the-astrology-book

Appendix D: Astrological Software
Two of the intermediate programs, AstrolDeluxe ReportWriter and IO, have the most
features in this price range, and provide a complete software solution for many astrologers.
AstrolDeluxe ReportWriter (by Halloran Software) has excellent research features, astro-mapping,
report-writing capabilities, and a very wide range of calculations. IO (by Time Cycles
Research) has an excellent page designer, the best transit/progressed hit listing (it includes stations),
bi-, tri-, and quad-wheels, many tables, and a graphic ephemeris.
Haydn’s Jyotish (by Haydn Huntley) has all of the basic Vedic features (and some not-so
basic) one would expect: rasi, bhava lagna, varshaphal, and varga charts in North and South
Indian formats; dasa/bhukti listing; ashtakavarga; shad bala; bhava bala; and vimshopak listings.
It also shows sunrise and sunset times, Kujadosha, moon waxing/waning, moon fullness, Tithis,
Dagdha Rasis, Yoga Point, Planetary Yogi, Duplicate Yoga, Avayogi, Karakas, and Raja
Yogakarakas. It runs on Windows PCs, Macintosh computers, and MS-DOS. In-depth reviews of
each program are available at www.soulhealing.com.
Advanced astrology programs are usually priced at $200 to $300, and have a full range
of features and functions. Among Western astrology programs, these include the very complete
packages Solar Fire, Kepler, Win*Star Plus, and Janus. Shri Jyoti Star, Parashara’s Light,
Jyotish Studio, and Käla are the advanced Vedic astrology programs.
Special-Purpose Programs
Some astrological software doesn’t fall neatly in any ordinary category. The ACS PC
Atlas, for example, is widely used by astrologers to automatically look up longitudes, latitudes,
time zones, and time changes for birthplaces within many professional-level programs, and it
also can be purchased by itself. There are several programs designed to help astrologers and
astronomers use their telescopes to view stars, planets, and constellations. And there are a group
of electional astrology programs designed to help astrologers and lay people to choose the best
time for initiating an activity, such as Father Time by A.I.R. Software and Shri Muhurta by
GeoVision Software, and another group of horary astrology programs designed to give the
answer to a question that the astrologer or lay person asks at the moment, such as Nostradamus
by A.I.R. software and VegaSviri Horary by the Center for Temporal Research. An unusual
“electional” program called Astrodamus by Nostradamus Corporation automatically rectifies
the birth chart, based upon life events, and then predicts the themes for each year.
Advanced Western Astrology Programs
Every Western astrology program in the $200+ price range offers superb accuracy and a
large date range for calculations, as well as transits, progressions, directions, returns, composite
charts, interaspect tables, many styles of charts and data tables, astro-mapping and eclipse
maps, midpoint trees and dials, the ability to import files from the Quick*Charts format, large
built-in time-change atlases (with automatic look up of the coordinates and time zones for
most cities), a rectification method (e.g., the ability to change the birth time forward or backwards
and immediately see the new chart), at least some interpretations (e.g., of natal planet
positions), an astro-clock (i.e., a chart that shows the positions at the present moments and
[862] THE ASTROLOGY BOOK