How to Calculate the Rulers of the Birth Chart According to Porphyry.
Here are the rules for calculating the different rulers of the birth chart that we review in this podcast, based on chapter 30 of Porphyry’s Introduction.
The Rulers of the Nativity
There are four different rulers of the nativity that are important to pay attention to:
1. Predominator (epikratētōr) the victor, related to the almuten
2. Master of the Nativity (oikodespotēs)
3. Co-Master or Joint Master of the Nativity (sunoikodespotēs)
4. Lord of the Nativity (kurios)
Predominator
In order to find the Master of the Nativity you must first find the Predominator, since the Predominator is the one who designates the Master. The Predominator is typically one of the luminaries, as long as they are well-placed. If they are not, then it defaults to the Ascendant.
Here are Porphyry’s considerations for determining if one of the luminaries can become Predominator:
• The luminary that belongs to the sect of the chart is preferred (Sun day day, Moon by night).
• The luminary that is more angular is preferred over one that is in a less angular house.
• The one that is more eastern in the chart (towards the rising sign) is preferred.
o g. if the Sun is in the 1st house in a day chart, Sun is the Predominator.
o Sun in the 9th with the Moon in the 1st, then Moon is Predominator.
• If both luminaries are in cadent houses, then the Ascendant becomes Predominator.
Master of the Nativity
According to Antiochus and Porphyry there are two variant traditions for calculating the Master:
1. The Master of the Nativity is the domicile lord of the Predominator.
o The bound lord of the Predominator becomes the Co-Master of the Nativity.
2. Others say that the bound lord of the degree of the Ascendant is the Master of the Nativity
o The domicile lord of the rising sign is the Co-Master of the Nativity. Lord of the Nativity
Two separate approaches are given for the determination of the Lord of the Nativity:
First Approach
1. The Lord is the domicile lord of the Midheaven, if this planet is angular. If it is not, then:
2. The Lord of the Nativity is a planet in the Midheaven/10th house. If there is no planet in the Midheaven then:
3. The Lord is a planet in the 11th house.
Second Approach
Planets capable of being the Lord of the Nativity in the second approach are:
1. The domicile lord of the Ascendant. Or
2. A planet in the rising sign, and (especially?) in the bounds of the Ascendant. Or
3. The lord of the Moon. Or
4. The lord of the Lot of Fortune. Or
5. A planet that makes a heliacal rising, setting, or retrograde station within 7 days of the birth (if there are multiple then the one that is not under the beams is preferred).
6. The bound lord of the prenatal lunation.
Porphyry makes an important statement after outlining the second approach to the effect that the Lord of the Nativity is the planet that generally is:
• Capable of rising out from under the beams of the Sun.
• Has more familiarity (“dignity”) in its location, through zodiacal rulership.
• Has the most “power” in relation to the “figure” of the nativity, which probably means being in one of the “advantageous” or “busy” places, which are houses that are more angular.
• Has the most power in relation to its configuration with the other stars in the chart. Further Reading
For a translation of the Porphyry passages that these calculations are discussed in see:
• Porphyry the Philosopher, Introduction to the Tetrabiblos, chapter 30, trans. James Holden, American Federation of Astrologers, Tempe, AZ, 2010.
from Chris Brennan The Astrology Podcast, episode 2005.
