Tetrabiblos
Definition
Tetrabiblos is a source text in the bibliography.
Attributed to Claudius Ptolemy.
Cataloged under Hellenistic.

Loeb Classical Library edition translated by F. E. Robbins. Astrotechne citations use the Robbins translation.
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Interpretive rules
41 interpretive rules
The Ascendant is the rising point and the basis for judging life and bodily circumstances. Testimony means that another planet participates in the judgment through a recognized configuration. Jupiter and Venus are traditionally benefics, but their name alone does not establish a favorable result; Valens qualifies their effects by configuration, placement and the rest of the judgment.
The Ascendant is the rising point and the basis for judging life and bodily circumstances. Testimony means that another planet participates in the judgment through a recognized configuration. Mars and Saturn are traditionally malefics, but Valens also describes constructive effects when appropriately configured and of their sect. Their name alone does not establish harm.
Bonifying testimony is read as support only when its contributing ingredients stay visible in the condition balance.
Courage concerns boldness and force, including their misuse through treachery. Testimony means that another planet participates in the judgment through a recognized configuration. Jupiter and Venus are traditionally benefics, but their name alone does not establish a favorable result; Valens qualifies their effects by configuration, placement and the rest of the judgment.
Courage concerns boldness and force, including their misuse through treachery. Testimony means that another planet participates in the judgment through a recognized configuration. Mars and Saturn are traditionally malefics, but Valens also describes constructive effects when appropriately configured and of their sect. Their name alone does not establish harm.
A body is debilitated when the score and tier show weakness or affliction from visible component testimony, not from an opaque condition label.
Fortune concerns bodily circumstances, possessions, reputation and privilege. Testimony means that another planet participates in the judgment through a recognized configuration. Jupiter and Venus are traditionally benefics, but their name alone does not establish a favorable result; Valens qualifies their effects by configuration, placement and the rest of the judgment.
Fortune concerns bodily circumstances, possessions, reputation and privilege. Testimony means that another planet participates in the judgment through a recognized configuration. Mars and Saturn are traditionally malefics, but Valens also describes constructive effects when appropriately configured and of their sect. Their name alone does not establish harm.
Eros concerns appetite, voluntary desire, friendship and mutual favor. Testimony means that another planet participates in the judgment through a recognized configuration. Jupiter and Venus are traditionally benefics, but their name alone does not establish a favorable result; Valens qualifies their effects by configuration, placement and the rest of the judgment.
Eros concerns appetite, voluntary desire, friendship and mutual favor. Testimony means that another planet participates in the judgment through a recognized configuration. Mars and Saturn are traditionally malefics, but Valens also describes constructive effects when appropriately configured and of their sect. Their name alone does not establish harm.
Maltreating testimony is preserved as pressure when visible components lower the condition balance or mark severe impairment.
Necessity concerns constraint, submission, struggle and enmity. Testimony means that another planet participates in the judgment through a recognized configuration. Jupiter and Venus are traditionally benefics, but their name alone does not establish a favorable result; Valens qualifies their effects by configuration, placement and the rest of the judgment.
Necessity concerns constraint, submission, struggle and enmity. Testimony means that another planet participates in the judgment through a recognized configuration. Mars and Saturn are traditionally malefics, but Valens also describes constructive effects when appropriately configured and of their sect. Their name alone does not establish harm.
Nemesis names adversity, grief, exile and destruction in the historical doctrine; the topic definition does not predict these events for this person. Testimony means that another planet participates in the judgment through a recognized configuration. Jupiter and Venus are traditionally benefics, but their name alone does not establish a favorable result; Valens qualifies their effects by configuration, placement and the rest of the judgment.
Nemesis names adversity, grief, exile and destruction in the historical doctrine; the topic definition does not predict these events for this person. Testimony means that another planet participates in the judgment through a recognized configuration. Mars and Saturn are traditionally malefics, but Valens also describes constructive effects when appropriately configured and of their sect. Their name alone does not establish harm.
When speed data shows the source body moving toward the exact ecliptic aspect point, the relation is read as applying.
Two bodies whose signs do not join by the classical ray families are read as in aversion at the whole-sign relation layer.
Two bodies in signs joined by conjunction, sextile, square, trine, or opposition are read as witnessing by whole-sign ray.
Overcoming identifies the planet on the right-hand, superior side of a sextile, square or trine. That planet has directional precedence in interpreting the contact. Sign order is circular: Capricorn is superior to Pisces, Aries and Taurus in these figures. Conjunction, opposition and aversion receive no unilateral direction from this geometry alone, and the relation does not establish an overall outcome.
When speed data shows the source body moving away from the exact ecliptic aspect point, the relation is read as separating.
