Primary Direction Explorer
The Swiss Ephemeris Inside. Focused on Primary Directions. Inspired by Bob Makransky's book.
 
License: GNU General Public License, version 2
Price: FreeWare
Language: English
System Requirements: Windows XP/2000, 9 MB Disk Space (without optional Geographic Atlas files), Mouse
Current Version: 0.6.2 alpha (2009-03-08) download
All Versions (incl. source code): browse
Change Log: read
Program sample output: screenshot, exported chart image, A4 print (PDF file).
 
 
Primary Direction Explorer (aka PDExplorer or simply PDE) is a freeware astroprocessor designed especially for exploring astrological Primary Directions. Along with regular set of features any astroprocessor has to implement, PDExplorer considers celestial body's oblique longitude, oblique right ascension and in mundo position in a house. These parameters are of some interest in primary direction analysis, though they are not easy things to calculate. Due to calculation difficulties many astrologers do not use Primary Directions in their practice. PDExplorer is being developed in hope to break through this inconsistency.
 
 
Summary
  1. Swiss Ephemeris library is used for calculations
  2. Above common calculations:
    • chart elements' oblique projection
    • chart elements' position in a house with consideration for latitude (in mundo)
  3. Supported types of directions:
    • Mundane direction with consideration for latitude for arbitrary aspect
    • Mundane direction without consideration for latitude for arbitrary aspect
    • Mundane mixed direction (significator with consideration for latitude, promissor without consideration for latitude and vice versa) for arbitrary aspect
  4. Arc of direction can be calculated out of
    • Promissor's Right Ascension change
    • Promissor's Oblique Right Ascension change
  5. Supported coordinate systems:
    • Ecliptic
    • Equatorial
    • Mundane (related to house system)
  6. Supported time scales:
    • Transit (Natural Time)
    • Synastry (Natural Time)
    • Primary Direction (1 Sidereal Day = 360 Sidereal Years)
    • Secondary Progression (1 Sidereal Day = 1 Tropical Year)
    • Tertiary Progression (1 Sidereal Day = 1 Sidereal Moon Month)
    • Minor Progression (1 Sidereal Moon Month = 1 Tropical Year)
    • For each time scale there is a related regressed version
  7. Supported direction keys:
    • Ptolemy (1° RA = 1 year)
    • Naibod (59'08" RA = 1 year)
  8. Working range of dates: 9.01.1200 .. 31.12.2399
  9. Used set of planets: the first ten (from Sun to Pluto), True Moon Nodes, Chiron, Eris
  10. Various house systems
  11. Optional full-length geographic atlas (without time zones). Browsing maps online (the program uses Google Maps web service).
  12. User-defined aspect tables
  13. Original visualisation. Variety of chart drawing options.
  14. Chart Printing and Export to image file
  15. Program Configuration Manager
  16. Document structure is compatible with ZET astrology software (*.zbs) file format. Data exchange with ZET is possible either through Windows clipboard or a file.

More features in developer's TODO list. New versions are normally issued once or twice a month. Stay tuned. ;)

 

 
Features required but still missing
  1. Finding time for exact aspect (including planet returns)
  2. Finding all aspects within specified time period
  3. User-defined time scales and direction keys
  4. User's Manual
  5. ...
 
 
Other Primary Directions software links
Astro Frames. Ed Falis' Home Page.
Morinus
 
 
My other programs
Desktop Atlas. Geographical coordinates for all populated places in the world inside a single database on your local HDD. Quick data lookup. Integrated with Google Maps web service.
Visual Astrological Houses. 2D evolvent of the celestial sphere. It's possible to see how various astrological house system look like below and above ecliptic.