Returns, Progressions, and Directions
These pages document methods and do not claim an OpenFate timing engine; symbolic dates cannot certify life events, deadlines, or outcomes. Scope is explicit.
Overview
Interpolation locates one solar-longitude crossing inside the bracket; it supplies a chart time, not an event promise. This is the worked result for Returns, Progressions, and Directions; it remains conditional and does not turn geometry or timing into a verdict. The comparison method is explicit: Name the technique before calculation, publish its time key, location and zodiac convention, solve every boundary exactly, and compare only commensurable layers.
At a glance
- Topic
- Returns, Progressions, and Directions
- Content family
- return and symbolic timing
- Case inputs
- natal ☉ 10°15′♉; return search bracket t0=10°10′ and t1=10°20′; same zodiac declared
- Measured finding
- interpolation locates one solar-longitude crossing inside the bracket; it supplies a chart time, not an event promise
- OpenFate support
- astrology reading
- Use boundary
- conditional · source-audited · non-fated
Explore concepts
- return and symbolic timing · Solar Return
Solar Return
A solar return is calculated for the instant the transiting Sun returns to its natal ecliptic longitude, usually once per tropical year. Scope is explicit.
Read definition - return and symbolic timing · