija
rate, also known as Q1. Astrologers who use the sidereal
zodiac sometimes use this rate. The ratio of the standard
rate to the Bija rate is 0.997269566.
When you change this option, any progressed charts or
dynamic reports involving progressions that are
subsequently calculated will use the newly selected
progression day type. It is possible to determine which
progression day type has been used in a progressed chart
by checking whether the chart type in the chart details text
- this includes either Q1 or Q2 in its name. Similarly, it is
possible to determine which rate was used in a dynamic
report by looking at the list of selected events in the report
header. This contains a description of the progression
type, method and rate.
37.3.2.5 Rate for User Defined Directions
In addition to the solar arc, ascendant arc and vertex arc

rates of direction, it is possible for the user to specify their
own annual direction rate, for use in casting directed
charts or in dynamic reports. The existing arc rates that
are pre-defined are as follows.
Solar Arc - the arc of the secondary progressed Sun.
This has an average rate of motion of about 1 degree per
year.
Ascendant Arc - the arc of the ascendant, as derived
from the Midheaven when it is progressed by the
secondary progressed solar arc. This has an average rate

of motion of about 1 degree per year, but varies

somewhat.
Vertex Arc - the arc of the vertex, as derived from the
Midheaven when it is progressed by the secondary
progressed solar arc. This has an average rate of motion
of about 1 degree per year, but varies somewhat.
You can define your own fixed rate in terms of annual
longitudinal motion in degrees. You can select a
previously entered rate from the drop-down list or simply
enter an annual arc rate in degrees and minutes, or in
decimal degrees. See Entering Angles for a more detailed
descriptive of acceptable formats for entering angles. The
last ten angles that you enter here are stored in the list for
easy reselection later.
The direction rate selected here will be used whenever
you select to use the User Arc Directed chart method
when creating a directed chart from the Progressed...
option of the Charts menu. This rate is also used in
dynamic reports whenever you select User Arc from the
Direction Type option of the “Dynamic Report
Selection” screen.
37.3.2.6 Prog/Dirn Relocation Option
This is a special option that relates to relocating

progressed and directed charts. In normal operation,
when calculating progressed or directed charts, if a new
location is entered by the user, then the resulting chart is
calculated as if the natal chart had been relocated to that
new location before the progressions or directions are
applied. However, when this new option is enabled, the
resulting chart is calculated as if the natal chart was

relocated only to the latitude of the new location before

the progressions or directions are applied (the longitude
remains unchanged). This applies to the calculation of
progressed and directed charts as well as to the
calculation of progressions and directions in the dynamic
reports.
37.3.3 Zodiac
37.3.3.1 Default Zodiac
It is possible to specify which zodiac is used for any

chart calculations. Typically, western astrologers use the
Tropical zodiac, which has its starting point where the
Sun is when it crosses the equator northwards. However,
many eastern (Vedic) astrologers use a Sidereal zodiac
that has a starting point that is fixed against the
constellations, and is currently roughly 25-30 degrees
earlier than the tropical zodiac’s starting point. The exact
difference depends upon which ayanamsa that is used.
The Draconic zodiac is used less commonly – it sets the
0 Aries point from position of the moon’s north node.
An ayanamsa is the longitudinal difference between the
Tropical zodiac and a Sidereal Zodiac. This difference
changes with time, due to the precession of the equinoxes,
but may be defined as a fixed difference at a specific date,
such as 1st Jan 1900. There are certain standard
ayanamsas that are used by astrologers, and the most
common of these are available for selection from the
menu. Any that are not on the menu may be selected by
choosing the Sidereal / User Defined zodiac type, and
selecting or entering a value into the Sidereal Vernal Point.

Tropical Precessing vernal point - Normally used in western

astrology
Fagan- Standard western astrologers' sidereal ayanamsa
Bradley
Lahiri Official Indian government ayanamsa
DeLuce According to Robert DeLuce in "Constellational
Astrology"
Raman According to B.V.Raman of India
Usha- According to Usha-Shashi in "Hindu Astrological
Shashi Calculations"
Krishnamurt According to K.S.Krishnamurti
i
Djwhal Khul Based on the assumption that the age of Aquarius
starts in the year 2117, as proposed by some
students of the Ageless Wisdom.
Sri According to Sri Yukteswar
Yukteswar
JN Bhasin According to JN Bhasin
Larry Ely According to Larry Ely
Takra I According to Takra – variant I
Takra II According to Takra – variant II
Sundara According to Sundara Rajan
Rajan
Shill Pond According to Shill Pond
User Allows you to enter your own ayanamsa in terms
Defined of the position of the Sidereal Vernal Point at 1st
January 1900 for that ayanamsa. Angles may be
entered in degrees, minutes and seconds (e.g. "334
27 32") or using zodiacal sign (e.g. "4 Pi 27 32").
See Entering Angles for more information on
entering angles.
Draconic Based on position of the moon’s north node
Any charts subsequently cast will use the newly selected
zodiac type. It is possible to see which zodiac has been
used in any chart, as it appears as part of the chart details

that are displayed in the "Current Chart" box of the main

screen.
Note that a few page objects (such as Vedic Dasa
tabulations) always use a sidereal zodiac, even when the
selected default zodiac is tropical. The sidereal zodiac that
is used for these objects is the Ayanamsa for Sidereal
Charts.
37.3.3.2 Zodiac Application
Use default zodiac only when casting new

charts – When this option is selected, any charts
that are opened from chart files will be calculated
using the zodiac type with which they were stored.
New charts are calculated using the selected default
zodiac. This is how previous versions of Solar Fire
worked.
Use default zodiac for both new and opened
charts - When this option is selected, any charts
using the selected default zodiac type, instead of the
zodiac with which they were stored. This effectively
overrides the zodiac type stored with charts.
37.3.3.3 Vedic Warning
This option should be checked unless you deliberately

wish to use vedic calculation methods on charts with non-
sidereal zodiacs. When it is checked, attempting to use
Charts / Vedic to calculate a chart with a non-sidereal
zodiac will produce a warning message. When it is
unchecked, there is no warning message.

37.3.4 Houses
37.3.4.1 Default House System
You can select a house system which is the one used by

default for all new tropical charts in Solar Fire, and
optionally also for all re-opened charts as well.
You can also select a second house system which is the
one used by default for all new charts which are cast with
a sidereal zodiac. This may be the same, or different from
the first house system.
The available house systems are as follows.
Campanus - Uses the prime vertical as the
fundamental circle, divided into 12 equal lunes.
Derived in the 13th century by mathematician
Johannes Campanus.
Koch - One of the most commonly used systems.
Similar to Alcabitius, except that the degree of the
Midheaven is moved back to the ascendant before the
ascendant is moved towards the Midheaven. Recently
derived (1940s).
Meridian - Also known as the Axial system.
Morinus - Uses the equator as the fundamental circle,
divided into 12 equal arcs starting from the projection
of the ascendant onto the equator. Attributed to Jean
Baptiste Morin in the 17th century.
Placidus - One of the most commonly used systems.
Derived by determining the points on the ecliptic
whose semi-diurnal arcs exactly trisect their quadrant.

Derived by Placidus de Tito in the 17th century.

Porphyry - Each quadrant is dissected by longitude
into three equal houses. Originated in the 3rd century
AD.
Regiomontanus - Similar to Campanus, but uses the
celestial equator as the fundamental circle. Derived by
Johannes Muller.
Topocentric - Based on the rotation of the horizon
line, cutting the ecliptic at equal spaces in equal time.
Recently derived (c 1961) by Vendel Polich and
Anthony Page.
Equal - Equal system with the 1st house cusp set to
the Ascendant. First described by Ptolemy in his book
Tetrabiblos.
Aries - Equal system with 1st house cusp set to 0°
Aries
Solar Sign - Equal system with 1st house cusp set to
0° of the Sun’s sign
“Planet” on 1st - Equal systems with 1st house cusp
set to that planet’s longitude
Vertex on 7th - Equal system with 1st house cusp set
opposite to the Vertex
MC on 10th - Equal system with 10th house cusp set
to the Midheaven’s longitude
Whole Signs - Equal system with 1st house cusp set
to 0° of the Ascendant’s sign
Hindu Bhava - Based on the Porphyry system, but
with the cusps shifted to the midpoints of the Porphyry
houses, so that the Ascendant falls in the middle of the
first house.

Alcabitius - Time based system, based on the

trisection of the diurnal arc of the ascendant travelling
towards the Midheaven.
Asc in 1st - Equal system with centre of 1st house set
to the Ascendant
Whichever house system you highlight in the list will
become the new default house system.
37.3.4.2 Asc/MC Display Option
Normally, even if the Ascendant and Midheaven are

selected as displayed points, they are not shown as chart
points inside the chart wheel. The only exceptions to this
rule are when these points are not identical to the 1st and
10th house cusps respectively. The reason for this
behaviour is to avoid putting superfluous information into
the chart, thus avoiding clutter. However, there are two
options which you may switch on the alter this behaviour.
Show Asc even when 1st House Cusp – When
switched on, this option ensures that the Ascendant
is always displayed in a wheel as a chart point, even
when it is also the 1st house cusp.
Show MC even when 10th House Cusp – When
switched on, this option ensures that the Midheaven
is always displayed in a wheel as a chart point, even
when it is also the 10th house cusp.

37.3.4.3 Composite Chart Houses
This option applies only to the calculation of Composite

– Midpoints charts. In most cases the calculation of
these charts is straightforward, and the house cusps of the
chart are simply the midpoints of the same house cusps in
the two base charts. However, if the house cusps of the
two base charts are almost diametrically opposed, then it
is possible that a chart made up of the short-arc midpoints
of the base chart’s house cusps will have its cusps out of
zodiacal order. When this happens, Solar Fire will adjust
some of the house cusps to be long-arc midpoints instead
of short-arc in order to preserve the correct zodiacal
ordering of the houses. This adjustment can be made in
any of the three following ways.
Auto Anchor – The 1st and 10th house cusps of
the base charts are tested to see which one has the
“strongest” composite midpoint, and then that cusp
is taken as a short-arc midpoint, and other house
cusps adjusted as required to maintain correct
zodiacal order of the cusps. The “strongest”
midpoint is the one in which the short-arc difference
in angle between the cusps on the two base charts is
a minimum.
Anchor on 1st House – The 1st house cusp is
always taken as the short-arc midpoint, and other
house cusps adjusted as required to maintain
correct zodiacal order of the cusps.
Anchor on 10th House - The 10th house cusp is
always taken as the short-arc midpoint, and other
house cusps adjusted as required to maintain
correct zodiacal order of the cusps.

37.3.4.4 House System Application
Use this house system only when casting new

charts – When this option is selected, any charts
using the house system with which they were stored.
New charts are calculated using the selected default
house system (depending on which zodiac they use).
Use this house system for both new and opened
charts - When this option is selected, any charts
using the selected default house system, instead of
the house system with which they were stored
(depending on which zodiac they use). This
effectively overrides the house system stored with
charts.
37.3.5 Points
From the Preferences menu/Edit Settings option, the

Points tab in the Preferences dialog gives you the ability to
select the order in which you prefer the planets to be
listed in reports, tabulations and grids.
Highlight a point that you wish to adjust, and then use the
Move Point Up or Move Point Down buttons until it is
in the required position in the list.
You can reset the entire list to Solar Fire’s initial default
order by clicking on the Reset to Default button.

37.3.6 Glyphs
37.3.6.1 Capricorn Glyph
You may select either of two available styles for the

Capricorn glyph. This style is used in all chart wheels and
reports in Solar Fire.
37.3.6.2 Pluto Glyph
You may select any of three available styles for the Pluto
glyph. This style is used in all chart wheels and reports in
Solar Fire.
37.3.6.3 Neptune Glyph
You may select any of two available styles for the

Neptune glyph. This style is used in all chart wheels and
37.3.6.4 Uranus Glyph
You may select either of two available styles for the

Uranus glyph. This style is used in all chart wheels and
37.3.6.5 Eris Glyph
You may select either of two available styles for the Eris
glyph. This style is used in all chart wheels and reports in
Solar Fire.

37.3.7 View Menu

View tab in the Preferences dialog allows you to
customise the type of astrological data that is displayed
from each of the following View menu items.
Current Chart
Current Chart+Grid
Current Grid
Dual Wheels
BiWheel
TriWheel
QuadriWheel
QuinquiWheel
Synastry Grid
The listbox shows which page style is currently selected
for each of these menu items.
The purpose of this option is to allow you view your
preferred page type for any chart without having to go
through extra steps of selecting the page type each time
you display a chart. For example, if you usually want to
display esoteric astrological information, then you might
select “Rays and Rulerships [esot2.pag]” as your selected
page style for “Current Chart”.
Note that whichever page style you select for “Current
Chart” also takes effect whenever you double-click on the
list of calculated charts.
>> To select an alternative page style

Select the required menu item from the list

1. Click on the Select… button

2. Choose a page type from the Page Topic Index
dialog, and click on the OK button
You can reset all the page styles to their original defaults
by clicking on the Reset to Defaults button.
37.3.8 Misc
37.3.8.1 Parans
Solar Fire’s Star Parans report shows a list of parans for

currently selected stars and planets, and parans may also
be listed in flexible point’s list page objects.
A choice is offered in relation to the format for the
parans.
Display as Local Clock Time - The parans are
displayed as local clock times. This is useful if you
wish to see approximate rise/set clock times.
Display as LST Angles – The parans are
displayed as local sidereal time expressed as an
angle.
Display as LST Times - The parans are displayed
as local sidereal time expressed as a time.
37.3.8.2 Now Button Precision
When you click on the Now button in Solar Fire’s New

Chart Data Entry screen (or any other screen with a Now
button), the current time is displayed there. You can
control whether the time is truncated to the current whole

minute, or alternatively to the current second within the

current minute.
37.3.8.3 Teacher Settings
If you are an Astrology Teacher, and your students also

use Solar Fire, you may like your students to be able to
have the same settings in place in their copy of Solar Fire
that you have in your copy. You can achieve this by
utilizing Solar Fire's Teacher/Student settings transfer
functionality. This is all accessed via the Utilities menu.
See Teachers and Students for more details.
The first step in this process involves the teacher capturing
their settings in current use to send to their students via the
“Teacher – Create Settings” menu item on the Utilities
menu.
However before the “Teacher – Create Settings” menu
item will appear on the Utilities menu, an astrology teacher
needs to first set the checkbox "I am an astrology
teacher".
37.3.8.4 Midpoint Trees
There are two options that affect how all midpoint trees
are calculated, both in the reports and in the midpoint tree
page objects.
Allow trees to contain midpoints which include
the root planet – Normally, when midpoint trees
are constructed, the root planet for each tree is
excluded from calculations of the midpoints which
fall under that tree. This can only occur when the
root planet is conjunct the other point, and as this
can normally be seen easily in the chart itself, it is of

less interest than other items in the midpoint trees.

However, if you prefer, you can ensure that these
entries will appear in the trees by switching this
option on.
When sorting trees, take into account the sign
of the orb – The entries in midpoint trees can be
sorted in two ways: a) according the absolute orb of
the contact (disregarding which side it is on), in
which case the closest orbs appear at the top of the
list, or b) according to the orb and sign, in which
case the closest orbs appear in the middle of the list.
If you prefer option b), then switch this option on.
37.3.8.5 Sound for Events
The program issues appropriate beeps when any error

or information dialog box is displayed, when the "Print"
dialog box is displayed and when printing or copying has
finished. It is possible to prevent any beeps from being
sounded by switching off the sound option.
37.3.8.6 Angle Rounding
It is possible to display zodiac angles in either of two

ways. If the angle rounding option is off, then when angles
are displayed they will simply be truncated from their full
precision. If the angle rounding option is on, then the
displayed angle will be rounded to the nearest displayed
unit (i.e. to the nearest minute if the angle is displayed in
degrees and minutes, or to the nearest second if the angle
is displayed in degrees minutes and seconds). The only
exception to this rounding rule occurs for zodiacal

longitudes just prior to a sign boundary. In this particular

case no rounding is applied, to ensure that the displayed
angle does not appear to be in the following sign before
the ingress actually occurs.
Some examples follow.
Angle Angle Rounding On Angle Rounding Off
12 34' 56.7" 12 35' or 12 34' 57" 12 34' or 12 34' 56"
23 59' 59.5" 24 00' or 24 00' 00" 23 59' or 23 59' 59"
29 59' 59.5" 29 59' or 29 59' 59" 29 59' or 29 59' 59"
Any charts or reports that are generated display any
angles according to the current setting of this option. Note
that this option does not affect the way in which angles are
calculated or stored internally (they are always stored to a
high precision, regardless of this option) - it only affects
the manner in which angles are displayed.
37.3.9 Compliments

Compliments tab in the Preferences dialog allows you to
edit the compliments text that appears when most charts
and pages are printed. Typically you might want to enter
you name, address and telephone number, for the sake of
any clients who receive your printed charts. On a single-
wheel chart, this text appears on the top right corner of
the page; on a biwheel chart it appears at the bottom
right; and on a triwheel chart it appears at the bottom left.
Compliments text is not normally printed on quadriwheel
charts, but can be added to or removed from any page if
required, using the Page Editor.
The topmost line of text will always be printed with a
bold font (unless it is left blank), and the subsequent lines

will be printed in a normal font. Each line of text is justified

to the right or the left depending on which part of the chart
the text is being printed. This alignment can be changed
used the Page Editor.
In some situations you may want to prevent compliments
text from appearing e.g. if you are producing a large
number of charts and pages for publication. In this case,
you can check the Hide compliments text box. This will
prevent the compliments text from appearing on any
displayed or printed page. It is not necessary to remove
the text itself. Unchecking the box will allow the specified
compliments text to be displayed on any subsequently
drawn or printed page that includes a compliments text
object.
37.3.10 Dates
37.3.10.1 Window for 2 Digit Year Entry
When you are entering dates into Solar Fire, you can
facilitate input by excluding the century number from the
year and entering just one or two digits for the year, and
allowing the century number to be automatically inserted.
For example, entering 3/12/98 might result in the date “3
Dec 1998” being assumed, or 3/12/0 might result in “3
Dec 2000”.
This option allows you to specify the 100 year window
in which the century number is correctly assumed.
For example, if you enter the window range 1905 (to
2004), then one or two digit year numbers are assumed to
be within this year range i.e. 0 to 4 are converted to 2000

to 2004, and 5 to 99 are converted to 1905 to 1999.

Note: If you wish to enter a date with any year number
which is outside the specified window, then you must
enter at least 3 year digits (or a BC date qualifier),
including leading zeroes for dates in the first century AD e.
g. 003 for year 3 AD.
37.3.10.2 Calendar Style Display Options
Never show OS/NS flags – Always use default

– When this option is selected, Solar Fire never
displays OS (old style, Julian) or NS (new style,
Gregorian) suffixes on its dates. When this option is
in effect, any date on or prior to 14 Oct 1582 is an
OS date, and any later date is a NS date. This is
how earlier versions of Solar Fire always worked.
Always show OS/NS flags between years –
When this option is selected, Solar Fire will always
display the OS or NS suffix on any chart whose
year falls within the specified range.
Retain all user entered OS/NS flags – When
this option is selected, Solar Fire remembers
whether the date you entered had an OS or NS
suffix, and if so, always displays the date with that
suffix, and according to that calendar style. For
example, if you entered “17 Aug 1753 OS”, then
that date would always be displayed that way too.
However, if you entered “17 Aug 1753 OS” when
this option was not selected, then it would be
converted into the NS calendar, and displayed as
“28 Aug 1753” or “28 Aug 1753 NS”.

37.3.11 Interps

Interps tab in the Preferences dialog has options you can
edit.
The following options apply to textual interpretation
reports that Solar Fire generates. You can select which
word processor you wish to use when viewing and
printing interpretation reports. If you do not select one
yourself, then Solar Fire will use the default word
processor for your computer system.
Use default word processor – When this option is
selected, the report file that Solar Fire generates is
launched using whatever word processor has the
RTF file type association (for RTF files), or TXT file
type association (for TXT files). However, if your
computer does not have a file type association, then
you will need to use the following option instead.
Use specified word processor – Selecting this
option requires you to click on the Browse…
button to locate your desired word processor
program file. You must select a word processor that
is capable of opening TXT and RTF files.
Apply rich text formatting to report - Rich Text
Format (RTF) is a method of producing formatted
reports (i.e. with centred text, bold and italics, for
example). Without RTF, a report file will contain
only plain text in a single font, without any special
formatting, and this is much less attractive and
harder to read. Solar Fire can produce its
interpretations reports either with or without RTF.
However, if you use the RTF option, then you must
be using a word processor that is capable of

understanding the RTF format. MS Word for

Windows, WordPerfect and the Windows
WordPad can all understand the RTF format. If you
have the RTF option switched on, but are using a
word processor that does not understand RTF, then
you will see a lot of spurious items in the report file
that interfere with its normal layout.
37.3.12 Places

Places tab in the Preferences dialog allows you to select a
list of “favourite” places, set one of them as your current
location, and select which Atlas type to use for place
lookups.
37.3.12.1 Favourite Places
This list can contain the details of up to five places. One

of these places must always be your current location, and
the other four may be places to which you travel
frequently, or places for which you frequently cast charts,
for example.
>> To add a favourite place

Click on the Add… button.
This will open the ACS Atlas from where you can find
the required place. See Using the ACS Atlas for more
details on selecting a place from the Atlas. When you
have selected a place, it is automatically added to the list
of favourite places. If your list already has five places on
it, then the one at the bottom of the list (the least recently

used one) is removed to make way for the new place.
>> To delete a favourite place

Highlight the required place and then click on the Delete
button.
37.3.12.2 Current Default Place
The current default place should usually be set to your

current location. This is what determines the location
details that are displayed on the front screen of Solar Fire.
>> To select a new current default place

Ensure that the place you want is on the list of favourite
places (if it is not there then add it).
Highlight the required place
Click on the Set as Default button.
The name of the new default place will be updated
immediately.
37.3.12.3 Recently Used Places
In addition to your list of favourite places,

Solar Fire also remembers up to 5 other places
you have most recently entered or looked up.
These places automatically appear on drop-
down place selection boxes in the Chart Entry
dialog, most subsidiary chart dialogs and
others. Having these places listed there makes
it easy for users to quickly re-access recently

used places that they have not saved to their

favourite places list.
However, there are some circumstances in
which you may wish to remove those recently
used places. For example, you may wish to
refresh the timezone associated with a recently
used place, in which case you would look it up
again in the ACS atlas to ensure the correct
timezone changes are applied. To do so, you
first need to remove it from the list of recently
used places. Otherwise Solar Fire will continue
to used the recently used place entry instead of
looking it up again from the ACS Atlas.
>> To clear the list of recently used

places
37.3.12.4 Lookup timezone on each startup
The default place details also contain the current

timezone for that location. If you don’t want to have to
remember to adjust that timezone for daylight savings
yourself, then you can switch on this option, so that every
time that Solar Fire starts up, it will check the current
timezone according to the Atlas timezone tables, and set it
accordingly for the current date.
However, if for any reason the place you have selected
as your current default place is not linked to a timezone
table, then using this option might result in a warning

message each time that Solar Fire starts up, and the
timezone will not be updated. In this case you have the
option of either switching this option off, or of re-selecting
your current location.
37.3.12.5 Atlas to Use
Solar Fire contains a built-in copy of the ACS Atlas. It

also has the capability of linking to a standalone ACS PC
Atlas, if you have one installed on your computer.
After you set this option, whenever the atlas is accessed
either directly (by clicking on a Place… button) or
indirectly (by using the Autolookup feature), the chosen
atlas is accessed.
37.3.13 Charts
37.3.13.1 Chart Conversion to SFv6/v7 Format
This version of Solar Fire uses a chart file format that is

different from that of version 5 and earlier. This new file
format has advantages over the old format, but it is not
compatible with earlier versions. However, this version of
Solar Fire is able to read all older version chart files, and
is also able to save chart files to the SFv5 or SFv3/4 file
format if required.
However, when saving to a SFv5 or earlier version chart
file, life events are not saved. Also, when saving to a
SFv3/4 chart file, any chart rating and source notes that
you have entered, along with the chart event type or
gender are not saved, and it is not possible to save any

charts other than natal types charts.

Always automatically convert older charts –
When this option is selected, any time that you
select an old version chart file (SFv1/2/3/4/5) to
open, it will automatically be converted into a new
version chart file, and a backup copy of the old
version file will be stored into the OLDCHART sub
directory of the main Solar Fire Charts folder. This
option is recommended if you do not need to
maintain compatibility with other software that is
unable to read the new Solar Fire chart file format.
Prompt me whether or not to convert each
older chart file - When this option is selected, any
time that you select an old version chart file
(SFv1/2/3/4/5) to open, you will be prompted
whether or not allow it to be converted into a new
version chart file. If you consent, then it is converted
and a backup copy of the old version file will be
stored into the OLDCHART sub directory of the
main Solar Fire Chart folder. If you do not consent,
then it is left unchanged.
Never convert – keep all older format chart
files – When this option is selected, any old version
chart file that you open remains unchanged.
However, this means that you will not have the
advantages of the new chart file format features.
37.3.13.2 Auto Chart Save
Any new charts that are created by the program, plus

any charts which are edited instead of being opened, must
be saved to a chart database if you wish to use them again

in later sessions with the program.

It is possible to save a chart by manually selecting Save
options within the program, or alternatively any new
charts can be saved automatically whenever they are
created by switching this option on.
For more information on saving charts see Saving Charts
to a File.
37.3.13.3 Chart Data Email Options
Solar Fire allows you to create emails that automatically

include details of any charts that you have selected, either
as attached chart files and comment files, or within the
body of the message itself. You can also automatically
create emails that include chart page graphics as attached
files. This should greatly facilitate the exchange of
astrological data.
In order to use these email options, you must have a
MAPI compliant email program. See About MAPI for
more information, and for a full explanation of the various
email options that you can set after clicking on the Edit
Options button.
37.3.14 AutoRun
Solar Fire can automatically run a set of Astrologer’s

Assistant tasks every time that it starts up. For example,
you may want Solar Fire to generate a chart of current
transits whenever it starts up, or to open your own chart,
and then view it in a triwheel with the current progressions
and transits around it.
If a task file has already been selected for AutoRun, then

the file name and its title and description will be displayed
in the text boxes.
If you wish to create a new task file, then see Using the
Astrologers Assistant for further instructions.
>> To select a task file to run on startup

Click on the Select… button and choose an existing
task file from the list of available task files.
>> To prevent a task file from running on startup

37.3.15 Ephemerides
Solar Fire installs a copy of the Swiss Ephemeris into a

standard location in the Program Files folder. However, it
is possible that you already have a copy of the Swiss
Ephemeris in another location on your computer. In this
case you can avoid keeping multiple copies of the Swiss
Ephemeris files by directing Solar Fire to use the copy in
the other location.
>> To select an alternative location of the Swiss

Ephemeris
On the Ephemerides tab, click on the Browse… button
and choose the folder in which the Swiss Ephemeris
resides.
Once you have chosen a new directory, Solar Fire
attempts to connect to the ephemeris files at the new
location. If you specified a folder that does not contain the

correct Swiss Ephemeris files, then you will see an error

message, and the location will revert to its original value.
After you have successfully specified an alternative
location, you may delete the ephemeris files from Solar
Fire’s old Swiss Ephemeris folder, in order to free up disk
space, if you wish.
Note: Swiss Ephemeris asteroid ephemerides must
always reside in subdirectories of the main Swiss
Ephemeris directory. If you use this option to change
locations, then you must ensure that any extra asteroid
ephemerides you have are also present in the new
location, or you will lose access to them. See Using More
Asteroids.
37.3.16 Stations
A planet or point is stationary only instantaneously i.e.

not for any finite length of time. Hence, in normal usage, a
point referred to as being stationary in a chart actually
means that it is near a station, rather than truly being
stationary.
There are a number of possible ways of defining the
criteria for how near a point must be to a station in order
to be considered "stationary", and Solar Fire offers four
such options, from which the user may select one.
Within this timespan of exactness - the user may
specify the number of days and/or hours, within which
the point is considered stationary
Within this distance of exactness - the user may
specify the orb as a distance in longitude (celestial),
within which the point is considered stationary

When actual speed is less than - the user may specify

a daily rate of motion (in zodiacal longitude per day),
below which the point is considered stationary
When speed relative to average is less than - the user
may specify a percentage of the typical speed, below
which the point is considered stationary
>> To shows stations on chart wheels

Ensure that the Show Stations with "S" option is
checked.
When this option is switched on, any chart which
normally has space to display a retrograde symbol will
display an "S" in that space if that point is within orb of a
station according to the option selected above. If colors
are enabled in the chart, then a stationary point which is
retrograde will have the "S" shown in the retrograde color,
or if the point is direct then in normal text color.
37.3.17 Eclipses
Maximum eclipse is defined as the instant when the

Moon passes closest to the axis of Earth's shadow, or
when the Moon’s shadow passes closest to the Earth’s
centre.
The exact lunar phase (i.e. exact conjunction of Sun and
Moon around a solar eclipse or their exact opposition
around a lunar eclipse) is defined by their exact aspect in
longitude alone.
The time of maximum eclipse is generally different from
the exact time of the associated lunar phase. However,
because the Moon generally has non-zero latitude, the
time of closest approach between the two bodies
(maximum eclipse) is slightly different. The difference

between the time of maximum eclipse and exact lunar

phase can vary by 15 minutes or more.
Solar Fire offers the choice of which time to use for its
eclipse calculations
Use exact lunar phase - when this option is
selected, eclipse titles always have "(NM)" or "(FM)"
as a suffix to indicate that they are the times of the
exact new moon or full moon respectively e.g. "Solar
Partial Eclipse (NM)"
Use maximum eclipse time - when this option is
selected, there is no suffix on eclipse titles e.g. "Solar
Partial Eclipse"
Note: Earlier versions of Solar Fire only calculated
maximum eclipse times, and did not have an exact lunar
phase option. Hence if you keep the default setting of
using exact lunar phase, the eclipse times you obtain will
be different from the eclipse times in earlier versions. If
you want to replicate the results from earlier versions,
select the maximum eclipse time option.
37.4 Editing the Toolbar Buttons
The toolbar contains a range of graphical buttons that
provide shortcuts to various items within Solar Fire. It
may be customised by changing the selection or ordering
of the buttons it contains.
>> To customise the toolbar

Select the Edit Toolbar… item from the Preferences
menu, or double-click the mouse on any blank area of the
toolbar.
This will display the toolbar customisation dialog, which

display a list of available toolbar buttons on the left, and

current toolbar buttons on the right. You can manipulate
buttons and separators (i.e. blank spaces) as follows.
>> To add a button

1. In the current toolbar buttons list, select the button
above which you wish to insert the new button.
2. In the available toolbar buttons list, select the
required new button.
3. Click on the Add button.
>> To remove a button

you wish to remove.
2. Click on the Remove button.
>> To change the order of buttons

you wish to move.
2. Click on the Move Up or Move Down buttons as
required.
>> To restore your previous button selection

Click on the Reset button.
This will restore the order of buttons to the way it was
when you opened this dialog box.

37.5 Viewing Panels on the Main Screen

The panels on the main screen which may be turned on
or off from the Preferences menu are as follows.
Toolbar
Date and place
Current Settings
Solar Live Bar
Planet Bar
See Solar Fires Main Screen for a detailed description
of what each of these items contains.
38 Editing a Chart Points File

This section describes how to edit files that contain
definitions of primary chart points to be included or
excluded from a chart, grid or report.
There are six different types of chart point files.
Displayed Points - These are the points that are to be
displayed in any chart or page image or chart report.
Displayed Transiting Points - These are the points
that are displayable in any transits chart or page image or
chart report.
Aspected Points - These are the points to which
aspects are drawn in any chart image.
Radix Points - These are the points that are used as
radix points in a dynamic report.
Transiting Points - These are the points that are
calculated as transits to the radix points in a dynamic
report.
Progressing Points - These are the points that are

calculated as progressions or directions to the radix points

in a dynamic report.
>> To edit a points file

Choose the required point type from the Chart Options
menu, or click on the desired points box the Dynamic
Reports Selection screen
Select the file from the list of file names
Select the Edit... button
This will display the "Chart Point Selection" dialog box.
All the points in the "Selected Points" list box are
considered to be switched on, whereas those in the
"Unselected Points" list box are considered to be
switched off and will not be used when this file is selected.
>> To switch on a single chart point which is in the

unselected list
Click on a point on the Unselected Points list, or use
the arrow keys to highlight a point on the Unselected
Points list, and then use the Enter key
>> To switch off a single chart point which is in the

selected list
Click on a point on the Selected Points list, or use the
arrow keys to highlight a point on the Selected Points
list, and then use the Enter key
>> To switch off or on all planets, asteroids,

TransNeptunians or other points which are in the
unselected list

Select the Planets, Asteroids, TransNeps or Others

option from the Quick Select Frame
Select the Off or On button.
>> To save the current set of selections, and return

to the file manager screen
Select the OK button.
>> To make the file which has just been edited the
current file
Select the Select button.
39 Editing an Extra Dynamic Points File

definitions of extra chart points to be included or excluded
from a dynamic report or time map. Extra points are
points which are in addition to the normal set of individual
chart points which may be selected as Transiting,
Progressing or Radix, which includes the planets, major
asteroids, TransNeptunians and chart angles.
There are three different types of extra point files.
Extra Transiting Points - These are the extra points
that are calculated as transits to the radix points in a
dynamic report.
Extra Progressing Points - These are the extra
points that are calculated as progressions or directions
to the radix points in a dynamic report.
Extra Radix Points - These are the extra points that
are used as radix points in a dynamic report.

The type points that are available for selection as extra

transiting or progressing points are
Midpoints - Any group of midpoints between any
two normal chart points.
Fixed Stars - Any set of fixed stars which is
contained in a fixed star file
Asteroids - Any set of asteroids which is contained in
an asteroids file
Extra Bodies – Any set of extra bodies which is
contained in an extra body elements file
Additionally, extra radix points may include the
following
Arabic Parts - Any set of Arabic Parts which is
contained in an Arabic Parts file
Fixed Positions - Any number of fixed zodiacal
longitudes
House Cusps – All 12 house cusps of the radix chart
>> To edit an extra points file

1. Click on the desired points box the Dynamic
Reports Selection screen
2. Select the file from the list of file names
3. Select the Edit... button
This will display the "Select Extra Points" dialog box.
If you are editing extra transiting or progressed points,
then only the available point type options will be enabled.
You can determine what items are currently selected as
follows.
Midpoints - All currently selected midpoints are listed

in the list box on the right of the “Midpoints” frame.

The box is greyed if there are no midpoints selected.
Fixed Stars, Arabic Parts, Asteroids, Extra Bodies -
The name of any selected file appears inside the text
box in each frame. If no file is selected, then the word
“none” is shown, and the text box is greyed.
Fixed Positions - All currently selected fixed positions
are listed in the list box on the right of the “Fixed
Positions” frame. The box is greyed if there are no
fixed positions selected.
House Cusps – If the check box is checked, then the
house cusps are selected.
39.1 Selecting Midpoints

>> To switch on a single midpoint
1. Select the first point of the midpoint in the left hand
list of points.
2. Select the second point in the right hand list of
points.
3. Click on the On button. If the midpoint is not
already selected, then this will add the midpoint
between those two points to the list of selected
midpoints.
>> To switch off a single midpoint

Click on the midpoint in the list of selected midpoints.
This will remove it from the list.
>> To switch on or off a group of midpoints

1. Select any number of points from the left hand list

of points. Selecting zero points has the same effect
as selecting all the points. Multiple selections may
be made by holding down the Ctrl key whilst
clicking on points on the list.
2. Similarly select any number of points from the right
hand list of points.
3. Click on the On button (or the Off button). This
will add (or remove) all of the midpoints formed by
combining the two selections. See the example
below.
>> To switch on all the midpoints of the Moon to

every other chart point
Select the Moon in the left hand list
Select no points in the right hand list
>> To switch on all the midpoint of the moon to the

outer planets
Select the Moon in the left hand list
Select each of the outer planets in the right hand list
>> To switch on all the midpoint between outer

planets
Select each of the outer planets in the left hand list
Select each of the outer planets in the right hand list
Note: It is possible for you to select up to 595 different
midpoints. However, unless you are running a dynamic
report covering a very short time span only, it is
recommended that you save and use selections of no

more than about 50 midpoints at a time, in order to avoid

generating a dynamic report which is far too long to be
useful.
>> To clear all selected of midpoints

Select the Clear button.
39.2 Selecting Stars, Arabic Parts, Asteroids &

Extra Bodies
You can select any set of fixed stars, Arabic Parts,
asteroids or extra bodies that are supplied with Solar Fire,
or which you have created or edited yourself. If you wish
to use a set of stars, parts, asteroids or extra bodies that
is not already saved in a Solar Fire file, then you must first
create or edit the required file.
>> To select an existing set of Fixed Stars, Arabic

Parts, Asteroids or Extra Bodies
1. Click on the > button on the right of the
appropriate box.
2. This will display the File Management dialog box,
from which a file may selected.
After selection, the name of the selected file will be
displayed in the appropriate box.
>> To clear a selection of Fixed Stars, Arabic

Parts, Asteroids or Extra Bodies
1. Click on the name of the file in the appropriate box.
This will highlight the file name.

2. Click on the Del key. This will put the word

“none” into the box, and grey it out to show that
there is nothing selected.
Note: It is possible to select large numbers of extra
points if your fixed star, Arabic Part, asteroid, or extra
bodies files contain many entries. However, unless you
are running a dynamic report covering a very short time
span only, it is recommended that you save and use
selections of no more than about 50 extra points at a time,
in order to avoid generating a dynamic report which is far
too long to be useful.
39.3 Selecting Fixed Positions

>> To select a fixed zodiacal position
1. Click on the Position to Add text box, and type in
the required zodiacal position. Angles may be
entered in degrees, minutes and seconds in 360-
degree notation (for example “334 27 32”) or using
zodiacal signs (for example “4 Pi27 32”). See
Entering Angles for a more detailed explanation.
2. Click on the Add button. This will add the position
to the list of selected fixed positions.
>> To remove a selected fixed zodiacal position

1. Select the required entry on the list of selected
zodiacal positions
2. Click on the Delete button.

39.4 Saving Your Selected Extra Points

When you have selected all the required midpoints, fixed
stars, Arabic Parts, asteroids and fixed zodiacal positions,
you can save your work by clicking on the Save button.
This will save your selections and return you to the File
Management dialog box, from which you can select the
newly edited file, or choose another file to edit.
40 Editing an Asteroid File

selections of asteroids to be used in those reports and
page objects that pertain to asteroids.
Solar Fire’s asteroids belong to two different categories:
Asteroids as Chart Points - The asteroids Ceres,
Pallas, Juno, Vesta, Astraea, Hygeia and Chiron are
available for display in charts and reports of all kinds in
Solar Fire. They can be selected as Displayed Points,
Aspected Points, Transiting, Progressing and Radix Points
in their own right, without the need to select them in an
asteroid file. They are available for use in all charts and
reports.
Additional Asteroids - A collection of more than 1000
further asteroids are also included with Solar Fire. These
asteroids can only be used in specific reports and page
objects, and when they are selected in an asteroid file.
When you first install Solar Fire, a standard set of 45 of
these asteroids will already be selected for you. The
additional asteroids that come with Solar Fire are
available for use over the period year 1500 to year 2100.
It is possible to extend this range by acquiring additional
asteroid ephemeris files.

