Continuing my serious study of classical (Medieval) astrology, I now delve into one of the most famous Arabic Parts, the Part of Fortune.

The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that we can’t negotiate directly with the gods (i.e. the planets). Hence we must approach the gods through their Arabic parts (as shown in our natal charts). It’s rather like praying to a statue with the belief this somehow channels you to the spiritual reality of that which such statue represents.

In the mind-set of the ancient Greeks and Romans, the Sun represents Spirit while the Moon represents matter or physical form.

Algebraically put your Sun and Moon together (bring spirit to matter) along with your ascendant (or ASC = degree on the horizon where the sun rose the day you were born) and this becomes a very personalised pointer to how and where you make money.

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With his culture’s eye for trading and capitalism, the Roman Firmicus Maternus gives us a reliable method for looking at your chart in this way:

Therefore observe who is the ruler of the sign and of the degree of the Part of Fortune, that is, in whose terms the Part is; also in what house each ruler is, whether on first or second angles, in favourable or dejected houses, in their exaltation or fall; whether each ruler is in aspect to the Part of Fortune and if they, on the angles, are in aspect to each other.

When you have carefully investigated all this, then observe who is the ruler of the degree of the Moon (in a nocturnal chart) or of the Sun (in a diurnal chart) and see if this ruler is in aspect to the Part of Fortune. If one planet is found to be the ruler of all these degrees and is favourable located in signs in which he rejoices, or in his exaltation, or in his own house, this indicates a lucky chart. ….

But if there is not one ruler of the sign of the Part of Fortune and of its terms and of the terms of the Sun or the Moon, the one which has the greatest power should be the most important in the forecast.

If none of these stars (planets) is favourable located, the native will be oppressed by ill fortune to the end of his life.

The following is the analysis for Ms X who although she has married into significant wealth, wishes to know her potential to generate wealth in her own name.

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Reminder of the formula set out by that capitalist Roman, Firmicus Maternus:

Therefore observe who is the ruler of the sign and of the degree of the Part of Fortune, that is, in whose terms the Part is; also in what house each ruler is, whether on first or second angles, in favourable or dejected houses, in their exaltation or fall; whether each ruler is in aspect to the Part of Fortune and if they, on the angles, are in aspect to each other.

When you have carefully investigated all this, then observe who is the ruler of the degree of the Moon (in a nocturnal chart) or of the Sun (in a diurnal chart) and see if this ruler is in aspect to the Part of Fortune. If one planet is found to be the ruler of all these degrees and is favourable located in signs in which he rejoices, or in his exaltation, or in his own house, this indicates a lucky chart. ….

But if there is not one ruler of the sign of the Part of Fortune and of its terms and of the terms of the Sun or the Moon, the one which has the greatest power should be the most important in the forecast.

If none of these stars (planets) is favourable located, the native will be oppressed by ill fortune to the end of his life.

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In practice, this works as follows for Ms X (a diurnal chart):