Witnessing means the factors are configured with one another and can contribute testimony through that contact. This row uses whole-sign geometry, rather than requiring exact degree contact. The particular ray describes its character; it does not by itself establish benefit or harm.
Aversion here means the factors' signs lack a classical whole-sign ray, so there is no direct contact through that configuration. This is the engine's narrower geometry model: Ptolemy's disjunct signs also lack commanding, obeying, seeing and equal-power affinities. Those further affinities and any particular outcome remain separate.
Aversion here means the factors' signs lack a classical whole-sign ray, so there is no direct contact through that configuration. This is the engine's narrower geometry model: Ptolemy's disjunct signs also lack commanding, obeying, seeing and equal-power affinities. Those further affinities and any particular outcome remain separate.
Domicile means a planet occupies a sign it rules, a form of familiarity that can support its effectiveness. One dignity is one testimony; Ptolemy's multiple-familiarity condition and the planet's nature, configuration and relevant topic still matter.
Exaltation is a planet's designated place of elevation, a form of familiarity that can strengthen its effectiveness. This single dignity neither establishes Ptolemy's multiple-familiarity condition nor makes every outcome favorable; the planet's nature, configuration and relevant topic still matter.
Witnessing means the factors are configured with one another and can contribute testimony through that contact. This row uses whole-sign geometry, rather than requiring exact degree contact. The particular ray describes its character; it does not by itself establish benefit or harm.
Domicile means a planet occupies a sign it rules, a form of familiarity that can support its effectiveness. One dignity is one testimony; Ptolemy's multiple-familiarity condition and the planet's nature, configuration and relevant topic still matter.
Exaltation is a planet's designated place of elevation, a form of familiarity that can strengthen its effectiveness. This single dignity neither establishes Ptolemy's multiple-familiarity condition nor makes every outcome favorable; the planet's nature, configuration and relevant topic still matter.
Domicile means a planet occupies a sign it rules, a form of familiarity that can support its effectiveness. One dignity is one testimony; Ptolemy's multiple-familiarity condition and the planet's nature, configuration and relevant topic still matter.
Exaltation is a planet's designated place of elevation, a form of familiarity that can strengthen its effectiveness. This single dignity neither establishes Ptolemy's multiple-familiarity condition nor makes every outcome favorable; the planet's nature, configuration and relevant topic still matter.
Aversion here means the factors' signs lack a classical whole-sign ray, so there is no direct contact through that configuration. This is the engine's narrower geometry model: Ptolemy's disjunct signs also lack commanding, obeying, seeing and equal-power affinities. Those further affinities and any particular outcome remain separate.
Domicile means a planet occupies a sign it rules, a form of familiarity that can support its effectiveness. One dignity is one testimony; Ptolemy's multiple-familiarity condition and the planet's nature, configuration and relevant topic still matter.
Exaltation is a planet's designated place of elevation, a form of familiarity that can strengthen its effectiveness. This single dignity neither establishes Ptolemy's multiple-familiarity condition nor makes every outcome favorable; the planet's nature, configuration and relevant topic still matter.
Witnessing means the factors are configured with one another and can contribute testimony through that contact. This row uses whole-sign geometry, rather than requiring exact degree contact. The particular ray describes its character; it does not by itself establish benefit or harm.
Reception is exposed as one supporting component in the planetary-condition balance rather than as automatic rescue.
Spirit concerns mind, disposition, intention and action. Testimony means that another planet participates in the judgment through a recognized configuration. Jupiter and Venus are traditionally benefics, but their name alone does not establish a favorable result; Valens qualifies their effects by configuration, placement and the rest of the judgment.
Spirit concerns mind, disposition, intention and action. Testimony means that another planet participates in the judgment through a recognized configuration. Mars and Saturn are traditionally malefics, but Valens also describes constructive effects when appropriately configured and of their sect. Their name alone does not establish harm.
A body is strongly conditioned only when the composite condition tier and score are backed by visible dignity, sect, place, motion, visibility, reception, and joy ingredients.
Victory concerns confidence, expectation, contest and association, including rewards and penalties. Testimony means that another planet participates in the judgment through a recognized configuration. Jupiter and Venus are traditionally benefics, but their name alone does not establish a favorable result; Valens qualifies their effects by configuration, placement and the rest of the judgment.
Victory concerns confidence, expectation, contest and association, including rewards and penalties. Testimony means that another planet participates in the judgment through a recognized configuration. Mars and Saturn are traditionally malefics, but Valens also describes constructive effects when appropriately configured and of their sect. Their name alone does not establish harm.
Solar visibility problems are preserved as an impairing condition component even when other ingredients are favorable.