>> To edit an asteroid file

1. Select the Asteroids File... item from the Files...
option on the Chart Options menu of the Main
Screen
Select the file from the list of file names
This will display the "Asteroid Selection" dialog box.
The list box on the left of the window displays the
number and name of each currently selected asteroid, and
the list box on the right displays the number and name of
all the asteroids that are currently available for selection.
>> To edit the name of the selection

Click inside the Description text box, and type in a
description for the current selection. This name is
displayed in the File Manager whenever you are selecting
asteroid files, so it is helpful to enter a meaningful
description of what this selection contains.
>> To select a single asteroid

1. Find the desired asteroid in the list of available
asteroids
2. Click on its entry in the list
>> To unselect a single asteroid

1. Find the asteroid in the list of selected asteroids
2. Click on its entry in the list
As well as selecting individual asteroids, one at a time,

you can select a range of asteroids based on their names

or numbers.
>> To select or unselect a range asteroids by name

1. Ensure that the By Name display order is selected
2. In the Quick Select Frame, type the starting letter
into the From box
3. In the Quick Select Frame, type the finishing letter
into the To box
4. Click on the On button to switch them on, or the
Off button to switch them off. All the asteroids
whose names are within the specified alphabetic
range will be affected.
>> To select or unselect a range asteroid by

number
1. Ensure that the By Number display order is
selected
2. In the Quick Select Frame, type the starting
number into the From box
3. In the Quick Select Frame, type the finishing
number into the To box
4. Click on the On button to switch them on, or the
Off button to switch them off. All the asteroids
whose numbers are within the specified range will
be affected.
>> To alter the order in which asteroids are listed

in Solar Fire reports
Select the desired order from the Display Order option

buttons. Whichever order you choose here will be

adopted in Solar Fire’s asteroid reports.
40.1 Using More Asteroids

Solar Fire reads data for asteroids whose ephemerides
conform to the Swiss Ephemeris format or the older
format created by Mark Pottenger (for use with his
CCRS program). If you have additional asteroid
ephemerides of either of these types, then you will be able
to use these with Solar Fire. Solar Fire allows you to
select many thousands of asteroids in a single selection
file. However, to maintain a reasonable level of
performance, it is recommended that you do not select
more than about a thousand asteroids per file.
You can use Pottenger and Swiss Ephemeris asteroid
selections interchangeably i.e. you can create asteroid
selection files for asteroids from either source, and switch
between them as you wish.
Note: Mark Pottenger released a new format of asteroid
ephemerides in 2003. This new format is not supported in
Solar Fire.
>> To find Pottenger asteroids on your computer

Click on the Pottenger... option button.
This will display a message asking if you wish to search
for a location in which other asteroid ephemerides are
present. If you click on the Yes button, then the program
will search through all the directories (or folders) on your
hard drives, looking for a directory containing a file called
“ASTPATH”. If this file is found, then you will be asked
to confirm the name of the directory which is inside the file

ASTPATH. (You also have the option of manually typing

in a different directory name). The program will then
search through that directory looking for asteroid
ephemeris files, and these will appear in the list of
available asteroids, ready to be selected.
Note: You can install Pottenger asteroid ephemerides to
any location on your computer. However, they must be
installed according to Pottenger’s recommended method
in order for Solar Fire to be able to access them.
>> To find Swiss Ephemeris asteroids on your

computer
Click on the Swiss Ephemeris option button.
This will locate and list any available Swiss Ephemeris
asteroids, and these will appear in the list of available
asteroids, ready to be selected.
Note: The Swiss Ephemeris makes freely available a full
set of more than 8000 asteroid ephemeris files. These
may be downloaded (in reasonable numbers) for free
from their website, or otherwise purchased in full on a
CD-ROM for a modest fee. The standard date range for
these Swiss Ephemeris asteroids is 1500 to 2100. This
range can be extended to 3000BC to 3000AD (in most
cases) by installing alternative larger ephemeris files. See
www.astro.ch/swisseph/ for further information on the
Swiss Ephemeris asteroids.
Note: You must install any Swiss Ephemeris asteroids
into subdirectories of the main Swiss Ephemeris directory,
according to the recommendations of its creators. The
default location of the main Swiss Ephemeris directory
can be found under the Ephemeris tab of the Preferences
dialog, and the required subdirectory names for the

asteroids are “Ast0”, “Ast1”, “Ast2”, …, “Ast10”,

“Ast20”. Asteroids numbered 1 to 999 must be placed in
”Ast0”, 1000 to 1999 in “Ast1” etc. “Ast20” is used for
unnumbered ephemeris files whose names begin with
“se20…”. See also page Ephemerides.
Note: From the Main Screen you can directly
open the folder where the Swiss Ephemeris
files are located ...
On the Utilities menu on the Main Screen click on
Open SwissEph Files Folder.
>> To update the list of available asteroids after

you have added or removed asteroid ephemeris files
Click on the Refresh List button.
This will search the specified directory for asteroid
ephemeris files, and then update the list of available
asteroids.
Note: If you have removed any asteroid ephemeris files
from your computer, then you must also remove them one
by one from your list of selected asteroids. If you have
made major changes, then it may be easier to delete the
entire asteroid selection file and create a new one from
scratch.
41 Editing an Extra Ring Points File

definitions of points to be included in an extra ring within a
wheel. These points are in addition to the normal set of
individual chart points, and include fixed positions,
midpoints, asteroids, stars, Arabic parts, extra bodies and

prior lunar phases, eclipses and planetary nodes.

These points can only be displayed inside a chart wheel
that has been specially designed to include an extra points
ring. There is also a page object called “Ring Points List –
Flexible”, which will list various types of data about the
points in the extra ring points file. You can view a pre-
supplied page which includes these items. It is called
“Wheel with extra points [uniextra.pag]”, and contains a
wheel with an extra points ring (uniextra.wh1) and ring
points list.
>> To edit an extra ring points file

Select the Extra Ring Points… item from the Chart
Options menu
Select the required file from the list of file names (or
create a new one)
This will display the "Extra Point selection" dialog box.
In the Selected Points box you will see a list of any
points which are already included in the selection.
You can remove points from this list, add various new
types of points, and edit the abbreviations, glyphs, color
and font used when each point is displayed in a wheel or
in a page object.
The types of points that may be added are as follows.
1. Point – Any of the standard 36 chart points.
Normally you would not need to use these,
because they can be displayed in any ordinary
chart wheel by including them as displayed points.
However, you do have the option of adding them
to the extra ring if you prefer.

2. Midpoint – This is a list of all possible midpoint

combinations between the standard 36 chart
points.
3. Fixed Position – This allows any fixed zodiacal
position to be entered into the box to the right of
the Add button.
4. Fixed Star – This allows the selection of any star
or celestial object from the currently selected star
file. Alternative star files may be accessed using the
Select File button.
5. Arabic Part - This allows the selection of any part
from the currently selected part file. Alternative part
files may be accessed using the Select File button.
6. Asteroid - This allows the selection of any asteroid
from the currently selected asteroid file. Alternative
asteroid files may be accessed using the Select
File button.
7. Extra Body - This allows the selection of any
extra body (defined with orbital elements) from the
currently selected extra body file. Alternative extra
body files may be accessed using the Select File
button.
8. Prior Lunar Phase – This allows the selection of
various points related to the lunar phases which
occurred most recently prior to the chart’s date.
The Syzygy points are either a new or full moon –
whichever occurred most recently. The “Most
Elevated” point is the point which is closest to the
Midheaven of the current chart.
9. Prior Eclipse - This allows the selection of the
position of various eclipse types which occurred
most recently before the chart’s date.

10.Node – This allows the selection of the Ascending

(North) and Descending (South) nodes of various
planets and hypothetical bodies.
>> To add a point or multiple points at once

Select the Point Type from the list of options
Optionally use the Select File button to choose another
file
Optionally enter a fixed position into the edit box
Highlight the required point or points in the list of
Available Points
Click on the Add button
>> To delete a point

Highlight the required point in the list of Selected Points
Click on the Delete button
>> To alter the display attributes of a point

Highlight the required point in the list of Selected Points
Edit the Abbr field to change the point’s abbreviated
name. The Abbreviation is displayed in the wheel instead
of the glyph if you switch on the “Glyph as Text” option in
the wheel designer. However, if you do so, then you may
find that the text overlaps other items in the chart if there
are many extra points.
Edit the Glyph/s field to change the point’s displayed
glyph (you may choose a special font by clicking on the
Font button, and invoke the character map by clicking on
the > button). This allows you to choose symbols of
various types, such as a star shaped symbol for star, if

you wish.
Asteroid glyphs
65 asteroid glyphs are available in a font file called ET
Asteroid 1. The design of the glyphs was supplied by
Roderick Kidston in Australia, an asteroid expert. Some
of the glyphs are in common usage and where there are
no glyphs for some asteroids, Roderick’s glyphs are used.
42 Editing a User Defined Points File

definitions of additional points to be included in a normal
ring within a wheel. These points are in addition to the
normal set of individual chart points.
Solar Fire allows for up to 50 user-defined points that can
appear on the main wheel along with Sun, Moon,
Mercury, and so on. The list of points that can be used is
the same list of points used in the Extra Ring but only up
to 50 points can be used. Access to the user-defined
points is made via the Chart Options menu item. Similar to
other point files, you can create your own set of user-
defined points file. If you want to revert back to using no
user-defined points then all you need to do it is select the
“None.ptu” file
>> To edit a User-Defined points file

1. In the Chart Options menu click on Displayed
User-Defined Points
2. Select the required file from the list of file names (or
create a new one)

3. Click on the Edit button. This will display the "User-

Defined Points selection" dialog box.
In the Selected Points box you will see a
list of any points which are already
included in the selection. You can remove
points from this list, add various new types
of points, and edit the abbreviations,
glyphs, color and font used when each
point is displayed in a wheel or in a page
object.
The types of points that may be added are as follows.
Point – Any of the standard 36 chart points.
Normally you would not need to use these, because
they can be displayed in any ordinary chart wheel
by including them as displayed points. However,
you do have the option of adding them to the extra
ring if you prefer.
Midpoint – This is a list of all possible midpoint
combinations between the standard 36 chart points.
Fixed Position – This allows any fixed zodiacal
position to be entered into the box to the right of the
Add button.
Fixed Star – This allows the selection of any star or
celestial object from the currently selected star file.
Alternative star files may be accessed using the
Select File button.
Arabic Part - This allows the selection of any part
from the currently selected part file. Alternative part
files may be accessed using the Select File button.
Asteroid - This allows the selection of any asteroid

from the currently selected asteroid file. Alternative

asteroid files may be accessed using the Select File
button.
Extra Body - This allows the selection of any extra
body (defined with orbital elements) from the
currently selected extra body file. Alternative extra
body files may be accessed using the Select File
button.
Prior Lunar Phase – This allows the selection of
various points related to the lunar phases which
occurred most recently prior to the chart’s date.
The Syzygy points are either a new or full moon –
whichever occurred most recently. The “Most
Elevated” point is the point which is closest to the
Midheaven of the current chart.
Prior Eclipse - This allows the selection of the
position of various eclipse types which occurred
most recently before the chart’s date.
Node – This allows the selection of the Ascending
(North) and Descending (South) nodes of various
planets and hypothetical bodies.
>> To add a point or multiple points at once

1. Select the Point Type from the list of options
2. Optionally use the Select File button to choose
another file
3. Optionally enter a fixed position into the edit box
4. Highlight the required point or points in the list of
Available Points
5. Click on the Add button

>> To delete a point

1. Highlight the required point in the list of Selected
Points
2. Click on the Delete button
>> To alter the display attributes of a point

1. Highlight the required point in the list of Selected
Points
2. Edit the Abbr field to change the point’s abbreviated
name. The Abbreviation is displayed in the wheel
instead of the glyph if you switch on the “Glyph as
Text” option in the wheel designer. However, if you
do so, then you may find that the text overlaps other
items in the chart if there are many extra points.
3. Edit the Glyph/s field to change the point’s displayed
glyph (you may choose a special font by clicking on
the Font button, and invoke the character map by
clicking on the > button). This allows you to choose
symbols of various types, such as a star shaped
symbol for star, if you wish.
Asteroid glyphs
65 asteroid glyphs are available in a font file called ET
Asteroid 1. The design of the glyphs was supplied by
Roderick Kidston in Australia, an asteroid expert. Some
of the glyphs are in common usage and where there are
no glyphs for some asteroids, Roderick’s glyphs are used.

43 Editing Interpretations
This section describes how to edit any of the
interpretations text that is supplied with Solar Fire, and
how to create new sets of interpretations. An
interpretations editing program is supplied with Solar Fire,
and this may be accessed either on its own, or directly
from within Solar Fire.
>> To start the Interpretations Editor

From the Interpretations window - Select the Edit
Interpretations... item from the File menu. This will start
the editor with the current interpretations file.
From the Main Screen - Select one of the
interpretation types from the Interpretation Files... item
under the Interps menu, and when the File Manager
appears, select a file and then click on the Edit button.
This will start the editor with the selected interpretations
file.
From the Solar Fire Group Folder - Double-click on
the Interpretations Editor icon. This will start the editor
without opening an interpretations file, and you will need
to select one from the file open dialog that appears upon
startup.
When you enter the interpretations compiler, you will see
text from whatever interpretations file has been opened. If
you wish to edit text within this file, you may start to do so
immediately. However, in many cases you may prefer to
keep the original interpretations unchanged, and to work
on a copy of the original file. In this case you must save a
copy of the current file under a new name before
proceeding.

>> To save a copy of the current interpretations

file under a new name
1. Select the Save As... option from the File menu.
2. This will display a standard “File Save” dialog, in
which you can select a new name for the
interpretations file, and optionally a different
directory or folder. It is recommended that you
keep your new interpretation files in Solar Fire’s
\INTERPS directory, because that is the only
directory that Solar Fire can access interpretations
from. Also, the new file name must be an
acceptable file name and end with a “.int”
extension.
3. Click on the OK button. You will then be returned
to the interpretations editor and the newly saved
copy will be open instead of the original file.
>> To switch to another interpretations file

1. Select the Open... option from the File menu
2. This will display a standard “File Open” dialog in
which can select a new file to open.
3. Click on the OK button. You will then be returned
to the interpretations editor and the newly selected
file will be open for editing.
>> To close the current interpretations file

1. Select the Close option from the File menu.
2. This will close the current file, and you will not be
able to carry out any editing functions until you

open another file.
43.1 Editing Text

Following is a list of interpretation text types showing
what combinations are available for each, and how they
may be used.
Title - A descriptive title for this set of interpretations.
This title appears in the File Manager to assist in selecting
the required set of interpretations, and as a title to
interpretations reports.
Copyright - A copyright notice. This appears in reports,
but can be left blank if you do not wish copyright to apply
to your text.
Introduction - General introductory text. This appears
as an introductory section to interpretation reports. It can
contain any preliminary comments that you wish, for
example explaining how the following interpretations
should be applied in practice, and providing disclaimers.
Degree - Information about each degree of the zodiac.
This can include Sabian symbols, medical degree
interpretations, medieval degree meanings etc.
Decanate - Information about each decanate (10
degree subdivision) of the zodiac.
Quadrant - General definition plus weak and strong
definition of each quadrant.
Hemisphere - General definition plus weak and strong
definition of each hemisphere.
Element - General definition plus weak and strong
definition of each element.
Mode - General definition plus weak and strong

definition of each mode.

Ray - General definition plus weak and strong definition
of each ray.
Aspect - General definition of each aspect.
Lunar Phase - Interpretation of each of 8 lunar phases.
Sign - General definition plus weak and strong definition
of each sign.
House - General definition plus weak and strong
definition of each house.
Point - Definition of each chart point.
Point in House - Interpretation of each chart point in
each house.
Point In Sign - Interpretation of each chart point in each
sign.
Sign on House Cusp - Interpretation of each sign on
each house cusp.
Point in Aspect to Point - Interpretation of each point
in each aspect to each other point. The aspects that may
be used here must be selected before you begin editing.
See Changing Aspects Used.
If you are creating a new set of interpretations, you will
probably want to edit the title and introduction text first.
Otherwise you may wish to jump into any category of text
that you wish to work on currently.
>> To find the text category that you wish to edit

1. Select the required type from the Interpretation
Type drop-down list box.
2. Select the required combinations from the adjacent
drop-down list boxes.

Any existing text for that category will be displayed

immediately in the main editing window, and you may type
over it, add to it, or otherwise edit it as you wish. Any
changes that you make are automatically saved as soon as
the focus leaves the editing window, or when you click on
any other control on the screen or access the menu. You
do not need to take any special action to save changes
that you make.
On some occasions you may find that you have made an
error, and wish to undo any changes that you have made
to the text. You are able to undo any changes made since
you edited the last category of text, but not any changes
made prior to that.
>> To undo text changes made since the current

topic was displayed
Select the Undo Text Editing option from the Edit
menu. If you change your mind again, selecting the same
option again will restore your edited changes.
43.2 Changing Scoring of Balances

When viewing interpretations of a chart, you will notice
that there are a number of interpretation types which
relate to the overall distribution of planets around the
chart. These type are as follows.
Balance of Quadrants - Asc to IC, IC to Dsc, Dsc to
MC, MC to Asc
Balance of Hemispheres - Eastern, Southern,
Western, Northern
Balance of Elements - Fire, Earth, Air, Water

Balance of Modes - Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable

Balance of Rays - 1st to 7th
Balance of Signs - Aries to Pisces
Balance of Houses - 1st to 12th
In each case, an algorithm is used to determine which
divisions are “weak” (i.e. occupied by fewer than average
planets) and which are “strong” (i.e. occupied by more
than average planets) in the chart being interpreted. You
have some control over how this calculation is performed,
so that you can fine-tune the circumstances in which
divisions are considered to be weak or strong. The
calculation to determine which divisions are weak or
strong is as follows.
1. For each division (such as a quadrant or an element
or a sign):
o The total number of displayed chart points
(planets/ asteroids/ TransNeptunians/ others)
occupying that division is totalled.
o Optionally each displayed point occupying the
division is multiplied by its weighting score.
2. The average score is found by summing the scores
for each division, and dividing by the number of
divisions (i.e. by 3 for modes, 4 for quadrants,
hemispheres etc.).
3. If the score for any division is less than the average
multiplied by a “weakratio”, then it is considered
to be “weak”.
4. If the score for any division is greater than or equal
the average multiplied by a “strongratio”, then it is
considered to be “strong”.
The items which you can adjust in the interpretations

editor are
Whether or not the weighting of each chart point is
applied.
What value the “weakratio” has.
What value the “strongratio” has.
The weighting values for each point, if you choose to use
them, are the same weighting values that are used in other
parts of Solar Fire. See Editing Weightings for further
information on editing the weightings.
You can prevent weak interpretations from appearing at
all by specifying a “weakratio” of 0 (zero). If you do so,
then you need not enter any text relating to weak divisions
of that type. Similarly, by entering a large number (like
99.9), for “strongratio” you can prevent strong
interpretations from appearing, and you do not need to
enter any text for strong division of that type. For
example, it might be desirable to set a “weakratio” of zero
for Balance of Signs, because it is likely that a number of
signs will be completely unoccupied in any chart, and it
may not be very meaningful to give any interpretation to
those signs being unoccupied.
>> To alter the scoring of balances

1. The Scoring of Balances... from the Edit menu.
2. Select any category from the Balance Type drop-
down list.
3. Optionally click on the Use Weighted Scoring
check box to toggle it on or off.
4. Enter a ratio into the Ratio for Weak box
5. Enter a ratio into the Ratio for Strong box

6. Repeat steps 2 to 5 for any other category you

wish to alter
7. Click on the OK button.
43.3 Changing Aspects Used

Before you enter any interpretations text relating to chart
points in aspect to one another, it is important to ensure
that you have selected which aspects you wish to write
interpretations for. This is necessary for two main reasons:
If you alter the list of aspects that you wish to use after
having written some interpretations text for existing
aspects, then it is possible that some or all of this text will
be permanently lost or mislocated in the file.
The size of the interpretations file varies in proportion to
the number of different aspects that you wish to include.
To use space efficiently, you should plan ahead to decide
which aspects you intend to use, and exclude those that
you will not use, and would take up unnecessary space.
You can select any combination of Solar Fire’s standard
26 aspects to use in an interpretations file. However, in
most circumstances, you will probably want to write text
for a small subset of the available aspects. For example,
Solar Fire’s “standard” interpretations set contains text for
conjunction, opposition, trine, square, sextile, quincunx,
and the “transits” interpretation set also contains text for
semisquare and sesquisquare.
Mapped Aspect Names

Solar Fire’s interpretations files use a concept of
mapped aspect names. You can define a list of mapped

aspect names for which you will write interpretations, and

specify which of Solar Fire’s standard aspects map onto
each of those mapped names. In most cases you will
simply want to map each standard aspect to the same
mapped name, so that the each interpretation that you are
writing applies only to that one aspect. However, if you
map each of the conjunction, trine and sextile aspects
onto the same mapped name “soft”, then you will only
need to write one interpretation to appear whenever any
of those three aspects occur. Similarly you could map the
opposition, square, semisquare and sesquisquare onto the
mapped name “hard”.
>> To display the “Aspects to Include” dialog box

Select Aspects to Include... from the Edit menu
On the left of the screen you will see a list of Solar Fire’s
26 standard aspects, called “Available Aspects”, some of
which will be marked as “Used”. On the right of the
screen you will see a list of “Mapped Aspect Names”.
>> To determine which aspect is mapped to which

name
Click on each entry in the “Available Aspects” list -
when you do so, the mapped entry in the “Mapped
Aspect Name” will be highlighted automatically.
>> To add a new mapped aspect name

1. Optionally select the required aspect name from the
list of “Available Aspects”.
2. Click on the Add button - This will add the name
of the currently highlighted “Available Aspect” to

the list of “Mapped Aspect Names”.

3. Optionally edit the new mapped name by typing
into the edit box above the Add button.
>> To delete an existing mapped aspect name

1. Select the required mapped aspect name in the list
of “Mapped Aspect names”
2. Click on the Delete button - This will remove the
entry from the list, and will alter the current entry in
the “Available Aspects” list to show it as
unmapped.
Note: After deleting mapped aspect names, you will
need to check and reselect all the other mapping
relationships to ensure that they are still correct.
>> To set or alter the mapped name of available

aspect
1. Select the required aspect from the list of
“Available Aspects”.
2. Select the required mapped name from the list of
“Mapped Aspect Names”.
Note: Selecting the “Not Used” item from the top of the
list will unmap that aspect, so that it can no longer be
used.
>> To save all your changes

1. Firstly, re-check that each aspect is correctly
mapped.
2. Select the OK button. If you have made any major
changes which are likely to result in interpretations

text being lost, then you will be prompted to

confirm your changes before you are returned tot
he main editing screen.
Dynamic Aspects
When you are creating a set of interpretations applying
to a single natal chart, or to synastry between two charts,
then you normally want the interpretations for point1 in
aspect to point2 to be the same as for point2 in aspect to
point1, e.g. Pluto square Moon and Moon square Pluto
would have the same interpretation.
However, if you are creating a set of interpretations for
transits, progressions or directions to a radix chart, then
you would want to supply different interpretations in each
case e.g. Pluto square Moon and Moon square Pluto
would have different interpretations. This case is referred
to as Dynamic Aspects.
You can set the interpretation file to work in either way,
with the Dynamic Aspects on or off. When the Dynamic
Aspects option is off, Pluto Square Moon and Moon
Square Pluto will both display the same text in the editor,
so editing one of them will also affect the other. When the
Dynamic Aspect option is on, they will display separate
paragraphs of text, and editing one will have no effect on
the other.
>> To switch Dynamic Aspects On or Off

Select Dynamic Aspects from the Edit menu. This will
switch he option on if it was off, or off if it was on.
Note: When the Dynamic Aspects option is on, there are
more than twice as many items to write interpretations text

for.
43.4 Viewing a Summary of Contents

During the process of editing text, you may from time to
time want to see a summary of which categories in the file
have already had text inserted, and those categories that
still have no text yet.
>> To see a summary of which items contain text

Select Contents Summary from the View menu - You
may have to wait for a moment or two whilst the entire
interpretations file is searched to determine which items
contain interpretations text, and then a summary will be
displayed in the editing window.
>> To revert to editing text

Select Interpretations Text from the View menu.
43.5 Decompiling and Compiling

In earlier versions of Solar Fire, it was necessary to
write all interpretations text into text files, and to run a
compilation process in order to create an interpretations
file. In the current version this procedure is no longer
necessary, and it is generally much simpler to edit the text
in-place, using the Interpretations Editor. However, there
are two main reasons why you may wish to use the
compilation options:
If you have created text files for earlier version of Solar
Fire, you may still want to compile them.

If you wish to do any work on the entire set of text in

bulk, for example, to make global editing changes, or to
spell check the entire text, then you will need to
decompile them first, work on the decompiled file in your
word processor, and then recompile them.
Decompiling
The process of decompiling extracts all the
interpretations text from the interpretations file and inserts
it into a single ANSI text file. The ANSI file is written to
conform exactly to Solar Fire’s requirements for a text
interpretations file, so that it may subsequently be
recompiled without any changes being required. The text
file may be edited with any text editor or word processor.
>> To decompile the current interpretations file

1. Select the Decompile... option from the File menu
- This will display a standard “Save File As” dialog
2. Enter a file name - The file name must be a valid file
name, and should have a “.def” extension.
Normally it is best to choose the same name as the
current file e.g. standard.def or transits.def if you
are decompiling one of Solar Fire’s supplied files.
3. Optionally Select a new directory or folder. If you
choose s different directory, then you will need to
remember where you have placed the file when you
wish to recompile it.
4. Select the OK button. You will see a confirmation
message showing you the full path and name of the
decompiled file when it has finished.
Note: Remember that after you have decompiled an

interpretations file, you have two versions of the

interpretations - the original interpretations file, and the
decompiled text file. If you make changes to the original
file instead of the decompiled file, then when you
recompile the decompiled file, those changes will be
overwritten.
Compiling
Compiling an interpretations file is the process of reading
in a text file that contains interpretations text formatted
according to Solar Fire’s specifications, and writing out an
interpretations file which may be used directly in Solar
Fire, and edited with the interpretations editor. The format
of a decompiled text file is somewhat complex, and it is
not recommended that you attempt to make significant
alterations to a decompiled file unless you are technically
proficient. For the full specification of the required format
for a decompiled file, see Editing Interpretations Text.
>> To compile a text interpretations file

1. Select the Compile... option from the File menu.
2. This will start up the interpretations compiler. See
Editing Interpretations Text for further details.
43.6 Compacting the File

When you edit existing interpretations text, if you make
the new text longer than the original text, then the new text
will be added to the end of the file, thus making it larger.
The space occupied by the original text is no longer
needed, but still occupies some space in the file. The

space that is wasted due to this process is negligibly small

if you only edit a small number of interpretations, but if
you make a large number of alterations, then you may
wish to recover the wasted space. This is possible by
compacting the file.
>> To compact the current interpretations file

Select Compact... from the File menu - You will be
asked to confirm whether you wish to proceed, and if you
click OK then the entire interpretations file will be
rewritten to the disk using the minimum space possible.
When the process is finished, you will see a message
indicating how much space was saved.
44 Editing an Aspect Set

definitions of aspect sets to be used in displaying an
aspected chart or aspect grid or in generating a report
type which includes aspects.
>> To edit an aspect file

Choose Aspect Set... from the Chart Options menu
From the file manager, select the file you wish to edit,
and click on the Edit... button. - This will display the "Edit
Aspect Set" screen.
The list box on the left of the screen contains a list of all
the aspect names that are currently available. Those
aspect names preceded by a plus mark are those aspects
that are currently switched on, so that it is possible to see
at a glance which aspects are included in this set.

The symbol for the currently selected aspect is displayed

in the "Glyph" box, and the orb angles relating to this
aspect are displayed in editable boxes. The color used to
display the aspect line and glyph for the standard aspects
is whatever is defined in the currently selected aspect
color set. For instructions on altering aspect colors, see
Editing a Color File.
>> To switch on an aspect which is currently

switched off
Select the aspect name from the list box, and then select
the Restore button, or double-click on the aspect name
in the list box.
>> To switch off an aspect which is currently

switched on
Select the aspect name from the list box, and then select
the Remove button.
>> To switch on or off multiple aspects at once

Select all the desired aspects from the list using the Ctrl
key with the mouse to make multiple selections, and then
select either the Restore or Remove button.
>> To alter aspect orbs

Select the aspect name from the list box
Use the edit keys to edit the entries in the aspect orb
boxes - Aspect orbs may be entered as degrees, minutes
and seconds, or as decimal degrees (e.g. 9 30 or 9.5 for
930'). See Entering Angles for more information on

entering angles.
There are three types of orbs:
Natal - These orbs are used on all charts and reports
other than progressed charts or dynamic reports.
Progressed - These orbs are used on all progressed
charts and reports relating to progressed charts.
Transits - These orbs are used for entering and leaving
events in all dynamic (transits and progressions) reports.
You may specify different orbs for luminaries and for
other chart points. (Luminaries are the sun and the moon
only). Luminary aspect orbs are used whenever at least
one of the chart points in aspect to one another is a
luminary. Also, you may specify a different orb depending
on whether the aspect is approaching exactness (applying)
or is moving away from exactness (separating).
Note: Within an individual chart, Solar Fire calculates
whether any aspect is applying or separating according to
the rate of motion of both points involved in the aspect.
An exception to this is when a chart angle is involved in
the aspect. In this case the chart angle is assumed to be
stationary. (Chart angles are the Ascendant, Midheaven,
Vertex and Equatorial Ascendant.) When an aspect is
being made between two separate charts, Solar Fire
takes account of the motion of the planet in the first chart,
and holds the planet in the second chart stationary.
Therefore, whether an aspect is found to be applying or
separating depends on the order in which the charts are
considered, and swapping the order of the charts may
affect whether a particular aspect is deemed to be
applying or separating. In the case of a biwheel, the inner
chart is always held fixed, whilst in the case of a synastry
grid, the chart across the grid is always held fixed. In

synastry reports, the first chart listed is always held

stationary.
>> To change the style or thickness of the aspect

line
Click on the Linestyle button to loop through the
different line styles and thicknesses that are available. A
sample of the linestyle is displayed below the symbol in
the Glyph window.
Note: It is not possible for the user to alter any standard
aspect name, aspect angle or aspect symbol. However,
you can add user-defined aspects for which any of these
items may be altered - see the following section on
advanced options for more information.
>> To edit the description of the aspect set

Click on the Description edit box and type in any text
you want. This text appears in the file manager to assist
you in finding the aspect set that you want, so it is best to
type in some meaningful description of what this aspect
file contains.
>> To save any changes when you have finished

editing the aspect set
Select the Save button
If you wish to select the aspect set you have just edited,
remember to click on the Select button when you return
to the File Manager dialog box.

44.1 Selecting Advanced Options

You can select a number of options relating to how
aspect orbs are calculated and used in Solar Fire, and you
can also add your own user-defined aspects for use in any
part of Solar Fire.
>> To display the advanced aspect options

Click on the Advanced button. Clicking this button
toggles the advanced options display area on and off.
However, if certain advanced options are selected, this
button will become disabled, and you will not be able to
switch it off unless you switch off the selected advanced
options. The purpose of this limitation is to ensure that you
are aware that certain advanced options have been
selected when you select this aspect set for editing.
Orb Types
You can select from three different types of orbs
Use Luminary/Other Orbs - This is the standard
option that applies if you do not select the Advanced
Options button, and was the only option available in
previous versions of Solar Fire. This allows you to enter
two sets of orbs for each aspect. One set of orbs that
apply when a luminary (i.e. the sun or the moon) is making
an aspect, and another set of orbs when any other planet
is making an aspect.
Use Planet Orb Ratios - This option allows for the
possibility of each planet having a different orb for the
same aspect. Rather than allowing orbs to be entered for
each planet (which would involve many hundreds of orbs
being entered), the user specifies an orb ratio for each

planet, and specifies just a single set of base orbs for each
aspect. The orbs of any individual planet are then
calculated by multiplying the base orb by that planet’s orb
ratio.
Use Aspects by Sign Only - This option precludes the
use of orbs, by determining aspects only according to
which signs each planet is placed in. For example, if one
planet is in Aries, and another in Cancer, then they are in
Square aspect, regardless of which degree of their signs
they are in. With this option, only the first nine aspects in
the list are active.
An additional option that may be selected in combination
with the first two of the above
Use Sign as well as Orb – When this is enabled, any
aspect that is found within its specified orb is also
checked to determine if it is also in the same aspect by
sign. If it is not, then the aspect is ignored. For example, if
one planet is at 1 degree of Aries, and another is at 29
degrees of Gemini, then they would be square with an orb
of 2 degrees, but the signs are 60 degrees apart (i.e.
sextile), so this aspect would be disregarded.
Special Options
There are three special options that can be used in
conjunction with some of the Orb Types.
Use 3D Aspects (True Body) - Astrologers usually
work with aspects in ecliptic longitude, which means that
the positions of the planets are projected onto the ecliptic
before aspects are calculated between them. An
alternative is to measure the true angle between the two
bodies along the shortest distance between them. These
are known variously as 3D, true-body or great circle

aspects. Because most of the planets have orbits close to

the ecliptic, there is normally not much difference between
traditional aspects and 3D aspects. However Pluto has an
orbit that is at a significant inclination to the ecliptic, so it is
possible that 3D aspects of Pluto will be significantly
different from the traditional aspects. The other area in
which 3D aspects may be especially interesting is in
relation to fixed stars. As most stars are not close to the
ecliptic, there will be a big difference between 3D and
traditional aspects between planets and stars. The fact
that stars are not close to the ecliptic is sometimes given
as a criticism of using ecliptical aspects between stars and
planets. Therefore it is well worth trying this 3D option
when generating a fixed star aspects report. This option is
provided as an opportunity to experiment - there is very
little written about this yet.
Use Moieties (Half Planet Orbs) - This option may
only be selected in association with the Planet Orb Ratios
option. The principle of moieties is to determine the orb of
an aspect by adding half of the orb of each planet
involved. (This is identical to averaging the orb for each
planet involved in an aspect.) For example, if Pluto has an
orb of 6° and The Sun has an orb of 12°, then the moiety
is 9°, so they are in aspect with each other only when they
are within 9° of each other.
Unidirectional Orbs - A unidirectional orb is one that
operates in a single direction, so the orb that is applied
between two planets depends on the order in which the
planets are considered. For example, if Pluto has an orb
of 6° and The Sun has an orb of 12°, and they are 9°
apart, then the Sun would be considered to be conjunct
Pluto (because it has an orb of 12°), but Pluto would not
be considered to be conjunct the Sun (because it has an

orb of 6°).
Note: If you have selected to use Planet Orb Ratios as
your basic Orb Type, and also selected Unidirectional
orbs, the lowest orb ratio is used for aspects in orb
calculations.
>> To set planet orb ratios

1. Select the Planet Orb Ratios option button.
2. Specify the required Aspect Orbs - Applying and
Separating, for Natal, Progressed and Transiting
planets.
3. Select one (or more) planets from the Planet
Ratios list box
4. Enter an orb ratio in the Current Planet’s Ratio
edit box - any changes you make will immediately
be reflected in the orbs displayed under the
Current Planet orbs.
5. Repeat steps 3 to 4 until all the planet’s orbs ratios
are set as required.
Typically, the orb ratios that you set will be in the range
of 0.1 to 2.0 or thereabouts. To start with, you might like
to specify the Sun’s orb as having a ratio 1.0, and then
specify all the other planet’s orbs in relation to that, in
which case all your other orb ratios will probably be less
than 1.0.
>> To add a user defined aspect

1. Click on the Add Aspect button - This will add a
user-defined aspect with the name “New Aspect”,
abbreviation “New”, angle 0°, an alphabetic
character as a glyph, and a solid black linestyle.

2. Edit the name, abbreviation and Angle by clicking

on the appropriate edit boxes and typing in the new
details. The angle may be entered in degrees,
minutes and seconds (eg 22 30) or decimal
degrees (e.g. 22.5).
3. Choose a glyph by clicking inside the Glyph box,
and then typing any keyboard character that you
would like to use to represent this aspect.
4. Select a line style by clicking on the LineStyle
buttons.
5. Select a color for the new aspect by clicking on the
Color... button and selecting a color from the
standard color selection dialog.
Once you have added a user-defined aspect, you can
switch it on or off in the same manner as for other
standard aspects. However, if you wish to permanently
remove a user-defined aspects, then you can remove it
from the list altogether.
>> To delete a user defined aspect

Highlight the desired user-defined aspect
Click on the Del Aspect button.
>> To save any changes and exit from the aspect

editor
Click on the Save button.

45 Editing a Color File

definitions of colors to be used when displaying aspect
lines and symbols, chart point glyphs, zodiac sign glyphs
or sign fill colors.
There are four different types of color files.
Point Colors - These colors are used when displaying
chart points (planets, asteroids, etc.) in any chart or grid.
To invoke the file manager for these files
Aspect Colors - These colors are used when displaying
aspect symbols or lines in any chart or grid. To invoke the
file manager for these files
Sign Colors - These colors are used when displaying
zodiac sign glyphs in any chart, and also include a color
for the retrograde glyph.
Sign Fill Colors - These colors are used as background
colors when drawing zodiac signs in a chart that includes a
color-filled zodiac ring.
>> To edit a selection of color

Choose the required Colors... option from the Chart
Options menu
From the file manager, select the required file from the
list of file names
Select the Edit... button. This will display the “Edit
Colors” Dialog Box.
You will see a list of all the items displayed in their
currently selected colors. It is possible to view the items
as they will appear with either a light or dark background.

>> To view the symbols with a light background

Select the Normal option in the Video Style box.
>> To view the symbol with a dark background

Select the Reverse option in the Video Style box.
>> To select a new color for any item

Select the item from the list by clicking on, or by using
the cursor keys
Select the Color... button. This will display a standard
color selection dialog, from which any color may be
selected.
>> To copy a color from one item to another

Select the item you wish to copy the color of from the
list by clicking on it.
Hold the mouse button down whilst dragging the cursor
onto the item you wish to copy the color to, and then
release the mouse. The color of that item will be
immediately updated.
>> To save the current set of color selections

Select the Save button.
From the file manager, click on the Select button to
make the file which has just been edited the currently
selected file.

46 Editing an Arabic Parts File

definitions of Arabic Parts (or other combinations of
points which may be expressed as A+B-C) to be used
when displaying Arabic Parts reports for a chart.
Note: If you have selected Arabic Parts as part of an
almuten definition in the Dignity/Almuten editor, and you
later use the Arabic Parts Editor to remove entries from
or reorder the Arabic Parts file which you used, then the
almuten calculation will no longer work correctly. You
will need to use the Dignity/Almuten Editor to reselect all
the required Arabic Parts before you can be sure that the
calculation will use the correct Arabic Parts. See Editing a
Dignity/Almuten File for instructions on using the Dignity/
Almuten Editor.
>> To edit an Arabic Parts file

Select Arabic Parts... from the Files option of the
Chart Options menu
From the file manager, select a file from the list of file
names
Alternatively, you can also access the editor directly
from Windows.
>> To open the Arabic Parts editor from Windows

From the Windows group containing Solar Fire program
icons, double-click on the Arabic Parts Editor icon.
You will be prompted to select a file to edit, and this will
then start up the editor with that Arabic Parts file
displayed.

The status box at the top of the screen displays the

number of parts already defined, followed by the name of
the current Arabic Parts file.
The list box at the top left of the screen contains a list of
all the items that already exist in this file. It is possible to
see the details for any of these items by clicking on that
item in the list. It is then possible to edit any of the
following items relating to that entry.
Full Name - This is the name by which the item is
identified in any reports. It is recommended that you limit
the length of this name to about 30 characters, in order to
avoid the possibility of formatting problems in Solar Fire’s
Arabic Parts report.
Abbreviation - This is a unique name, limited to 15
characters, by which this item is identified internally. It is
used only when another item in the list refers to this entry.
Day or Night - Some parts have different formulas,
depending on whether the chart to which they are being
applied is a daytime chart or a nighttime chart. For
example the Part of Fortune has a daytime formula of
Ascendant + Sun - Moon, and a nighttime formula of
Ascendant + Moon - Sun, so must have two entries in the
list. If the formula that you enter applies only during the
day (when the sun is above the horizon), or night (sun
below the horizon) then select the Day or Night option.
If the formula does not depend on the sun’s diurnal
position, then select the Both option.
Formula A + B - C - Each of the elements in this
formula may be selected by clicking on the drop-down list
boxes for that element. Each element has two drop-down
boxes. The top one is used to indicate what type of
position is being entered, and the bottom one to indicate

which position of that type. The possible types of position

are:
Type of Available Positions Example
Position
Fixed Position Any Point of Zodiac 15Cn00
Dispositor of Any Chart Point Dispositor of The
Moon
Cusp of Any House Cusp of 3rd House
Ruler of Any House Cusp Ruler of 12th House
Cusp
Other Part Any other part in this FortD
file
Prenatal Lunar Phases New Moon
Once you select a type of position from the top box, the
list of positions that are available for selection in the
bottom box is automatically updated. The only exception
to this is if you select the “Fixed Position” option, then the
bottom box does not contain a list - instead you must
enter a zodiacal position into it using the keyboard. See
Entering Angles for information on how to enter angles.
>> To create a new entry on the list

Select the New button. This will add an item to the
bottom of the list, ready to be edited with the required
details.
>> To delete an existing entry from the list

Select the required item from the list.
Select the Delete button.
>> To alter the placement of an item in the list

Select the required item from the list.

Click on the up or down arrow of the spin button.
>> To obtain a printout of all the items on the list

Optionally select the Printer... button. This allows you
to alter any printer settings such as page orientation and
resolution.
Select the Print button.
>> To save any changes that you have made since

the file was last saved
Select the Save button.
>> To exit from the Arabic Parts editor

Select the Quit button.
If you have made changes but not saved them, then you
will be asked whether or not you wish to save them
before exiting.
Any changes that you save will take effect immediately in
Solar Fire, any subsequent Arabic Parts reports produced
will use the newly saved data.
If you exit from the Arabic Parts Editor without having
saved your changes, then the program will ask you if you
wish to save the changes before it closes.
47 Editing a Fixed Stars File

listings of fixed stars (or other astronomical points such as
black holes or galaxies) to be used when displaying fixed

star reports or page objects or the planetarium.
>> To edit a fixed star file

Select Fixed Stars... from the Files option of the Chart
Options menu
From the file manager, select a file from the list of file
names
Alternatively, you can also access the editor directly
from Windows, as follows:
>> To open the fixed star editor

icons, double-click on the Fixed Star Editor icon.
47.1 Creating a New File

>> To create a new file of fixed stars
Select the New option from the File menu.
If you have made any changes to the current file, then
you will be prompted to save them before a new file is
opened. When a new file is opened, it contains no star
information. You must enter this information yourself, or
you can merge information from another star file, or
import information from a Nova star file.