• Her Part of Fortune is 7 Sagittarius 07 = ASC – Sun by day + Moon. It is in the 7^th house (highlighting wealth coming through partnership, in this case by marriage).
• Jupiter rules Sag (Sagittarius)– so Jupiter rules the sign of her Part of Fortune.
• The term ruler of 7 Sag 07 is also Jupiter.
• In the chart of Ms X, Jupiter is at 22 Taurus 50 – spot on conjunct with the ASC (angular in a very big and very good way).
• Jupiter in Taurus is neither in rulership nor exaltation– but it is very happy & exceedingly powerful in this chart. Not only is in conjunct the ASC (life force) but also in trine to the midheaven or MC.
• Does Ms X have capacity to generate riches?
• Absolutely !! (She has already done very well through marriage).
• According to Bonatti’s Liber Hermetis, Jupiter in Taurus (in sect) ‘brings great riches and happiness linked with glory. The person will be the ruler of villas, estates, buildings.’ (NB – Ms X does have homes in several countries). Not only that but she ‘will receive benefits from women and may have a high social profile because of women.’
• Is there potential for it to all go wrong?
• Sadly, yes.
• The Jupiter of Ms X is in the terms of Saturn. Take heed here – for Bonatti warns that because of this, ‘whatever is gained can be lost.’
• To determine how much a problem this might pose, we look to the Sun and Moon and their rulers by term. Both the Sun and Moon are cadent (12^th and 6^th house respectively) which suggests potential to ‘fall from grace’ (at least in regards to wealth). The term rulers of the Sun and Moon (Mars and Mercury respectively) suggest pretty much the same thing (Mars being a malefic and in opposition with Saturn, the other malefic, and Mercury – while not particularly damaged, is out of sect and cadent). Further, we look to the triplicity rulers of her 2^nd house (Gemini = Air) – and are pleased to find that in the 3^rd and final period of her life, Jupiter (in excellent condition) gives her the ability to generate and hold enough wealth to comfortably get by.
• Because this is a diurnal chart (she was born after sunrise), we must also look to the Sun and its rulers to determine ability to achieve and hold wealth.
• The Sun of Ms X is at 27 Pisces 31. Jupiter the ruler by sign of Pisces and we know from our above analysis where that stands.
• The term ruler of 27 Pisces 31 is Mars which in the chart of Ms X, is at 19 Virgo 15 in the 5^th house (succedent). This is not a particularly bad place for Mars nor is it particularly good either. However having said that, Mars does pick up quite a bit of power being is ‘at the bends’ (i.e. in square aspect to the lunar nodes). Unfortunately Mars does not aspect the angles (MC or ASC) nor does it aspect the Part of Fortune.
• Hence Mars and Jupiter are the indicators of the ability of Ms X to generate (and keep) wealth.
• Mars is not in the best of conditions – even though it is very powerful (suggesting it powerfully influences in not particularly helpful ways). According to Bonatti, Mars in Virgo (in sect) indicates ‘dealers in arms and evil men of evil manner who pursue evil purposes’. Oh dear. Best not to take that too literally. Also according to Bonatti, with Mars in the terms of Venus ‘this person will see the death of their partner yet twill have many lovers and beautiful daughters.’ Best not to take this too literally either. Bonatti was writing in the 17^th century and things were quite different then.
• Regarding the best career choice for Ms X – we first look to Mercury (because the Moon is applying to Mercury).
• The Mercury of Ms X is at 15 Aries 24 in the 12^th house (cadent). Cadency suggests little or no power in the ‘establishment’ sense – leaving the focus more on a profession where service is key. Cadency also suggests that Ms X is not so much interested in acquiring personal power or gain through her profession. That’s good because the cadency of her Mercury suggests she is not particularly effective at doing so.
• However Mercury is in its own terms – which suggests that it is amongst friends. According to Bonatti, Mercury in its own terms suggests ‘the person will have rank and share in secret knowledge’. Traditionally Mercury is associated with merchants (buying & selling). In more modern astrology, Mercury is associated with communication of all sorts including writing (the idea of ‘secrets’ is also highlighted by modern astrology through association with the 12^th house). Mercury is not connected with the angles (ASC or MC) and only very widely trines the Part of Fortune. This suggests Ms X may not make much money in professions associated with Mercury.
• Because Mars is ‘at the bends’, it is also a strong significator of profession. Traditionally Mars is linked to the warrior classes. Today it might equate to anything connected arguments/disputes and/or sharp (knife/blade) things – such as being a butcher or surgeon or a judge who resolves disputes in a court of law. The Mars of Ms X is likewise not connected with the angles and again only widely squares the Part of Fortune suggesting she is unlikely to make significant money from these professions.
• However – good news when we look to her status in regards to profession – Venus (1^st triplicity ruler of the 10^th house) – and because Venus is exalted in Pisces (and not cadent) and its own triplicity ruler is Jupiter (strong and connected with the angles) Ms X could achieve some fame (if not fortune) in her chosen profession.
• This is further confirmed by her immensely powerful solar doryphory – or train of attendants – including Venus, Saturn, Mars, Jupiter, Mercury and the Moon. In the chart of Ms X, the Sun has lots of help and support. This is good.
• In summary – Ms X has tremendous potential to accumulate significant wealth (most likely through partnership/marriage) however she equally has the potential to lose it again. This is a real danger. However there is the suggestion that in later life she has the ability to accumulate and hold enough wealth in order to get comfortably by. In regards to profession, careers relating to merchandising, communication, dispute resolution are highlighted and although Ms X is likely to acquire some status and recognition in regards to her career, it is unlikely she will acquire significant wealth from it.