the-astrology-book

Appendix D: Astrological Software
JigSaw II also offers the ability to analyze the charts of groups (several people) to find
similar placements, including the predominate harmonics, signs, houses, vacant points, and
midpoint patterns, complete with excellently written interpretations. Finally, the program
allows you to manually or automatically rectify a chart by entering important dates in a person’s
life.
AstroDatabank. This program (by AstroDatabank), is a groundbreaking research program
in several ways. First, it includes the Rodden database, the most reliable collection of famous
charts (more than 20,000) in the world. Secondly, each of the charts includes biographical
information and is placed in categories relating to health, career, personality traits, family patterns,
etc. An astrologer can search for both astrological and life factors (e.g., alcoholism) simultaneously.
Finally, AstroDatabank introduces the ability to create AstroSignatures, i.e., a tool
for analyzing charts using several factors, each with its own weighting. For example, one could
create his or her own Saturn signature by giving Saturn on an angle 5 points, Sun in Capricorn
3 points, Sun in Aquarius 2 points, Sun aspected by Saturn 4 points, etc.
Calculation Programs
Calculation programs fall basically into three tiers, based primarily upon price and capabilities.
(A few specialized programs don’t fall neatly into any of these categories.) Most of the
low-priced programs, i.e., those under $90, are too inaccurate in their calculations for use even
by amateurs; they have no built-in atlas or time-change data, and are limited in the range of
their functions. The inexpensive programs that are accurate include Astrology for Windows
from Halloran Software, the Electronic Astrologer report programs (which include the ACS
mini-atlas), and the freeware Astrolog, AstroWin, Starlite, and Junior Jyotish.
Intermediate level calculation programs cost between $99 and $200, and are geared
towards students of astrology and professionals with fewer requirements. Pegasus, Win*Star
Express, AstrolDeluxeReport Writer, and TimePassages are Windows programs that fall into
this category. The IO Edition is a Macintosh program and Haydn’s Jyotish is a Vedic program
in this price range.
All of the intermediate level programs (except Haydn’s Jyotish) offer natal, progressed,
directed, solar and lunar return, and composite charts, interaspects, several house systems,
biwheels, and a transit hit listing. The Windows programs also offer some birth chart interpretation
and a time change atlas. In fact, TimePassages, AstrolDeluxe Report Writer, Haydn’s
Jyotish, and IO come bundled with the full ACS PC Atlas (for auto-lookup of coordinates and
time zones for over 250,000 places). Among the distinctive features of each of the intermediate
programs are:
TimePassages (by Astrograph Software) includes animation: you can see transiting and
progressed planets circle a natal chart and form aspect lines. TimePassages is available for both
the PC and the Mac. Pegasus (by Cosmic Patterns) offers mini-reports for natal, transits, major
life themes, and synastry. Win*Star Express (by Matrix) has the full DeVore’s Encyclopedia of
Astrology and a nice transit/progressed graph, which shows exact hit dates (but not entering or
leaving dates).
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