Directions are of two kinds, primary and secondary, and are based upon arithmetical calculations of the time of the events caused by the aspects of the significators (that is, of the Sun or the Moon), with the places of the planets. They are founded upon the familiarities of the stars amongst each other in the zodiac (after the nativity), and show, by calculations, the distance of the place of a significator at the moment of the nativity from the place it must reach before it can join the aspect, which distance is called the Arc of Direction. Some astrologers consider what are called "Mundane Directions," which are distances in the world measured by the semi-arc, and are wholly independent of the zodiac. These were invented by Placidus, but as Ptolemy does not treat of them they will not be considered here.
It must always be remembered that—in directions—the place of a planet, at the time of the nativity, is called the planet itself, although it may not be there when the significator arrives; thus, if we wish to direct the Sun to the conjunction of Jupiter, we must do so to the position which that planet occupied at the moment of the nativity. When the Arc of Direction is found the Sun's right ascension must be added to it, and the Sun will be the right ascension (without latitude) of that place in the zodiac at which, when the Sun arrives, the direction will be completed. For every day of the Sun's approach to this point a year must be added, and thus the time when the event is likely to happen is pointed out: these primary directions, however, cannot be depended upon to produce an event of great importance unless the secondary directions agree; but where the nativity is weak the primary direction alone is powerful enough to kill (especially if it should be opposed to the Hyleg), and misfortune will always happen if the positions of the planets, at the moment of birth, are unfortunate, without the coincidence of any secondary direction.
Secondary Directions are those daily aspects to the luminaries which happen after birth, every day of which is reckoned for a year, two hours for a month, thirty minutes for a week, and four minutes for a day.[13] Thus, whatever aspects take place in the first day of the native's life will develop their effects in the first year and those of the second day in the second year, so that, should the native live fifty years, his secondary direction for his fiftieth year will arise from the aspects which took place on the fiftieth day after his birth. The ancient astrologers—particularly the Egyptians—used to predict the events of a nativity wholly from these secondary directions,[14] in which the Moon should be chiefly considered; for in those days on which she comes to an evil aspect with the malefics, Saturn or Mars, the years corresponding to those days will be peculiarly unfortunate and dangerous to the native; and where, on the contrary, the Moon is well-aspected to the benefics, the years corresponding to those days will be very fortunate: a good direction gives prosperity in that matter which the significator indicates; thus we direct the Sun to signify the native's preferment or disgrace, his good or bad health, and the favour or disesteem of great personages.
The direction of the Moon refers to the nature of the native's journeys, whether prosperous or the reverse, his marriage, his wife, his women friends and kinsfolk.
The direction of Saturn signifies the native's inheritance, buildings, possessions, and also his fears, jealousies and mistrusts.
Jupiter is directed as regards glory, renown, riches, children and religion.
Mars is directed for the native's law-suits, animosities and victories; he also shows the estates of brethren.
Venus is directed for marriage, love and pleasure and all matters in connection with women.
Mercury is directed for a knowledge of the amount of wit, understanding, trade, industry, and journeys of the native; also for distinction in scholarship and all intellectual pursuits.
The Horoscope or Ascendant is directed to signify the life, affections and manners of the native.