47.2 Opening an Existing File

>> To open an existing file of fixed stars
Select the Open option from the File menu.
opened. When you select this option, you will be
presented with a file open dialog box from which you
must select the required file.
Solar Fire star files have the file extension “.fst”. It is only
possible to open files of this type. If you attempt to open a
file of a different type, then a message will be shown
indicating that the file cannot be read.
47.3 Saving a File

>> To save the information that you have entered
or edited
Select the Save or Save As... option from the File
menu.
The Save option will save any changes that you have
made using the existing file name. If there is no file name
(i.e. if it is a new file), then this option will prompt you to
enter a name before it is saved. The Save As... option
prompts you for a name to save the file as.
47.4 Merging a File

This option allows you to merge the information from
another star file into the current star file.
>> To add all the entries from another star file, and

append them to the end of the current file

Select the Merge... option from the File menu.
When you select this option, you will be presented with
a file open dialog box from which you must select the
required file. You can only select Solar Fire star files with
this option.
47.5 Importing a Star File from Nova

This option can only be used if you have Astrolabe’s
Nova program installed on your computer. It allows you
to import the information from a Nova type star file into a
new Solar Fire star file.
>> To create a new star file using data from an

existing Nova type star file
Select the Import... option from the File menu
created. When you select this option, you will be
must select the required Nova star file. Nova star files
have the extension “.txt”, and normally reside in the Nova
directory.
47.6 Printing
>> To print a listing of the information in the
current star file
Select the Print option from the File menu.
This will list all the information in the file apart from the

keywords and free text user the current printer. You can
change your printer settings, such as page size and
orientation with the standard printer setup dialog.
>> To change the printer settings

Select the Printer Setup... option from the File menu.
47.7 Editing Star Information

Data for a star may be changed simply by typing the
required information into the display boxes on the main
screen. Existing information may be changed by
overtyping it.
>> To add a new entry

Use the Add button or menu item.
>> To delete an entry

Use the Delete button or menu item.
>> To alter the ordering of entries

Click on the up or down arrow of the spin button.
It is also possible to use the Cut, Copy or Paste menu
items to manipulate all the information relating to a single
star entry via the Windows Clipboard. This is especially
useful if you have two copies of the Star Editor running, in
which case you can cut or copy entries in one file and
paste them into another. (In order to run two copies of the
Star Editor, you must start it independently from Solar
Fire, using its own icon in the Solar Fire Group window)

The editable items are as follows.

Traditional Name - The traditional name is the name
by which the star (or astronomical point) is shown in the
list of stars. For example, the brightest star in the
constellation Eridanus is commonly known as Achenar.
Nomenclature - This is a standard technical name by
which the star is known. There are several different
systems of nomenclature in use, as listed below. This
information is optional, and may be left blank.
Bayer nomenclature - uses a Greek letter name which
is unique in a particular constellation, denoting the relative
brightness of the star. For example, Achenar is known as
Alpha Eridanus. This indicates that it is the brightest star in
the constellation Eridanus.
Flamsteed nomenclature - uses a number indicating the
position in order of right ascension within a constellation.
For example, Alcor is known as 80 Ursa Major.
Messier nomenclature - uses letter M plus a number
for nebulous objects in a constellation. For example,
Acumen is known as M7 Scorpius.
Greek Alphabet
1. Alpha 7. Eta 13. Nu 19. Tau

2. Beta 8. Theta 14. Xi 20. Upsilon
3. Gamma 9. Iota 15. Omicron 21. Phi
4. Delta 10. Kappa 16. Pi 22. Chi
5. Epsilon 11. Lambda 17. Rho 23. Psi
6. Zeta 12. Mu 18. Sigma 24. Omega
Constellation - The constellation in which the star (or
astronomical point) resides can be selected from the list of

available constellation names in the drop-down list box.

This information is optional, and may be left blank.
GC or NGC Number – GC and NGC stand for
General Catalogue and New General Catalogue,
respectively. These catalogues contain lists of observed
celestial objects, and assign a number to each one. For
example, Achenar has GC number 1979. This information
is optional, and may be left blank. Note: Most of the data
supplied with Solar Fire contains GC numbers.
Spectral Class - This indicates the quality of light
emitted by the star. Typically it consists of a letter and a
number. The letter indicates the general class, and the
number (0-9) indicates where in that class it resides e.g.
A7 indicates white star with a yellowish tinge. The
possible letters, in order of hottest stars to coolest stars
are:-
Class Color Temperature
W Greenish-White 80,000K
O Greenish-White 36,000K+
B Bluish-White 12-25,000K
A White 8-10,000K
F Yellowish-White 6-7,500K
G Yellow 5-6,000K
K Orange 3-5,000K
M Orange-Red 3,100K
R Orange-Red 2,500K
N Red 2,500K
S Red 2,600K
Sometimes there are also one or more small letters

preceding or following the letter/number combination, as

listed below. For example, gK7 indicates a giant orange
star. This information is optional and may be left blank.
n Diffuse absorption lines
s Sharp absorption lines
c Exceptionally sharp lines
g A giant star
d A dwarf star
e Has emission lines
p Peculiarities
Magnitude - This is a decimal number indicating the
visual magnitude of the star. The lower the number, the
brighter the star. e.g. the brightest star is Sirius, which has
a magnitude of -1.4. The lowest visible magnitude is about
6. This information is optional and may be left blank.
Right Ascension and Declination - This is the position
of the star in equatorial coordinates on the date specified
in the Equator of Yr field. Right ascension may be entered
either in Degrees, Minutes and Seconds, or in Hours,
Minutes and Seconds of arc. However, it is always
displayed in Hours, Minutes and Seconds. Declination is
always entered and displayed in Degrees, Minutes and
Seconds. For example, in 1950 Sirius was at a right
ascension of 6h42m56.7s and at a declination of -16°
38'46". These may be entered in any of the following
ways.
6h42m56.7s -16°38'46" or
6h42 56.7 -16d38 46 or
6 42 56.7 -16 38 46 or
100d44m10.5s -16d38m46s

Note that the first number entered in the Right Ascension

field is assumed to be an hour number, unless the letter
“d” appears somewhere in the entry, in which case the
entry is assumed to be in degrees, minutes and seconds,
and is automatically converted and displayed in the
equivalent hours, minutes and seconds.
Proper Motion - This is the annual motion of the star in
right ascension and declination. The motion in right
ascension must be entered in decimal seconds of Right
Ascension (time). The motion in declination must be
entered in decimal seconds of Declination (arc). For
example, the proper motion of Sirius is -0.037 seconds of
right ascension per year and -1.21 seconds of declination
arc per year.
Equator of Yr - This is the “epoch” or year for which
the entered right ascension and declination are applicable.
Astronomical references usually contain star information
for year 1950, or in more modern references, year 2000.
Keywords and Free Text - For each star, up to 30
characters of keywords or definition text may be entered,
plus unlimited free text. The keyword text is used in Solar
Fire’s star reports. The free text is also used in the
Planetarium whenever star information is shown about any
star. This information is optional and may be left blank.
47.8 Changing the Date

The zodiacal positions displayed are calculated for the
current date unless you alter the date setting.
>> To change the date for the calculation of the

star’s position

Select the Change Date... option from the Edit menu.

You may, for example, wish to enter your date of birth in
order to see the star’s positions precessed to your birth.
The format of the displayed date is typically “dd mmm
yyyy” or “mmm dd yyyy” e.g. 31 Dec 1994 or Dec 31
1994. As in the main Solar Fire program, many other
formats may also be entered, but if in doubt, then use one
of the above formats.
47.9 Sorting the File

You can sort the entries in the current file into a variety
of different orders, as follows.
>> To change the order of the stars in the file

Select the Sort... option from the Edit menu.
You will be presented with a list of possible sort options
from which you can choose. You may re-sort the file as
many times as you wish.
47.10 Viewing Stars in the Planetarium

>> To start up the Planetarium and view the
current file’s stars
Select the All Stars option from the View menu.
Alternatively, the planetarium may be started from Solar
Fire’s View menu. In this case, you must select the
required fixed star file from Solar Fire’s menu before
choosing the Planetarium option.

48 Editing a Wheel Design File

wheel or dial designs which may be used in Solar Fire’s
chart or dial displays and printouts.
>> To edit a particular wheel or dial design

Select one of the Wheel Styles... or Dial Styles...
options from the Chart Options menu, or from a button
on the View Chart screen.
From the file manager, select the required file from the
list of file names, and select the Edit... button
>> To start up the wheel designer directly from

Windows
icons, double-click on the Wheel Designer icon.
If you have started the wheel designer via Solar Fire’s
file manager, then when the screen first appears, the
current design file will be open. You may simply wish to
examine or edit this file, but you may also use the available
menu options to open and edit other wheel or dial design
files or to create new ones.
The displayed wheel or dial is not that of a true chart -
its planetary positions are fictitious and fixed, and are
shown purely for convenience of getting a rough idea of
how the design will look when used with a real chart. In
order to see the design with a real chart, you will need to
use it in Solar Fire to display a chart.

48.1 Creating a New File

>> To create a new wheel or dial design file
Select the New option from the File menu.
opened. When a new file is opened, it contains a basic
wheel design. You must edit this design and then save it
under a new name.
48.2 Opening an Existing File

>> To open an existing wheel or dial design file
Select the Open option from the File menu.
opened. When you select this option, you will be
must select the required file. Solar Fire wheel design files
have the file extension .wh1, .wh2, .wh3, .wh4, and dial
design files have the extension .di1, .di2, .di3, .di4. This
final digit in the extension indicates how many charts are
included in the wheel or dial e.g. .di3 is dial design with
three concentric charts. It is only possible to open files of
one of these types. If you attempt to open a file of a
different type, then a message will be shown indicating
that the file cannot be read.

48.3 Saving a File

>> To save the design that you have entered or
edited
Select the Save or Save As... option from the File
menu.
The Save option will save any changes that you have
made using the existing file name. If there is no file name
(i.e. if it is a new file), then this option will prompt you to
enter a name before it is saved. This option will
automatically provide the appropriate file extension for
your design e.g. if you are saving a biwheel design, then it
will be given the extension .wh2. The Save As... option
prompts you for a name to save the file as.
48.4 Editing the Design Properties

Each wheel or dial design consists of a number of
objects, each of which has a number of properties. The
objects in a wheel or dial design are
General Properties - items that relate to the whole
design
Circles - circles defining rings in which other objects are
placed (up to 20)
Planet Rings - positions of planet and angle text (1 for
each chart)
Extra Point Rings - positions of additional points and
angle text (1 for each chart). These points are those that
can be selected in the “Extra Ring Points” option of the
Solar Fire Options menu.
House Lines - lines delimiting house cusps (up to 2 per
chart)

Cusp Annotation - glyphs and text for each house cusp

(up to 2 per chart)
House Numbering - identification of house numbers
(up to 2 per chart)
Zodiac/Dial - zodiacal annotation or dial annotation (up
to 2 per chart)
Aspect Lines - lines showing aspects in a chart or
between two charts
Each object has a different list of properties that may be
edited in order to change the appearance of the wheel or
dial.
The values of the properties for any of these objects may
be set by choosing the required object from the drop-
down list box at the top right of the screen, and then
editing the values of the individual properties which
appear in the list below the drop-down box.
The radius of the Circles may also be altered by using
drag-and-drop operations with the mouse directly on the
displayed wheel.
>> To alter any property for an object

Select the required object from the drop-down list box
Click on the required property in the property list
This will cause the value of that property to be displayed
and highlighted in the editing box at the top of the
property list. Depending on the type of property, it is then
possible to select a new value by one for the following
methods.
Type a new value into the editing box (any property)
Select an entry from the drop-down list of possible

values (only for properties with a pre-defined list of

possible values, e.g. True/False, Solid/Dashed/Dotted,
etc.)
Select a color from the palette by clicking on the >
button (only for color properties)
48.4.1 Common Property Types
LineStyle - Possible values are Solid, Dash, Dot,

Dash-Dot, Dash-Dot-Dot. However, this property is only
applicable if the LineWidth is 1. If the LineWidth is
greater, then the line is always Solid, regardless of the
value of this property.
LineWidth - This must be in the range 1 to 5. Note that
if it is greater than 1, then the LineStyle is always
displayed as solid, regardless of the value of the LineStyle
property.
Color - This may be any of several million colors,
although the exact color that is used when the wheel is
displayed or printed depends on the color capabilities of
your computer display or printer. The drop-down list of
values contains a list of only the 16 main solid colors. If
you wish to use any other color, then you must select the
> button, and use the color selection dialog to find or
define the color that you want. Note that where the color
property relates to a line, the nearest solid color to the
selected color is always used.
Inner & Outer Circle - These must have values from 0
to the number of circles in the wheel or dial design, and
they define a ring (i.e. the region between these two
circles) in which the object is placed. The circles are
always arranged with circle 1 outermost, and increasing in

number to the innermost circle. If you delete any circles

after setting this property, then these values may be
automatically altered to ensure that they refer to existing
circles. Setting one or both of these values to 0 will
prevent that object from being included in the chart. For
example, setting the house numbers inner and outer circles
to zero ensures that no house numbers will be displayed.
Lengths & Widths - These properties are used to
define the length and width of various items such as tick
marks and arrowheads. They must be between 0 and 1,
as they are always relative to the radius of the outermost
circle e.g. a value of .1 would produce an arrow head
width or length 1/10th of the radius of the circle, or a
value of .02 would produce a tick mark 2/100ths of the
radius of the circle.
48.4.2 General Properties
House Anchor Chart - This must have a value between

1 and the number of charts in this design. It indicates
which chart’s house cusps will be used for multi-wheel
displays. This is usually set to 1, indicating that the houses
of the innermost chart will be used. In a three chart wheel,
setting this to 2 would indicate that the middle chart’s
houses would be used, and setting it to 3 would indicate
that the outermost chart’s houses would be used.
Thin Printer Lines - This must be either True or False.
When it is false, then when the design is printed it will
have lines that are approximately the same thickness as on
the screen design. When it is true, then the printed lines
are somewhat thinner than the screen lines. Typically the
printed chart looks better when this is set to True.

Dial Degrees - This must be a number from 10 to 360,

indicating the number of degrees shown in the wheel. If
the number is less than 360, then this design is considered
to be a dial. If the number is 360, then this design is
considered to be a wheel, provided that the glyph type in
the zodiac ring is not set to degrees.
Fixed Anchor - This must be either True or False. It
indicates whether or not the wheel or dial is fixed at a
particular angle, rather than having the anchor chart’s
ascendant fixed on the left of the chart. Normally it should
be set to false for a wheel display and to true for a dial
display. When set to true, the chart is fixed at the angle
specified in the anchor degrees property.
Anchor Degrees - This must be a number from 0 to
360. It specifies at what angle the wheel or dial is fixed.
For example, setting this to 0 ensures that the 0 degree
point on the chart is fixed at the left of the wheel.
Similarly, 90 fixes the 0 degrees point of the chart to the
top of the wheel, 180 to the right of the wheel, and 270 to
the bottom of the wheel. For a dial, this should normally
be set to 90, putting the origin at the top of the dial. This
option is ignored if the Fixed Anchor property is false.
48.4.3 Circles
Radius - This must have a value between 0 and 1. It

indicates the radius of the circle relative to the outermost
circle in the design. If it has a value of .6, for example,
then this circle would have a radius 6/10ths of the size of
the outermost circle. The radius of circle number 1 is
always set to 1, and cannot be changed. If you wish to
design a chart that is smaller than the standard size, then

you should make circle 1 invisible, and ensure that the

other wheel design objects are placed between other
smaller circles. Instead of typing in a value here, it is
possible to use the mouse to drag-and-drop the circle
radius to its required size.
Visible - This must be either True or False. If this
property is false, then it will not be visible when displayed
or printed in Solar Fire. However, for the sake of clarity,
it is always displayed in the wheel designer regardless of
the value of this property.
LineStyle - The line style that is used for this circle.
Ignored if circle is not visible.
LineWidth - The line width that is used for this circle.
LineColor - The line color that is used for this circle.
Fill Circle - This must be either True or False. If this
property is true, then the FillColor will be used to fill the
entire region from this circle inwards. If you wish the fill
color to end at another circle, then you must set that
circle’s Fill Circle property to True and set its FillColor to
White.
Fill Color - This defines the color that will be used to fill
this circle if the Fill circle property is true. Ignored if circle
is not visible.
48.4.4 House Lines
Inner & Outer Circle - These define the circles

between which the house lines will be drawn.
Angular & Other LineStyle - These define the line

style used for the house cusp lines. Angular lines are those
of the 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th house cusps.
Angular & Other LineWidth - These define the line
width used for the house cusp lines.
Angular & Other LineColor - These define the color
in which the house cusp lines are drawn.
Arrow on 10th & 1st - This must be either True or
False. If this property is true, then an arrowhead is drawn
at the outer end of the 10th or 1st house cusp lines.
Arrow Width & Length - These define the width and
length of the arrowhead, and must be between 0 and 1.
Try values .1 for length and .05 for width as a starting
point.
48.4.5 Cusp Annotation

between which the cusp annotation will be drawn.
Cusp Style - This must be Normal, Crystal, Teardrop
or Lotus. You can see what these different styles look like
by selecting them and redrawing the wheel. Cusp styles
other than normal require a reasonable width between
inner and outer circles to look their best.
Show Interceptions - This must be either True or
False. If this property is true, then sign glyphs for any
intercepted signs are displayed as well as the glyphs on
the house cusps. Ignored unless Cusp Style is normal.
Inner & Outer Tick Length - These define the length
of tick marks pointing out from the inner circle and in from
the outer circle, and must be between 0 and 1. Try a
value of .02 as a starting point. Set this value to 0 to

prevent ticks appearing.

Glyph Visible – This must be one of Sign Glyphs On,
No Sign Glyphs, or Sign Abbr On. The last option forces
the sign to be displayed as a two-letter abbreviation
instead of as an astrological glyph.
Degrees, Minutes Visible - This must be either True
or False. If this property is false, then the degree text or
minute text on each house cusp will not be displayed. For
example, you might like to display only the degree number
on each cusp, in which case you should set the Minutes
Visible property to false.
Glyphs, Degrees, Minutes FontSize - This allows
you to choose in what fontsize this item should be
displayed. Ignored if not visible.
Glyphs, Degrees, Minutes Bold - This must be either
True or False. This allows you to choose whether this
item should be displayed in a normal font if false, or a
bold font if true. Ignored if not visible.
Glyphs Italic - This must be either True or False. This
allows you to choose whether the sign glyphs on each
house cusp should be displayed in a normal font if false,
or an italic font if true. Ignored if not visible.
48.4.6 House Numbering

between which the house numbers will be drawn.
Position Ratio - This must be a number between 0 and
1, defining where the number is centred between the inner
and outer circles. A value of .6 would position the
numbers 6/10ths of the way from the inner circle to the
outer circle.

Numbers FontSize - This allows you to choose in what

fontsize this item should be displayed.
Numbers Bold - This must be either True or False. This
allows you to choose whether the house numbers should
be displayed in a normal font if false, or a bold font if true.
48.4.7 Zodiac/Dial

between which the zodiac or dial ring will be drawn.
Glyph Type - This may be any of the following: None,
Vertical, Rotated, Degrees, Vertical Text Abbr, Rotated
Text Abbr, Rotated Degrees, Ruler – Vertical, Ruler –
Rotated, Ruler Abbr – Vertical, Ruler Abbr - Rotated.
The ruler options cause the sign (or decanate if the
Division Interval property is set to 10) ruling planet to be
displayed instead of the sign itself. The vertical options
display zodiac sign or planetary ruler glyphs or
abbreviations in their normal upright position. The rotated
option displays them rotated according to their position in
the zodiac ring, so that their base is always pointing
inwards. The degrees options prevent glyphs or
abbreviations from being displayed, and displays angle
text instead.
Note: If the Dial Degrees property is set to anything
other than 360 degrees, then sign or ruler glyphs or
abbreviations will not be displayed regardless of the
setting of this property.
Note: If rulers are selected, then the rulership level is
determined by the rulership level setting of this wheel
object in the page design. This may be set the "default", to
use Solar Fire's default rulership level, or it may be set to

a specific rulership level.

Fill Signs - This must be either True or False. This
allows you to choose whether the zodiac signs will have
their background filled with their colors (as set in Solar
Fire). If false, then the glyphs or abbreviations will be
drawn in their sign colors, but the background will be
unchanged. If true, then the glyphs will be black or white,
but the background of each sign will be filled with its
color. Note, however, that in order for the fill option to
work, the individual signs must be fully enclosed with
circles on both sides, and division intervals at either end. If
they are not fully enclosed, then the fill option will not
work correctly. (This means that the division interval must
be 30 degrees, and the division tick ratio must be 1).
Glyphs Position - This must be a number between 0
and 1, defining where the number is centred between the
inner and outer circles. A value of .6 would position the
numbers 6/10ths of the way from the inner circle to the
outer circle.
Glyphs FontSize - This allows you to choose in what
fontsize this item should be displayed. Ignored if not
visible.
Glyphs Bold - This must be either True or False. This
allows you to choose whether this item should be
displayed in a normal font if false, or a bold font if true.
Ignored if not visible.
or an italic font if true. Ignored if not visible.
Glyph Widening - This is the ratio between the glyph
width and height. A value of 1 ensures that the glyph has

its normal appearance. A value of 2 would stretch the

glyph horizontally to be twice its normal width. A value of
.5 would shrink the glyph horizontally to be half its normal
width. This option is mainly useful for widening the glyphs
when they are displayed in rotated format.
Division Interval - This must be a number from 1 to
360, indicating at what interval division markers are
placed. For wheels, this should normally be 30, to ensure
that the divisions fall between the zodiac signs, or 10 to
ensure that divisions occur between each sing decanate.
(When the glyph type option is set to a ruler, then setting a
value of 30 will ensure that the sign rulers are displayed,
whereas 10 will ensure that decanate rulers are
displayed.) For a dial, it should be set to some factor of
the dial degrees e.g. if the dial degrees is 90, then setting
this interval to 30 will produce 3 equal divisions in the dial,
or setting it to 10 will produce 9 equal divisions in the dial.
Division Tick Ratio - This must be a number from 0 to
1. It indicates how long the division markers are in relation
to the distance between the inner and outer circles. A
value of 1 ensures that the division markers cover the full
distance between the two circles. Use a value of zero to
switch off the division markers.
Tick on Inner - This must be either True or False. If
true, then all tick marks and division markers will start
from the inner circle and extend towards the outer circle.
If false, then they will all start from the outer circle and
extend inwards.
Tick Color - The color that is used for all the division
and tick marks.
Large & Small & Tiny Tick Ratio - This must be a
number from 0 to 1. It indicates how long the tick marks

are in relation to the distance between the inner and outer

circles. A value of .2 ensures that the tick marks cover
2/10ths of the distance between the two circles. Typically
the large tick ratio is larger than the small tick ratio, which
itself is larger than the tiny ratio. Use a value of 0 to switch
of the tick marks.
Large & Small Tick Interval - Large tick interval
must be in the range 1 to 90, and the small tick interval in
the range 1 to 30. These indicate at what intervals the tick
marks are displayed.
Tiny Tick Fraction – This indicates how many tick
subdivisions per degree are displayed. This must be in the
range 2 to 10. This option is useful for dials which have a
modulus of say 90 degrees or less, when the interval
between degree ticks is quite large.
Zodiac Type – This must be one of the following:
Default, Tropical, Sidereal or Constellations. The Default
option ensures that the displayed zodiac ring uses the
zodiac type of the chart being displayed. The Tropical
option ensures that the zodiac ring displays the tropical
zodiac sign positions, regardless of the zodiac type of the
chart being displayed. The Sidereal option ensures that
the zodiac ring displays sidereal zodiac sign positions,
regardless of the zodiac type of the chart being displayed
– in this case Solar Fire’s default sidereal zodiac type
used is. The Constellations option makes the zodiac ring
display the astronomical constellation boundaries (giving
uneven sign lengths and including a 13th division for the
constellation Ophiuchus). Note: If you include more than
one zodiac ring for a chart, then you can choose different
zodiac types for each, so that you can see both tropical
and sidereal sign positions in the same chart, for example.

48.4.8 Aspect Lines
From & To Circle - These define the circles between

which the aspect lines will be drawn. Usually aspect lines
are drawn to different points on the same circle. In this
case both these should be set to the same circle number.
From & To Chart - These must be in the range 1 to the
number of charts in the current wheel. These define the
charts between which the aspect lines will be drawn.
Usually aspect lines are drawn to different points in the
same chart. In this case both these should be set to the
same chart number. If they are set to different chart
numbers, then you will see aspects between those two
charts.
From & To Tick Ratio - These must be numbers from
0 to 1. They indicates how long the tick marks are in
relation to the distance between the inner and outer
circles. Use a value of zero to switch off the tick marks.
From & To Tick Width - This is the line width used to
draw the tick marks at the planetary positions on the
circle. Aspects are drawn to the end of these tick marks
instead of to the circles, unless the tick ratios are zero.
48.4.9 Planet Rings and Extra Ring Points

between which the zodiac or dial ring will be drawn.
Glyph, Degree, Sign, Minute, Retro Position -
These must be numbers from 0 to 1. They indicate where
each item is positioned relative to the inner and outer
circles. A value of 0.25 positions it 1/4 of the way from

the inner to the outer circle, and a value of .75 positions it

3/4 of the way. If this value is set to 0, then this item is not
displayed. For example, if you wish to display only the
glyph, degree text and zodiac sign, then assign them non-
zero values, but give zero values to the minute and retro
positions.
Glyphs, Degrees, Minutes FontSize - This allows
you to choose in what fontsize this item should be
displayed. Ignored if not displayed.
Glyphs, Degrees Bold - This must be either True or
False. This allows you to choose whether this item should
be displayed in a normal font if false, or a bold font if true.
Ignored if not displayed.
or an italic font if true. Ignored if not displayed.
Inner & Outer Tick Length - These must be numbers
from 0 to 1. They indicate how long the tick marks are in
relation to the distance between the inner and outer
circles. Use a value of zero to switch off the either of
these sets of tick marks.
Tick Width - This is the line width used to draw the
inner and/or outer tick marks at the planetary positions on
the inner and outer circles. Ignored if the tick lengths are
zero.
Glyphs as Text – This must be either True or False. If
false, then planets are shown as glyphs. If true then
planets are shown as three-letter abbreviations.
Signs as Text - This must be either True or False. If
false, then signs are shown as glyphs. If true then signs are
shown as two-letter abbreviations.

48.5 Adding a New Circle

It is possible to have up to 10 circles in a wheel or dial
design.
>> To add a new circle to the design

Select the Add Circle... item from the Edit menu
Click on the wheel at roughly the required radius for the
new circle
You can adjust the radius of the circle after it is added
either by drag-and-drop with the mouse, or by setting its
radius property in the property list for the circle.
48.6 Deleting a Circle

>> To delete an existing circle in the design
Select the required circle by clicking near it, or select the
required circle from the drop-down list of objects
Select the Del key or select the Delete Circle... item
from the Edit menu
If the deleted circle was referenced by any objects, then
those references will be automatically updated to refer to
other existing circles.
48.7 Adding a New Chart

It is possible to have up to four charts in a wheel or dial
design.

>> To add a new chart to the design

Select the Add Chart... item from the Edit menu
Click on the wheel between two circles where you wish
that chart’s planets to be placed
You can adjust the planet positions, the circles used and
other properties after it is added.
48.8 Deleting a Chart

You cannot delete the chart that is the single remaining
one.
>> To delete another chart in the design, do one of

the following
Select the required chart’s planets from the drop-down
list of objects, and then select the Del key
Select the Delete Chart... item from the Edit menu,
and then click on the wheel between two circles where
that chart’s planets are placed
48.9 Setting All Line Colors

Sometimes you may wish to create a chart
with colored circles, cusp lines etc. You can
do this by editing the color properties of each
object of the design. However, you can also
set all the lines colors at once, if you prefer.
>> To set all the wheel's line colors to a

selected color

Select the Set All Line Colors... item from the Edit
menu
Select the required color from the color selection dialog.
48.10 Editing the Wheel Description

A description of a wheel or dial design is displayed at
the top left of the design screen, but is not displayed when
the wheel or dial is displayed or printed in Solar Fire. In
Solar Fire, its only purpose is to help you select a wheel
or dial design file from the list of available designs. These
descriptions are listed in Solar Fire’s file manager when
you invoke the Wheel Styles... or Dial Styles... items
from the Preferences menu.
>> To edit the description of the current design

Select the Wheel Description... item from the Edit
menu.
Enter or edit up to 80 characters of text.
49 Editing a Dignity/Almuten File

There are several reports and page objects within Solar
Fire that use a dignity scoring system in order to
determine which planet is the most dignified in certain
circumstances. These items are as follows.
Essential Dignities Tabulations - These are displayed
in the “Horary” report and also in the “Essential Dignities”
page object, and are defined in the file essdig.alm in
Solar Fire’s main program files folder.
House Almutens - These are displayed in the “Horary”

report and also in the “House Almutens” page object, and

are defined in the file house.alm in Solar Fire’s main
program files folder.
Dignity/Almuten Scores - These are displayed in the
“Dignity/Almuten” page object. By default, they are
defined in the file general.alm in Solar Fire’s main
program files folder, but the user can generate any number
of customised definitions in files of the type *.alm in Solar
Fire User Files / Almutens & Dignities folder, and opt to
use these customised definitions instead of the default.
In each case, the dignity scoring definitions are stored in
files of the type “*.alm”, and any file of this type may be
edited in the Dignity/Almuten Editor.
>> To start the Dignity/Almuten editor

From the Utilities menu, select the Dignity/Almuten
Editor item.
When the editor first starts up, it will prompt you to
select an existing dignity/almuten file. If you do not select
one to open, then it will start with a new dignity definition
set containing a single definition for the scoring of essential
dignities.
49.1 Manipulating Files

>> To open an existing dignity definition file for
editing
Select Open... from the File menu.
This will display a standard “File Open” dialog from
which you may select any existing file with a “*.alm”
extension.

The default directory for user-defined dignity/almuten

definition files is Solar Fire’s \USERDATA directory.
However, the system default definition files reside in Solar
Fire’s main program files folder. Initially, you will have the
following files available.
general.alm - The default file used by the Dignity/
Almuten page object. This is in Solar Fire’s main program
files folder. It contains several definitions.
essdig.alm - The file used for the calculation of essential
dignities tables. This is in Solar Fire’s main program files
folder. It contains a single definition.
house.alm - The file used for the calculation of house
cusp almutens. This is in Solar Fire’s main program files
folder. It contains a single definition.
hyle.g.alm – The file used for certain parts of the
calculation of chart hylegs. This is in Solar Fire’s main
program files folder. It contains a single definition.
You have the option of editing any of these files, in
addition to any further user-defined dignity/almuten
definition files that you have previously created yourself.
>> To save any changes you have made

Select Save from the File menu. This will save any
changes you have made to the file that is currently being
edited.
>> To save the current file as a copy under a new

name
Select Save As... from the File menu.
This will display a standard “File Save” dialog in which
you may enter a new name (and optionally location) for

the file. The file must have a “.alm” extension in order to

be usable in Solar Fire, and it must be saved to Solar Fire
User Files / Almutens & Dignities folder. The only
exceptions are for the system default definition files (
essdig.alm, house.alm, hyle.g.alm) that must always
reside in Solar Fire’s main program folder.
>> To create a new dignity/almuten definitions file

from scratch
Select New from the File menu. This will create a new
file containing a single definition for essential dignities,
which you can edit and save under any name you like.
49.2 Editing a Single Definition

>> To edit any definition on the list
Select the entry you wish to edit by clicking on it. This
will update all the other items on the screen to display
what is contained in this definition, and any of these items
may be edited.
The editor allows you to create two different types of
dignity/almuten definitions.
49.2.1 Calculation Types
Degree Dignities - This type of definition allows you to

specify a calculation which determines either i) the dignity
score of a planet for the position that it occupies in the
chart (also known as “essential dignities”, or ii) to
determine the dignity scores of all planets at the position
of a house cusp, from which the almuten of the house

cusp may be determined.

For example, if Jupiter is at 28°Libra, then the ruler is
Venus, exaltation is Saturn, Triplicity ruler (daytime chart)
is Saturn, Term ruler (Ptolemaic) is Mars, the Face is
Jupiter, the Detriment is Mars and the Fall is the Sun. In
this case, Jupiter would be assigned points for being in its
own Face. If the definition was being used to calculate a
house cusp, then Saturn would get the highest dignity
score, because it is exalted and in triplicity
Almuten - Sum over Points - This allows you to
specify a calculation which sums the dignities of each
planet at each of a variety of specified positions. The
result is a summed score for each planet, and the highest
scoring planet is deemed to be the overall almuten.
For example, Ibn Ezra suggests that the almuten of the
chart can be found by summing the dignity scores that
each planet has at the positions of I) the Moon, ii) the
Sun, iii) the Ascendant, iv) the Part of Fortune and v) the
position of the moon at the last syzygy (new moon or full
moon) prior to the time of the chart.
>> To select the Calculation Type

Click on either the Degree Dignities or the Almuten
option button in the Calculation Type frame.
If you select the Almuten option, then the Selected
Points button and Minimum Honors edit boxes will
become enabled, otherwise these options will remain
unavailable.

49.2.2 Selecting Points
>> To select points for almuten calculations

Click on the Selected Points... button. This will display
the “Summation Point Selection” dialog box from which
you can select a large range of primary chart points, house
cusps or other derived positions.
The points available are as follows.
All Chart Points
Each of the 12 House Cusps
Various Other Points
The Descendant (Dsc)
The Immum Coeli (IC)
The prenatal syzygy Moon
The prenatal syzygy Sun
The prenatal syzygy Sun or Moon (Most Elevated)
The prenatal New Moon
The prenatal Full Moon
The prenatal Sun (at the Full Moon)
Any Arabic Parts in a selected Arabic Parts file
49.2.3 Selecting Point Modifiers
For each point, you can also choose to apply the

following modifiers
Own position - no modifier is applied. The position of
the selected point is used in the calculation.
Dispositor - The position of the ruler of the sign in
which this point is placed is used in the calculation. The
rulerships used depend of which set is chosen using the

Options... button.
Triplicity rulers - The position of the 1st (in sect), 2nd
(out of sect) or 3rd (participating) triplicity ruler of the
element in which this point is placed is used in the
calculation. The triplicity type used depends on what is
selected using the Options... button.
Term ruler - The position of the term ruler of this point
is used in the calculation. The term type used depends on
what is selected using the Options... button.
Face ruler - The position of the face ruler of this point is
used in the calculation. The rulerships used depend of
which set is chosen using the Options... button.
49.2.4 Adding and Removing Points
>> To add a point to the list of selected points

1. Select an option from the Points to Show frame.
This will list all the available points of that type in
the Available Points list.
2. Select an option from the Point Type frame.
3. Select the required point from the list of Available
Points by highlighting it and then clicking on the
Add button, or by double-clicking its entry. This
will add the selected point to the bottom of the list
of Selected Points.
>> To remove a point from the list of selected

points
Select the required point from the list of Selected
Points by highlighting it and then clicking on the Delete
button, or by double-clicking its entry. This will remove

that entry from the list.

If you wish to specify any Arabic Parts as selected
points, then you must first ensure that you have an Arabic
Parts file containing the required Arabic Part definitions.
See Editing an Arabic Parts File for instructions on using
the Arabic Parts Editor.
49.2.5 Other Items
>> To select an Arabic parts file

Click on the Arabic Parts File... button. This will
display a standard file open dialog listing all available
Arabic Part files. You must select a file from this list. You
must not attempt to select a file from any other directory
than the one which is first displayed (the Solar Fire
\USERDATA directory), or else the Arabic Parts will not
become available for selection.
Notes:
1. You can select Arabic Parts from a single Arabic
Parts file only. Once you have added Arabic Parts
as selected points, and you then select a different
Arabic Parts file, any Arabic Parts selected from a
previous file will be removed from the list.
2. If you wish to use an Arabic part that has a
separate day/night formula (for example the Part of
Spirit), then you should ensure that you add both
the day and the night formula versions of that
Arabic Part to the list of selected points (Part of
Spirit (Day) and Part of Spirit (Night)). When
Solar Fire calculates the almuten, it will ignore that
version of the Arabic Part which is not applicable
to the sect of the chart for which the almuten is

being calculated.
3. Warning: If you later use the Arabic Parts Editor
to remove entries from or reorder the Arabic Parts
file which you select here, then the almuten
calculation will no longer work correctly. You will
need to use the Dignity/Almuten Editor to reselect
all the required Arabic Parts before you can be
sure that the calculation will use the correct Arabic
Parts.
When you have selected the required points, click on the
Save button to return to the previous screen.
>> To select Minimum Honors

Click inside the Minimum Honors edit box, and type in
the minimum number of honors that a planet must have in
order to be deemed the almuten.
An honor is a dignity by rulership, exaltation, triplicity,
term of face. This option is intended to be used to prevent
a planet from being deemed the almuten if it does not have
sufficient dignity. If a planet does not have minimum
honors when this option is set, then it is given a zero
dignity score. It is currently used only in the hyle.g.alm
system file for the calculation of chart hylegs.
>> To edit text for the Brief Name, Full Name and
Description
Place the cursor in the required edit box, and type in the
changes.
Brief Name is what this definition is called on the list,
and does not affect anything else in Solar Fire.
Full Name is used in Solar Fire’s dignity/almuten page

object as a title for the definition, so should be brief but

descriptive.
Description is not used in Solar Fire, but may be used
to add a few notes about the definition, its origin, and how
it should be used, for example.
49.2.6 Editing Dignity Scores
>> To select an item on the Dignity Scoring list for

editing
Select the required item by clicking on it.
The Dignity Scoring list items are as follows.
In Rulership - The score for a planet that is a sign
which it rules
In Exaltation - The score for a planet that is in a sign in
which it is exalted
In Triplicity (In Sect) - The score for a planet that is in
its own triplicity for the sect of the chart (diurnal or
nocturnal).
In Triplicity (Out Sect) - The score for a planet that is
in its own triplicity for the opposite sect of the chart
(nocturnal or diurnal).
In Triplicity (Extra) - The score for a planet that is in
its own triplicity of the extra (or participatory) triplicity
ruler.
In Term - The score for a planet which is in its own
term
In Face - The score for a planet which is in its own face
In Detriment - The score for a planet which is in a sign
opposite its rulership

In Fall - The score for a planet which is in a sign

opposite its exaltation
In MR (Rulership, Exaltation etc.) - The score for a
planet that is in mutual reception by rulership, exaltation,
triplicity (in sect), term or face.
Planet of Day - The score for the planet that is the
planet of the day.
Planet of Hour - The score for the planet which is the
planet of the hour
In Peregrine - The score for planet which is in
peregrine
In House x - The score for a planet occupying the xth
house.
Notes:
1. Any score may be set to 0 (zero) to prevent it
being used in the dignity scoring calculation.
2. Rulerships, exaltations, faces, detriments and falls
are deemed according to whichever set of
rulerships has been selected to be used with this
definition.
3. Triplicity rulerships are deemed according to
whichever one of the available options is selected
as described below.
4. Term rulerships are deemed according to
whichever one of the available options is selected
as described below.
5. A planet is deemed to be in peregrine if it has no
dignity by rulership, exaltation, triplicity, term or
face. Optionally, a further condition for deeming a
planet to be peregrine is that is also has no mutual
receptions by rulership, exaltation, triplicity, term or

face. This option may be selected by the user as

described below.
6. The Planet of Day, Hour and House options would
normally only be used for almuten calculations
rather then degree dignities.
7. When scoring the In House option, the house
placement of each planet is determined according
to user-defined options as described below.
>> To adjust the scoring for the selected dignity

item
Click on the > button to increment the score by 1 point,
or the < button to decrement the score by 1 point.
When you select a dignity item that is a Mutual
Reception (MR), you can also select a peregrine option,
which affects whether or not a planet can be deemed to
be in peregrine if it is in mutual reception. These options
are as follows.
Ignore MR for peregrine flag - This option ignores
the mutual reception when determining whether a planet is
in peregrine, so the planet may be in peregrine even if it is
in a mutual reception of this type.
Cancel flag if MR occurs - This option cancels the
peregrine if any mutual reception of this type occurs for
the planet, so the planet is deemed not to be in peregrine
if the mutual reception occurs.
You can prevent a dignity/almuten definition from being
used for either daytime or nighttime charts if you wish.
This is useful if you wish to apply different scoring for day
and night charts, in which case you must create two
separate definitions, and apply one to diurnal (daytime)

charts only, and the other to nocturnal (nighttime) charts

only. When Solar Fire displays dignity/almutens scores, it
will ignore the definition that does not apply to the current
chart, and display the scores only for the definition that
does apply.
49.2.7 Diurnal Applicability
>> To select diurnal applicability

Click in the Diurnal Charts and Nocturnal Charts
check boxes to switch them on or off. At least one of
these must be checked, and both must be checked in
order to apply the definition to charts of both types.
49.3 Selecting Further Options

>> To select further options
Click on the Options... button. This will display the
“Dignity/Almutens Options” dialog box.
Planetary Rulerships
You can select any set of rulerships that are defined in
Solar Fire’s Rulerships and Weightings Editor (see Editing
Rulerships).
49.3.1 Triplicities
Triplicity Type
There are three different sets of triplicity rulers from
which you may choose.

Ptolemy - As defined in his book “Tetrabiblos”

Lilly - As defined in his book “Christian Astrology”
Dorothean - According to Dorotheus of Sidon.
Ptolemy Lilly Dorothean
Triplicity D N P D N P D N P
Fire ¸ ½ ¼ ¸ ½ ¸ ½ - ¾
Earth » ¶ ¾ » ¶ - » ¶ ¼
Air ¾ º ½ ¾ º - ¾ º ½
Water » ¶ ¼ ¼ ¼ - » ¼ ¶
D=Day; N=Night; P=Participatory
For a more detailed discussion of the different triplicity
rulerships and their applicability, you might like to refer to
Dr. Lee Lehman’s book “Classical Astrology for
Modern Living”, published by Whitford Press.
49.3.2 Terms
Term Type
There are two different term definitions from which you
may choose.
Ptolemy - As defined in his book “Tetrabiblos”. This
set of term rulerships is also sometimes referred to as
“Chaldean”.
Egyptian - As defined in Ptolemy’s “Tetrabiblos”.
The following tables indicates the terms of each sign,
giving the planet ruling each term and the number of
degrees into the sign at which its rulership ends, e.g. in the
Ptolemaic Terms table, Jupiter rules the first 6 degrees of
Aries (i.e. from 0°00 to 5°59’59”), and Venus rules the

next 8 degrees (i.e. from 6°00 to 13°59’59”).

