Casting Method?

[Brother BhDA]

So, how many of you calculate your charts by hand and how many use software? If software, what's your favourite?

I learned how to do it by hand and, once it was no longer a requirement, I used software; saved me several hours of my life. I use Astrolog, which is a wonderful little free ware program.

b'shalom
-Bro. BhDA

[simi]

I use SolarFire (just upgraded to the newest version), which is the same software behind www.astro.com

Its a really good package, its a bit more expensive than some others, but it comes with so much included that is extra/add-ons in other's so the price works out very well for the features you get. I still don't know how half if it works, but I'm not a wonderful astrologer. I use it mostly for horary work, and the occasion look at natal charts and transits.

I've used io sprite for Mac's a bit also, which is a nice program.

[Brother BhDA]

I used to have that, and really enjoyed it. Alas, I couldn't get the older version to work on Vista, so back to astrolog. As I recall, it has a really nice lat/long look-up feature as well.

b'shalom
-Bro. BhDA

[Frater Yechidah]

I usually use astro.com, but I'm working on the "by hand" method, slow and painful though that may be. See you in 10 years

LVX,
Dean.

[simi]

I used to have that, and really enjoyed it. Alas, I couldn't get the older version to work on Vista, so back to astrolog. As I recall, it has a really nice lat/long look-up feature as well.

b'shalom
-Bro. BhDA

Yes, it has a good mapping feature that comes standard. I had success running version 5 on Vista after setting the compatability settings to work as if in Windows 98. The upgrade to v7 was recently half price so I jumped on it. There are some new tricks for stationary objects and such that for horary work was really appealling. And the graphics for charts are much improved which is nice as I print for others fairly often.

[Brother BhDA]

10 years sounds about right. I could never get the method in Self-Initiation to work for me. If you have the Michelsen Book of Tables there is a workable method in there.

These day's I've been interested in Renaissance astrology, though I don't know that the actual casting methods are any different than what's used today.

b'shalom
-Bro BhDA

[Bráthair FnB]

While I know a few astrologers most seem to use software these days, I'm sure though there are benefits to learning the "by hand" method as well. Anyone care to speculate or rant?

[Brother BhDA]

Most importantly, I would imagine, doing it by hand gives you an understanding of what is actually going on; i.e. it gives you a view to the underpinnings of how the technical aspects of astrology work and, in theory, a glimpse into the workings of the universe. Well, tiny part of the universe anyway.

Other than that, there is the mental discipline aspect and, most importantly, you can make your students do it because you had to do it too.

b'shalom
-Bro. BhDA

[Celestials]

Used to cast charts by hand and once learned it's not difficult, but I've forgotten how to do it!

Just got Janus software from Australia -- it has the German 90 degree wheels for the Uranian system.

[Solor astrum]

my mum did my chart by hand years ago, for years i thought my raising sign was sagitruis. one day my friend did it on the computer and it was scorpio opps.