Ptolemaic Terms
Ü ½6 » 14 º 21 ¼ 26 ¾ 30
Ý »8 º 15 ½ 22 ¾ 26 ¼ 30
‚ º7 ½ 14 » 21 ¾ 25 ¼ 30
ƒ ¼6 ½ 13 º 20 » 27 ¾ 30
„ ¾6 º 13 » 19 ½ 25 ¼ 30
… º7 » 13 ½ 18 ¾ 24 ¼ 30
† ¾6 » 11 ½ 19 º 24 ¼ 30
‡ ¼6 ½ 14 » 21 º 27 ¾ 30
ˆ ½8 » 14 º 19 ¾ 25 ¼ 30
‰ »6 º 12 ½ 19 ¼ 25 ¾ 30
Š ¾6 º 12 » 20 ½ 25 ¼ 30
‹ »8 ½ 14 º 20 ¼ 26 ¾ 30
Egyptian terms
Ü ½6 » 12 º 20 ¼ 25 ¾ 30
Ý »8 º 14 ½ 22 ¾ 27 ¼ 30
‚ º6 ½ 12 » 17 ¼ 24 ¾ 30
ƒ ¼7 » 13 º 19 ½ 26 ¾ 30
„ ½6 » 11 ¾ 18 º 24 ¼ 30
… º7 » 17 ½ 21 ¼ 28 ¾ 30
† ¾6 º 14 ½ 21 » 28 ¼ 30

‡ ¼7 » 11 º 19 ½ 24 ¾ 30
ˆ ½12 » 17 º 21 ¾ 26 ¼ 30
‰ º7 ½ 14 » 22 ¾ 26 ¼ 30
Š º7 » 13 ½ 20 ¼ 25 ¾ 30
‹ »12 ½ 16 º 19 ¼ 28 ¾ 30
For a more detailed discussion of the different term
rulerships and their applicability, you might like to refer to
Dr. Lee Lehman’s book “Classical Astrology for
Modern Living”, published by Whitford Press.
49.3.3 Other Items
Sign Boundaries
The usual modern practice is to deem that an astrological
sign starts at 0° of the sign. However, it is possible that
some ancient astrologers may have deemed a sign to
begin at 1° when defining the term rulerships. In this case,
the first degree of each sign is deemed to be the 30th
degree of the previous sign. No other degrees are
affected, and this option only affects determination of the
terms. For example, in the Ptolemaic Terms table, Jupiter
would rule from 1°00 to 5°59’59” of Aries, and Saturn
would rule from 25°00 of Aries to 0°59’59” of Taurus.
House System
You can opt to allow Solar Fire to use whichever house
system is in use with the chart for which this definition is
being used, or you can force it always to use a selected
house system. This is useful if you are trying to emulate the

almuten calculations of medieval astrologers who used a

specific house system, for example.
House Cusps Degree Offsets

When determining which house a planet is placed in,
many astrologers read a planet forward into the next
house if it is close to the cusp of the next house. You can
emulate this procedure by specifying a number of degrees
from each house cusp type within which the planet will be
considered to be in the next house. Typically this offset is
greatest for angular houses, and smallest for cadent
houses. For example, specifying an offset of 8 degrees
will cause any planets lying up to 8 degrees ahead of an
angular house cusp (1st, 4th, 7th or 10th) is deemed to be
in that angular house. This procedure only affects the
dignity/almuten scoring for house placements of planets,
so will have no effect unless you are using non-zero
scores for the “In House” dignity scoring items.
Part of Fortune
If the Part of Fortune (or its dispositor) is selected as a
summation point in the Almuten calculation, then you can
specify whether it is calculated according to the daytime
formula only, or whether to apply the different nighttime
formula in any nocturnal chart. A similar option is also
available within the main Solar Fire program, but the
setting of the option in this screen overrides the choice
you have made in Solar Fire when almuten calculations
are being performed.

49.4 Adding a New Definition to the List

>> To add a new definition to the list
Select Add New Definition from the Edit menu. This
will add a new definition for essential dignities to the
bottom of the list. You can edit this new definition as you
wish.
>> To duplicate an existing definition on the list

1. Select the entry you wish to copy by clicking on it
2. Select the Paste Definition item from the Edit
menu. This will add a copy of the current definition
to the bottom of the list. You can edit this as you
wish.
49.5 Deleting a Definition

>> To delete a definition from the list of dignity/
almuten definitions
1. Select the required entry from the list by clicking on
it
2. Select the Delete Definition item from the Edit
menu.
50 Editing a Page Design File

It is possible to infinitely customise what is seen on Solar
Fire’s Chart Viewing screen - from viewing a single chart,
to viewing several charts at once, or viewing a large
variety of tables, grids and graphics in addition to charts.
Solar Fire is shipped with a range of pre-designed pages
from which the user may choose. However, if you cannot

find a page that suits your requirements, you have the

option of editing an existing page design or of creating an
entirely new page design from scratch.
A page design can be optimised for viewing on any
screen size, as well as for printing on any standard paper
size, whether in portrait or landscape orientation.
A single viewable page can contain information on up to
12 individual charts, displayed in any combination (e.g. 12
single wheels, 6 biwheels, 3 quadriwheels, 6 biwheels plus
6 synastry grids etc.)
50.1 Opening the Editing Screen

>> To open the page editing screen
From within Solar Fire - From the View menu select
Page Topic Index..., click on the name of a page design
file and select the Edit... button. The page designer will
appear, displaying the selected page.
From outside Solar Fire - From the Solar Fire Gold
folder, double-click on the Page Designer icon. The
page designer will appear, displaying a new blank page.
50.2 Selecting Files to Edit

You can either create new page design files or modify
existing ones. Usually it is easier to select the page design
that is closest to what you want and then modify it. To
save the new design and also keep the original design
intact, you would then use the Save As... option instead
of Save.

>> To select a different file without leaving the

editing screen
From the editing screen, select the Open... menu item
from the File menu. A standard file opening dialog box
will appear, allowing you to select a directory and
filename of an existing page design file. This will initially list
all the page design files (*.pag) in Solar Fire’s Pages
subfolder of its main User Files folder. You should not
normally change this directory, as Solar Fire requires its
user-defined pages to remain in this directory.
To select any file that is listed, either highlight the name
of the file and then choose the OK button, or just double-
click on the filename. If you have made any changes to the
existing page design, then you will be asked if you wish to
save it. The editing screen will reappear, showing the
newly selected page design.
>> To create an entirely new file

From the File Management dialog box - Select any
page design file and click on the Edit button. Then select
the New menu item from the File menu.
From the Solar Fire Gold folder - Double-click on
the Page Designer icon, and a new page will be opened
automatically.
50.3 The Editing Process

A page design file consists of a collection of objects,
each of which has various properties. The page itself is an
object, as are any items that appear on the page, such as
a chart wheel, aspect grid, tabulation of aspects, etc.

>> To select an object for editing

Any object can be selected by clicking on it. If the
object cannot be selected by clicking on it (for example if
it is behind another object), then it can be selected from
the drop-down list of objects. When an object is selected,
red editing bullets will appear around its perimeter, and its
properties will be listed in the property display list, ready
to be selected and edited. The page object can be
selected by clicking on any vacant area of the page, and in
this case editing bullets do not appear.
>> To bring an object to the front or back of the

display order
If two objects overlap one another, then you can move
one of them to the front or back by selecting it, and then
choosing the Move to Front or Move to Back menu
item from the Object / Order submenu. This will also
alter the order in which the objects are drawn when they
are displayed in Solar Fire. Items at the back are drawn
first, and items at the front are drawn last. This feature can
be useful if you want to display a graphic that overlaps
another page object, for example a graphic in the centre
of a chart wheel. If you move the graphic to the front of
the display order, then it will always be drawn on top of
the chart wheel, thus obscuring any aspect lines that may
appear in the middle of the chart. Reversing the order will
cause the aspects lines to be drawn over the graphic, so
they will remain visible.
You can find the current display order of all the objects
by browsing through the list of objects in the drop-down
list of objects. The items at the top of the list are drawn

first (at the back), and items at the bottom of the list are
drawn last (at the front).
>> To insert a new object

Choose the Add New Object menu item from the
Object menu. This will display the New Object dialog
that allows you to select and preview the shape of any of
the available object types. A description of each object
appears in the text box beneath the list when any object
name is selected. When you have found the required
object, highlight it and click on the Insert button, or
simply double-click its entry in the list. The new object
will be placed onto the page as the currently selected
object, with its properties displayed ready for editing.
>> To make a copy an existing object

First select the object that you wish to copy, and then
choose the Create Copy of Object menu item under the
Object menu. The new object will be placed onto the
page as the currently selected object, with its properties
displayed ready for editing.
>> To move an object with the mouse

First select the object by clicking on it, and then drag the
object with the mouse button held down. Releasing the
mouse button will cause the object to become fixed at its
new location. It is also possible to move an object by
typing in new AnchorX and AnchorY property values.
>> To position an object relative to the page

Highlight the required object and select one of the

options from the Object / Position submenu
The available positioning options are
At Left
Centre Horizontally
At Right
At Top
Centre Vertically
At Bottom
Each of these options positions the object relative to the
page margins e.g. At Left will move the object so that its
left edge lines up with the pages' left margin.
>> To align an object with another object

Highlight the object that you want to move and select
one of the options from the Object / Align submenu
Then click on the object with which you wish to align it
The available alignment options are
Lefts
Centres Horizontally
Rights
Tops
Centres Vertically
Bottoms
Each of these options positions the object relative to the
next object you click on e.g. Lefts will move the object so
that its left edge lines up with the left edge of next object
you click on.

Note: After you have selected the alignment option, the

object to be aligned is shown with green editing bullets
instead of the normal red ones. This is a visual reminder of
which object will be moved.
>> To resize an object

First select the object by clicking on it, and then position
the mouse over one of the red editing bullets, and drag the
bullet with the mouse button held down. Releasing the
mouse button will cause the object to become resized. If
the object that you are resizing is text based (i.e. if it has a
Font Size property), then the object will be resized to use
the largest font size available which will fit inside the new
size that you have specified. This means that the object
will often end up slightly smaller than you specified. It is
also possible to resize these objects precisely by selecting
a new Font Size property value.
>> To edit the properties of a selected object

First select the required object by clicking on it. Its
properties will then be listed in the property display list,
ready to be selected and edited. Any property may be
selected by clicking on it, and this property entry will
become highlighted, and the value of this property will
appear in the editing box. Some properties have numerical
values, some have text values, and some can be selected
from drop-down lists or file selection dialogs.
Numerical Values - eg AnchorX; This can be typed
directly into the editing box
Text Values - eg ListAbbrev; This can be typed
directly into the editing box

Font Sizes, True/False, Justification values,

Rulerships - These can be selected from the drop
down list by clicking on the button to the right of the
editing box
File Names - e.g. Points File; This can be selected by
clicking on the > button to the left of the editing box
Whenever a property is selected, some descriptive text
appears in the text box underneath the properties list. This
gives a description of what type of value is expected for
this property, and may give additional hints.
50.4 General Description of the Properties

ListAbbrev - Text - Up to 5 Chars - This is a property
only of the page. This text is used in Solar Fire’s Chart
View page in the list of displayed images, and helps the
user identify which page type it refers to.
Chart* Desc - Text - Up to 20 Chars - There is one
entry of this type for each chart that is used on the page
(up to 12). This text is used in Solar Fire when the user is
prompted to select which charts to display on the page,
and helps the user identify where on the page this chart is
placed e.g. If there are two charts on the page you might
enter “Top Chart” and “Bottom Chart”. If there is only
one chart used on this page, then this text may be left
blank.
MarginLeft, MarginTop, MarginRight,
MarginBottom - Numeric - 0.0 to 1.0 - This shows
how wide a margin to leave at the edge of the page.
Typically a small margin of 0.01 (ie 1%) is desirable to
avoid objects being drawn tight up against the edge of the
page.

AnchorX, AnchorY - Numeric - Typically 0.0 to 1.0 -

This shows the X and Y coordinates (across and down
the page respectively) at which the object is placed. For
most objects the anchor point is the top, left of the
object’s outline, but for wheels it is the centre of the
wheel. Objects may be specified to be placed outside the
borders by setting their Anchor values to less than 0 or
greater than 1, but they will still be forced to appear within
the page margins. It may be useful to do this to force a
wheel to always align with the edge of the page even
when the displayed page size is different from the design
page size. AnchorX and AnchorY properties may also be
set by dragging the object around the page (or off the
edge of the page to force the alignment for other page
sizes).
Anchor Bottom – True/False – When false, this
indicates that the top of the object is anchored to its
specified AnchorY property. Hence if the object shrinks
due to having less data lines than are specified as its
default, then its base will move upwards. When true, this
indicates that the bottom of the object is anchored at its
bottom (i.e. the specified AnchorY property plus the
default height). Hence if the object shrinks due to having
less data lines than are specified as its default, then its top
will move downwards, and its base will remain fixed.
Width, Height - Numeric - 0.0 to 1.0 - These
properties can only be set for objects which are not text
based (such as a wheel, grid or user graphic). Text based
objects have their width and height determined
automatically from the font size in combination with the
number of text lines and data blocks. Wheels must always
be round, so specifying unequal width and height results in
both the width and the height being set to the smaller value

when the page is displayed. However, it may be useful to

specify unequal values in order to allow wheels to expand
when displayed on different page sizes. For example, if a
landscape shaped page has a single wheel with a caption
above it, then its width could be set to 1 (to potentially
take up the full page width), and its height to .8 (to allow a
gap of .2 for the chart caption above). In this case the
height is smaller than the width, so it is the constraining
value. If this was then displayed on a portrait page, then
the width would become the constraining factor, so the
wheel would expand to take up the full width of the page,
but would still allow a gap at the top for the caption.
Chart - Numeric - 1 to 12 - This indicates which of the
page’s charts is to be used in the current object. For
example, if the page has two biwheels, then the first
biwheel may use charts 1 and 2, and the second wheel
charts 3 and 4.
Justification - Numeric - 0=Left, 1=Right, 2=Centre -
This indicates how text displayed in this object is justified.
Reverse - True/False - This indicates the vertical order
in which text appears. When False, the text appears with
the first line at the top, and subsequent lines going down.
When True, the first lines appears at the bottom. and
subsequent lines going up.
Font Size - Numeric - 3.75 to 25.5 - This indicates the
font size at which text is displayed. In practice the font
size may be varied if the object contains more text lines
than expected or the display page size is significantly
different from the design page size.
Data Lines - Numeric - Limits vary for different
objects - This indicates the maximum lines of data that are
expected to be displayed in this object. For example, a

flexible points list will display a data line for each

displayed point in Solar Fire. If you normally expect to
have only 14 displayed points in Solar Fire, then you
could set the Data Lines value to 14, in which case the
object would display correctly in the chosen font size.
However, if you increased the displayed points to 20,
then the object would remain the same size, but a smaller
font size than the one you specified will be used so that
the 20 lines can all fit into the same space. Conversely, if
you set the Data Lines to 20, resulting in a larger object,
but only have 14 displayed points, then the selected font
size will be used, but the size of the object will shrink
back to enclose the 14 lines of data.
Data Blocks - Numeric - Limits vary for different
objects - This indicates how many side-by-side blocks
(or columns) to split the data into. For example, if you
have 12 Data Lines, then setting the Data Blocks value to
2 will result in two columns of 6 lines of data each. This
property can be used to change the shape of the object -
increasing the number of data blocks makes the object
shorter and wider.
Title Line - True/False - If the object has a main title
line available, then this property can be used to switch it
on or off. If it is switched off (False) then the object
becomes slightly shorter, but without its title it may not be
obvious to all users what the object is.
Frame Type - Numeric - 0=None, 1=Single,
2=Double - This controls what type of frame, if any, is
drawn around this object. Most objects that have internal
column and row lines look better with at least a single line
frame, but objects such as user graphics may look better
without a frame.

Graphic File - Text - Up to 255 Chars - This property

applies only to the graphic object, and specifies the name
of a graphic file (including the file extension) that is to be
displayed. This may be any file of type *.bmp, *.wmf, *.
jpg, *.ico, *.gif, *.emf. (Unlike previous versions of Solar
Fire, it is no longer necessary to copy the graphic file into
the Solar Fire directory – you can select a file from
anywhere you like.)
Points File, Aspects File, Star File, Arabic Parts
File, Asteroid File - Text - Up to 80 Chars - This
specifies the name of the Solar Fire file (without the file
extension) which is used to determine which points,
aspects, stars, Arabic Parts or asteroids that are used
within this object. If left blank, then Solar Fire will use
whatever default file is currently selected when this object
is displayed. This is useful if you wish to always display
the same items in this object, regardless of the currently
selected files in Solar Fire.
Dignity File - Text - Up to 80 Chars - This specifies
the name of the Solar Fire dignity/almuten definition file
(without the file extension) which is used to calculate
dignity or almuten scores within this object. If left blank,
then Solar Fire will use its default file (“general.alm” for
the Almutens object, “houses.alm” for the house almutens
and “essdig.alm” for other objects).
Rulerships - Text - e.g. Modern, Old, Esoteric,
Hierarchical - This specifies which rulerships will be used
within this object e.g. in a flexible points list, this influences
what is shown in the house rulership and dispositor
columns, or in a chartwheel it influences which sign or
decanate rulerships are shown if it has a zodiac ring
showing rulerships.

Modulus - Numeric - Angle in Degrees - This specifies

the modulus angle that is used in this object. Angles may
be entered in any format acceptable to Solar Fire (see
Entering Angles).
Max Orb - Numeric - Angle in Degrees - This specifies
the maximum orb that is used within the object. Angles
may be entered in any format acceptable to Solar Fire
(see Entering Angles).
Weighted Scores - True/False - This specifies whether
scoring in this object will use unweighted scores (ie 1
point per item) or scores weighted according to Solar
Fire’s default weightings. The default weightings may be
edited using the Rulerships and Weightings editor (see
Changing Rulerships and Weightings).
Force Color - Numeric - 0=Automatic, 1=Always
Black, 2=Always White - This specifies what color will
be used to draw this object's text (if a caption) and/or
lines (if a chart or graphical object). The normal (default)
setting is Automatic, in which case the text and/or lines are
drawn in black if the current background color is light, or
drawn in black if the current background color is dark.
(The background color is a property of the Color Scheme
that can be selected by the user.) The main purpose of
this setting is to allow the color to be fixed when the page
contains a background graphic, because in that case the
color needs to be fixed appropriately in relation to the
colors of the graphic, and should not change according to
the background color, which is not visible in this case.

50.5 General Description of The Objects
50.5.1 Captions
Chart Details
This is an unboxed segment of text which shows all the

details of the chart including its placement, name, type,
date, time, timezone, place, latitude and longitude,
coordinate type, zodiac type, house system, node type
(and, if switched on, lunar parallax).
Chart Details+
This is the same as the Chart Details object, but with the
addition of the chart rating and source comments, if any.

Chart Details - Boxed
This shows all the chart details formatted into a

rectangular area, optionally inside a frame.
Chart Details - Brief
This shows the same main chart details as the full Chart
Details object, but excludes coordinate type, zodiac type,
house system, node type etc.
Chart Title
This shows only the chart placement, chart name and

type.
Chart Name
This shows the chart name only, optionally inside a

frame.
Chart Placement
This shows the chart placement (e.g. Chart 1, Upper

Chart, Across Grid etc..), optionally inside a frame.
Compliments
This displays the current compliments text, provided that

the user has not chosen to hide compliments text in the
Preferences dialog. See Compliments.
User Caption Line
This displays up to 20 characters of user-supplied text
Page File Name
This shows the name of the currently displayed page file

(without path name).
Page Description

This shows the description that has been saved with the
current page file.
Program
This shows the name of the program – Solar Fire
Version
This shows the program name and current version

number.
Date/Time Stamp
This shows the date and time at which the current page
was displayed or printed.
Copyright
This shows a copyright notice.
Chart Comments

This is a sizeable box that displays any chart comments

that are currently stored for the selected chart. If there are
no comments stored, then the box remains empty. If there
are more comments then can be fitted into this box at its
selected font size, then the text is truncated accordingly.
Superimposition Caption
This displays a caption indicating what type of

superimposition option the user has selected. If no
superimposition option has been selected, then it remains
blank. It is intended that this object be placed onto pages
with multi-wheels, so that the user can easily see when the
charts in the wheel have been superimposed in any way
other than the normal zodiacal way. If this page object is
absent, then the user has no way of knowing when a
superimposition option has been selected, and may be
mislead. For more information on the superimposition

options, see Multiwheel Superimposition.
50.5.2 Chart Wheels
Uniwheel
This is a single chart wheel or dial, the style of which is

user selectable.
Biwheel

This is a concentric two-chart wheel or dial, the style of

which is user selectable.
TriWheel

This is a concentric three-chart wheel or dial, the style of

Quadriwheel

This is a concentric four-chart wheel or dial, the style of

Quinquiwheel
This is a concentric five-chart wheel or dial, the style of
Traditional Chart

This displays a traditional style chart with triangular

houses. Various options such as glyph sizes, line styles
and background colors can be altered by editing the
SQUARE1.WH1 wheel design file. (Note that the
SQUARE1.WH1 wheel design file appears as a round
wheel in the wheel designer.)
Traditional Chart 2

This displays a traditional style chart with square cardinal

houses, and triangular other houses. Various options such
as glyph sizes, line styles and background colors can be
altered by editing the SQUARE1.WH1 wheel design file.
(Note that the SQUARE1.WH1 wheel design file
appears as a round wheel in the wheel designer.)

50.5.3 Aspect Grids
Full Grid
This is a single chart aspect grid, half of which shows

longitudinal aspects, and the other half shows aspects of
declination.
Half Grid

This is a single chart aspect grid showing longitudinal

aspects only.
Synastry Grid
This grid shows aspects of longitude between planets in

any two charts.
50.5.4 Planets
Points List – Flexible
This object lists data for each displayed point of a chart.

Individual columns may be switched on or off, and their
ordering changed by choosing the Edit / Flexible List
Columns menu item when this object is selected. The
columns available are:
Pt - Point’s glyph or symbol
Abbr - Point’s abbreviation
Name - Point’s full name
Longitude (Mins) - Zodiacal longitude, given to
minutes of arc
Longitude (Secs) - Zodiacal longitude, given to
seconds of arc
Longitude (Mins) & Retro. - Zodiacal longitude and
retrograde symbol, given to second of arc for Sun,
Moon and chart angles, and to minute of arc for other
points, along with a retrograde flag if required.
Longitude (Secs) & Retro – same as above, but
values given to second of arc for all points.
Travel - Daily travel in longitude (to mins arc if speed
1 deg/day or more, or to secs arc if less then 1 deg/
day)
Relative Speed - percentage of typical speed
Fast/Station/Slow - Shows "Station" if within orb of a

station, otherwise "Fast", "Slow" or "Retro" if it is

faster than, slower than typical speed, or retrograde,
respectively.
Time Since Last Station - Time elapsed since last
station
Time To Next Station - Time to go until next station
Position of Last Station - Zodiacal position of last
station
Position of Next Station - Zodiacal position of next
station
Distance From Last Station - Zodiacal distance from
last station
Distance To Next Station - Zodiacal distance to next
station
Latitude (Mins) - Zodiacal latitude, given to minutes of
arc
Latitude (Secs) - Zodiacal latitude, given to seconds
of arc
Right Ascension (Mins) - Right ascension, given to
minutes of arc
Right Ascension (Secs) - Right ascension, given to
seconds of arc
Declination (Mins) - Declination, given to minutes of
arc
Declination (Secs) - Declination, given to seconds of
arc
Azi. - Local azimuth (0 Degrees is North, 90 is East)
Alt. - Local altitude (+ve above horizon, -ve below)
Sg - Sign placement

Hs - House placement
Rules - Houses ruled by this point
Disp - Dispositor of this point
Hs (Disp) - House placement of dispositor
Modulus - Longitude using specified modulus
NNode - Longitude of point’s north node
NNTrav - Daily travel of north node
SNode - Longitude of point’s north node
SNTrav - Daily travel of north node
Antiscia - Longitude of point’s antiscion
ContraAntiscia - Longitude of point’s contra-antiscion
G.S. - Gauquelin sector of this point (36 sectors)
G+ - Is this point in a Gauquelin plus zone (+ = yes,
blank = no)
Orb Ratios - If the current aspect set uses planet or
ratios, then this shows the orb ratio in effect for this
point (otherwise it shows “n/a”)
Point’s Long Name – An extra wide column for the
name (intended for use with non-standard points
which have longer names such as asteroids, Arabic
Parts, stars and extra ring points, for example)
Point’s Long Abbreviation – A column with enough
width for a long abbreviation – also see comments for
long name
Point’s Long Symbol – A column with enough width
for multiple symbols characters – also see comments
for long name
Time of Rising, Culmination, Setting, Anti-Culm. – the
local time, expressed in 24 hour format, indicating

when the point crosses the local horizon or meridian. If

a point does not cross the horizon during the day, then
it will show times for culmination and anti-culmination,
but not for rising and setting. The rising and setting
times are true astronomical times rather than visual
times, having no adjustment for atmospheric refraction.
(Note: The rise and set times in the planetarium are
visual times, and therefore differ slightly from the times
given here.)
Point’s Distance – the distance of the point from the
earth (for geocentric charts) or the sun (for heliocentric
charts), expressed in Astronomical Units (1 AU =
average Earth/Sun distance).
Co-Rise, Co-Culmination, Co-Set and Co-
Anticulmination - the ecliptical longitude that crosses
the horizon or meridian at the same time as the point
does. Points that co-rise at the same ecliptical
longitude are seen to rise at the same time, even
though they may be at different places along the
horizon, and have different zodiacal longitudes. Points
that share rise, culmination, set or anti-culmination
ecliptical longitudes are said to be in “paran” to one
another, which is a type of mundane aspect.
Abs (Declination) – The absolute value of declination
(i.e. the angular difference from zero, ignoring its sign).
This is useful as the sorting value for a tabulation in
order to ensure that both parallels and contra-parallels
of declination can be seen at a glance, because bodies
with equal but opposite declinations have the same
absolute value of declination, and appear together in
such a list.
Placidus Mundoscope – the position occupied by

each point along its own diurnal arc, expressed as a

pseudo-angle. 0° = Eastern Horizon, 90° = Anti-
culminating, 180° = Western Horizon, 270° =
Culminating. (This is similar to the Gauquelin sector
measurement, except that it runs in the opposite
direction and is expressed as an exact angle instead of
as a sector number.)
Prime Vertical Angle – the position occupied by each
point along the prime vertical, expressed as an angle
(analogous to azimuth).
Prime Vertical Amplitude – the position occupied by
each point perpendicular to the prime vertical,
expressed as an angle (analogous to altitude).
Arabic Mansion (Tropical) – The number and name of
the Arabic Mansion into which each point falls, based
on the tropical zodiac.
Arabic Mansion (Sidereal) – The number and name of
the Arabic Mansion into which each point falls, based
on the default sidereal zodiac.
Nakshatra – The number and name of the Nakshatra
into which each point falls.
Chinese Lunar Mansion – The number of the Chinese
Lunar Mansion into which each point falls. These
mansions are divisions in right ascension, the
boundaries of which are defined by the positions of
certain fixed stars.
Asteroid List – Flexible

Arabic Parts List – Flexible
Star List – Flexible
Extra Bodies List – Flexible

Ring Points List – Flexible

These all have the same column options as the “Points
List – Flexible” object, shown above. It is recommended
that the long name, abbreviation and symbol columns be
used for these object rather than the standard Pt, Abbr,
Name columns, in order to allow for the fact that these
items have longer names than the standard chart points.
Also note that not all columns will contain data when used
for these types of points. For example, the Star List does
not show any data in the Point’s Distance column, and
shows zero values in the Travel column.
Extra Points
This shows a list of extra ring points. It has been
superseded by the “Ring Points List – Flexible”, and
remains only for backwards compatibility.
Astrodynes - Planets
This shows astrodyne scores for each point, giving the
overall power score, the % contribution towards the total
power score, and a Harmony/Disharmony score.

Nearest Eclipses
This shows a list of eclipses from 6 months before to six

months after the date of the chart, showing whether they
are solar or lunar, their type (partial or total), the date and
time at which they occur (in the time zone of the selected
chart), and their zodiacal position. The times are for either
maximum eclipse or for the exact corresponding lunar
phase, depending on the eclipse settings in Preferences.
Lunar Phases

This shows a list of lunar phases (new moon, 1st quarter,

full moon, 3rd quarter) around the date of the chart. It lists
their dates and times (in the time zone of the selected
chart), the zodiacal position of the moon, and also shows
an eclipse glyph if one occurs on that lunar phase. This list
is expandable by changing the number of data lines. The
list always contains at least one phase after the time of the
chart, and up to four before the time of the chart. If the
number of data lines is increased to eight or more, then
the phases are split evenly between prior and subsequent
lunar phases.
50.5.5 Signs
Sign Names
This object lists the name corresponding to each sign

glyph.
Astrodynes - Signs
This shows astrodyne scores for each sign, giving the


Astrodynes - Sign Types

This shows astrodyne scores for each sign type, giving

50.5.6 Houses
House Cusps
This object lists the zodiacal longitude of each house

cusp in the chart.
House Almutens
This object lists the planets which are the almutens of

each house cusp in the chart, calculated according to the
default dignity scores stored in the file house.alm, which
resides in Solar Fire’s system directory.
Astrodynes - Houses
This shows astrodyne scores for each house, giving the

Astrodynes - House Types

This shows astrodyne scores for each house type, giving

50.5.7 Aspects
Aspects - Flexible
This object lists data for each aspect within the current
aspect set. Individual columns may be switched on or off,
and their ordering changed by choosing the Edit /
Flexible List Columns menu item when this object is
selected. The columns available are:
Asp - Aspect’s glyph
Abbr - Aspect’s abbreviation
Name - Aspect’s full name

Angle - Angle of aspect

Lum-A, Lum-S, Oth-A, Oth-S - Orb’s for luminaries
and other planets, both applying (A) and separating
(S).
Hits, Actual Hits - The actual number of aspects of
this type found in this chart, and an equivalent
graphical display.
Likely, Likely Hits - The likely number of aspects of
this type to found in this chart, and an equivalent
graphical display. This calculation is based on the
assumption of a random distribution of planets in a
chart, so should not be treated as a definitive value -
rather as an indicative value.
Dev, Deviation - The difference between the actual
hits and the likely hits, expressed as a percentage, and
an equivalent graphical display.
Synastry Aspects - Flexible

This is similar to the Aspects - Flexible object, but
applies to aspects between two given charts rather than
within a single chart.
Nearest Aspects
This object lists aspects within a single chart in order of

closeness of orb. Aspects will not appear in this list unless
their orb is within i) the maximum orb specified for this

object, and ii) the maximum orb allowed for that aspect in
the aspect set which is being used. The total number of
aspects shown is limited to the number of data lines
specified for this object.
Nearest Synastry Aspects

This is similar to the Nearest Aspects object, but
applies to aspects between two given charts rather than
within a single chart.
Aspects of Moon
This object lists aspects from the moon to other planets,

as well as to sign boundaries. Aspects are sorted from
largest separating orb down to largest applying orb, which
gives an indication of the order in which aspects will be
made by the moon as time progresses. A horizontal line
separates the separating aspects (those that have already
occurred) from the applying aspects, (those that will occur
in the future). Aspects between the moon and other
planets will not appear in this list unless their orb is within
the maximum orb allowed for that aspect in the aspect set
which is being used. The total number of aspects shown is
limited to the number of data lines specified for this
object.

Fixed Star Aspects
This object lists aspects made between the planets and

fixed stars within a single chart. Aspects are listed in
planetary order, and the aspects and maximum orbs
allowed are set according to the specified aspect set. The
stars used are those contained in the specified star file. If
too many aspects are found, then the font-size is reduced
to fit all the required lines of data into the box. If the font
becomes too small to be readable, then you should either
reduce the orbs on the specified aspect set, or select a
star file with less stars in it.
Arabic Part Aspects

This object is similar to the Fixed Stars Aspects
object, but find aspects with Arabic Parts contained in the
specified Arabic Parts file.
Asteroid Aspects
object, but find aspects with asteroids contained in the
specified asteroid file.

Body Aspects
object, but find aspects with bodies contained in the
specified extra bodies file.
Astrodynes - Strongest Aspects

This object lists the aspects which are considered to be
the strongest in the system of Astrodynes, giving the
power score for each one.
Astrodynes - Best Aspects

the best (most harmonious) in the system of Astrodynes,
giving the harmony/disharmony score for each one.

Astrodynes - Worst Aspects

the worst (most disharmonious) in the system of
Astrodynes, giving the harmony/disharmony score for
each one.

50.5.8 Dignities & Ancient
Planetary Sects
This object contains information about the sect of the

seven traditional planets for the current chart. The first
column shows the planetary glyph and its inherent nature.
The “Cht” column shows whether the chart is diurnal or
nocturnal (i.e. whether the sun is above the horizon or not,
and is therefore the same for all rows in the table). The
“Plc” column shows whether that planet is in a diurnal or
nocturnal placement (i.e. whether it is in the same
hemisphere as the sun). The “Sgn” column shows whether
that planet is in a diurnal (masculine) or nocturnal
(feminine) sign. If the planet’s inherent nature concurs with
chart, placement, and sign, then it has a dignity know as
“In Hayz”. If it s nature opposes all of them, then it is “Ex
Conditione”, which is a form of negative dignity.
Essential Dignities

This object lists the traditional essential dignities for each

of the displayed points in the chart. The scores are
normally calculated according to the default dignity scores
stored in the file essdig.alm, which resides in Solar Fire’s
system directory. Optionally you may select the name of
another dignity scoring file to use instead. The columns
contained in this table are as follows:
Pt - Point’s glyph or symbol
Ruler - Planet which is in rulership at this point’s
zodiacal position
Exalt - Planet which is in exaltation “
Trip - Planet which is the triplicity ruler “
Term - Planet which is the term ruler “
Face - Planet which has its face “
Detri - Planet which is in detriment “
Fall - Planet which is in fall “
Score - Total dignity score (an a “p” flag denoting
whether this point is in peregrine)

A plus sign (+) in a column indicates that the point is in

its own dignity. A minus sign (-) indicates that the point is
in its own fall or detriment. An “m” indicates that the point
is in mutual reception with another point for that form of
dignity.
Dignity/Almuten scores
This object displays planetary scores for various dignity

or almuten calculations. The scores are normally
calculated according to the default dignity and almutens
scores stored in the file general.alm, which resides in
Solar Fire’s system directory. Optionally you may select
the name of another dignity or almuten scoring file to use
instead. Each dignity or almuten definition requires 3 data
lines (hence if the dignity definition file contains 3
definitions, then 9 data lines are required). The first line
displays a description of the scoring method. The second
line displays the list of planets (highest scoring first, lowest
scoring last), and the third lines displays the numerical
score values under each planet.

Planetary Hour/Day
This object shows the planet of the day and hour of the
current chart, and which hour of day or night is current.
(These hours are not hours of 60 minutes each, but
instead are exact divisions of 12 into the length of time of
day or night.) The bottom two rows indicate how long
since the last planetary hour was in effect, and how long
until the next planetary hour takes effect, and what planets
are involved.
Mutual Receptions
This object lists planetary mutual receptions and cross-

receptions found within the current chart. Items are listed
in the order Rulership, Exaltation, Triplicity, Term and
Face, but are limited to the number of data lines specified
for this object.
Horary Considerations

This object lists certain pre-defined criteria that are used

in evaluating horary charts. These criteria are i) Moon
void of course, ii) Moon in via combusta, iii) Asc in via
combusta, iv) Asc near a sign boundary, v) Saturn in 7th
house or conjunct Descendant v) Moon fast or Moon
slow. If none of these conditions are present in the chart,
then the word “None” appears in the box.
Firdaria
This object lists the starting dates of planetary periods

and the ages of the individual at each of these dates. The
number of planetary periods covered depends on the
number of data lines selected for the object. For example,
44 data lines will cover 64 years from birth, and 60 lines
will cover 86 years from birth. There are two variants of
this object, one using planetary periods as they were used
by Al Biruni and Schoener, and the other is a variant of
this which places the nodes in a different order for night-
time charts. (The variants give identical results for daytime
charts.)
Planetary 36Yr Cycle

This object displays the same information as the

Planetary Hour/Day object, but also indicates the current
planetary rulers of a 36 year cycle. Each 36 year period is
ruled by one of the 7 planets from Mars to Neptune, and
each year within that 36 year period is sub-ruled by a
planet. The periods of rulership start on the tropical Aries
ingress each year. This 36 year cycle is described in
American Astrology Magazine - Year 1940, in an
article by David Anrias (although it is referred to in that
article as a 35 year cycle), and is also alluded to in the title
of the book “The Initiate in the Dark Cycle” by Cyril
Scott – Publ. Samuel Weiser Inc. This “Dark Cycle” is
the 36 year period from 1909 to 1945 which was ruled
by Mars.
Arabic Lunar Mansions

This lists, for each displayed point, the number of the

Arabic mansion it occupies (1 to 28), the name of the
mansion as given in the Picatrix, the Arabic name, and the
English name.
Direction of Divisions (Term Directions)

This object lists the starting dates of planetary term

periods and the ages of the individual at each of these
dates, according to the primary direction of the Ascendant
of the birth chart by oblique ascension. The number of
planetary periods covered depends on the number of data
lines selected for the object. For example, 15 data lines
will cover about 90 years from birth. The type of terms
used (either Ptolemaic or Egyptian) can be chosen by
specifying a dignity file that has the required type of term
selected in its first definition.
Chart Hylegs
This object lists the chart hyleg, and its zodiacal

longitude, according to several differing methods. These
methods are defined in detail in Chart Hylegs.

Planetary Hours of Day
This object shows the planets of each planetary hour of

the current day, starting at dawn and ending with dawn of
the following day.
Nakshatras
This shows the Nakshatras (Vedic lunar divisions)

according to the default sidereal zodiac. The names and
types of the mansions are given, as well as a few
Chinese Mansions

This shows the Chinese Lunar Mansion occupied by

each chart point. These mansions are divisions in right
ascension, the boundaries of which are defined by the
positions of certain fixed stars. The Chinese and English
names of the mansion are given, as well as a few
Chinese Year Pillar
This shows the polarity, element (of the five Chinese

Elements) and the animal of the current lunar year.
50.5.9 Balances
Quadrants
This displays the number of planets in each quadrant and

hemisphere of the chart.

Elements
This displays the balance of elements in the current chart,

totalling the number of planets in each element. If the
weighting option is selected, then the scores are weighted
according to Solar Fire’s default point weightings, and an
asterisk appears after the tile on the top line.
Modes
This displays the balance of modes in the current chart,

totalling the number of planets in each mode. If the
Rays
This displays the balance of rays in the current chart,

totalling the number of planets in each ray’s signs. If the

50.5.10 Graphical
Elements Graph
This display the balance of elements in the current chart,

totalling the number of planets in each element. If the
Modes Graph
This display the balance of modes in the current chart,

totalling the number of planets in each mode. If the
asterisk appears after the title on the top line.
Rays Graph

This displays the balance of rays in the current chart,

totalling the number of planets in each ray’s signs. If the
Modulus Sort Strip
This displays the currently displayed points in a modulus

sort strip whose modulus angle is user-specifiable.
Midpoint Trees
This displays midpoint trees for each displayed point in

the chart. You must specify sufficient data lines to allow
room for the midpoint lists. For example, if there are 14
displayed points, and you want to allow 6 lines in each
midpoint tree (including the top line displaying the root
planet), then you must specify at least 84 data lines. This

will only fit onto a page if you also specify multiple data
blocks, such as in the example shown where there are 5
data blocks.
Declination Strip
This displays the currently displayed points in a vertically

oriented strip, with a scale of declination degrees starting
from 0 degrees at the bottom up to the maximum user-
specified orb. Positive values are shown on the left, and
negative values on the right.
Latitude Strip
This displays the currently displayed points in a vertically
oriented strip, with a scale of latitude degrees starting
from 0 degrees at the bottom up to the maximum user-
specified orb. Positive values are shown on the left, and

negative values on the right.
User Graphic
This displays any graphic file of your choice (of type *.

bmp, *.wmf, .jpg). It may be sized (and stretched) as
desired. Note, however, that a metafile graphic (.
wmf) will not appear on the page if the page is copied to
the clipboard as a metafile (i.e. you cannot have a metafile
within a metafile).

50.5.11 Vedic
Vedic Chart (S)
This displays a vedic style chart using the South Indian

convention of square shaped whole-sign houses, with a
diagonal line through the house which contains the
ascendant. Note that you would normally use this chart
style to display charts which were cast in a sidereal zodiac
rather than the tropical zodiac.
Vedic Chart (N)

This displays a vedic style chart using the North Indian

convention of diamond shaped whole-sign houses. Note
that you would normally use this chart style to display
charts which were cast in a sidereal zodiac rather than the
tropical zodiac.
Vedic Dasas

This displays a list of Dasas (major planetary periods)

and Bhuktis (sub planetary periods) using the current
default sidereal zodiac for the selected chart. The number
of planetary periods covered depends on the number of
data lines selected for the object. For example, 60 data
lines will cover about 100 years from birth.
50.6 Selecting and Inserting Page Sizes

A single page design file may contain multiple page sizes
to suit a whole variety of different display sizes,
orientations and types. Selectable display types are:-
Screens
Printers
Windows metafiles
Each of these display types may have different sizes (i.e.
differing numbers of pixels or dots per inch across and
down the display). For example, screens will typically be
one of the following sizes, although many others are also
possible:-
640 x 480 pixels

800 x 600 pixels

1024 x 768 pixels
1152 x 864 pixels
1280 x 1024 pixels
Printers have sizes that depend on the physical
measurements of the paper onto which they are printing in
combination with the resolution of the printer (e.g. A4
page at 300dpi resolution is approximately 2357 x 3407
pixels when in portrait orientation).
Windows metafiles have only nominal sizes, because
they can be resized to virtually any size once they are
pasted into another program. However, the ratio of
horizontal to vertical pixels in the user defined size still
determines the base shape of the page, so adding a user-
defined page size of 3000 x 6000 pixels would result in a
page shape which is twice as high as it is wide. Solar Fire
always looks for the largest page size available when you
are copying a page to the clipboard as a metafile, so if
you want to create a user-defined page size that will be
used for metafiles, then you must ensure that its pixels
dimensions are larger than any other page sizes in your
page design file.
For most users who design a new page, it will be
adequate to create just a single page size i.e. the screen
page size which matches your current screen display size.
In this case Solar Fire will still be able to display the page
on any display type and size, but will have to make
automatic adjustments to match different page types and
sizes as best it can. These adjustments may involve
resizing objects to fit the new page dimensions, and
altering displayed fonts and font sizes in order to fit the
text inside the resized objects. In many cases these

automatic adjustments will work well enough to avoid the

need for you to create designs for each page size that you
use. However, cases in which the automatic adjustments
may not give the best possible appearance might be:-
If you design a page for one screen or printer page
size and then display it on a screen or printer page
with a significantly different aspect ratio (height to
width ratio).
If you design an object which uses a small font size
and then display it on a smaller page size.
You will also need to add extra page sizes to the design
in the following circumstances:-
If you wish to make what appears on the printer
different from what appears on the screen (for
example to add compliments text which doesn’t
appear on the screen display, or to increase the size of
tabulations which are too limited on the screen display)
If you wish to make what appears in a metafile
(copied to the clipboard) different from what appears
on the screen or printer (for example to remove chart
text captions when you intend to add your own
captions in another program)
Also, you may wish to add extra page sizes to the design
in order to improve the display quality in the following
circumstances:-
If you intend your page design to be used by other
users who may have different display resolutions
If you want your printed output to be laid out
differently from the screen
If you intend to print your page on a variety of
different page sizes or orientations

Note:- If you do decide to add new page sizes, then it is

strongly recommended that you only do so after inserting
all the required objects onto the original page size. The
reason for this is that when you add a new page size, all
the objects on the currently displayed page size are
copied into the new page size. If you have not inserted all
the required objects beforehand, then you will have to
insert the same new objects onto each new page
separately afterwards.
>> To select a page size to edit

Click on the required page size in the list of existing page
sizes. The new page size will be displayed immediately,
and you may edit objects on the page.
When you start up the page designer, it will automatically
select the page size which corresponds to your current
screen size (if there is a page of this size in the current
page design file - otherwise it will select the first page size
on the list).
>> To add a new page size

1. Before adding a new page size, make sure that you
have first selected the existing page size that you
wish to base the new page size on. All objects on
the currently displayed page will be copied onto the
new page.
2. Choose the Add New Page Size... menu item
under the Page Size menu of the Page Designer.
This will bring up the “Select Page Size” dialog,
from which you can select or create any required
page size. If you are adding a new screen size, then

click on one of the Screen page sizes at the top of

the list. If you want to add a new Printer page, then
click on the Printer option, and then on the
Printer Setup... button. This will allow you to
choose the paper type, orientation and resolution of
the new page size. If you want to add a page for
copying to metafile, or for any other screen or
printer size which is not otherwise selectable, then
click on the User Defined option and enter the
required Width and Height in pixels.
Note: that you cannot add another page with the same
size as an existing page. If you attempt to do this, then the
Page Designer will simply revert to displaying the existing
page of that size.
50.7 Editing the Page Description

The page description consists of up to 80 characters of
text, the purpose of which is to describe the page design.
Each page design file contains a single description which is
displayed in Solar Fire’s file manager when it displays list
of page design files. Therefore, if you ensure that your
page design has a clear description, it is much easier to
find the page design file that you want, when you wish to
select it for display.
>> To edit the page description

Choose the Edit Page Description... menu item under
the File menu of the Page designer. This will highlight the
text at the top of the page ready for editing. Any changes
that you make are automatically saved when you next
save the page design.

50.8 Saving Files and Exiting

>> To save changes to a page design
Choose the Save menu item under the File menu. This
will save any changes that you have made since the file
was last saved.
>> To save the page design to a new file name

Choose the Save As... menu item under the File menu.
This will display a standard Save File dialog into which
you may enter a new name. Note that page design files
must be saved under a name with the file extension .pag,
and must reside in Solar Fire’s User Files / Pages
subfolder in order to be accessed from within Solar Fire.
>> Exiting from the page designer

Choose the Exit option from the File menu. If you have
made any changes to the current page design, then you
will be prompted whether or not to save the changes
before the page designer closes down.
51 Using the Astrologers Assistant

The Astrologer’s Assistant is a powerful task automation
feature that allows you to record a list of tasks and then
save them for replay at any time. This functionality is also
sometimes known elsewhere by names such as Macros or
AutoJobs.
Once it is set into record mode, it keeps a record of the
tasks that you carry out (this window stays on top whilst

you work). When you click the Stop button, you can
review and edit certain elements of the task list, and save
this list to file for future reuse.
When you click the Play button, it will run through the list
of tasks using whatever charts you have currently selected
in your calculated charts list. Some tasks do not require a
base chart to run, and others require one or more base
charts to be selected. If you have not already selected the
required number of charts, then you will be prompted to
select them before the task list runs.
For example, you could record a task to print a chart,
calculate a progressed chart and transits chart for the
current date, display them together in a triwheel and print
them, run a dynamic report with one years transits and
progressions and then print that out. This set of tasks can
then be replayed for any other starting chart at the click of
a button.
Tasks which can be recorded and replayed are:
opening charts from a file
casting new charts
generating any types of subsidiary charts
viewing or printing or copying a page or report
viewing, generating or printing or copying to
clipboard dynamic reports, time maps and graphic
ephemerides
deleting and saving charts
selecting files of all types (e.g. Displayed Points,
Colors, Aspects, Fixed Stars, etc..)
saving settings and restoring settings

>> To open the Astrologers Assistant ready to

record or play task lists
Select the Astrologers Assistant item from the
Utilities menu.
This will display the Astrologer’s Assistant dialog, which
is a small dialog with a range of buttons. This dialog
remains on top of any other windows until it is closed.
The buttons are as follows:
Open task list from file – This displays a file open
dialog, allowing you to select any pre-existing task lists.
When you open a task list, its title (and the number of
tasks it contains) appears in the box at the bottom of this
dialog.
Save task list to file – This displays a file save dialog,
allowing you to save a task list that you have just
recorded or edited. Once saved, it can be re-opened and
re-used at any time.
Start recording tasks – This will put the Astrologer’s
Assistant into recording mode. Any tasks that you
subsequently perform (which are on the list above) will be
added to the list.
Pause recording – This stops the recording, but
leaves the list of tasks ready for additions as soon as
the Start button is activated again.
Stop recording – This stops recording and closes
the task list. It is not possible to add any extra tasks
to the list after this is done.
Run tasks – This will execute whatever task list is
already open, using whatever chart or charts are
currently selected in the list of calculated charts. If
the task list requires more than one base charts to

be selected, and you have not already highlighted

enough charts, then you will be prompted to select
the additional charts.
Edit task list – This displays the editing dialog.
Editing of the task list is limited to deleting tasks,
and selecting date options to apply (such as using a
date based on an offset from the current date for a
transits report start date, or using the current date
for a new transits chart etc).
Ellipsis (…) – This will show a popup menu listing
up to a maximum of about 30 pre-defined task lists.
Selecting an item from this list will open it for running
or editing in the same manner as if it was opened
from the file open dialog. This is a quicker way of
selecting task files than using the file open dialog.
51.1 Browsing or Editing a Task List

>> To open the task list editor
After opening a task list, or stopping recording of a task
list, click on the Edit task list button on the Astrologer’s
Assistant dialog.
This will display the Task List dialog, showing the title
and description of the current task list, as well as a list of
the individual tasks.
The title and description may be freely edited, but the
editing of the individual tasks in the list is limited to
deleting tasks, and selecting save options or date options
to apply (such as using a date based on an offset from the
current date for a transits report start date, or using the
current date for a new transits chart etc).
The date and time options are as follows:

Use specified date and time – When this option is

selected, the date and time fields are enabled, and may
be edited by the user. In this case the specified date and
time is always used, regardless of the current date and
time at which the task is run. This option is useful in
order to cast a fixed natal chart, or to run dynamic
reports from a fixed date.
Use current date and time as base – When this
option is selected, the date field is disabled, and only
the time may be edited. If neither of the following two
sub-options is enabled, then the task will always adopt
the date and time which are current when the task list is
run.
Use chart date and time as base – When this option
is selected, the date field is disabled, and only the time
may be edited. If neither of the following two sub-
options is enabled, then the task will always adopt the
date and time of the chart whose number is selected in
the adjacent box. The chart numbers which may be
selected are those referred to on the task list above as
“Source” charts (i.e. charts which must be selected
prior to running the task list) or “Result” charts (i.e. new
charts which are calculated whilst the task list is running
prior to the current task). This option is useful, for
example, if you wish to create a set of tasks based on a
client’s birthday. You can cast a solar return, and then
use that chart’s date as the base for subsequent tasks,
such as casting a progressed chart or running a dynamic
report.
Go to – When selected, this allows the user to select a
specific date/time to move to, starting from the current
date and time when the task list is run, or from the date

and time of the specified base chart. The “Adjust date

by” option may also be used as a further date modifier if
required.
Start of Day – 0:00am of current date
Start of Month –0:00am on 1st day of the current
month
Start of Quarter – 0:00am on 1st day of the current
quarter (i.e. 1st Jan, Apr, Jul or Oct)
Start of Half Year – 0:00am on 1st day of the current
half (i.e. 1st Jan, or Jul)
Start of Year – 0:00am on 1st day of current year (i.e.
1st Jan)
Specified Time – User entered time on current date
Adjust date by - When selected, adjusts the
specified date (or “Go to” date, if selected), by the
specified multiple of days, months or years. The
multiple may be any integer, either positive or
negative. A positive integer moves the date forward in
time, whereas a negative integer moves it back in time.
For example, if the selection is to use the current date
and time as base, to go to the beginning of the month, and
then adjust the date by –1 months, then the task will
always use 0:00am of the 1st day of the preceding month.
The report duration options are only available for a
recorded task that involves a dynamic report. You may
select a period and time unit in the same manner as may
be done when an individual dynamic report is being run. If
your report contains multiple dynamic reports that are
being merged, then you will usually want to ensure that all
the report tasks have the same duration and start date.

The save options are only available for a recorded task

which involved saving a chart to file.
The options are as follows:
Save to default chart file – The chart file will be
saved to the currently selected (default) chart file,
without prompting the user first.
Prompt user for chart file – The replay of the task list
will be halted temporarily whilst the user is prompted to
select a chart file into which the chart will be saved. This
option is useful if, at the time of recording, you are
unsure which chart file you might want to save any
calculated charts into.
51.2 Examples of Recording Task Lists
51.2.1 Progressed Composite
Progress two different base charts to the same date, then

make a composite chart and print it, delete the progressed
charts, and then view the composite
1. Click on the Astrologer’s Assistant button to open
the floating dialog box
2. Click on the Record button
3. Select any natal type base chart (it doesn’t matter
which) from the list of calculated charts and then
select Chart / Progressed and progress it to the
current date.
4. Select a different natal chart and then select Chart /
Progressed and progress it to the current date.
5. Select Chart / Combined and select both of the

newly calculated progressed charts as the base

charts, and select the required composite method.
6. Once calculated, select View / Current Chart.
7. Click on the Stop button to stop recording.
8. Click on the Edit Task List button to see the dialog
below.
9. Fill in the title and description as required.
10.Click on the two “Calculate: Sec.Prog.” tasks one
by one, and select the “Use current date and time
as base” option for each one. (These ensure that
the charts are always progressed to the current
date, instead of the date on which you created this
task list.)
11.Click on the OK button
12.Click on the Save button and supply a file name to
save this set of tasks under.
51.2.2 Viewing a TriWheel with current progressions and

transits
Cast a transits chart, apply outer planets displayed

points to this chart, progress a base chart to current date
and view a tri-wheel.
which) from the list of calculated charts and then
select Chart / Progressed and progress it to the
current date.
4. Cast a new natal and click on the Now button to

set it to transits for the current date.

5. Highlight the transits chart, and select Chart
Options / Current Chart’s Points, then select the
“outers.pts” file. (This ensures that only the outer
planets are displayed in the transits chart.)
6. Select View / TriWheel, and select the natal,
progressed and transits chart in required order, and
view the wheel.
8. Click on the Edit Task List button.
9. Fill in the title and description as required.
10.Click on the “Calculate: Sec.Prog.” and “Cast
Chart: Transits” tasks one by one, and select the
“Use current date and time as base” option for
each one. (These ensure that the charts are always
calculated to the current date, instead of the date
on which you created this task list.)
51.2.3 Jaynes Directions
This is a task list for producing a dynamic report using a

typical technique used by Charles Jayne. He mixed
together into the same report solar arc, ascendant arc,
vertex arc directions, both direct and converse. Solar Fire
can do each of these in an individual report, and once
merged together result in a single report containing all of
these directions.
To record this task list you would do as follows.


which) from the list of calculated charts, and then
select the Dynamic Transits and Progressions menu
item.
4. Select the first required events, directions type and
converse options (SolArc/ Direct) and ensure that
the Merge option is not checked.
5. Click on View to run the report, and when it has
finished, click on New Report
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for each of the remaining
report types (AscArc/Direct; VtxArc/Direct;
SolArc/Converse; AscArc/Converse; VtxArc/
Converse) but this time ensuring that the Merge
option is checked
8. Click on the Edit Task List button to see the dialog
below.
9. Fill in the title and description
10.Click on the tasks one by one, and select the date
and time options as shown below. (These ensure
that the reports always start at the beginning of the
current month, instead of the date on which you
created this task list.)
Now, when you select any natal type base chart from
your list of calculated charts, you can click on the Play

button on the Astrologer’s assistant, and the dynamic

reports will be run and merged for you as you watch.
52 Using Birthday Reminders

The birthday reminders feature enables you to save a
birthday reminder for any person for whom you have
already cast a chart.
Solar Fire can optionally check for any birthdays which
are forthcoming (or overdue) each time it is first run on
any given day.
52.1 Adding New Birthday Reminders

You can add a birthday reminder for any chart which is
already in your list of calculated charts, or from any chart
which is stored in a chart file. The reminder is created
using the day and month of the chart's birth date.
>> To add a birthday reminder for one or more

chart in the calculated chart list
From the main screen, select one or more charts from
the list of "Calculated Charts"
Then do either of the following
Select the Add to Birthday Reminders... item from
the Chart menu
Use a right hand mouse click over one of the selected
charts, and select the Add to Birthday Reminders...
item from the pop-up menu

>> To add a birthday reminder from the Chart

Open dialog
Select the required chart/s from the list of charts in the
current chart file
Click on the Send/Add... button
Select the Add to Birthday Reminders... item from the
drop-down menu
Once you have added reminders, you can view them at
any time. See Viewing Birthday Reminders
52.2 Viewing Birthday Reminders

>> To view the birthday reminders dialog
Select the Birthday Reminders... item from the Utilities
menu
This will display the View Birthday Reminders dialog.

You can use either of the following Filter options.

Show all - use this to see a list of all stored reminders,
regardless of whether they are current or not
Show current reminders only - use this to display
only those reminders for birthdays which occur within
the given range of days, and which have not already
been dismissed for the current year's birthday
>> To dismiss a reminder until next year's birthday

1. Highlight the required reminder entry

2. Click on the Dismiss button

Dismissing a reminder does not remove the reminder
altogether, but simply prevents any further reminders for it
from appearing as a "current reminder" until next year.
Dismissed reminders remain visible when the Show All
option is being used with the postfix "[Dismissed]", but
will no longer appear when the Show current reminders
only is being used (until next year).
>> To restore a dismissed reminder

1. In the Show All view, highlight the dismissed
reminder entry
2. Click on the Restore button
>> To permanently remove a reminder from the list

2. Click on the Delete button
This permanently removes the reminder from all
reminder lists. You cannot retrieve a removed reminder.
Instead you must re-add it from a chart.
>> To find the source chart for this reminder

2. Click on the Go To Chart... button
This will display the Chart Open dialog, with the source
chart's file open, and the chart itself highlighted. From
there you can open it, view, add comments etc.
>> To get an automatic reminder pop-up as

birthdays approach
Ensure the Show reminders daily on startup option is
checked.
When this option is switched on, Solar Fire checks the
list of birthday reminders within a few seconds of starting
up, on the first occasion it runs on each calendar day. If
there are any reminders which fall within the specified
range of days leading up to or following a birthday, then
this dialog pops up, listing the current reminders.
If you quit without dismissing or removing any reminders,
then the same reminders will be shown to you again on the
following day (as long as they still fall within the specified
range of days.)
53 Appointments Manager
The Appointments Manager allows you to
store details of clients, appointments you make
with them for astrological sessions, and to
record the duration and content of your
sessions. You can also send your clients
appointment reminder emails, group emails
and customizable receipts.
>> To open the Appointment Manager

1. Click on the Appointments menu.
The Appointments Manager will open with
the Client Details form also opened beside
it.

53.1 Adding, Viewing and Modifying Client Details

The Appointments Manager is a system for
managing your interactions with clients.
Therefore the first step in using the
Appointments Manager is to enter your clients
and their details.
The following fields are available for storing
client details:
Title
Firstname
Lastname
Address1
Address2
City
State/Province
ZIP/Postal Code
Country
Phone (Home)
Phone (Work)
Cell/Mobile
Fax
Email
Website
Skype

Birthdate
BirthTime
BirthPlace
Notes
>> To enter details for a new client

1. Click on the Clients tab (just under the
title bar) at the top of the Appointments
Manager.
2. Enter the client's details in the Client
Details form.
IMPORTANT: If you have previously
selected an existing client their details will
already be showing in the Client Details
form. If you have made any changes to
these details you must save these changes
first, otherwise they will be permanently
lost (see Saving changes to Client details).
To enter details for a new client, overwrite
text in the information fields (if any is
there) with text for the new client details.
3. After you have entered the client's details
click the Add button on the Appointments
Manager. A dialog box will confirm if you
want to add the details in the Client Details
form as a new client. Click the Yes button
to add the new client. The new client will
be added to the list of clients in the

Appointments Manager and will be

selected by a grey highlight bar.
>> To View a client's details

1. Click on the Clients tab at the top of the
Appointments Manager.
2. Select the client whose details you would
like to view by clicking on that client in the
list of clients. This will cause their details
to be displayed in the Client Details form
where you can view them.
>> To Modify details for a client

2. Select the client whose details you would
like to modify by clicking on that client in
the list of clients. This will cause their
details to be displayed in the Client Details
form.
3. Make changes to any of these details.
Saving changes to client details
4. When you are finished modifying the
client's details click on the Save button on
the Appointments Manager. A dialog box
will confirm if you want to replace the
client's original details with the changes

you have just made, Click the Yes button

to overwrite the client's existing details
with the new changes you have made, or
the No button to cancel.
If you click No to not save the changes
your changes will not be lost, they will still
be in the Client Details form. If you
subsequently decide that you would like to
save your changes (possibly making
additional further changes before doing
so), then you can by clicking on the Save
button again, and this time in the
confirmation dialog box clicking Yes to
saving the changes.
IMPORTANT: Once you select (click
on) any other client in the Appointments
Manager, or click on any of the other tabs,
any changes you have made to a client's
details that you haven't explicitly saved (by
clicking on the Save button and saying
Yes in the resulting confirmation dialog)
will be lost forever.
>> To Delete a client

2. In the list of clients in the Appointments
Manager select (click on) the client you

want to delete.
3. Click on the Delete button in the
Appointments Manager. A dialog box will
confirm you want to delete this client, and
all their historical and current appointment
details. If you want to do so click on the
Yes button. To cancel the deletion click
on the No button.
53.2 Adding, Viewing and Modifying Appointments

Once you have entered one or more clients
into the Appointments Manager you can then
create session appointments for them.
>> To add an Appointment for a client

1. Click on the Clients tab, then select the
client in the list of clients.
2. Click on the Appointments tab
3. Navigate in the calendar to the month of
the appointment by clicking on Arrow
buttons to the left or right of the date at the
top of the calendar, or by using the
PageUp or PageDown keys on the
keyboard.
TIP: To quickly navigate to the current date

click on Today's date showing in bold at

the bottom of the calendar.
4. Select the day of the appointment by
clicking on it - it will then have a solid grey
circle around it.
Note: the current day is always circled in
red.
5. Enter the time in the Appointment Time
field to the left of the calendar (see
Entering a Time for more information).
6. Enter any notes you may have about the
appointment in the Appointment Notes
field underneath the list of appointments.
7. Click on the Add button to the left of the
Appointments list.
8. A dialog box will confirm you want to
enter the appointment. If you say Yes the
appointment will be added to the list of
appointments.
SHORTCUT: If you want to make another

appointment for this client ...
a) select the appointment that you have just
made (in the list of Appointments for Day)
, by clicking on it.
b) you can now create another appointment
for this client on the same or a different
day (as above) without having to go back

to the Clients tab in order to select the

client again to do so.
>> To view all Appointments for any client

1. Click on the Clients tab, then select the
client in the list of clients. Their
appointment history will be displayed in
the list below.
>> To view all Appointments for any day

1. Click on the Appointments tab.
2. In the calendar select the date you want to
see all appointments for. All of the
appointments for that date will be
displayed in the Appointments for Day list
below.
TIP: To quickly navigate to the current date
click on Today's date showing in bold at
the bottom of the calendar.
>> To modify a client's Appointment

2. Select the date the appointment occurs on.
(If you don't know off hand which date the
appointment is for then view all
appointments for the client (as above) and
note the date of the particular appointment

you want to modify.)

3. Select the appointment in the list of
appointments by clicking on it.
4. You can change the Appointment Time
and modify the Appointment Notes.
Note: You cannot change the date of the
appointment. To change the date you must
delete the appointment and create a new
appointment for the client on the date you
want.
5. When you have made the changes you
want click on the Save button to the left of
the Appointments list. A dialog box will
confirm you want to modify the
appointment. If you say Yes your changes
will be saved.
>> Deleting an appointment

appointments for the client (as above) and
note the date of the particular appointment
you want to send a reminder for.)

4. Click on the Delete button to the left of

the appointments list. A dialog box will
confirm you want to delete the
appointment. If you say Yes the
appointment will be deleted.
53.3 Sending Email Appointment reminders

In the Appointments Manager you can email
an appointment reminder to a client.
>> To email a Reminder for an appointment
appointments for the client (see Adding,
Viewing and Modifying Appointments)
and note the date of the particular
appointment you want to send a reminder
for.)
4. Click on the Email Reminder button
beneath the Appointment Notes.
5. A new email will be loaded and displayed
ready for you to send.
If, for the client you are reminding, you had
entered an email address in their Client

Details then that email address will be pre

entered for the email. Otherwise you will
need to enter an email address for the email
manually. You will also need to enter your
name on the email signature. Apart from
that nothing else needs to be done before
sending the email, although of course you
can make any changes to it that you want
before sending it in the normal manner.
53.4 Recording Session Time and Content

In the Appointments Manager you can record
the total duration (time) of the appointment
session, or just record the duration of parts of
the session. If you have a microphone installed
inside, or attached to, your computer you can
also record the dialog you have with your
client. If your client cannot be present you can
still make an appointment for them, and record
a chart reading for them without them needing
to be present.
Then optionally, in a separate operation
outside Solar Fire, you can copy the WAV file
produced from your recording onto a CD or
DVD to give to your client, or alternatively
email it to them or upload it onto your FTP
site, if you have one, and they can download it
from there.

>> To record the duration of a session

1) Click on the Appointments tab.
2) Select the date the appointment occurs on.
appointment you want to record the
duration of.)
3) Select the appointment in the list of
4) Click on the Session tab.
5) Click on the Start/Continue button. This
will start the session timer.
Note: If the timer isn't showing 0 time
elapsed, click on the Reset button first.
6) If you want to pause the session timer at
any time (i.e. not include a period of time
in your recorded session duration) click on
the Pause button. This will pause the timer
at that point in time.
To resume the recording of the timer
where it left off, click on the Start/
Continue button.
7) To save the amount of elapsed time

(duration) currently recorded for the

selected appointment click on the Save
Duration button. A dialog box will
confirm you want to save this duration for
that appointment.
Note: You can save the currently recorded
duration (shown in the Elapsed Time field)
at any time. However if you don't Pause the
session timer before doing so it will
continue to keep ticking (recording time)
even while you are doing this. You may
therefore wish to Pause the timer before
saving the duration.
Additionally, you can move away from the
Session tab onto other tabs and, unless
paused, the timer will continue to keep
ticking. This may be useful if you want to
alter the client's details, check on or create
new appointments etc as part of the
recorded duration of the session. However
if you don't want this to occur, remember
to Pause the timer before moving away
from the Session tab.
IMPORTANT: If you do move away
from the Session tab before saving the
Duration, check the appointment you are
recording the duration for is still selected in
the Appointments tab before saving the

duration in the Session tab, otherwise you

may inadvertently save the duration to a
different appointment than the one it was
meant to be for.
8) To start a completely new Duration
recording, if the Pause button is visible
then click on it first. Then click on the
Reset button. Then when you are ready to
start recording the new duration click on
the Start/Continue button.
If the Pause button is not clicked first
before clicking on the Reset button, the
session timer will be reset to 0, and then
immediately start ticking again (recording
elapsed time). You may want this to
happen, but you may not - in which case
make sure you click on the Pause button
before resetting the timer - that way the
timer will not start recording again until you
explicitly start it.
>> To record the voice content of a session

1) Click on the Appointments tab.
2) Select the date the appointment occurs on.
(If you don't know off hand which date
the appointment is for then view all


appointment you want to record the voice
content for.)
3) Select the appointment in the list of
4) Click on the Session tab.
5) In the Record Session area, select the
folder where the audio file will be saved in
the Save Location field by clicking on the
Browse button at the end of the field, and
navigating to the folder. Once you have
selected the folder click on the OK
button.
6) A default audio filename will be entered
into the "Enter a filename" field. If you
want a different filename you can
overwrite this with the different filename.
The Re cord Se ssion are a
7) To start recording voice click on the

Record button.

8) To stop recording click on the Stop

button.
9) To add the voice recording to the audio
file click on the Save Record button. This
will add to the audio file all sound
recorded since the last time the Record
button was clicked - it will not replace any
recorded sound previously saved to the
file.
10) To play the recording click on the Play
button. This will play the recording from
the beginning. Note that you must save
your recordings before you can play them.
Notes
As with the Session Duration Timer
(described above), you can record all the
content (i.e. voices) of a session, or only
parts of the session.
To record the whole session to the audio
file in one unbroken stream of
conversation, you simply start by clicking
on the Record button and let it run until
the session is finished and then click on
the Stop button. Then save the recording.
However if you have interruptions in
your session, or want to talk about
something "off the record", you would
click on the Stop button to temporarily

pause the recording for the period you

are interrupted or want to talk off the
record, then when you want to resume
recording you can click again on the
Record button and the recording will start
again. You can do this record/stop/
record/stop etc. process as many times
as you like in a session - all the
incremental bursts of recording are
accumulating in the computer's memory.
When you are finally finished recording
for the session click on the Save Record
button to save all the various incremental
recordings you have made to the audio
file. Once you have done this you can
play back the recording.
IMPORTANT
It is highly recommended that you
thoroughly experiment with this feature
first before you intend to use it for any
particular purpose. That way you can
gain a familiarity with how it works,
what it does and doesn't do.
53.5 Generating Receipts
In the Appointment Manager you can
generate receipts to print out and give to your
clients.

>> Setting receipt preferences

1. Click on the Other Information tab.
2. Fill in your preferences for the following:
Currency Symbol
Currency name
Hourly rate
Tax % to be added to the hourly charge
amount
The name of the tax
>> Generating a receipt
1. Click on the Appointments tab
appointments.
3. Click on the Display button in Receipt
area.
A receipt will be generated and displayed in
your default text editor using information in
Compliments and Receipt Preferences
(above). You can then modify the
information in the receipt, if necessary,
before printing it for your client.
53.6 Sending a Group Email to Clients
In the Appointments Manager you can
address an email to one or more clients.
>> To send a single email to one or more clients

1. Click on the Clients tab.

2. Click on the Toggle Select button
beneath the Appointment History.
A checkbox will then appear to the left of
every client in the list of Clients and also a
checkbox titled "Select All" above the list.
You can now click in the checkbox for
every client you want to be included in the
email. To remove a client from the list
simply click in their checkbox again and the
tick will be removed.
If you want to include every client in the
email then click in the "Select All"
checkbox at the top of the list, which will
place a tick in every client's checkbox. If
you want to un-include every client then
click in the "Select All" checkbox again
and all the client checkbox ticks will be
removed.
3. When you have selected every client you
want to send an email to click on the Send
Email button beneath the Appointment
History.
4. A new email will be loaded and displayed
ready for you to enter your message to the
selected clients.
5. Enter your own email address in the To:
address field of the email (you will be sent

a copy of the email).

IMPORTANT: The email addresses of all
the clients you are sending the email to will
be pre entered into the Bcc: address field
of the email (this means each client's email
address will not be visible to anyone
receiving the email).
However if you have not entered an email
address for any of these clients in their
Client Details then no email address will be
pre entered for these clients - in this case
you will need to enter the client's address
manually into one of the email's address
fields if you want them to receive the email.
6. Once you've sent your email click on the
Toggle Select button beneath the
Appointment History.
This will remove the checkboxes next to
the clients and the "Select All" checkbox at
the top of the list of clients.
54 Teachers and Students

For teaching purposes a teacher can save their current
Solar Fire settings to a single ZIP file (a file with a ".
zip" extension).

The ZIP file can either be sent directly to a student, who

already has Solar Fire Gold v8, or the ZIP file can be sent
to Esoteric Technologies where it can be placed on a new
Teacher webpage located at the www.esotech.com.au
website on the “Resources” side menu.
Students from anywhere in the world that are taught by
that teacher can then simply download the ZIP file and
have their Solar Fire Gold v8 automatically updated with
the teacher’s settings. This means students can quickly
and easily create an environment in Solar Fire that is
virtually identical to that of their teacher. At any point in
time, a student can easily switch from the teacher’s
settings back to their regular settings and then back to the
teacher’s settings.
An example page of the list of teachers and their ZIP
files is on the www.esotech.com.au website.
All of the actions for the Teacher/Student feature are
accessed from the Utilities menu, except for enabling
teachers.
54.1 Enabling Teachers

Teachers wanting to share their Solar Fire
settings with students first need to enable
themselves as a teacher in Solar Fire.
>> To enable yourself as a Teacher

1. In the Preferences menu click on Edit
Settings.
2. In the Preferences dialog box click on the
Misc tab

3. Click in the checkbox "I am an astrology teacher"

Now the Teacher – Create Settings menu item will be
enabled on the Utilities menu.
54.2 Capturing and Distributing Teacher settings
Once a teacher has been enabled in Solar
Fire, all the teacher's settings can be captured
and stored in a ZIP file.
Settings in the ZIP file
Solar Fire system settings (internal
settings, birthdays, rulers, weightings etc)
Wheels and Dials
Tasks
Almutens and Dignities
Pages
Points and Colors
Selected Charts
Aspects
>> To capture Teacher settings
1. In the Utilities menu click on Teacher -
Create Settings. A dialog box will appear
asking if you wish to continue, click Yes
to continue.
2. A dialog box will ask for a name for the
file. Enter a name or choose a previously
used name from the drop down list. Click

on the OK button.
3. Another dialog box will appear where you
can select any chart files you would like
included in the ZIP file by clicking in the
checkbox next to each chart file. (To
unselect a chart file just click in the
checkbox again so that it is blank).
4. When you have finished selecting chart
files click on the OK button. Solar Fire
will then save the settings in a ZIP file.
Finally a message will appear telling you
where the ZIP file has been stored.
>> Distributing Teacher settings to students

In an email you can add the ZIP file as an
attachment from the folder it was stored in,
and send it to your students to use, or you can
email the file to Esoteric Technologies who
will put it on their website for downloading by
students.
54.3 Enabling Students
On the Utilities menu the Load Teacher Settings menu
item is only enabled if one or more teacher’s ZIP files are
found in the "Solar Fire User Files" folder (by default this
is in the user's Documents folder).
Therefore, when a student downloads a teacher’s ZIP
file from Esoteric Technologies website or receives the
ZIP file as an email attachment, they need to save it to the
"Solar Fire User Files" folder on their computer.

54.4 Loading Teacher settings

Once a student has received a Solar Fire
settings ZIP file from a teacher, or
downloaded one from Esoteric Technologies
website, the settings within the ZIP file need to
be loaded into Solar Fire.
>> To load Teacher settings
1. In the Utilities menu click on Load
Teacher Settings. A dialog box will open
showing you the available teacher settings,
which are in ZIP files (files with a .zip
extension).
2. Select one of these files by clicking on it,
and click on the Open button.
3. A message will appear saying the current
teacher settings have been removed - click
the OK button on this message.
The teachers settings contained in the ZIP
file will load and a message will briefly
display while this is happening.
54.5 Removing Teacher settings
If you have previously loaded Teacher
settings into Solar Fire, you must remove them
if you want to return Solar Fire to it's regular
settings.
>> To remove Teacher settings

1. In the Utilities menu click on Remove

Teacher Settings.
2. A message will appear saying the current
teacher settings have been removed - click
the OK button on this message.
55 Astrology Schools
Solar Fire now assists a user by providing a direct link to
a webpage on Esoteric Technologies’ website where a list
of schools, the principal(s) and a classification of what
type of astrology the school focuses on is displayed.
>> To access the list of Astrology Schools

On the Help menu click on Astrology Schools
56 Sabian Symbols
There are two places in Solar Fire where
Sabian symbols are used. One is in
interpretation reports and the other is in the
Sabian Oracle.
56.1 Sabian Oracle
Astrologer Lynda Hill uses the Sabian Symbols as a tool
to help us discover what’s going on and why, and to lead
us to greater self-awareness. The Sabian Oracle can be
used to gain insights into the future, analyse the present,
understand yourself and others and generally keep in tune
with the rhythms of life. For more information visit: www.
sabiansymbols.com
>> To view Sabian Symbols Oracle from the main

screen

On the View menu click on Sabian Oracle

57 Wheel Styles and Page Layouts
Solar Fire comes with many pre-designed
wheel styles and pages, and as well you can
also create your own. Below are some of the
specialized pre-designed wheels and pages that
are supplied with Solar Fire.
Decanate and Face rulers wheel
Solar Fire comes with a wheel, the decanate ruler
wheel, that you can use to display the decanate and face
rulers.
>> To display the decanate/face ruler wheel

1) When you have a Uniwheel chart displayed on the
“View Chart” screen...
a) Click on the Wheel Style button
b) Select the DecRuler.wh1 wheel style from the list.
This wheel uses the Modern rulerships and so will
display the Decanate rulers for the chart.
c) Click on the Select button. This will take you back
to the "View Chart" screen.
2) If you now wish to display the Face rulers (still
from the “View Chart” screen)...
a) Click on the Reports button
b) Click on the Rulerships report.
c) In the "Rulerships" dropdown box, select
Traditional rulerships
d) Click on the Quit button.
3) Finally now back in the “View Chart” screen...
a) Click on the ReDraw button to update the wheel

and it will now display the Face rulers around the

wheel.
To return to the Decanate rulers, repeat step (2) and
simply reselect the “Modern” rulers, then repeat step
(3).
Term rulers wheel

There are two types of Term rulers: Ptolemy and
Egyptian. To select the appropriate wheel style to
display these rulers ...
1. In the "View Chart" screen click on the Wheel Style
button.
2. Select either TermRulers_Ptolemy.wh1 or
TermRulers_Egyptian.wh1
3. Click on the Select button. This will take you back
Nakshatra wheel
For Vedic astrology users, you can select a wheel style
that displays the Nakshatras around the wheel. This
wheel style is usually used when a Vedic zodiac has
been selected, like Lahiri.
button.
2. Select Nakshatras.wh1.
BiWheel with houses in both wheels

Solar Fire comes with a BiWheel that displays separate
houses in both the inner and outer wheel. This wheel

style might be useful for those times when you want to

see the current transiting houses (and planets) on the
outer wheel of a natal chart. To see this wheel style on
the “View Chart” screen
button.
2. Select BiBothHouses.wh2.
Composite sun house Chart Art page (for all

composite sun houses)
Twelve Chart Art pages are available for displaying the
house location of the composite Sun. For example, if a
couple’s composite Sun is located in the 4th house
then...
1. On the "View Chart" screen, click the Pages button
2. Expand the "Chart Art" category by clicking on the
plus sign to the left of it
3. Click on Solar Fire Wheel with Art
[art_composite4.pag].
Animating progressions and transits page

A page layout is available that may assist users
animating a natal chart, secondary progression chart and
transit chart all at the same time.
>> To animate the progressed chart, and the

progressions and transits to the natal chart, all
on the same page
1. From the main screen create or open a chart and

have it highlighted on the “Calculated Charts” list.

2. Calculate the current transits chart for the location
you want and it will be added to the “Calculated
Charts” list.
3. On the Dynamic menu click on Animate Page.
4. Expand the “Multiple Charts” category by clicking
on the plus sign to the left of it.
5. Double-click on the Transits and Progressed
Page [tranprog.pag]. This action will open a
screen allowing you to assign the charts.
6. Assigns the Natal chart as Chart 1 (Natal base
chart, Fixed Base Chart)
7. Assign the transit chart as Chart 2 (Event base
chart, Transits)
8. Assign the progressed chart as Chart 3 (Natal base
chart, Secondary Progressions)
9. Click on the OK button
10. As you step the charts through time, you will see
the relevant movements of planets and aspects in
three of the four wheels (not the natal chart).
For assistance assigning charts in the (Animate) Transits

and Progressed Page dialog see Selecting Alternative
Chart Types
Single and BiWheel with Dasas

A major dasa cycle runs for 120 years and it is further
sub-divided into sub-dasas also known as bhuktis. If you
open a natal chart and use a Vedic zodiac, like Lahiri, you

can display the dasa periods for that natal chart. There are
three pages you can use to display Dasas for a chart.
[A] (for a Uniwheel e.g. a single chart)
1. On the "View Chart" screen click on the Pages
button.
2. Expand the "Vedic" category by clicking on the
plus sign to the left of it.
3. Click on UniWheel with Dasas [uni_dasas.pag]
4. Click the OK button

[B] (for a BiWheel e.g. for a natal chart and transits)
1. Highlight two charts on the “Calculated Charts” list,
e.g. one a natal chart and the other a transits chart
2. Click on the View menu
3. Click on BiWheel
4. In the "View Chart" screen click on the Pages
button
6. Click on BiWheel with Dasas [bi_dasas.pag]
[C] (for a BiWheel e.g. for a natal chart and transits -
dasas > 120 yrs)
For example, if you are a mundane astrologer wanting
to use an older country’s chart, like the USA chart,
with the current transits displayed around the outside
then you can.
1. Highlight two charts on the “Calculated Charts” list,

e.g. one the USA chart and the other a transits

chart
2. Click on the View menu
3. Click on BiWheel
4. In the "View Chart" screen click on the Pages
button
6. Click on BiWheel with Dasas (> 120 years)
[bi_dasas2.pag]
58 Using the Utilities Menu

Solar Fire has a Utilities menu that is completely
customisable by the user. When you first install Solar Fire,
the Utilities menu will already contain a list of options,
including options which start up most of the separate
programs that are supplied with Solar Fire, such as the
Chart Export utility and the Rulerships and Weightings
Editor. However, you may add items to, delete items
from, or rearrange this list as you wish.
>> To start up the utilities menu editor

Select the Assign to Menu... option from the Utilities
menu. This will display the Solar Fire Menu Editor screen.
The list box on the left of the screen displays a list of all
the items which will appear in Solar Fire’s Utilities menu.
The text boxes on the right display the details associated

with the currently selected item.
58.1 Editing Menu Items

>> To edit an item which is already on the list
Select the required item from the list. You can then edit
any of the details, as follows.
Menu Text - This allows you to enter the text which
will be displayed in Solar Fire’s menu. Note that entering
a single & before any letter will cause that letter to be
underscored in the menu, and allow it to be used as a
short-cut letter for accessing that menu item from the
keyboard e.g. &Import Charts... is displayed as Import
Charts..., and the Alt+I keys may be used as a short-cut
to accessing this menu item in Solar Fire. It is
recommended that you limit to length of your entries to
about 20 characters, so that the menu will not become
overcrowded.
Executable File - This allows you to specify which
program will be started whenever this menu item is
selected from Solar Fire. You can either enter a file name
directly into this text box, or you can use the Find File...
button to search for the file you want and automatically
enter its path and name into this text box. If you enter a
file name yourself, without entering any path, then Solar
Fire will assume that the file resides in its own directory
(normally called SOLFIRE), or in the WINDOWS
directory. If you want to call up a program from any other
directory than either of these, then you must enter its full
path as well as its name e.g. to call the chart import utility,
which resides in the Solar Fire directory, enter “fileconv.
exe”. To call the Nova program, for which a PIF file

exists in the Windows directory, enter “nova.pif”. To call

a program mygame.exe which exists in the directory
GAMES on the C drive, enter “c:\games\mygame.exe”. If
you are use the Find File... button to select the file, then
the full path will be entered automatically.
Help Text - This allows you to specify what help text
will be displayed on Solar Fire’s status bar at the bottom
of the main screen when this menu item is being browsed.
This may be left blank if you wish.
Note: If you have incorrectly entered the Executable File
name or path, or if the program referred to is later deleted
or moved to a different directory, then Solar Fire will
issue an error message whenever you attempt to access
that menu item. In this case, you can use the Assign to
Menu... option to edit or delete the problematic entry.
58.2 Deleting Menu Items

>> To delete any item on the list
Select the required item from the list
Click on the Delete button
This will delete the item immediately, without asking for
confirmation.
58.3 Reordering the Menu

>> To alter the position of any item on the list
Select the required item from the list
Click on the up or down arrow of the spin button
This will move the selected item up or down the list
relative to the other entries.

58.4 Saving Changes to the Menu

>> To save your changes
Click on the Save button. This will save any changes
that you have made. Next time that Solar Fire starts up,
your changes will be read in, and the Solar Fire Utilities
menu will reflect these changes. Note that if you are
editing the menu whilst Solar Fire is running, any changes
that you make will not take effect until you exit from Solar
Fire and restart it.
If you select the Quit button, and there are outstanding
changes that have not yet been saved, then you will be
asked whether or not you wish any changes that you have
made to be saved.
58.5 Suggestions for the Utilities Menu

In addition to Solar Fire’s utility programs, you might
consider adding some of the following items into the
Utilities menu.
Other astrology programs - You might find it useful
to have some of your other astrology programs
accessible directly from Solar Fire.
Windows utilities - e.g. Calculator (CALC.EXE),
Clipboard (CLIPBRD.EXE), Notepad
(NOTEPAD.EXE), Paintbrush (PBRUSH.EXE).
Note: These all reside in the WINDOWS directory,
so you do not need to enter a path for them.
Other programs that you use often - e.g. your
word-processor

59 Entering Angles
Angles are required to be entered in several different
places in the program, e.g. when editing aspect orbs,
editing report modulus and orb, specifying a chart angle
when rectifying a chart, entering a user-specified
ayanamsa and when specifying a return angle in the
Advanced Return Options screen.
Angles may be entered in degrees, minutes and seconds
or as decimal degrees or in degrees, zodiac sign, minutes
and seconds. Whenever an angle is entered, Solar Fire
will convert it into a standard format, unless it cannot
understand the entry, in which case an error message will
be displayed, and you can try entering an angle again.
Normal angles (non-zodiacal)

The angle must have at least a degree number. It may
also have a minutes number and a seconds number. The
minutes and seconds number must be between 0 and 59
only. Some examples of valid angle entries are as follows.
23
23 59
23 59 59
Zodiacal Angles
The angle must have at least a zodiacal abbreviation or a
degree number. It may also have a minutes number and a
seconds number. The minutes and seconds number must
be between 0 and 59 only. If you enter a zodiacal
abbreviation of 2 letters, then it must be one of the

following - Ar, Ta, Ge, Cn, Le, Vi, Li, Sc, Sg, Cp, Aq,
Pi. If you enter more than 2 characters of a sign name,
then it must be an exact part of the full name of the zodiac
sign e.g. "Sag" for Sagittarius. Some examples of valid
zodiacal angle entries are as follows.
23Aries
23Ar
23Ar59 59
23Aries 59
133 23
12 Cn 23 59
60 Changing Rulerships and Weightings

This chapter describes how to use Solar Fire's
Rulerships & Weightings Editor to browse, add, edit,
rename or delete sets of rulerships, and weightings which
are ascribed to chart points in various reports within Solar
Fire.
60.1 Rulerships
Adding or deleting sets of rulerships will affect how
many different rulership reports are available in the list of
available reports as described in Generating Chart
Reports, and in the list of rulerships available in the menu
of the interpretations screen. When Solar Fire is first
installed, there are four sets of rulerships: Modern, Old,
Esoteric and Hierarchical. Each set of rulerships defines,
for each sign, its ruler, what is exalted and what is the
ruler of each of the decanates.

The Modern set of rulerships uses rulerships as used by

most modern astrologers.
The Old set of rulerships uses Mars as ruler of Scorpio,
Saturn as ruler of Aquarius, and Jupiter as ruler of Pisces.
The Esoteric and Hierarchical rulerships use a
completely different set of associations, as defined in the
book "Esoteric Astrology" by Alice A. Bailey.
60.2 Weightings
Altering weightings of the chart point will affect the way
in which scores are calculated in the balance of the modes
and elements in basic Chart Analysis report of Solar Fire.
It also affects the way in which Solar Fire determines the
balance of Modes, Elements and Rays in the
Interpretation reports.
When Solar Fire is first installed, the following weightings
are in effect.
Multiplier 3 - Sun, Moon, Ascendant, MC
Multiplier 2 - Mercury, Venus, Mars
Multiplier 1 - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune,
Pluto
Multiplier 0 - All other chart points
This means that the Sun and the Moon count three times
more than Jupiter or Saturn in assessing which element is
strongest, for example. Asteroids, which have a weighting
of zero, are ignored in this assessment.

60.3 Starting the Rulerships & Weightings Editor

>> To start the editor
From the Solar Fire Group, double click the Rulerships
& Weightings Editor program icon. After the utility
loads, Solar Fire displays the following screen.
60.4 Adding a Set of Rulerships

>> To add a new set (or level) of rulerships
Select the Add Level... option from the Edit menu. -
You will be prompted to verify that you wish to add a
level.
Select the Yes button in order to delete it, or the Cancel
button to return to the editing screen without deleting it.
Note: The new level will initially contain an exact copy
of the names and all the rulerships of the currently
displayed level, and will appear in the list immediately
after the currently displayed set, then. You are then free to
change the names and edit the rulerships as you wish.
60.5 Deleting a Set of Rulerships

>> To delete (remove) the set of rulerships
currently displayed
Select the Delete Level... option from the Edit menu.
You will be prompted to verify that you wish to delete the
current level.
Select the Yes button in order to delete it, or the Cancel
button to return to the editing screen without deleting it.

60.6 Editing Rulerships

>> To edit the rulerships for any level
Select the desired Level Number from the drop-down
list box. The name of the level appears in the Name of
Set box, and the text by which this level will be known in
Solar Fire menus appears in the Menu Name box. Either
of these names may be edited, e.g. you could rename the
"Old" rulers to be "Traditional", and the menu name to be
"Ancient".
Select a Zodiac Sign from the list of signs. The remaining
boxes will then be automatically filled in with the rulers
relating to the selected sign. It is possible to alter any of
these rulerships (or exaltations).
Select any of the available items from each drop-down
list box. Note that although it is possible to select any
planet, asteroid or chart angle from the drop-down list
boxes, traditionally only the planets should be selected.
60.7 Editing Weightings

>> To change the weighting of any chart point
On the lower part of the screen, click on the desired
chart point in the list box
Click on the Increase Weighting or the Decrease
Weighting button as many times as you wish - Each time
that you click on one of these buttons, the weighting
number for that chart point will be updated on the list.
Note that a weighting cannot be set to less than zero or
greater than one hundred.

60.8 Exiting from the Editor

>> To save your changes
Select the Save option from the File menu
>> To exit from the editor

Select the Exit option from the File menu. You may be
shown a dialog box asking you if you wish to save any
changes that you have made. If you wish to exit without
making any alterations to the rulerships or weightings, then
select the No button. If you wish any changes that you
made to be saved then select the Yes button. Selecting
the Cancel button will return you to the editor, without
exiting. Once you have exited, you can double click on
the Solar Fire icon to launch the main program.
Note: Any changes that you make to the rulerships or
weightings will not take effect until the next time that Solar
Fire is launched. If Solar Fire is running whilst you make
changes, you will need to exit from Solar Fire and launch
it again in order for the changes to take effect.
61 Compiling Interpretations
You can edit any interpretations in Solar Fire by using
the supplied Interpretations Editor program (see Editing
Interpretations). However, on occasion you may wish to
decompile the interpretations into a text file so that you
can work on it in a word processor or text editing
program. In this case you will eventually need to
recompile the text file so that the interpretations can be
used in Solar Fire. Also, if you own a previous version of
Solar Fire, then you may still have old text files that need
to be compiled.

The Interpretation Compiler allows you to edit

interpretations text files, and assembles and compiles all
the input text into a single, compact "direct-access" file,
from which Solar Fire is able to access any text item
almost instantaneously.
Once you have successfully run the Interpretations
Compiler, you will be able to access your interpretations
by selecting the name of the file you have created to be
the current Interpretations File in Solar Fire, via the File
Manager.
61.1 Requirements
In order to edit your interpretations text files and compile
your interpretations, you will need to be familiar with a
text editor or word-processor which can create ASCII
text files. The Interpretations Compiler allows you to
access directly the Windows Notepad and the Windows
Write word-processor in order to edit the text in the
interpretations files. However, you may also use any other
word processor or text editor of your choice, if you
prefer.
61.2 Procedure
1. From the Interpretations Editor, choose the
Compile... option from the File menu.
2. Select the definition file for the set of interpretations
which you wish to edit.
3. Optionally edit any of the displayed files which
contain the interpretations text for this project.
4. Compile the project.

5. If the Compiler finds any errors, then repeat steps

3 and 4 until all the errors are eliminated.
You can exit from the interpretations compiler without

creating an interpretation file, at any time, by clicking on
the Quit button.
61.3 Editing Interpretations Text

To edit interpretations text files for any Solar Fire
interpretation set, you must first find the definition (*.def)
file for that set of interpretations. If wish to work with an
interpretation set other than that already shown in the
Definition File text box, then you must select another file.
>> To select a definition file

Do one of the following
Enter a full file path and name into the Definition File
text box
Click on the file button the right Definition File text
box. You will be shown a file selection dialog box from
which you may select directories and files.
When you select a definition file in the Interpretations
Compiler, all the text files that are related to this project
will be listed in a list box. You are then able to edit or
browse them using any of several different editing
programs.
>> To select a text editor to work with


Choose the required editor from the drop down Editor

box - In most cases the easiest editor to use is the
Notepad, which is supplied with Windows, as this is a
simple text editor. Any changes that you make with
Notepad are automatically saved in the correct (text file)
format. However, Notepad is unable to edit files which
exceed a certain size. If you attempt to do so, then it will
display an error message to this effect. If this happens
then you should close Notepad and use another editor
instead. The Write word-processor is also quite easy to
use, but you will need to remember always to save any
changes using the Save As menu option and selecting to
save as “Text Files (*.txt)” from the drop-down list of File
Types. Also, when you open the Write program, it will
ask you whether or not to convert the file to its own
internal format. The best option is to select “No
Conversion”.
If you prefer to use another editor or word-processor of
your own choosing, then you may do so by entering its full
path and filename into the drop-down list box. For
example, to use MS Word for Windows, you might enter
“c:\msoffice\winword\winword.exe”. (Whatever you enter
here will be remembered for future sessions with the
compiler.)
>> To edit a text file

Select the required file from the list and click on the Edit
Text button, or double-click on the required file in the list.
This will start up the selected editor with the selected file.
Note that you must remember to close the editor after you
are finished with it. Each time that you edit a file in the
compiler, a new instance of the editor is started up. If you

do not close the editor after editing each file, then you will
end up with many copies of the editor running
simultaneously.
Note: If you are adept with your computer, then you
may prefer to edit the text files externally, without using
the Interpretations Compiler at all. This is quite
acceptable, in which case you need to run the
Interpretations Compiler only to run the compilation after
you have finished editing all your text files.
61.4 Running the Compiler

When you have finished creating or editing any text input
files, then you can start the Compiler after specifying the
output file. The output file is the file which Solar Fire will
use to read interpretation from.
>> To specify an output file

Enter the full file path and name into the Output File text
box
Click on the File Selection button to the right of the text
box - This will display a standard windows dialog box
allowing you to specify the directory and name of the
output file.
Note: For Solar Fire to be able to use the output file, it
must be in the INTERPS subdirectory of Solar Fire, and
it MUST have a ".INT" file extension. If you specify
different locations or extensions then you will have to
copy the resulting output file to the correct location and
give it the correct extension before Solar Fire will

recognise it as a valid interpretations file.
>> To start the compilation

Click on the Compile button.
The compiler makes two passes of the input file/s. On
the first pass the syntax of each entered line of text is
checked. If there are no errors, then a second pass is
performed during which the output file is created. You can
see which pass is currently being performed by looking at
the Pass No. text box, and which keyword lines are
currently being read by looking at the Keyword text box.
The compilation is complete when the Pass No. text box
contains the word “Finished”.
If the output file that you have selected already exists,
then you will be asked whether or not you wish to
overwrite it. If you choose to do so, then the original copy
of the output file will only be deleted after the compiler
has checked the syntax of your input files, and starts its
second pass. Therefore, if the compiler finds any syntax
errors, the original file will remain unchanged.
The compilation may take several minutes or more,
depending on how much text has been entered. You can
stop the compilation at any time by clicking on the Stop
button. You can safely do this at any time during the first
pass. If you do this during the second pass of the
compiler, then the output file will probably be useable by
Solar Fire, but will not contain all of the required text.
If there are syntax errors encountered, then an error
message will be sent to the list box for each line which
contains a syntax error. When the compiler finishes, you
can browse through these messages in order to pinpoint
where amendments must be made. You may need to refer

to the File Layout specification in order to determine how

to correct the error. You can access the editing options of
the compiler by clicking on the Edit Text Files button.
If no errors are encountered, then the first line of the list
box will say "Errors Encountered: 0", and following this
will be a list of the information types for which valid input
text was found. In this case, you will be able to use the
output file in Solar Fire successfully.
>> To exit from the interpretations compiler

Click on the Quit button.
For information on how to select the interpretations file
you have just compiled for use in Solar Fire, see Selecting
a File.
61.5 File Locations

The interpretations text files which are supplied with
Solar Fire are all installed into a single directory, which is
the Interpretations subfolder of the Solar Fire User Files
folder.
61.6 Input File Layout

The easiest way to learn how to lay out an input text file
is to browse through a text files which has been
decompiled from an interpretations file supplied with Solar
Fire. These are in the Interpretations subfolder of the
Solar Fire User Files folder.
Input files must be sequential ASCII text files. If you are
editing your file from WordPerfect, for example, then you

must choose to save your files as "ASCII Text (DOS)".

In any input file there are four types of lines which may
legally appear. These are comment lines, directive lines,
keyword lines and text lines.
61.6.1 Comment lines
These are blank lines on which the first character is a

semicolon (;) or a formfeed. These are ignored during
compilation. You can use them to annotate your file with
comments which you do not want to be included as
interpretations text. For example
; The following section was written by John Smith on
17th Sept 1995
61.6.2 Directive lines
These are lines on which the first character is "#". These

allow you to tell the compiler to include a separate text file
at this point in the current file. You can "nest" these
directives in up to five levels of files. The syntax is
#include <filename>
where <filename> is either a full path plus a filename, or
just a filename without a path. If no path is given, then the
compiler assumes that the file is in the same directory as
the top level input file. Examples:
#include c:\solfire\interps\aspects.txt
#include decans.txt

61.6.3 Keyword lines
These are lines on which the first character is an asterisk

(*). These allow definition types to be specified. Any text
lines following a keyword line will be used as text relating
to whatever item was defined on the keyword line. The
keyword line must be one of the following types:
* TITLE
eg *Title
* COPYRIGHT
e.g. * Copyright
* INTRODUCTION
e.g. *Introduction
* DEGREE degreenumber (1-360)
e.g. *Degree 37
* DECANATE decanatenumber (1-30)
e.g. * Decanate 13
* QUADRANT quadrantnumber (1-4) [WEAK/
STRONG]
e.g. *Quadrant 3
* HEMISPHERE hemispherename [WEAK/STRONG]
e.g. *Hemisphere Eastern Strong
* ELEMENT elementname [WEAK/STRONG]
e.g. *Element Fire Strong
* MODE modename [WEAK/STRONG]
e.g. * Mode Cardinal
* RAY raynumber (1-7) [WEAK/STRONG]
e.g. *Ray 7
* ASPECT aspectname [mappedname]
e.g. *Aspect Square Hard
* PHASE phasename
e.g. *Phase Balsamic
* housenumber [st,nd,rd,th] [house] [WEAK/STRONG]

e.g. *11th House

* signname [WEAK/STRONG]
e.g. * Aries
* pointname
e.g. *Moon
* pointname IN housenumber [st,nd,rd,th] [house]
e.g. *Sun in 1st House
* pointname IN signname
e.g. * Juno in Sagittarius
* signname ON housenumber [st,nd,rd,th] [house] [cusp]
e.g. *Aries on 3rd House Cusp
* pointname mappedaspectname pointname
(mappedaspectname must have previously appeared as a
non-mapped aspect name or as a mapped aspect name in
a "*Aspect" keyword line. See below for more details.)
e.g. *Jupiter Hard Moon
* DYNAMICASPECTS
This is an optional keyword which need appear only once
in the file, and should not followed by any text lines. If it is
present, then any keyword entries of the previous type
(point aspecting point) are assumed to relate to dynamic
points aspecting radix points, and the points are therefore
not interchangeable. In this case a definition for the aspect
Pluto Trine Venus, for example, is stored separately from
the aspect Venus Trine Pluto. If the
DYNAMICASPECTS keyword is not present, then
keywords of the previous type are assumed to relate to
either a single chart, or to synastry between charts, in
which case, for example, Pluto Trine Venus is treated as
being identical to Venus Trine Pluto. (This means that if
both of these were present in your file, the text for the first
one would be overwritten with the text for the second
one.) See below for more details.

* SCORING type WEIGHTED/UNWEIGHTED

ratioweak ratiostrong
(type must be one of QUADRANT, HEMISPHERE,
ELEMENT, MODE, RAY, HOUSE, SIGN. The items
ratioweak and ratiostrong must be positive real numbers.)
e.g. *Scoring Element Weighted 0.5 1.5
Items in square brackets are optional, and uppercase

keywords which are not in square brackets are
obligatory. Blanks between "*" and the next non-blank
character are ignored. Text is case insensitive (i.e. text can
be entered in lower, upper or mixed case). Names of
chart points must not include blanks i.e. Part of Fortune
becomes PartofFortune, North Node becomes
NorthNode, South Node becomes SouthNode, East
Point becomes EastPoint. See the name lists below.
Aspect Definitions
Aspect definitions relate aspects to their mapped aspect
names. (Any aspects which do not have a mapped aspect
name in a "*Aspect" definition cannot be used in this set
of interpretations. If no *Aspect definitions appear then
no "*Point aspect Point" definitions can be entered later.)
Note that *Aspect definitions must appear before any
"*Point aspect Point" definitions appear in the input file/s.
For example:
*Aspect Conjunction Soft

This aspect combines the effects of the planets involved...
*Aspect Opposition Hard
This aspect indicates a conflict between the planets
involved...

*Aspect Trine Soft

This aspect indicates an easy flow of energy...
*Aspect Square Hard
This aspect gives motivation...
*Aspect Semisquare
This aspect can result in frustration...
*Sun Hard Uranus

You are rebellious and unconventional...
*Sun Soft Uranus
You have a strong social conscience...
This would have the effect of creating two aspect types
(Hard and Soft) which must then appear with identical
spelling in any "*Point aspecting Point" keyword lines.
When the application runs, when an interpretation is
requested for a conjunction or trine between the Sun and
Uranus, then the interpretation text for the Soft aspect
between those two points is returned. Similarly the text for
the Hard aspect is returned for the opposition and square
between those two points. No text is returned for any
semisquare or other type of aspect between those points
(although text is returned for the definition of a
semisquare).
Note that if you are creating an interpretations file for
transits, progressions or directions to a radix chart, then
you must include the *DYNAMICASPECTS keyword
somewhere in your file, in which case the first point of a
“*Point aspecting Point” keyword entry will always be
assumed to be the dynamic point, and the second point
will be assumed to be the radix point. For example text
entered after the “*Saturn Square Sun” keyword entry
will be used by Solar Fire only for dynamic Saturn
squaring the Sun in the radix chart, but will not be used for

dynamic Sun squaring Saturn in the radix chart. If you

want Solar Fire to return text for dynamic Sun squaring
Saturn, then you would have to create a “*Sun Square
Saturn” keyword entry.
You should NOT include the *DYNAMICASPECTS
keyword if you are creating interpretations for a single
chart or for synastry between two like charts, in which
case the order of points in a “*Point aspecting Point” is
irrelevant. You need therefore create only one entry for
each pair of points. For example text entered after the
“*Saturn Square Sun” keyword entry will be used by
Solar Fire for both Saturn squaring Sun and for Sun
squaring Saturn aspects.
Scoring for Balances

The "*Scoring" keyword allows you to specify how the
balance of quadrants, hemispheres, elements, modes and
rays is calculated. If the "Weighted" keyword is specified,
then Solar Fire will apply a weighting factor to each chart
point placement in the chart. The weighting factor applied
in each case may be modified by using the Rulerships &
Weightings Editor supplied with Solar Fire. If the
"Unweighted" keyword is used (or any other word than
"Weighted"), then no weightings will be used. The ratios
to be specified are used to determine what score is
WEAK and what is STRONG. Solar Fire does this in the
following way.
1. The score for each category (e.g. quadrant, element
etc.) is calculated by finding the number of chart points in
each category, and multiplying each one by its weighting if
appropriate. (Note that the chart angles are always
excluded in the calculation for quadrants and

hemispheres.)
2. The average score is found by summing the scores for
each category and dividing by the total number of
categories (i.e. by 4 for quadrants, hemispheres and
elements, by 3 for modes, by 7 for rays)
3. If the score for any category is less than the average
score times the "weakratio" number, then it is considered
to be WEAK in the chart. If the score is equal to or
greater than the average score times the "strongratio"
number, then it is considered to be STRONG in the chart.
Note: It is possible to prevent WEAK interpretations
from appearing in the compiler by specifying a
"weakratio" of 0 (zero). Similarly it is possible to prevent
STRONG interpretations from appearing by specifying a
large "strongratio" (e.g. 99.9).
Spelling of Keywords
The following lists indicate the exact spelling that must be
used in the * header lines for each interpretation.
Abbreviations may be used only as truncations of these
words, and must be unambiguous e.g. "Ca" will cause an
error if used as a sign abbreviation, but "Can" or "Cap"
will be accepted correctly as Cancer and Capricorn
respectively.
SIGNS: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo,
Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces
HOUSES: 1 to 12
ELEMENTS: Fire, Earth, Air, Water
MODES: Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable
HEMISPHERES: Eastern, Northern, Western, Southern
POINTS: Sun, Vulcan, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Moon,

Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, Chiron,

Vesta, Pallas, Juno, Ceres, Hygeia, Astraea, NorthNode,
SouthNode, Ascendant, Midheaven, Vertex, EastPoint,
PartofFortune, Cupido, Hades, Zeus, Kronos, Apollon,
Admetos, Vulcanus, Poseidon, TransPluto, BlackMoon
ASPECTS: Conjunction, Opposition, Trine, Square,
Quintile, Sextile, Septile, SemiSquare, Novile, Decile,
UnDecagon, SemiSextile, BiQuintile, BiSeptile, TriSeptile,
SesquiSquare, BiNovile, QuadriNovile, SesquiQuintile,
BiUndecagon, TriUndecagon, QuadriUndecagon,
QuinqueUndecagon, Quincunx, Parallel, ContraParallel
PHASES: NewMoon, Crescent, FirstQuarter, Gibbous,
FullMoon, Disseminating, ThirdQuarter, Balsamic
RAYS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 7
61.6.4 Text lines
Any other line than those shown above is considered to

be a text line. Text lines are always assumed by the
compiler to relate to the last keyword line that was read in
by the compiler.
Note that any carriage returns or line feeds within the
body of the text are ignored by the compiler. In order to
force text onto a new line, a "|" (vertical bar) character
must be used. e.g.
The quick brown fox
jumped over these items:|A
box|A tree|A hen
This will ensure that, when displayed in Solar Fire's
interpretations window, the last three items each appear
on a new line, as follows

The quick brown fox

jumped over these items:
A box
A tree
A hen
Because the compiler ignores carriage returns, it does
not matter how many words are contained in each text
line. You can put as many or as few words on a line as
you wish. When you run Solar Fire, the interpretation text
lines are automatically formatted to fit within the
interpretations window, whatever its size.
The limit to the amount of text that can be entered in
relation to any one keyword is that it cannot exceed about
40,000 characters (i.e. roughly 650 lines of 60 characters
width). There is no specific limit on how much text may be
entered into any one interpretations file. In practice you
will be limited by the amount of available disk space on
your computer.
62 Symbols & Abbreviations
62.1 Zodiac Signs

Symbol Sign Abbr Symbol Sign Abbr
Ü Aries Ar † Libra Li
Ý Taurus Ta ‡ Scorpio Sc
‚ Gemini Ge ˆ Sagittarius Sg
ƒ Cancer Cn ‰,ú Capricorn Cp

„ Leo Le Š Aquarius Aq
… Virgo Vi ‹ Pisces Pi
62.2 Chart Points

Symbol Name Abbr
¶ Moon Mon
· Earth Ear
¸ Sun Sun
¹ Vulcan Vul
º Mercury Mer
» Venus Ven
¼ Mars Mar
½ Jupiter Jup
¾ Saturn Sat
¿,û Uranus Ura
À, õ Neptune Nep
Á,þ,ÿ Pluto Plu
É North Node Nod
Ê South Node Sno
Â Chiron Chi
Ã Vesta Ves
Ä Pallas Pal
Å Juno Jun
Æ Ceres Cer
Ç Hygeia Hyg
È Astraea Ast
Ë Ascendant Asc

Symbol Name Abbr

Ì Midheaven MC
Í Vertex Vx
Î Equatorial Asc Ep
Ï Part of Fortune PF
Ð Cupido Cup
Ñ Hades Had
Ò Zeus Zeu
Ó Kronos Kro
Ô Apollon Apo
Õ Admetos Adm
Ö Vulcanus Vus
× Poseidon Pos
Ø TransPluto TPl
Ù Black Moon BMo
å CoAscendant CAs
æ Polar Ascendant PAs
ç Descendant Dsc
è Imum Coeli IC
é AntiVertex AVx
Equatorial
ê Descendant
EqD
ë CoDescendant CDs
ì Polar Descendant PDs
í Aries Point Ari
î Libra Point Lib
ï Vernal Point VP
ð Selena Sel

Symbol Name Abbr

ñ Sedna Sed
ò Eris Eri
62.3 Aspects
All the aspects of longitude from the 1st to the 12th
harmonic are shown in the following table, with angles in
decimal degrees, and fractions relating to a full circle.
Symbol Name Abbr Angle Fraction

ß Conjunction Cnj 0 0
à Opposition Opp 180 1/2
á Trine Tri 120 1/3
‘ Square Squ 90 1/4
— Quintile Qnt 72 1/5
’ Sextile Sxt 60 1/6
› Septile Spt 51.43 1/7
“ SemiSquare SSq 45 1/8
ã Novile Nov 40 1/9
™ Decile Dec 36 1/10
¡ Undecile Und 32.73 1/11
• SemiSextile Ssx 30 1/12
˜ BiQuintile BQn 144 2/5
œ BiSeptile BSpt 102.86 2/7
â TriSeptile TSpt 154.29 3/7
” SesquiSquadrate Sqq 135 3/8
Ÿ BiNovile BNv 80 2/9

Symbol Name Abbr Angle Fraction

ä QuadriNovile QNv 160 4/9
š SesquiQuintile SqQn 108 3/10
¢ BiUndecile BiUn 65.45 2/11
£ TriUndecile TrUn 98.18 3/11
¤ QuadriUndec QaUn 130.91 4/11
¥ QuinqueUndecile QiUn 163.64 5/11
– Quincunx Qnx 150 5/12
The aspects of declination are:-

¦ Parallels - denote equality of declination
§ ContraParallels - denote equal but opposite
declination angle (e.g. +3 and -3).
63 Rulerships & Associations
The following table shows the relationships between the
planets and signs as they are initially specified in the Solar
Fire program. It should be noted, however, that there are
a varying opinions in the astrological community about
some of these relationships. Some of these are noted
below. It is possible to alter any rulership in Solar Fire by
using the supplied Rulerships and Weightings Editor.
Zodiac Modern Old Esoteric Hierarch- Exalted Planet in
Sign Ruler Ruler Ruler ical Ruler Planet Fall
Aries Mars Mars Mercury Uranus Sun Saturn
Taurus Venus Venus Vulcan Vulcan Moon Uranus
Gemini Mercury Mercury Venus Earth - -
Cancer Moon Moon Neptune Neptune Jupiter Mars
Leo Sun Sun Sun Sun - -
Virgo Mercury Mercury Moon Jupiter Mercury Venus

Zodiac Modern Old Esoteric Hierarch- Exalted Planet in

Sign Ruler Ruler Ruler ical Ruler Planet Fall
Libra Venus Venus Uranus Saturn Saturn Sun
Scorpio Pluto Mars Mars Mercury Uranus Moon
Sagittarius Jupiter Jupiter Earth Mars - -
Capricorn Saturn Saturn Saturn Venus Mars Jupiter
Aquarius Uranus Saturn Jupiter Moon - -
Pisces Neptune Jupiter Pluto Pluto Venus Mercury
Planets are in detriment when they are in the sign

opposite to their rulership. For example, Uranus is in
detriment in Leo traditionally, Aries esoterically, and Libra
hierarchically. Neptune may also be considered to be
exalted in Cancer or Pisces, and in fall in Capricorn.
Vulcan may also be considered to be in fall in Pisces.
64 Calculation Methods
64.1 Planets and Chart Points

All planetary positions are calculated using the Swiss
Ephemeris™, which “is at least as accurate as the
Astronomical Almanac, the standard planetary and lunar
tables astronomers refer to.”
The core part of Swiss Ephemeris is a compression of
the JPL-Ephemeris DE406, plus an extension of the time
range to 10,800 years, from 2 Jan 5401 BC to 31 Dec
5399. As a guide, the accuracy of the standard planets
around the current era is estimated to be as shown in the
following table.

Dates Planets Accuracy

1980 – 2000 all planets < 0.01”
1600 – 1980 Sun – Jupiter a few 0.1”
2000 – 2160
1600 – 1900 Saturn – Neptune a few ”
1900 – 1980 Saturn – Neptune a few 0.1”
1910 – 1980 Pluto < 1”
2000 – 2010
1750 – 2169 Moon a few ”
For a more detailed explanation of how the accuracy is
estimated, see the Swiss Ephemeris website at www.
astro.ch/swisseph/.
When Solar Fire calculates heliocentric positions, they
are true dynamical positions, and have no corrections
applied. Their geocentric positions are corrected for
nutation and light time delay, and therefore correspond
closely to the positions published in the "The American
Ephemeris" (ACS), for example.
64.1.1 Asteroids
The asteroid positions in Solar Fire are calculated from

ephemeris files. The main asteroids (Ceres, Pallas, Juno,
Vesta) are available for the full range of the Swiss
Ephemeris (2 Jan 5401 BC to 31 Dec 5399). The likely
accuracy is a few arc seconds in 1600 AD and a few arc
minutes in 3000 BC.

64.1.2 Chiron
As a result of close encounters with Saturn in Sept. 720

AD and in 4606 AD, Chiron’s orbit beyond this time
range is uncertain. Chiron’s position is therefore reliable
only for the time between 700 AD and 4650 AD.
64.1.3 Hypothetical and Experimental Planets
The planet Vulcan, the Transneptunian planets and

TransPluto are not officially discovered planets, but are
important in esoteric and Uranian astrology. They should
be treated as experimental. Their true accuracy is
therefore unascertainable at this time. However, efforts
have been made to ensure that their calculated positions
agree with the orbits that have been proposed and are in
general use for these bodies.
The Lilith used in Solar Fire is the one popular in
Europe, and it is also called the Black Moon. This is not
actually a hypothetical planet, but rather the geocentric
position of the empty focus of the moon’s orbital ellipse
(the earth being at the other focus). Solar Fire gives the
Black Moon’s mean position.
Selena, also know as the White Moon is also popular in
Europe. It has a perfectly circular hypothetical orbit.
64.1.4 House Cusps and Chart Angles
The house cusps, and chart angles (Ascendant,

Midheaven, Equatorial Ascendant, Vertex, CoAscendant,
Polar Ascendant and their opposite points) are accurate
for all dates limited only by the uncertainty of changes in
the earth’s rotation rate (sometimes called DeltaT). Solar

Fire uses the best available Swiss Ephemeris calculations

to determine these changes. However, there is still an
inherent uncertainty of about 15 minutes of time around
1500 BC, and possibly several hours around 3000 BC.
64.1.5 Typical Speeds
For the purposes of determining factors relating to

planetary speed, the following methods are used to
determine their typical speeds.
The Moon - speed based on a lunar orbital period of
27.321586481 days
The Sun, Earth, Vulcan, Mercury Venus - speed
based on a solar orbital period of 365.24219907 days
The North and South Nodes - speed based on a
nodal orbital period of 18.6 years
The Chart Angles - Earth's rate of diurnal rotation
(360.98564736 deg/day)
Black Moon Lilith - speed based on an orbital
period of 3231.45 days
White Moon Selena - speed based on an orbital
period of 2556.75 days
All Other Planets - their current heliocentric orbital
speed
These typical speeds are used to determine whether
planets are
Slow - if speed is less than typical
Fast - if speed is greater than or equal to typical
Stationary - if speed is below the percentage value
specified by the user in relation to the typical speed

(but only if this stationary option has been selected)
64.2 Progressed Charts

Mean Progressions
A progressed chart for a particular date is calculated by
determining the time elapsed since the birth or event chart,
and applying a progression rate to the elapsed time to get
a progressed elapsed time, and then adding that
progressed elapsed time to the birth or event chart date.
For example, secondary progressions are based on a
correspondence of one year to one day. Therefore a
progressed chart for a time and date 32.745 years after
the birth time and date is calculated as a natal chart would
be for a time and date 32.745 days after the birth time
and date.
Once the planetary positions are determined in this
manner, the progressed Midheaven is calculated
according to the currently selected method of angles
progression, and then the other chart angles are derived
from the Midheaven according to the chart’s location.
True Progressions
Instead of using a progression rate determined from
mean periods, it is possible to base the progression
calculation upon true (fluctuating) periods. This is of
practical use with progression rates that are based on the
moon’s cycles, because the moon’s cycles do fluctuate
significantly with time. Solar Fire offers this option in
relation to the tertiary progressions of fixed charts (but not
in the dynamic module). In this case one is assuming that
each true lunar cycle corresponds to one day in the

progressed chart, so the calculation involves finding the

exact times of the lunar returns before and after the target
date, and interpolating between these to find the exact
fractional lunar cycle to add to the number of completed
lunar cycles at the target date. The resulting number of
lunar cycles is the number of days by which to progress
the chart.
64.3 Directed Charts

Zodiacal Directions
A chart is directed by adding a fixed arc to every point
in the chart, including the chart angles. Therefore a
directed chart maintains the same aspects as the chart
upon which it is based, but different zodiacal positions. In
Solar Fire, the fixed arc that is applied is determined by
the arc of the secondary progressed Sun’s longitude, or
by the arc of the derived Ascendant or Vertex once the
Midheaven has been progressed by the same longitude as
the secondary progressed Sun. Which of these methods is
used depends on which method of directions is currently
selected for the chart or dynamic report.
Primary Mundane Directions

Primary directions are created by the diurnal rotation of
the earth about its own polar axis. Hence each planet or
chart angle is directed along its own diurnal arc, starting
from its natal position. Each degree of rotation is deemed
to correspond to 1 year in the life of the individual.
Aspects are deemed to be formed between directed and
natal planets when their relative positions in their diurnal
arcs are in angular relationship. (Note that this is quite

different from aspects of zodiacal longitude.). For

example, if the Sun is natally situated in the 10th house at
90% along its arc from its rise to its culmination, then
Saturn will be in natal mundane square to it when it is
directed to a position in the 1st house which is at 90%
along its arc from its nadir to its rise across the horizon. If
this occurs after Saturn has been directed by 24.5
degrees along its diurnal arc, then it is deemed that
directed Saturn makes a mundane square to the Sun when
the individual is 24 and a half years old.
This method is also known as "Placidian" directions as
apparently practiced by Ptolemy, Alcabitius, Montulmo,
Lucas Gauricus, Simmonite, Zadkiel, Alan Leo, Pracht,
Kloekler and Placidus himself.
Van Dam Primary Directions

This method has also been called “Primary Event
Analysis”. This is a variation of the Primary Mundane
(Placidian) method, using a different time-measure, as
introduced by Wim van Dam. The derived positions are
given in zodiacal longitude (unlike primary mundane
directions, which are expressed in term of a pseudo-arc).
64.4 Return Charts

Chart Point Returns
A return chart is calculated for the exact date and time
that a chart point returns to its longitude in the base chart.
If the base chart uses the tropical zodiac, then the return is
to the same point in the tropical zodiac (unless it is
precession corrected). If it is sidereal then the return is to
the same point in the sidereal zodiac. The program iterates

in time to find the correct date and time of the return. For
planets other than the Sun, Moon and Earth, an
approximation to the time of the return is found initially by
doing a heliocentric return. (For Mercury, Venus and
Vulcan, an Earth return is used.) A search is then made
for geocentric returns on either side of the heliocentric
return date, until the date or angle exceeds the possible
limits for finding further geocentric returns.
In the calculation of returns, the accuracy of the return
time is calculated by dividing the accuracy of the planet's
position by the speed of the planet at the time of the
return, both for the natal chart and for the return chart,
and these are added together. This method gives a
reasonable assessment of accuracy in most cases.
However, the accuracy of Pluto returns outside the range
1890-2099 is likely to be much worse than is indicated by
this method.
Wynn-Key Return
This chart is calculated with the planetary positions for
the date for which the Wynn-Key chart is required, but
the chart angles are based on the preceding and following
Solar return chart angles. The R.A. of the midheaven is
determined by interpolating between the R.A.s of the two
Solar Returns (which are typically about 6 hours apart),
based on the proportion of time that has elapsed between
them at the required date.
Progressed Solar Return

This chart uses planetary positions determined by a
performing a secondary progression of the planets in the
preceding Solar Return, to the date of the required return

chart. However the chart angles are determined by

interpolating between the R.A.s of the midheavens of the
preceding and following solar returns. The progressed R.
A.of the midheaven is deemed to move through an entire
rotation in addition to the exact difference between the
two R.A.s of the returns (i.e. about 30 hours altogether).
The R.A. of the resulting chart is based on the proportion
of time that has elapsed between the two returns at the
required date. This return type is also known as a
Progressed Solar-Sidereal Return (or PSSR) chart.
64.5 Harmonic Charts

An harmonic chart is calculated by multiplying the
longitude of each base chart point and angle by the
harmonic number, and then reducing the resultant numbers
to the range 0 to 360. The house system in the resulting
chart is based on the position of the harmonic ascendant.
64.6 Antiscia and Contra-Antiscia Charts

These charts are calculated by taking the "mirror image"
of each planet and asteroid about an axis of longitude.
There are two methods of calculating such charts in this
program.
Antiscia - 0 Degrees Capricorn

The axis about which the mirror image is taken is 0
degrees of Capricorn and Cancer.
Points in a natal chart which are tightly conjunct or
opposite points in its antiscia chart are thought to be
points of personal self-fulfilment (i.e. indicators of in what

areas the individual is self sufficient and does not require a

relationship in order to be fulfilled.)
Contra-Antiscia - 0 Degrees Aries

The axis about which the mirror image is taken is 0
degrees of Aries and Libra.
Points in a natal chart which are tightly conjunct or
opposite points in its contrascia chart are thought to be
points of public self-fulfilment (i.e. indicators of fame).
64.7 Longitude Equivalent of Declination Charts

The longitude equivalent of each chart point is derived
from its declination. The derivation is based on converting
a declination to its corresponding longitude on line of the
ecliptic.
Declination Longitude Equivalents
00N00 00Ar00; 00Li00
23N26 00Cn00
23S26 00Cp00
11N28 00Ta00; 00Pi00
11S28 00Sc00; 00Vi00
20N08 00Ge00; 00Aq00
20S08 00Sg00 ; 00Le00
Generally, each declination has two possible longitude
equivalents, and in the standard method, the one used is
that which falls into the same zodiacal quadrant as the
original longitude of the point. The alternative longitude
equivalent point is always the antiscia point (i.e. reflection

in the 00Cn00/00Cp00 axis) of the standard one.

A special provision applies if a point’s declination is out-
of-bounds (i.e. beyond the maximum declination of the
ecliptic, which is about 23 degrees and 26 minutes). In
such cases, the declination is first adjusted by “mirroring”
it about the maximum point. This is effected by subtracting
the excess declination from its maximum value. For
example, a point at 25N00 has an excess of 1°34’, so its
adjusted declination is 23N26 - 1°34’, which equals
21N52.
64.8 Arc Transform Charts

The arc transform chart is simply an harmonic chart
whose harmonic number is determined by the arc
between the two selected planets or chart points, as
follows.
1. Arc = Longitude of 2nd Planet - Longitude of 1st
Planet
2. If Arc is -ve then change it’s sign to +ve
3. Harmonic = 360 / Arc
Note: If the Arc is less than about 1 second of arc, then
the harmonic would be unacceptably high, resulting in an
un-meaningful chart. Hence, to avoid problems in this
case, the harmonic is set to 1.
64.9 Combined Charts

A combined chart is calculated by taking an "average" of
two or more base charts, to produce a single
representative chart. There are five methods for
calculating combined charts in this program.

Composite - Midpoints
The midpoint of the shortest arc joining each chart point,
angle and house cusp within the two base charts becomes
the position of that point in the new chart. Note that it is
sometimes possible for the house cusps to be out of
expected order after this method is applied. See
Composite Chart Houses.
When calculating any type of composite charts, Solar
Fire first determines the composite longitudes, and then
determines the composite right ascensions separately.
Thus any right ascensions for a composite chart in Solar
Fire are true composite right ascensions rather than right
ascensions of composite longitudes.
Composite - Derived Ascendant

The midpoint of the shortest arc joining each planet,
asteroid and the Midheaven within the two base charts
becomes the position of that point in the new chart. The
chart angles and house cusps are then derived from the
Midheaven according the new chart's latitude.
Composite Group - Derived Ascendant

The average position of each planet, asteroid and the
Midheaven along the shortest arc joining them within each
of the base charts becomes the position of that point in the
new chart. The chart angles and house cusps are then
derived from the Midheaven according the new chart's
latitude. Robert Hand describes this method in detail in his
book "Planets in Composite".

Relationship - Davison
The new chart is calculated as if it was a natal chart for
the midpoint in time, latitude and longitude of the two base
charts.
Coalescent
This is a method which was developed fairly recently by
Lawrence Grinnell and David Dukelow, and is published
in a booklet “Coalescent Horoscopes - A New Method
of Synastry” published by ACS Publications in 1992. To
determine each planet’s coalescent position, first find the
shortest arc between the pair of planets in the two base
charts and divide this by 360 degrees to get the harmonic
factor. Next, multiply the position of the planet which has
the earliest zodiacal position by the harmonic factor. This
must be repeated for each pair of planets and for the
Midheavens. The authors of this technique recommend
using the Meridian house system to derive the coalescent
house cusps from the coalescent Midheaven.
64.10 Locality Charts

Geodetic
The planetary positions are calculated as for an ordinary
natal chart. However, the angles of the chart are
determined solely by the location of the chart, and are not
influenced by its date or time.
Using the Longitude method, the longitude of the
Midheaven is determined as the longitude of the Sun
minus the longitude of the chart. (East is -ve.)
Using the R.A. method, the R.A. of the Midheaven is

determined as the R.A. of the Sun minus the longitude of

the chart.
The ascendant and other chart angles are then derived
according to the chart’s latitude.
If a user-defined geodetic offset is being used, then this
offset is added to the position of the Sun (either it’s
longitude or its R.A., as appropriate).
Johndro
This chart type is very similar in principle to the Geodetic
chart type, except that a precessionary factor is added to
the position of the Sun. This factor was 29°10’ of R.A. in
1930, and increases with time at the rate of precession of
the equinoxes (about 46.1 seconds of arc per year).
Using the longitude method, the precession in R.A. is
converted to an equivalent precession in longitude before
it is added to the longitude of the Sun.
64.11 Prenatal Charts

Although most astrologers place much emphasis upon
the chart of the time of physical birth of an individual,
there is also a school of thought that says that the physical
birth is not the only time for which a useful chart can be
cast.
In esoteric thinking it is suggested that the incarnation of
a human being starts on the spiritual plane, descends to
the mental plane, then the astral/emotional plane, and
finally to the physical plane when birth takes place. If
charts can be determined for the times at which
incarnation onto the mental and astral/emotional planes
occurred, then they would provide astrologers with insight

into the mental and emotional aspects of the individual,

and thus provide a fuller picture of how the individual
functions at different levels, and how interactions between
these levels occur.
The earliest known reference to prenatal charts is in the
“Tritune Hermitas”, which states that the chart of
conception (which is usually about nine months prior to
birth) has positions of the Moon and Ascendant that are
interchanged from those of the natal chart.
The concept of prenatal charts has been adopted and
developed by several astrologers in more recent times,
such as Sepharial, Johndro, Charles Jayne, E.H. Bailey
and Gustav Schwickert and as a result there are now a
number of other prenatal chart types that have been
proposed. For example, in addition to the time of
conception (fertilisation of the egg), the time of quickening
or animation (first independent movement by the fetus) is
also thought to be especially important. Two of the
aforementioned eminent astrologers (Charles Jayne and E.
H.Bailey) who undertook a lifetime study of prenatal
charts, seem to concur from their independent research
that these charts reflect mental (thinking) and emotional
(feeling) aspects of an individual, respectively, as distinct
from the birth chart itself which reflects outer physical
events and sensations.
64.11.1 Baileys Prenatal Charts
E.H.Bailey worked mainly with just these two types of

prenatal charts, as well as with charts of descent, which
are charts of monthly lunar returns during the gestation
period. Solar Fire includes four types of charts based on

his methods, listed below.
Bailey’s Prenatal Charts

Prenatal Epoch Abb Prenatal Chart Inter- Lunar Luminary /
of Interval Relationship Phase Angle
Conception C 10 lunar ¶ Syz B Asc - Asc Syz B ¶
months
Quickening Q 5 lunar ¶ Cnj B ¶ - -
months Asc Cnj B Asc
Birth (C) B 0 ¶ Syz C Asc - Asc Syz C ¶
Birth (Q) B 0 ¶ Cnj Q ¶ - -
Asc Cnj Q Asc
Syz=Syzygy (i.e. Conjunct or Opposite); Cnj=Conjunct;

Opp=Opposite; Asc=Ascendant
Bailey’s conception chart is based closely on the simple

method described in ancient times of swapping the birth
Moon and Ascendant positions, although he allows
syzygies as well as direct swapping. (Thus the conception
Moon may be on either the birth Ascendant or
Descendant, and the conception Ascendant can be on
either the birth Moon or its opposite point.) He also uses
a method of sex determination based on a Hindu division
of the zodiac into male and female divisions. This method
is based on the assumption that the conception chart must
confirm the sex of the individual. Therefore, Solar Fire
allows you to specify whether the individual for whom you
are casting a conception chart is male or female, and
Solar Fire then automatically eliminates those possible
conception times that would give the wrong sex. Solar
Fire also allows you to alter the prenatal interval used. For
example, if you know that the individual was born a few

weeks premature, then you could choose to base the

calculation on 9 lunar cycles instead of the usual 10. As
with many of the other types of prenatal charts, Solar Fire
offers you a choice of all the prenatal charts that fit the
given criteria. In the case of conception charts, there are
potentially up to 4 possible charts per month, so you may
find that Solar Fire offers up to 8 different possibilities.
Solar Fire makes a recommendation of which chart to use
by highlighting that chart on the list. However, it is up to
you to choose which one best fits the requirements. Solar
Fire makes its recommendation based on Bailey’s
method, which involves looking at i) the order of the natal
chart, and ii) the rectified birth time.
The natal lunar phase and position indicate the order of
the natal chart. If the moon is above the horizon and
waxing then it is a first order chart, or if waning then it is a
second order chart. If the moon is below the horizon and
waxing then it is a third order chart, or if waning then it is
a fourth order chart. Bailey recommends that if the natal
chart is of the first or fourth order, then you should look
for a shorter gestation than average, and if it is of the
second or third order, then you should look for a longer
gestation than usual.
Bailey recommends that you use a chart which confirms
the birth time as closely as possible by his rectification
method, which involves determining what the birth time
would be if the proposed conception chart were used to
re-derive the natal chart. To this end, Solar Fire indicates
this “rectified” birth time for each possible conception
chart.
Solar Fire finds the chart that most closely matches these
criteria. If you have any knowledge of the actual term of
gestation, ten you may wish to alter the choice of chart to

one that more closely matches the known period of

gestation.
After generating any prenatal chart, use rectification and
predictive techniques to confirm whether or not the chart
you have is valid.
Bailey’s quickening chart is based on the 5th converse
lunar return from the birth chart. The time at which the
Ascendant returns exactly to its natal position on this day
is the time for the quickening chart. Thus, the Moon’s
position is usually a few degrees away from its natal
position in this chart. Solar Fire also allows you to
experiment with the number of lunar cycles used in this
chart. This calculation offers only one possible chart for
the required number of lunar cycles, so no further choice
needs to be made.
The Bailey Birth charts (C) and (Q) are included to
allow you to reverse the calculation, and derive a birth
chart from a conception (C) or quickening (Q) chart. For
example, if you have a possible conception date and time,
then you can use this to create a normal natal type chart
by entering this date and time in Solar Fire’s New...
option in the Charts menu, and then use this as your base
chart for the calculation of a Bailey Birth (C) chart. The
resulting chart is then a predicted birth chart, based on the
given conception time. In this case Solar Fire also
indicates whether the base chart shows that a male of
female would be born, before calculating the chart. A
similar procedure can be used if you have a possible time
for the quickening of a pregnancy. You can create a
normal natal type chart by entering this date and time in
Solar Fire’s New... option in the Charts menu, and then
use this as your base chart for the calculation of a Bailey
Birth (Q) chart. The resulting chart is then a predicted

birth chart, based on the given quickening time.
64.11.2 Jaynes Prenatal Charts
According to Charles Jayne, there are 16 significant

times (or prenatal epochs) prior to birth for which charts
may be cast. There are 16 epochs because there is one
prenatal epoch for each planet (10 known and 6
hypothetical). Jayne has developed an extensive and
comprehensive philosophical basis for these charts, and
discusses them in depth in several of his papers and
books.
Jayne’s Hypothetical Planets
Vulcan period 25 days

Rex period 40 months (focussed in the asteroid belt)
Sigma period 13.93 yrs
Isis period 384 yrs sidereal
Morya period 640 yrs sidereal
Lion period 1610 yrs sidereal
Jayne also postulated that, following the birth chart, there
are another 32 charts that may be cast for an individual (2
for each planet), and these are known as post-natal
epochs. Thus the total number of charts for an individual is
49 in total. These charts are somewhat more complex to
calculate than the prenatal charts, and have not been
included in Solar Fire. However, all 16 prenatal epoch
charts have been included. These are listed below.
Jayne’s Prenatal Charts

Prenatal Abbr Prenatal Chart Inter- Lunar Phase Luminary /

Epoch Interval Relationship Angle
of
Chiron Y 13.2 yrs Independent ¶Trine ¸ (¶in 5th) Sunrise
Sigma S 9 yrs ¸ Cnj C Asc NM applying Sunset
Jupiter Z 8 yrs ¸ Opp F MC NM or FM separating ¶ Cnj MC
Rex H 7 yrs ¸ Opp C MC NM applying Noon
Venus R 6 yrs ¸ Opp T Asc NM or FM separating Moonset
Mercury W 5 yrs ¸ Opp B MC NM or FM separating Noon
Vulcan G 4 yrs ¶ Syz B Asc NM or FM separating Sunset
Sun O 22.3 mths Independent FM applying/separating Noon
Moon Q 15.7 mths Independent FM applying/separating Moonrise
Lion U 11 mths ¶ Syz B Vtx - Sunrise
Uranus C 9 mths ¶ Syz B Asc - Asc Syz B¶
Isis I 7.5 mths ¶ Syz B MC - Midnight
Pluto T 6.5 mths Independent QM applying ¶ Syz MC
Neptune A 5 mths ¶ Syz C MC - Midnight
Morya F 3 mths Independent QM applying ¶ Syz Asc
Mars E 2 mths ¶ Syz C Vtx - Sunrise
Saturn B 0 ¶ Syz C Asc - Asc Syz C¶
NM=New Moon; FM=Full Moon; QM=Quarter

Moon; Syz=Syzygy (i.e. Conjunct or Opposite);
Cnj=Conjunct; Opp=Opposite; Asc=Ascendant;
MC=Midheaven; Vtx=Vertex
64.11.2.1 Calculation Procedure for Jaynes Prenatal Charts
1. A starting date is derived by applying the Prenatal

Interval, as tabulated above.
2. If the Chart Inter-relationship involves the sun, then
two times are derived by moving forward and
backward from the starting date to satisfy the inter-
relationship. This results in two starting times that

will be one year apart.

3. If there is a Lunar Phase to be satisfied, then further
times are derived by moving forward and
backward from the starting times produced in
previous steps, in order to satisfy these phase
requirements. This will produce times that are one
lunar month (27.3 days) apart if there is a single
lunar phase (such as QM applying), or half a lunar
month if there are two possible phases (such as
NM or FM separating). This results in twice as
many starting times as there were before this step.
4. Each starting time is moved forward and backward
until the luminary/angle relationship is satisfied. This
results in twice as many starting times as there were
before this step.
As a result of these steps, Solar Fire may offer the user
up to 8 possible time/date combinations for prenatal chart.
It is up to you to choose which one best fits the
requirements. Solar Fire indicates how far the charts had
to be adjusted to match their starting date and times. The
following example shows the choices that Solar Fire offers
when calculating a Jayne Mercury prenatal chart. The first
number on each line is the deviation from the given
prenatal interval. Because this prenatal chart involves
matching the position of the Sun with the natal IC, we end
up with two groups of possible charts - one between 193
and 178 days later, and one between 172 and 187 days
earlier than the given prenatal interval (Step 2). Within
each of these groups we have 4 further possibilities, based
on the Moon being either new or full, and the time moving
either forwards or backwards to be conjunct the
Midheaven (i.e. local noon). The second item on each line
is how many degrees the moon is away from exactly

satisfying the required phase.
For example, the first suggested chart above occurs

193.2 days later than the average prenatal chart of this
type, and has a lunar position that is 12.4 degrees away
from being either a full or new Moon. Of the visible
options, the fourth item (-178.2 Days / -0.8 Degs) would
appear to give the overall closest match. However, Jayne
suggests that the chart which most closely matches the
given prenatal interval or lunar phase is not necessarily the
correct chart. Therefore, he recommends that you
calculate ALL of the possible charts, and then use your
own judgment, as well as rectification and predictive
techniques to confirm whether or not each individual
possible chart is the valid one. In particular Jayne used
directions of longitude of Solar Arc, Ascendant Arc and
Vertex Arc, both direct and converse to confirm timing of
events. He also directed the declination by each of these
arc methods, and used parallels and contra-parallels of

declination in timing of events.

Jayne’s conception chart, Uranus (C), is similar to
Bailey’s except that the sex of the individual is ignored.
The possible conception charts offered by this option are
the same as those offered by Bailey’s conception chart if
the male and female options were combined. Another
difference, however, is that Jayne’s method does not lend
itself to allowing a different term of pregnancy to be
specified. Instead, Jayne hypothesized that short term
births occurred at other prenatal epochs, such as the
Morya F or Mars E epochs.
Jayne’s quickening chart, Neptune A, differs more
markedly from Bailey’s. Whereas Bailey’s method
involves replicating the position of the natal Moon and
Ascendant as closely as possible, Jayne’s method
involves finding a syzygy between the Moon and the
conception Midheaven, and then adjusting the time to give
a midnight (Sun on the IC) chart.
Jayne’s birth chart (C) may be used to predict possible
birth dates and times based on a natal type chart which
has been calculated for the proposed time of conception.
However, unlike Bailey, Jayne believes 1) that the true
conception chart does not necessarily occur at the time of
physical conception, and 2) that the luminary/angle
relationship of the chart does not need to be exact.
Therefore this method would not be able to predict an
accurate birth time. However, this chart calculation
method is included in Solar Fire for completeness and to
allow experimentation.
A number of other charts in this list require another
prenatal chart to have been calculated before they can be
used. The list below summarises which prenatal charts are

based on other prenatal charts.

Epoch Based on
Sigma S Uranus C
Jupiter Z Morya F
Rex H Uranus C
Venus R Pluto T
Neptune A Uranus C
Mars E Uranus C
Saturn B Uranus C
or Natal
For example, to calculate a Neptune chart, you must first
calculate a Uranus chart, and then use that as the base
chart for the calculation of the Neptune chart.
64.11.2.2 Jaynes Law of Sex
Solar Fire does not apply any adjustments to account for

the sex of the individual whose prenatal charts are being
cast. However, Jayne does suggest applying small
adjustments to the position of the Moon or Sun in relation
to the chart’s angles, depending on which of these two is
used in the Luminary/Angle calculation of the chart in
question.
“Lunar charts taking place at moonrise or moonset

have the Moon about half a degree below the
Ascendant or about half a degree above the
Ascendant for women, whereas for men the Moons
are slightly cadent instead of slightly angular, i.e. are
about half a degree on the other side of the horizon.

Of course this is before rectification. In lunar charts

with the Moon on the MC or IC there is no known law
as to which side of the meridian they must fall. In
solar charts for men, occurring at noon or sunrise, the
Sun is slightly angular, i.e. is in the 10th or 1st houses,
but is slightly cadent for women. If a solar chart
occurs at midnight or sunset for men the Sun is
slightly cadent, but for women is somewhat angular.
Specifically in female midnight charts (such as A and
I) the Sun is 3 degrees inside the fourth house. It is not
known how the law of sex works in the charts of
homosexuals.”
For example, when casting a Jayne Mercury prenatal

chart, the luminary/angle calculation is “noon”, meaning
that the Sun is on the Midheaven. Therefore this is a solar
chart, so the time of the chart should be adjusted slightly
to cause the Sun to move into the 10th house for a man,
or into the 9th house for a woman. Adjusting the time by
about 2 minutes will effect a change of about half a degree
in the Midheaven. This can be done most easily by
viewing the chart and then using Solar Fire’s Rectify...
button which allows the chart time and angles to be easily
changed.
64.11.3 Interpreting Prenatal Charts
As prenatal charts have only been used by few western

astrologers until now, there is a lack of published material
explaining how to use them in a practical way. This
situation may change in the future, but for the time being
the reader is referred initially to the original authors of the

techniques used for an explanation of how to interpret and

use them. In particular, refer to E.H.Bailey for directions
on how to use Bailey Conception and Bailey Quickening
charts, and to Charles Jayne for directions on how to use
the various Jayne prenatal charts.
The conception and quickening charts of Bailey and
Jayne have also received some coverage in astrological
journals and publications, but Malvin Artley, an American
astrologer and esotericist, is currently (early 1995) writing
a manuscript which will give a comprehensive explanation
of the meaning and use of conception and quickening
charts in relation to their esoteric associations with the
mental and astral/emotional aspects of man. He has
already published an article in the FAA journal (see
references) which gives examples of the ways in which
these charts work. It is as a result of his work and
inspiration that these prenatal charts have been included in
Solar Fire.
Artley suggests several ways in which the conception,
quickening and birth charts can be interpreted, using the
correspondence of conception chart to a mental chart,
and of quickening chart to an astral/emotional chart. He
recommends working with the these two charts in addition
to the birth chart in order to get a complete picture of an
individual’s physical, emotional and mental make-up.
Firstly one can look at the sign placements of the Suns in
each of these three charts, for example the birth chart may
have a Capricorn Sun, the astral chart a Leo Sun, and the
mental chart an Aries Sun. Whilst this person would
displays the traditional Capricornian traits, they are also
likely to be somewhat generous and attention-seeking
emotionally, and rather impetuous and quick-thinking
mentally.

Further, one can look at each of the three charts to find

which one has the most difficult aspects, and this would
indicate the level (physical, emotional or mental) on which
that individual had the most work to do in their lifetime.
For example, individuals with relatively “easy” aspects in
their mental chart may have much more stressful aspects
in their emotional chart, indicating that whilst they may be
intellectually talented, they have greater difficulty in coping
with emotions.
Artley also suggests a technique of interpretation based
on displaying the conception, quickening and birth charts
in a triwheel, with the conception chart innermost and the
birth chart outermost. In this way one can examine the
positions of the key planets, such as the Sun, in each chart
in relation to the houses of the conception chart. Using the
correspondence of conception to mental and of
quickening to astral, this defines the flow of energy from
the mental, to the astral, to the physical plane. For
example if the mental Sun is in the 6th house, the astral
Sun is in the 11th house, and the physical Sun is in the 3rd
house, then that is the major path for descent of psychic
energy - from the 6th to the 11th to the 3rd, and thus the
major house of outer life expression is the 3rd.
Finally, Artley has investigated methods of determining
which of the 7 rays (as defined in esoteric teachings, such
as those of A.A.Bailey) are most strongly represented in
each of the charts, thus arriving at a ray profile for the
individual. This may be of particular interest to esoteric
astrologers.
The table below is a summary of keywords that have
been used to describe some of the charts and what they
signify, by their authors. These are brief, but never-the-
less will probably give sufficient hints for an experienced

astrologer to begin experimenting with them.

Chart Type Keywords / Meaning
Bailey Birth (C) Birth - Physical events, sensation, outer
Bailey Birth (Q) security
Jayne Birth (C)
Bailey (Mental) Thinking, conceiving
Conception
Bailey (Astral/Emotional) Feeling & emotion
Quickening
Jayne Vulcan Isolation, will & persistence
Jayne Uranus (C) (Mental) Thinking, conceiving, individuality
Jayne Sigma Endings & accomplishments, karma
Jayne Isis Inspiration - Fiery feeling of the Heart,
yearning, aspiration
Jayne Mercury -
Jayne Neptune (Astral/Emotional) Feeling & emotion,
(A) sentimentality
Jayne Rex Intuitiveness, elusiveness, nurture
Jayne Lion Understanding - Education & civilisation,
synthesis and integration
Jayne Mars Ego - Instinct & Intuition
Jayne Morya Fate - What one has to endure, accept and
transmute in life
Jayne Pluto Ties - What binds one and holds one back
Jayne Moon Mother, the body
Jayne Sun -
Jayne Chiron -
Jayne Venus -
Jayne Jupiter -
Note that although no specific meaning was given by
Jayne to the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Chiron
epoch charts in the references below, he named his charts
to reflect the energy of the planet that they are named

after. Hence one could interpret the Sun chart as relating

to identity and vitality, and the Venus chart as relating to
relationships with women and acquisitions, for example.
64.11.4 References
ARTLEY, MALVIN 1994 Shining an Esoteric

Light on Prenatal Charts Federation of Australian
Astrologers Journal Vol 24, No. 2, June 1994
BAILEY E.H. 1916 The Prenatal Epoch Samuel
Wieser, NY, USA
GUNZBURG, DARRELYN 1990 Converse
Astrology and the Prenatal Epoch Under
Capricorn, Federation of Australian Astrologers
Board of Examiners
JAYNE, CHARLES 1975 The Preface to Prenatal
Charts Astrological Bureau, Monroe, NY USA
JAYNE, CHARLES 1985 A Primer of Prenatal
and Postnatal Charts Astrological Research
Associates, NY USA
SCHWICKERT, GUSTAV 1954 Rectification of
the Birthtime American Federation of Astrologers,
Arizona USA
64.12 Chart Hylegs

Solar Fire calculates chart hylegs in one of its reports as
well as in a page object. The hyleg is a planet, or a
position in the chart, which is representative of the life and
vitality of the native. Unfortunately there is currently no
universal consensus on precisely how the hyleg should be

determined, even though the general principles are not

disputed. Various astrological authors have written on the
matter, and we have attempted to incorporate our best
understanding of some of these by creating a set of
algorithms for their calculation. These are as follows.
Bonatti/Lehman - Based on J. Lee Lehman (et
al)’s derivation of Bonatti, as described in
“Medieval Methods of Longevity Measurement: A
Pilot Study” The Astrological Journal Volume 42,
No. 1, Jan/Feb 2000, p60.
Omar/Bonatti - Based on Omar's method as
described in "Three Books on Nativities" by Omar
of Tiberius, Translated by Robert Hand, Project
Hindsight, Latin Track, Volume XIV. This method
was also described by Bonatti as translated in
“Tools & Techniques of the Medieval Astrologers”
by Robert Zoller.
Ptolemy - Based on Ptolemy's method as
described in p39-41 "Night & Day - Planetary Sect
in Astrology" by Robert S. Hand - ARHAT
Monograph #1
These methods use data settings stored in two required
files – HYLe.g.ALM and HYLe.g.ASP. Certain details of
these calculations may be altered by the user by editing
HYLe.g.ALM in Solar Fire’s main program files folder
with the Dignity/Almuten editor, or by editing HYLe.g.
ASP in Solar Fire’s aspect set editor.

64.12.1 Bonatti/Lehman
This calculation uses rulerships and all other options

specified in the 1st definition in the HYLe.g.ALM file -
these may be edited by the user, but by default these are
as follows:
* Traditional rulerships
* Dorothean Triplicities
* Egyptian Terms
* Signs start at 0 degs
* Default houses
* 8,5,3 degree house cusp offsets (for ang, suc, cad
houses)
* Different Day/Night Part of Fortune
* 5 points for rulerships
* 4 points for exaltations
* 3 points for (each of the three) triplicity rulers
* 2 points for term ruler
* 0 point for face ruler (i.e. face will not be used in this
calculation)
* No points for any other items
* Degree Dignities
* Applies to both Diurnal and Nocturnal charts
1. Check if Sun is in 1st, 10th or 11th houses (apply
house cusp offsets specified in HYLe.g.ALM). If so, then
the Sun is the hyle.g. If not, then go to the next step.
2. Check if Sun is in 7th, 8th or 9th house, and is also in
a masculine sign. If so, then the Sun is the hyle.g. If not,
then go to the next step.
3. Check if Moon is in a feminine sign and not in a

cadent house. If so, then the Moon is the hyle.g. If not,

then go to the next step.
4. Check if chart is conjunctional (ie Moon is waxing). If
so, then check if any of the 5 rulers of the Ascendant's
position are forming an aspect to the Ascendant. Check
each of the following rulers which have a non-zero score
in HYLe.g.ALM: Domicile ruler, Exaltation, Triplicity in
Sect, Triplicity out of Sect, Triplicity participating, Term,
Face. If any one or more make an aspect (according to
aspects and orbs specified within HYLe.g.ASP), then the
Ascendant is the Hyle.g. If not, go to next step.
5. Check if chart is conjunctional (ie Moon is waxing). If
so, then check for aspecting rulers of the Part of Fortune's
position as described in step 4. If any make an aspect,
then the Part of Fortune is the Hyle.g. If not go to the next
step.
6. Check if chart is conjunctional (ie Moon is waxing),
and find the position of the Conjunctional Moon (i.e.
preceding NEW Moon's position = NM). If so, then
check for aspecting rulers of the NM's position as
described in step 4. If any make an aspect, then the NM's
position is the Hyle.g. If not go to the next step.
7. Check if chart is preventional (ie Moon is waning). If
so, then check for aspecting rulers of the Part of Fortune's
then the Part of Fortune is the Hyle.g. If not go to the next
step.
8. Check if chart is preventional (ie Moon is waning). If
so, then check for aspecting rulers of the Ascendant's
then the Ascendant is the Hyle.g. If not go to the next
step.

9. Check if chart is preventional (ie Moon is waning),

and find the position of the Preventional Moon (i.e.
preceding Full Moon's position = FM). If so, then check
for aspecting rulers of the FM's position as described in
step 4. If any make an aspect, then the FM's position is
the Hyle.g. If not go to the next step.
10. If the Hyleg has not been found in any of the
previous steps, then the chart is deemed to have no hyle.
g.
64.12.2 Omar/Bonatti
Differences from the Bonatti/Lehman method - the Sun

and Moon can be Hyleg only if they have a ruler
(domicile, exaltation, triplicity or term) making an aspect
to them. In the Bonatti/Lehman method (above), they can
still be hyleg even without any such aspect existing.
specified in the 2nd definition in the HYLe.g.ALM file -
these may be edited by the user, but by default they are
the same as above.
1. Check if Sun is in 1st, 10th or 11th houses (apply
house cusp offsets specified in HYLe.g.ALM). If so, then
check if any of the 5 rulers of the Sun's position are
forming an aspect to the Sun. Check each of the following
rulers which have a non-zero score in HYLe.g.ALM:
Domicile ruler, Exaltation, Triplicity in Sect, Triplicity out
of Sect, Triplicity participating, Term, Face. (By default,
face is not included because it has a zero score. The user
may include it by assigning face a non-zero score). If any
one or more make an aspect (according to aspects and
orbs specified within HYLe.g.ASP), then the Sun is the

Hyle.g. If not, go to next step.

2. Check if Sun is in 7th, 8th or 9th house, and is also in
a masculine sign. If so, then check for aspecting rulers of
the Sun's position as described in step 1. If any make an
aspect, then the Sun is the Hyle.g. If not go to the next
step.
3. Check if Moon is in a feminine sign and not in a
cadent house. If so, then check for aspecting rulers of the
Moon's position as described in step 1. If any make an
aspect, then the Moon is the Hyle.g. If not go to the next
step.
All remaining steps from 4 to 10 are identical to the
previous definition.
64.12.3 Ptolemy
Note that Ptolemy’s method always results in a hyleg

being found, whereas Omar’s and Bonatti’s may not.
specified in the 3rd and 4th definitions in the HYLe.g.
ALM file - these may be edited by the user, but by default
they are the same as follows.
* Traditional rulerships
* Ptolemy Triplicities
* Ptolemy Terms
* Signs start at 0 degs
* Default houses
* 5,5,5 degree house cusp offsets (for ang, suc, cad
houses)
* Different Day/Night Part of Fortune

* 5 points for rulerships

* 4 points for exaltations
* 3 points for (all three) triplicity rulers
* 2 points for term ruler
* 1 point for face ruler
* No points for any other items
3rd definition
* Summation Points: Sun, Ascendant, Pre-natal NM
* Minimum Honours: 3
* Applies to Diurnal charts
4th definition
* Summation Points: Moon, Part of Fortune, Pre-natal
FM
* Minimum Honours: 3
* Applies to Nocturnal charts
"Prorogative" houses are the 1st, 7th, 9th, 10th, 11th
1. If a daytime chart then check if Sun is in a prorogative
house (apply house cusp offsets specified in HYLe.g.
ALM). If so, then the Sun is the Hyle.g. If not then check
if Moon is in a prorogative house. If so, then the Moon is
the Hyle.g. If the Hyleg was not found, then go to next the
step.
2. If a nighttime chart then check if Moon is in a
prorogative house. If so, then the Moon is the Hyle.g. If
not then check if Sun is in a prorogative house. If so, then
the Sun is the Hyle.g. If the Hyleg was not found, then go
to next the step.
3. If a daytime chart then find the almuten according to
the 3rd definition, and if a nighttime chart, then us the 4th
definition instead. If this results in a point being found with

a non-zero score, then that is the Hyle.g. If the Hyleg was

not found, then go to next the step.
4. If the Moon is waxing, then the Ascendant is the Hyle.
g. If the Moon is waning, then the Part of Fortune is the
Hyle.g.
65 Format of the Orbital Elements File

Solar Fire’s “Other Bodies” report lists the positions of
various astronomical bodies for the time of any chart. The
list of bodies that appear in this report may be edited by
the user, so that it is possible to add new bodies to the
report, or to remove existing ones.
>> To see the “Other Bodies” report

1. Select the Current Chart option from the
Reports menu
2. Scroll down the list of report types to last report on
the list, and select it.
When Solar Fire is first installed, the bodies included are
The Dark Moon (elements according to Waltemath), and
all of Charles Jayne’s hypothetical planets (Sigma, Pan,
Isis etc.)
The orbital elements for these bodies are contained in
editable text files called “extras.dat” and “jayne.dat”, in
Solar Fire’s USERDATA directory. You can create any
number of similar files and select them from within Solar
Fire, provided that you put them in this same
subdirectory.
It is possible for the user to add orbital elements for any
other geocentrically or heliocentrically elliptically orbiting

bodies. For example, you could add the elements of

recently discovered body QB1992. However it is not
possible to add elements for parabolic orbits, so you
cannot add the Hale-Bopp comet, for example.
These files are comma-quote delimited (CQD), which
means that they are text files in which character strings are
enclosed in quotes, and each item on a line is separated
by a comma from the next entry.
The data for a each body takes 8 lines of text, and must
follow the prescribed format exactly. Following is an
example of how the data must be entered for a single
body (Sigma).
Example of Format
"***Name Abbr Symbol", "Sigma",
"Sig", "S"
"BaseYr/Epoch/Geo/Prec.",
19350107.0, 0, 0, 1
"Semimajor Axis", 5.789593, 0, 0,
0
"Eccentricity", 0.26, 0, 0, 0
"Inclination (Degs)", 5.0, 0, 0, 0
"Perihelion (Degs)", 2.0, 0, 0, 0
"Node (Degs)", 161.0, 0, 0, 0
"Mean Anomaly (Degs)", 137.5489,
2584.1766225, 0, 0
A description of each of the 8 lines follows.

Line 1 - Comment, Name, Abbr, Symbol
Comment - (Text) This is for reference only, and

contains a reminder of the items on this line.

Name - (Text) This is the name of the body which will
appear in reports in Solar Fire, containing up to 20
characters.
Abbr - (Text) This is a 3 or 4 letter abbreviation of the
name of the body.
Symbol - (Text) This is a single character representing
the body.
Line 2 - Comment, BaseYr, EpochYr, Geo/Helio Flag,
Precession Flag
BaseYr - (Numeric) The date (expressed either as a
decimal year number YYYY.yyyyyyyy or as a decimal
year date YYYYMMDD.ddddd) for which the following
orbital elements were calculated..
EpochYr - (Numeric) The date (expressed either as a
decimal year number YYYY.yyyyyyyy or as a decimal
year date YYYYMMDD.ddddd) of the standard ecliptic
for which these orbital elements were calculated. If this is
set to 0 (zero), then the EpochYr is taken to be the same
as the BaseYr.
Geo/Helio Flag - (Numeric) Set to 0 (zero) if the orbit is
a heliocentric one, or to 1 (one) if it is a geocentric one.
Precession Flag - (Numeric) Set to 0 (zero) if the orbital
elements apply to the Tropical (precessing) zodiac, or to
1 (one) if the elements apply to the fixed zodiac of the
EpochYr date. When set to 1, the orbital elements are
precessed to the date of the calculation, whereas when set
to 0, no precession is performed.
Lines 3 to 8 - Comment, Orbital Elements


Elements - Each line has 4 numeric items. These items
are used to calculate the elements for a specific date in the
following manner.
X = Item1 + Item2 * t + Item3 * t² + Item4 * t³
where t is time since the BaseYr date, expressed in
decimal centuries (if the EpochYr date is prior to yr 2000)
or in decimal millennia (if the EpochYr date is yr 2000 or
later).
In many cases where the elements are approximate,
items 2, 3 and 4 may be zero. However, they must still
appear on the line as zeros, in this case.
Line 3 – Semi-Major Axis
This must be in astronomical units (1 = average earth/sun
distance). This item is ignored for bodies which have a
geocentric orbit.
Line 4 - Eccentricity
This must be in units of eccentricity (0 = circular orbit).
Line 5 - Inclination
This must be the inclination of the orbit to the ecliptic, in
degrees.
Line 6 - Perigee/Perihelion
This must be the position of perigee or perihelion in
degrees. (Note that this is not the same as the “argument
of the perihelion”, which is equal to the position of the
perihelion minus the position of the north node.).
Line 7 - Node
This must be the position of the north node in degrees.
Line 8 - Mean Anomaly

This must be the mean anomaly in degrees. If the second

item on this line is set to 0 (zero), then the rate of change
of mean anomaly is automatically calculated from the
semi-major axis instead, according to the formula:
Daily Motion = 0.9856076686 / (Semi-Major Axis)1.5
66 Text and Data Supplied with Solar Fire

Solar Fire includes data and interpretations from a
variety of sources. This data is immediately available to
the user once Solar Fire is installed.
66.1 Chart Data

Solar Fire includes a number of chart databases with a
total more than 2000 charts, from several sources - The
Clifford Data Compendium and the Australian Data
Collection, and a collection of other charts from Sy
Scholfield.
All of the chart data has been supplied by reputable
specialist data collectors, and has been rated for accuracy
using Rodden Rating system.
Rodden Rating
AA - Data from Birth Certificates (BC), hospital or
governmental birth records (BR), notes from Vital
Statistics/Registries, family bibles, baby books, family
written records. This is the best evidence of data
accuracy available.
A - Data from the person, family member, friend or
associate. Also included are newspaper birth

announcements. Times given within a ‘window of time’

of thirty minutes (e.g. “between 3.30pm and 4.00pm”)
are presented here.
B - Data from biographies and autobiographies where
no other source is given.
C - Caution, data not validated. No source, vague,
rectified/speculative data, “personal” ambiguous
sources, approximate birth times (e.g. “early morning”,
“around lunchtime”).
DD - Dirty Data. Two or more unsubstantiated
quotes of time, place or data (perhaps rectified
without designation). Any unverified data that are
contradicted by another source.
66.1.1 The Scholfield Collection
This collection consists of about 1200 charts

categorised into the following chart files
Corporate.SFcht
Entertainment.SFcht
Infamous.SFcht
Literature.SFcht
Miscellaneous.SFcht
Politics.SFcht
Royalty.SFcht
Science.SFcht

Sports.SFcht
Visual Arts.SFcht
About the Author

Sy Scholfield (a.k.a. Simon Astley Scholfield) is a
British-Australian astro-data collector based in Brisbane,
Queensland. His online collections include "Aussie Stars:
Astrological Profiles of Famous Australians" (www.
aussie-stars.com) and "Queer Stars: Astrology Charts for
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender celebrities" (
www.astroqueer.com/charts.html). Selections of
Scholfield's data have also been published in Lois
Rodden's Data News and AstroDatabank website &
CDs; Frank C. Clifford's book, British Entertainers:
The Astrological Profiles; and Grazia Bordoni's Data
Notizie newsletters. For more information see his official
website (www.syscholfield.com).
66.1.2 The Clifford Data Compendium
The Clifford Data Compendium presents the birth data

of 500 famous individuals in a number of areas from
entertainment to sport, politics to religion. It incorporates
some of the most accurate data of leading figures found in
other collections whilst including many data collected by
the author, and some never before published.
The charts are contained in the file clif2000.SFcht.
Each data entry has notes presented in the following
format:
Source - Details of where the data originated from (if
not from the author’s archives) and the classification of the

data is in brackets (see Data Accuracy below)

Real Name - If available and differing from name given
Profession - The various vocations for which the
individual is primarily known
Biography - A short biography, including a few dates
for further study
Some entries incorporate birth details of related
individuals.
Data Accuracy
It is vital any data collections presented to the
astrological community be as accurate and fully sourced
as possible. There may, however, be the occasional
update to this collection, and the author welcomes any
corrections or additions.
All data are classified using the simple Rodden Rating
system. All data presented in this collection are of AA, A
or B standard. Unverified data have not been included.
Abbreviations found in the Notes section:
FCC - Author Frank C. Clifford
RR - Rodden Rating - a data classification system (see
above)
GBAC - The Gauquelin Book of American Charts
CAH - Contemporary American Horoscopes
Data Bibliography
Most of the data presented have been personally
checked by the author himself, and in most cases the
actual Birth Certificate or Birth Record/Note is in hand.
Many thanks to my international colleagues for sharing

data and collected BCs and BRs over the last few years,
including Thelma & Tom Wilson, Dana Holliday, Edwin
Steinbrecher, David Fisher, Sally Davis, Francoise
Gauquelin, Tashi Grady, Linda Clark, Caroline Gerard,
Lois Rodden, Marion March, and Grazia Bordoni.
The Gauquelin Book of American Charts (ACS, 1982).
Accurate BC data by Michel & Francoise Gauquelin
The House of Commons (1992-7) by Caroline Gerard.
Available from: 6 Belford Mews, Dean Village, Edinburgh
EH4 3BT, Scotland (£8).
The Astro-Data series. Five volumes and Data News by
Lois Rodden, covering a variety of data.
Contemporary American Horoscopes. BC data from
Janice Mackey and Jessica Saunders, 1990. Available on
computer disk from Astrolabe.
A special thank you to Edwin Steinbrecher for providing
access to his database and BRs. The Steinbrecher Data
Collection is a comprehensive database of 20,000 timed
data (+ 6000 noon charts). See the website: www.dome-
igm.com/dome/
About the author

Frank C. Clifford is an astrologer, palmist and data
collector. His data interests include running the Data
Exchange Network to swap data with international
collectors, working with the Astrological Association’s
Data Section, and checking data/biography for many
magazines and books. His non-astrological work includes
script-writing, broadcasting and researching. Frank lives
in London and can be contacted via Flare Publications.
His first data book “British Entertainers: The Astrological

Profiles” is available from Flare Publications (SF), P.O.

Box 10126, London NW3 7WD, England, UK. UK
orders - cheques or postal orders for £11.50;
International orders - an International Money Order for
£17. All prices include p&p. Please do not send cash,
unless by guaranteed/registered delivery.
66.1.3 The Australian Data Collection
This is a collection of 375 charts of famous Australians

(and immigrants) and Australian events, all sourced, and
some with biographical notes and important dates. This
data was compiled by Australian astrologer Stephanie
Johnson, with contributions from other astrologers around
the world.
The charts are contained in the file aus2011.SFcht.
66.2 Chart Art

Solar Fire includes 90 "Chart Art"
background graphics that appear as Pages
under "Chart Art" available via the Page
Topics Index menu option on the View menu.
The Chart Art background graphics included

in Solar Fire were provided by 3 different
Australian artists/designers.
Kay Steventon - Art_Angel.jpg,
Art_Angel2.jpg, Art_Angel3.jpg,
Art_Planets.jpg, Art_Sunmoon.jpg

Eila Laurikainen - Art_Fire_Frame.jpg,

Art_Earth_Frame.jpg,
Art_Earth_Frame_Ltr.jpg, Art_Air_Frame.
jpg, Art_Water_Frame.jpg
Celine Lawrence - Art_Air_Dark.jpg,
Art_Air_Dark2.jpg, Art_Fire_Dark.jpg,
Art_Fire_Light.jpg, Art_Fire_Red.jpg,
Art_Stars_Dark.jpg, Art_Water_Dark.jpg,
Art_Water_Light.jpg, Art_Water_Light2.
jpg
These graphics are copyright (2008), and
permission is required to use them for any
purpose other than within pages generated by
Solar Fire.
66.3 Interpretations Text

The interpretations text in Solar Fire was written by
Stephanie Johnson Dip FAA of Esoteric Technologies Pty
Ltd. Text Copyright © 1994-2010 Esoteric Technologies
Pty Ltd.
The Sabian Symbols are from two sources: "The Sabian

Symbols in Astrology" by Dr. Marc Edmund Jones (c)
The Marc Edmund Jones Literary Trust. First published in
1993 by Aurora Press, PO Box 573, Santa Fe, New
Mexico 87504, USA. The other source is Dane Rudhyar.
The interpretations for the symbols are by Lynda Hill.
The parts of the body for each degree of the zodiac are
from "A Handbook of Medical Astrology"

by Jane Ridder-Patrick (c). Published by Penguin/Arkana

1990 ISBN 0-14-019214-X. Website: www.
janeridderpatrick.com
The interpretations in the file STANDARD.INT relate to

natal geocentric charts. It can also be used fairly
effectively with various other types of charts, such as
return charts or progressed charts, provided that the
reader bears in mind the original purpose of the text, and
adapts it to the new context. For example, the
interpretation of the Sun in the 5th house in a return chart
will only apply for a period of 1 year, whereas the text
was written to refer to enduring traits that would result
from this placement in a natal chart.
The interpretations in the file TRANSITS.INT relate to

transits to a natal chart.
The interpretations in the file PROGRESS.INT relate to

progressions to a natal chart.
The interpretations file SYNASTRY.INT relates to

synastry between two natal charts.
The interpretations file CALENDAR.INT relate to

transits to a natal chart.
The interpretations file FIRDARIA.INT relates to firdaria

planetary periods in relation to a natal chart.
The interpretations file SABIAN.INT relates to the

Sabian Symbols in relation to a natal chart.
The interpretations file ORACLE.INT relates to the

Sabian Oracle and not to a natal chart.

Not all possible categories of interpretations are covered

in these files given the vast number of possible
combinations that need to be potentially catered for. For
example there is no text relating to aspects between the
TransNeptunians and planets.
You are, however, free to add you own text to either of

these files, or to create your own interpretations files from
scratch, by using the
Interpretations Compiler supplied with Solar Fire.
Copyright Restrictions
All text included with Solar Fire is copyrighted, but the
licensed owner of Solar Fire is granted permission to use
any output printed or exported from Solar Fire for the
purpose of providing astrological charts and reports
generated by Solar Fire to friends or clients. This text
must not otherwise be reproduced or copied without the
express permission of the copyright holder. This text may
also be edited before distribution, provided that the
copyright of any portions of original text is respected and
acknowledged where appropriate.
If you print reports using text supplied with Solar Fire,
then you should ensure that Esoteric Technologies’
copyright notice appears on the report.
If you have added some of your own text, then you
might like to add a copyright notice that applies to the text
you have written yourself, for example
Main Text (c) 1993-2004 Esoteric Technologies Pty

Ltd

Portions of Text (c) 2005 Susan Smith
If you are printing reports that use your own text

exclusively, then there is no need to include any copyright
notice relating to Esoteric Technologies.
66.4 Fixed Stars Data and Text

The fixed star file BRADY.FST contains data and
interpretations for 50 fixed stars. This file was compiled
by Bernadette Brady Dip. (FAA) from her work in
progress “Fixed Stars and Stained Glass”. Bernadette has
done all her research on fixed stars working with parans,
so she suggests that the best results can be achieved with
this star file by using the Star Parans report rather than the
Star Aspects report in Solar Fire. She recommends using
an orb of 15 to 20 minutes of arc when using the Star
Paran report. She has included coding of + and - signs
with some star names to indicate stars which are
especially positive (+++) and those that may prove very
difficult (---). Text Copyright © 1995 Bernadette Brady.
The fixed star file PTOLEMY.FST contains a number of
stars that were commonly used in the era of Ptolemy. This
file was also compiled by Bernadette Brady. The
keyword text for each star in this file identifies its nature in
terms of planetary symbolism (e.g. Jupiter for a star which
has a Jupiterian nature), and its long text identifies which
position in its zodiacal symbol this star takes. Text
Copyright © 1995 Bernadette Brady.
The fixed star file ALLSTARS.FST contains data on
about 290 of the most commonly used stars, but has no
interpretations text. It was generated by importing the

fixed star file that is supplied with the NOVA program,

and is included by permission of Astrolabe, Inc.
66.5 Arabic Parts

There are many Arabic Parts files supplied with Solar
Fire.
The file called Allparts.arp contains all the Arabic Parts
that were supplied with the NOVA program, and is
included by kind permission of Astrolabe, Inc.
The most recent is the file called Moreparts.arp, which
contains 150 Arabic parts.
66.6 Asteroids
Solar Fire is supplied with ephemerides for more than
1000 asteroids and minor planets. The ephemerides cover
the period 1500 to 2100.
It is possible to obtain additional asteroid ephemerides
from the Astrodienst web site at www.astro.ch/swisseph/
66.7 Eclipses
Solar Fire’s eclipse data has been extracted from Fred
Espenak’s (NASA/GSFC) web pages at http://sunearth.
gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/eclipse.html, which include
comprehensive and accurate astronomical eclipse data
covering many millennia.

67 Bibliography
Those who are interested in reading further may wish to
refer to some of the following publications. There are, of
course, many other high quality astrological publications
available, and this list is simply intended to be a starting
point for those wishing to know more.
67.1 General Astrology

Alan Oken's Complete Astrology - Alan Oken - Publ.
Bantam Books
Choice Centered Astrology - Gail Fairfield - Publ.
Ramp Creek Publishing, Inc.
Synastry - Penny Thornton - Publ. The Aquarian Press
The Astrologer's Companion - John Filbey & Peter
Filbey - The Aquarian Press
The Twelve Houses - Howard Sasportas - Publ. The
Aquarian Press
67.2 Predictive Astrology

Planets in Transit - Robert Hand - Publ. Whitford
Press
Solar and Lunar Returns - John Filbey - Publ.
Aquarian Press
The Eagle and the Lark - Bernadette Brady - Publ.
Samuel Weiser, Inc.
The Progressed Horoscope - Alan Leo - Publ. Destiny
Books

67.3 Locational Astrology

Planets in Locality - Steve Cozzi - Publ. Llewellyn
Planets on the Move - Maritha Pottenger and Zipporah
Dobyns - Publ. ACS Publications
The Geodetic World Map - I. I. Chris Mcrae - Publ.
American federation of Astrologers Inc.
67.4 Medieval & Classical Astrology

Carmen Astrologicum - Dorotheus of Sidon -
Translated D. Pingree - Publ. Ascella Publications
Christian Astrology - William Lilly - Publ. Regulus
Publishing Company Ltd
Classical Astrology for Modern Living - Dr J. Lee
Lehman - Publ. Whitford Press
Essential Dignities - J. Lee Lehman Ph.D. - Publ.
Whitford Press
Night and Day: Planetary Sect in Astrology - Robert
S. Hand - Publ. ARHAT and Golden Hind Press
Tetrabiblos - Ptolemy - Translated F.E.Robbins - Publ.
Harvard Uni. Press
Three Books on Nativities – Omar of Tiberius –
Translated R.Hand – Publ. Project Hindsight (Latin Track
Volume XIV)
67.5 Esoteric Astrology

Esoteric Astrology - Alice A. Bailey - Publ. Lucis
Publishing Company
Soul-Centred Astrology - Alan Oken - Publ. Bantam

Books
The Best of Charles Jayne - Charles Jayne - Publ.
American Federation of Astrologers Inc.
The Labours of Hercules - Alice A. Bailey - Publ.
Lucis Publishing Company
The Sabian Oracle: 360 Degrees Of Wisdom - Lynda
Hill - Publ. Lynda Hill 2010
The Prenatal Epoch - E.H. Bailey - Publ. Samuel
Weiser Inc.
The Sabian Symbols in Astrology - Marc Edmund
Jones - Publ. Aurora Press
Transpersonal Astrology - Errol Weiner - Publ.
Element, Inc.
67.6 Other Specialised Topics

Asteroid Goddesses - Demetra George - Publ. ACS
Publications, Inc.
A Handbook of Medical Astrology - Jane Ridder-
Patrick - Publ. Penguin/Arkana
Finding Our Way Through the Dark: The Astrology
of the Dark Goddess Mysteries - Demetra George -
Publ. ACS Publications Inc.
Natural Fertility - Francesca Naish - Publ. Sally
Milner Publishing
Planets in Composite - Robert Hand - Publ. Whitford
Press
The Black Moon Book - F. Santoni & Demetra George
- Publ. Sum Press.
The Combination of Stellar Influences - Reinhold

Ebertin - Publ. American Federation of Astrologers Inc.

The Lunation Cycle - Dane Rudhyar - Publ. Aurora
Press
Interpreting the Eclipses – Robert Carl Jansky – Publ.
Astro Computing Services
Lunar Shadows, The Lost Key to the Timing of
Eclipses - Dietrich Pessin
Delineation With Astrodynes - Ken Stone - Publ.
American Federation of Astrologers Inc.
Astrodyne Manual - Elbert Benjamine - Publ. Church
of Light
How To Read Cosmodynes - Doris Chase Doane -
Publ. American Federation of Astrologers Inc.
67.7 Astronomical Calculations and Computing

Astronomical Algorithms - Jean Meeus - Publ.
Willman-Bell, Inc.
Astronomical Formulae for Calculators - Jean Meeus
- Publ. Willman-Bell, Inc.
Mathematical Astronomy Morsels – Jean Meeus –
Publ. Willman-Bell, Inc.
Horoscope Calculation - J.A.Eshelman - Publ.
American Federation of Astrologers, Inc.
Planetary Programs and Tables from -4000 to
+2800 - P.Bretagnon & J-L.Simon - Publ. Willman-Bell,
Inc.

68 Changes from Version 7.x to Version 8

Following is a list of the major and most notable changes
that have been made for the Gold (v7) version of Solar
Fire. A large number of smaller changes have also been
made, but have been excluded from this list for the sake
of clarity and brevity.
Solar Maps: The full version of Solar Maps is now
included in Solar Fire Gold v8 as standard.
Teacher/Student: Addition of a Teacher/Student feature
whereby a teacher can create a file of all of their Solar
Fire settings and pass it onto their students so that a
student’s version of Solar Fire can be set to be the same
as the teacher. The student can, at anytime, switch
between their regular settings in Solar Fire and their
teacher’s settings.
Astrology Schools: Addition of a new item on the Help
menu, called Astrology Schools, now allows a user to be
directed to an Esoteric Technologies’ website where a list
of astrology schools are listed, under various astrology
categories.
User-Defined points: The main wheel of Solar Fire has
been extended to now allow up to 50 User-Defined
points, besides the standard 50 planets/points that can
currently be displayed on the main wheel. The 50 User-
Defined points on the main wheel can be selected from a
list that is similar to the Extra Ring points, i.e. Asteroids,
Midpoints, Fixed Stars, etc.
Asteroid glyphs: A number of asteroid glyphs (currently
65) can now be displayed either in the User-Defined
points or the Extra Ring points, provided that there is a
glyph for that asteroid.

Ashtkoot Matching: Addition of the Ashtkoot Matching

system, a Vedic relationship compatibility system that is
also useful for western astrologers.
Glyphs: There is a new Tab in the Preferences called
“Glyphs”. The option to select various glyph options has
now been moved to this new tab. There is also a new
glyph for Neptune.
Atlas: Solar Fire Gold v8 now only uses the ACS Atlas.
Animation: A new “Location” button has been added to

the Animate module so that if any of the wheels require a
different location and timezone then these can be easily
changed via this new button. Also a “Weeks” option has
been added to the Animate module.
Interpretations: Interpretations for the Vertex have
now been added to the Standard.int file.
New Appointments module: Clients details can now be
stored within Solar Fire. Session appointments can be
made for a client with email reminders and receipts for the
client available. Session time for the appointment can be
tracked and stored. If a microphone is part of or plugged
into the computer, sessions can also be recorded, stored
and played back.
69 Technical Details

69.1 Backing Up
In case of computer hardware failure, or other accidents,
it is wise to have made backup copies of certain key files
on your computer.
The Solar Fire program can normally be reloaded from
its original installation media should you ever experience a
major problem. If your original CD has become corrupt
or unusable for any other reason, then you can get a
replacement copy by contacting you astrological software
dealer, usually at a nominal cost.
However, to avoid losing any data files that you may
have created or saved during the course of your usage of
the Solar Fire program, (which therefore cannot be
reloaded from the installation diskettes), you should create
your own backup of the user data files associated with the
program.
Solar Fire has a built-in utility that helps you backup
your chart files or all user files (see Backing Up and
Restoring Chart Files).
Whichever method you use, you should always backup
all the files that are in the following folder, including all its
subfolders.
Documents\Solar Fire User Files
If you are accessing chart files from any location other
than Solar Fire User Files folder, then you should also
back them up.
If you backup these files, and keep you original
installation media, then you can recover from a disaster as
follows.
Re-install Solar Fire using the installation media
Restore the backup files to Documents\Solar Fire User

Files
It is recommended that you perform backups on a
regular basis, or at least after those occasions when you
have created large numbers of new charts or maps etc.
69.2 Uninstalling Solar Fire

>> To uninstall Solar Fire
1. Select Control Panel from the Start Menu
2. Select Add/Remove programs
3. Find Solar Fire Gold on the list, and highlight it
4. Click on the Remove button
Note: The Microsoft Windows Installer technology
doesn't always remove all application files from your
system.
If you want to effect a full uninstall, you may need to
check whether any of the following are left on your
computer after uninstalling, and remove them manually.
Folder: C:\Program Files\Solar Fire8 (and any files in the
folder) - accessed via Windows Explorer
Fonts: "ET Symbol 3" and "ETSans3.fon" - accessed via
Fonts in the Control Panel
Additionally, files you have created when using Solar

Fire may be found in the folder "MyDocuments\Solar Fire
User Files" and the various subfolders under that folder.

69.3 File Types

The following table describes some of the file types that
are included in Solar Fire’s directories.
Type Description
*.adp Aspected points
*.alm Dignity/Almuten definitions
*.arp Arabic Parts
*.asp Aspect set
*.cas Aspect colors
*.SFcht Chart database (SFv6/v7 format)
*.cht Chart database (SFv5 or earlier format)
*.chm Chart comments (SFv5 or earlier format)
*.cpt Chart point colors
*.SFcri Search criteria
*.csg Sign colors
*.dat Orbital elements file
*.di* Dial design file
*.doc Documentation text file
*.elm Ephemeris element files
*.eph Ephemeris files
*.fil Data file
*.fst Fixed stars
*.lst List of files to install
*.mnu Menu definition
*.pag Page layout file
*.prp Dynamic progressing points
*.pte Extra ring points

*.pts Displayed points

*.ptu User-defined points
*.sta Stationary points
*.trp Dynamic transiting points
*.tsk Astrologer's assistant task file
*.usr User name file
*.wh* Wheel design file
69.4 Swiss Ephemeris Files

Solar Fire uses the Swiss Ephemeris for
virtually all of it's planetary position
calculations. The user has some flexibility
regarding the location of the Swiss Ephemeris
files on their computer that Solar Fire uses. By
default Solar Fire installs a copy of the Swiss Ephemeris
into a standard location in the Program Files folder.
However Solar Fire doesn't have to use these files if you
have a copy of the Swiss Ephemeris at another location
and would prefer to use that instead.
You can direct Solar Fire to use Swiss Ephemeris files at
a different location in either of two ways:
1. Via the Preferences menu, Edit Settings - see
Ephemerides
2. By creating a User environment variable on your
computer,which is normally done via the System icon
in Control Panel. This option is included for users
who are reasonably familiar with the technical side of
Windows and is not recommended for those who
aren't.

>> Create a new user environment variable called

"SE_EPHE_PATH" (without the quotes) and set it's
value to the full path to the directory containing the
Swiss Ephemeris files.
The next time Solar Fire starts up it will check for this
variable and if the path is valid it will use the Swiss
Ephemeris files at this location. In this scenario it may
also delete the copy of Swiss Ephemeris files that it
initially placed in a location in Program Files when
Solar Fire was installed.
Note: From the Main Screen you can directly

open the folder where the Swiss Ephemeris
files are located ...
>> To open the current folder (default or

otherwise) of the Swiss Ephemeris
On the Utilities menu on the Main Screen, click on
Open SwissEph Files Folder
69.5 Files and Paths
Solar Fire stores most of it's settings in INI
files (*.ini) which contain a mixture of internal
system and user settings. (INI is short for
initialization). The main INI file is Solfire8.ini
stored in the "Solar Fire User Files\Settings"
folder which is a subfolder in the Documents
or MyDocuments folder. See Saving and
Restoring Settings for more information.
Auto Repair

This internal function automatically repairs

any paths found in Solfire8.ini. This process
runs every time Solar Fire starts up so that it
can automatically check and repair any Solar
Fire User Files or Solar Fire system paths that
are stored as text in the Solfire8.ini file. This
feature allows a user, who currently has Solar
Fire v7.x or later installed, to upgrade to and
install a newer Solar Fire Gold version without
needing to uninstall the earlier Solar Fire Gold
version. Once this new version is run, it now
automatically "connects" the Solar Fire User
Files from the older version to the newer
version.
Additionally, if any paths or filenames get
corrupted during any Solar Fire Gold session,
these paths and/or filenames will be
automatically repaired at the next startup of
Solar Fire.
When checking the "SavedImagePath" key in
the Solfire8.ini file Solar Fire checks that the
folder exists and also if the computer is
Windows Vista (or later) that the folder is not
a "system" folder, such as C:\Windows or C:
\Program Files. If it is a "system" folder for
this Windows version then the path is changed
to that of the Solar Fire User Files.
If for some reason, the auto repair feature is
required to be turned off then a key

"BypassINIRepair" located in the [Solar Fire]

section of Solfire8.ini, can be changed from 1
to 2 (after the newer version has been run for
the first time) and once this change is saved,
no further checking or repairing of the INI file
will take place.
Auto Recover
This internal function allows Solar Fire to
recover if certain common files get deleted.
Common files are files that are stored in an
area on a computer for access by not just one
application, but by many applications.
This situation can occur if you already have
Solar Fire Gold v7.0.x (or later) installed,
upgrade and install a later version of Solar Fire
Gold and then decide to uninstall the earlier
version. During the uninstall of that earlier
version, certain common files to the two
versions may be deleted and that situation can
potentially give rise to errors at the next
startup. With Auto Recover, Solar Fire will
now automatically restore the common files
that were deleted.
70 Technical Support
If you are having a problem running your software,
please don't hesitate to contact our technical support
team.
If the problem you are having is procedural, then please

do consult the documentation first. If you still cannot

resolve the problem yourself, then let us know.
Most technical problems can be resolved quickly. We
understand that we provide software for astrologers, not
computer experts. We can help with the basics.
The best method of contact is by email, using Technical
Support item from Solar Fire’s Help menu. This
automatically generates an email for you containing
information about your operating system and program
version. All you have to do is add a clear description of
your problem, and then send the email when you are
ready.
However, we realise that not everyone will have access
to email. In this case you can contact us by mail, fax or
telephone.
Here's a checklist to help you help us when you run into
a problem.
If the problem you are having is procedural, go to the
documentation first.
Know what program you're using. This program is Solar
Fire Gold.
Know what equipment you're using. Use this space to
keep your hardware brand information handy.
Computer: e.g. Pentium IV 433Mhz, Core 2 Duo
Windows Version: e.g. Windows 98, Windows NT,
Windows 20000, Windows XP, Windows Vista,
SoftWindows on Macintosh
RAM: e.g. 128MB, 512MB, 2GB
Printer: e.g. HP Laserjet 1200, Epson Stylus Pro,
Canon 4000
As soon as you receive an error message, write it down.

This can tell us exactly what the problem is.

What job were you working on? Were you entering data
for a natal chart, or printing out a chart wheel or
experimenting with some other option? Were you
importing Nova-type chart files? Have you used that part
of the program before?
With all this information at hand, email, fax or call us on
our technical support line. Technical support is available
on most working days. If not, you will be able to leave a
message on our answering machine, and we will get back
to you as soon as we can.

Index 773
selecting 396
selecting as almuten points 559
Index Arc
selecting as extra radix points 482
user-def ined 446

-A- Arc Transform
calculation method 718
Abbreviations
casting chart 129
f or aspects 706
f or chart points 704 ASCII Definitions
f or signs 703 editing 176
Accuracy 306, 708 Aspect Patterns
of chart points 708 f iltering by 415
planets 708 search 269
Alcabitius Houses 451 Aspectarian Grid 741
Almuten Aspected Points 406
of house cusps 605 Aspects 405, 515
Almuten Dignity/Almuten 553 3D (true body ) 515
adding user-def ined 515
Angle
adv anced options 515
f ormat f or entering 683
calendar 374
Angle progressions 443 changing 50
Angle Rounding 460 changing line sty le 511
Animation 350 changing orbs 511
controlling 361 colors 393, 420
exporting charts 360 copy ing 399
location / timezone 352 creating a new set 397
progressions and transits 674 deleting 398
selecting alternativ e chart ty pes 357 display ing gly phs 411
Antiscia display ing lines 410
calculation method 716 dy namic report 308
casting chart 129 editing 511
Appointments 649 f iltering 412
adding 654 highlighting 412
adding, v iewing, modif y ing 654 moieties 515
clients - adding, v iewing and modif y ing page object 607
details 650 renaming 399
deleting 657 search 296
emailing reminders 658 selecting 396
recording session time and content 659 selecting f or interpretations 504
sav ing changes to client details 652 unidirectional 515
sending an email to a group of clients Asteroids 484, 487
666 accessing additional f iles 487
session receipts 665 accuracy 709
v iewing all appointments f or a client editing 484
656 gly phs 496
Arabic Parts 522 gly phs in f ile 493
adding new 522 page object 596
editing 522 selecting 396, 484
page object 596 selecting as extra radix points 482
part of f ortune 435 supplier 757

Asteroids 484, 487 adding comments 111
Swiss Ephemeris 487 adjusting angles 199
Astro_Locality Maps 238 adjusting date 199
adjusting time 199
Astrodynes 256
animation 350
page object 596, 603, 605, 607
antiscia 129
Astrologer's Assistant 635 arc transf orm 129
editing task list 638 Bailey prenatal 722
examples 641 calculated 37
running on startup 470 calculation 44
Atlas calculation methods 712
selecting 468 Campanus mundoscope 129
Atlas- ACS casting 65
adding places 94 coalescent 134, 718
connecting to 25 comments 35, 583
radius search 88 composite 134, 718
similar names 88 copy to clipboard 197
using 88 copy ing 109
zone changes 88 current 35
Australian Data Collection 752 deleting 110
Auto Chart Save 148, 469 directed 117, 713
eclipse 141, 345
AutoRun 470
editing 108, 152
Ayanamsa 448 editing comments 197, 263
emailing 167
-B- exporting to other programs 160
Backing Up 150, 764 f inding 103
Bailey- E.H. 722 Geodetic 145
harmonic 129
Bhuktis 628
here and now 65
Bibliography 758 images 195
Birthdays 645 importing 160
adding 645 ingress 122
v iewing 646 interpreting prenatal 732
BiWheel Jay ne prenatal 726
houses in both wheels 674 Johndro 145
v iewing 49 local horizon 129
Black Moon 434, 710 locality 145
Brady- B.N. 756 longitude equiv alent 129
lunar phase 141
-C- lunar phase return

mov ing 111
141
Calendar new 47, 63, 65

exporting 380 open 98
inf ormation 371 operations 44
pref erences 374 Placidus mundoscope 129
using 369 prenatal 136, 721
Campanus Houses 451 presetting options 63
Campanus mundoscope 129 printing 384
CCRS Program 487 printing summary 113
progressed 117
Chart 44, 134
radix 306

Index 775
Chart 44, 134 colors 393
rectif y ing 199 copy ing 399
relationship 134, 718 creating a new set 397
relocating 145, 152 deleting 398
retaining 156 editing 476
retriev ing f rom f ile 98 progressing 393
return 48, 122 renaming 399
rising or setting 139 re-ordering 455
sav ing 148 selecting 396
selecting 106 transiting 393
sending v ia email 169 Chart Search 269
shortcuts f or v iewing 193 Charts
square 588 composite 454
stepping in time 352 conv ersion options 468
storage 44 email options 470
subsidiary 114 Chiron
traditional 588 range of ephemeris 710
transit 122
Clear Images 195
transiting 117
v edic 146, 153, 628 Clients
v iewing 185 adding an appointment 654
zodiacal analogue 129 adding, v iewing and modif y ing details
650
Chart Art
deleting 653
composite sun pages 674
deleting an appointment 657
Chart Comments emailing 666
adding 111 emailing appointment reminders 658
entering 82 sav ing changes to client details 652
page object 583 session receipts 665
Chart Data v iewing all appointments 656
Australian data collection 752 Clifford Data Compendium 749
Clif f ord Data Compendium 749
Clock
exporting 173, 176
real time 350
Chart File setting 26
backing up 150
Clone
changing description 112
charts 157
changing directory 396
to clone a chart 157
copy ing 399
creating 165, 397 Cloning Charts 157
deleting 398 Coalescent
f inding charts 101 casting chart 134
f inding planetary aspects 105 Color Schemes 420
f inding planetary placements 105 Colors
importing f rom other programs 160 aspects 420
limitations 114 background 420
printing summary 113 changing color depth 428
renaming 399 copy ing 399
restoring 150 creating a new set 397
selecting 101, 396 deleting 398
Chart Options 400 editing 520
access f rom View Chart screen 210 points 420
Chart Points printer 420

Colors options 462, 463
printing 386 Davison Chart Relationship 134
renaming 399 Decompiling
scheme 420 interpretations 508
screen color depth 427 Deleting Charts
selecting 396 calculated charts 155
selecting palette 427 f rom f iles 110
signs 420
DeltaT 710
Combined
Designing
calculation methods 718
dials 535
casting chart 134
pages 570
Compatability wheels 535
ashtkoot report 268
Detriment 707
Compiling
DeVore 51
interpretations 508
Dial
Compliments 30, 461
options 202
Composite pointer 202
casting chart 134 rotating pointer 202
Coordinate System using 202
charts 80 Dial Style 407
planetarium 240 design options 537
topocentric 436 editing 535
Coordinates selecting 396
geocentric 153 Dignity/Almuten
heliocentric 153 almuten 556
Copy creating 554, 570
as bitmap 214 degree dignities 556
as metaf ile 214 diurnal applicability 565
chart or page to clipboard 197 editing f iles 553
dy namic report to clipboard 332 page object 613
graphic ephemeris as graphic 343 point ty pes 558
graphics 214 sav ing changes 554
Time Map to clipboard 333 scoring 562
Copyright selecting house sy stem 568
of interpretations text 753 selecting part of f ortune 568
Creating teacher settings 670 selecting points 558
Current Settings selecting rulerships 565
v iewing 476 term ty pe 566
triplicity ty pe 565
-D- Directions 308

calculation method 713
Dasas 628 calendar 374
pages 677 casting chart 117
Date 67 dy namic report 308
chart Rectif y Assist 199 graphic ephemeris 336
entering 67 of midpoints 308
f ormat 67 of term 613
selecting f ormat 27 page object- primary 613
sy stem 33 primary mundane 308, 713
Dates primary rate 445

Index 777
Directions 308 options 470
relocation 447 registration 55
to midpoints 308 suggestions 57
user-def ined 446 support 57
Displayed Points 401 Emailing Charts 167
colors 420 Encyclopedia 51
current chart 402 Ephemeris
graphic ephemeris 336 accuracy 708
Displayed Transiting Points 403 dumping to f ile 367
Distributing settings to students 670 generator 364
Dynamic Reports 306, 308, 321, 324 graphic Graphic Ephemeris 336
bold text 321 v iewing 367
colors 321 Esoteric
copy ing 332 f urther reading 759
direction arc 446 Esoteric Rulerships 707
direction ty pes 308 Essential Dignities
editing 328 page object 613
gly phs 321, 324 Essential Dignities Dignity/Almuten 553
lay out 324
Event Type 78
limit 321
midpoints 308 Exaltation 707
point ty pes 324 Exiting 40
print queue 308 Exporting Charts 160
printing 332 Exporting Data 173
progression ty pes 308 Extra Bodies
sav ing selections 320 selecting as extra radix points 482
selecting aspects 308
Extra Points
selecting ev ents 308
editing 478
selecting points 308
ty pes 478
sort order 321
v iewing chart 330 Extra Ring Points 404
v iewing interpretations 329, 331 editing 489
selecting 396
Dynamic Reports Time Map 333
-E- -F-
Fall 707
Eclipses
as extra ring points 489 Features
as user-def ined points 493 selected 18
casting charts f or 141 File manager 393
data source 757 Firdaria 613
lunar phase 473 Fixed Base Chart 359
maximum 473 Fixed Positions
page object 596 selecting as extra radix points 483
pref erences 473
Fixed Stars 529
Saros number 345
classif ication of 529
searching f or 345
creating new f ile 526
ty pes 345
description of f iles 756
Electional Search 269 editing 525
Email 51 editing inf ormation 529
graphics 214 importing 528

Fixed Stars 529 calculation methods 716
merging f ile 527 casting chart 129
nomenclature 529 Help
page object 596 on-line 40
printing list 528 Horary Considerations
selecting 396 page object 613
selecting as extra radix points 482 House System
v iewing in planetarium 239, 534 selecting 78, 79
Fonts ty pes of 78
changing size 429 Houses
screen v s printer 429 description 451
selecting f or display 429 expansion 410
in both wheels in a BiWheel 674
-G- page object 605
Geocentric Correction 437 proportional 408
Geodetic Hylegs
casting chart 145 def ined 736
Glyphs page object 613
alternativ e 456
asteroid 496 -I-
f or aspects 706 Importing Charts 59, 160
f or chart points 704 Importing Settings 59
f or signs 703
Ingress
Graphic Ephemeris casting chart 122
coordinate ty pe 336
INI file
copy ing 343
installation 768
display options 336
main 431
generating 336
modulus angle 336 Installation 23
printing 343 Installing
sav ing selections 336 f irst run 24
selecting dy namic ty pe 336 Internet 51
selecting options 336 updates 56
selecting points 336 website 58
v iewing 343 Interpretations 753
Grid author 753
v iewing 185 browsing 224
v iewing sy nastry 49 compacting 510
Grid Settings compiling 508, 688, 692
half aspect grid 210 copy right restrictions 753
Group Composite creating new f ile 497
casting chart 134 current chart mode 218
decompiling 508
-H- dy namic aspects

editing 497
504
Half Aspect Grid exiting 237

grid settings 210 exporting 235
Half Grid f ile 236
grid settings 210 f ile lay out 694
Harmonic f ile locations 694

Index 779
Interpretations 753 Solar Maps 238
general mode 218 Longitudes
mapped aspect names 504 entering 77
modes 225 Lunar Mansions
producing report 232 page object 613
rulerships 231 Lunar Node 153, 433
selecting aspects 504
Lunar Parallax 436
selecting report categories 233
text categories 499 Lunar Phase
ty pes 226 as extra ring points 489
v iewing 218 as user-def ined points 493
v iewing contents summary 508 casting chart 141
v iewing dy namic 329 f amilies 141
v iewing dy namic report 331 page object 596
v iewing f rom Time Map 333 Lunar Phase Return
weightings 501 casting chart 141
word processor 233, 464
Interpretations File -M -
selecting 396 Macros 635
Interpretations Window Main Screen 32
opening 224 MAPI 51, 168
Margins 388
-J- MC
Jayne- C. 726 calculation 441
Johndro Midpoint Trees
casting chart 145 options 459
Johnson- S.M. 753 Midpoint Weighting Analysis 246
Midpoints
-K- dy namic 308
Keyboard 41 page object 624
Keys selecting 480
short-cut 42 Moieties 515
Koch Houses 451 Moon
black moon 710
-L- node ty pe 153, 433
v oid of course 308, 437
LAT 74
Mutual Reception
Latitudes page object 613
entering 77
MWA 246
Geocentric correction 437
Life Events 84
editing 85
-N-
importing/exporting 85 Naibod Angle Progressions 443
Lilith 434, 710 Node
LMT 74 lunar ty pe 153, 433
Locality
Astro_Locality Maps 238 -O-
calculation methods 720 Oracle
casting chart 145 sabian 673

Orbital Elements 743 selecting 396
Orbs Placidus Houses 451
changing f or aspects 511 Placidus mundoscope 129
Planet bar 38
-P- v iewing 476
Page Designer Page- User-defined Planet Search 105
570 Planetarium 239
Page Objects animating 244
modif y ing properties f rom View Chart coordinate sy stem 240
screen 210 printing 244
selecting a star 242
Page Topic Index 191
v iew direction 241
Page- User-defined 570 v iewing a constellation 243
description of objects 583 v iewing star inf ormation 243
description of properties 577
Planetary Hour
designing 570
page object 613
editing 207, 570
graphic f ile 577 Planetary Periods
inserting new object 572 page object 613
sav ing changes 635 Planets
selecting 191, 396 accuracy 708
selecting page sizes 630 hy pothetical 710
shortcuts f or v iewing 193 Jay ne's hy pothetical 726
v iewing 189 search 105, 269
Pages user-def ined orbits 743
dasas 677 Vulcan 710
specialized 674 Pointer
Parallax 436 options 202
Parans Pointer Dial 202
display f ormat 458 Points - User-defined
Part of Fortune selecting 396
selecting f ormula 435 Polar
Place 28, 72 MC calculation 441
automatic lookup 72 Pottenger- M. 487
changing on main screen 28 Preferences 431
entering details 72 enabling Teachers 669
manual lookup 72 pre-setting 29
restoring def ault 72 Teacher settings 459
setting def ault 28 Prenatal
Place Atlas 25 calculation methods 721
Places 465 casting chart 136
Atlas- ACS 88 description of 721
f av ourite 465 f urther reading 736
recently used 466 interpreting charts 732
setting def ault 466 Jay ne's law of sex 731
Places File Primary Directions Directions 308
copy ing 399 Printer 384, 386, 388, 389, 391
creating 397 Printing 384
deleting 398 a summary of charts 113
renaming 399 f ixed stars list and inf o 528

Index 781
Printing 384 graphic ephemeris 336
f rom a View screen 384 lunar phase chart 141
in black only 386 natal chart 145
in color 386 prenatal chart 136
the planetarium 244 progressions 117
without v iewing f irst 385 returns 122
Progressions 308 rise/set chart 139
angles 443 Relocation
calculation method 712 progs/dirns 447
calendar 374 Reminders 645
casting chart 117 adding 645
day ty pe 445 v iewing 646
dy namic report 308 Reports
graphic ephemeris 336 ashtkoot 268
lunar phase chart 141 bold text 263
of midpoints 308 colors 263
relocation 447 copy ing 263
to midpoints 308 description 246
user rate 444 generating 245
Proportional Houses 408 gly phs 263
Publish headers 263
graphics 214 modulus angle 263
orbs 263
-Q- printing 263, 384
rich text f ormat 464
Queue Printer 391 single chart 263
sy nastry 267
-R- Reports Dynamic Reports 306
Radix File Reports Interpretations 245
copy ing 399 Requirements 22
creating 397 disk space 22
deleting 398 RAM 22
renaming 399 sy stem 22
selecting 396
Retaining Charts
Rays clearing 156
page object 622
Return
weightings 440
asteroids 122
Real Time Clock 350 calculation methods 714
multiple real time clock windows 352 casting chart 122
Registration 55 demi- quarti etc. 122
Relationship multiple 122
ashtkoot report 268 planetary 122
casting chart 134 progressed solar- def ined 714
sy nastry report 267 to user-def ined point 122
Relocating 134 Rich Text Format Reports 464
chart 152 Rise/Set
combined chart 134 casting chart 139
composite chart 134 Rulers
directions 117 Decanate 674
dy namic reports 308 Face 674

Rulers Starting 31
Term 674 Stations 246, 256
Rulerships 707 pref erences 472
changing 684 Students 668
esoteric 707 enabling Students 671
hierarchical 707 Superimposition
tabulation of 707 options 417
Rulerships and Weightings Editor 686 ty pes 417
Rulerships Dignity/Almuten 565 Sw iss Ephemeris 471
accuracy 708
-S- asteroids 471, 487
Sabian symbols 673 location 471, 767
oracle 673 opening swiss ephemeris f iles f older
489
Saros Number 345
Symbols Glyphs 703
Saving Charts
auto chart sav e 148 Synastry
v iewing grid 49, 186
Saving Settings 433
Search
aspects 296
-T -
charts 269 Tabulations
conditions 276 description 256
electional 269 generating 245
planetary placements 105 Teachers 668, 672
results 297, 302 capturing teacher settings 670
Sect enabling Teachers 669
page object 613 Teacher settings 459
Sending Chart Data 169 Technical Support 57, 770
Session 659 Term
appointments f or 654 ty pes def ined 566
emailing appointment reminders 658 Term Directions
receipts 665 page object 613
Settings Time 71
capturing teacher settings 670 chart Rectif y Assist 199
editing 433 entering 71
enabling Teachers 669 f ormat 71
INI f iles 768 precision 458
loading Teacher settings 672 selecting f ormat 27
remov ing Teacher settings 672 setting clock 26
restoring 431 sy stem 33
sav ing 431 Time Map 306
Teacher settings 459 copy ing to clipboard 333
Signs dates 333
page object 603 deleting lines 333
Solar Live 38, 52 hit numbers 333
Solar Maps 23, 238 mov ing lines 333
v iewing interpretations 333
Sound 460
Timezone 74
Source Rating 80
entering 74
Stars Fixed Stars 525 LAT 74

Index 783
Timezone 74 calculation 439
LMT 74
startup 467 -W-
Toolbar 33 Weightings
editing 474 changing 684
v iewing 476 dy namic reports 321
Topocentric interpretation balances 501
Moon 436 Wheel Style 407
Transits 308 design options 537
calendar 374 editing 535
casting chart 122 selecting 396
dy namic report 308 Wheels
graphic ephemeris 336 shortcuts f or v iewing 193
of midpoints 308 specialized 674
to midpoints 308 Whole Sign Houses 451
Transneptunians 710 Word processor
Triplicity selecting 233, 464
ty pes def ined 565 Wynn-Key
def ined 714
-U-
Uninstalling 765 -Z-
Updates 56 Zip file
User Direction Rate 446 capturing teacher settings 670
User Progression Rate 444 students 671
User-defined Page teachers and students 668
selecting 396 Zodiac 153, 448
User-Defined Points selecting 79
editing 493 Zodiac Sign
selecting 396 colors 393
Utilities 679 Zodiacal analogue
editing 680 casting chart 129
suggestions 682
-V-
Vedic
casting chart 146
div isional charts 146
Nakshatra wheel 674
zodiac warning 450
Vedic Charts 628
Vernal Point 202
View Chart
buttons described 197
changing options 195
using 195
View Menu
customizing 457
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Solar Fire Gold 8

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

Solar Fire User Guide

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

synastry grids. Chart points can be viewed in color, as

1.1 Selected Features

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

Chart point and aspect colors are user selectable.

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

1.2 Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

Stephanie is one of the founders of Esoteric Technologies

Neville Lang is a past Technical Director of Esoteric

Graham Dawson was one of the founders of Esoteric

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

>> To get context sensitive information or help

>> To get access to the full on-line user guide and

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

contents page, and you can look through the list of

3 Installing Solar Fire

3.1 Computer System Requirements

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

A hard disk drive with at least 130Mb of free disk

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

Compact – This installs the program with a reduced

If You are Re-installing Solar Fire

If You are Upgrading from an Earlier Version of

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

an update it found, then it is recommended that you

3.4 Further Manual Setup

3.4.1 Connecting to the ACS Atlas

Besides having it's own built-in ACS Atlas, Solar Fire

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

>> To connect to an ACS Atlas

3.4.2 Setting Your Computers Internal Clock

On its Main Screen, Solar Fire has a constantly updated

>> To set the computer’s internal clock

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd

Click on the current date or time panel of the status bar

To choose between AM/PM and 24-hour time format,

>> To reset the time format

3.4.4 Selecting a Date Format

In most cases the computer will already be preset to

(c) 2011, Esoteric Technologies Pty Ltd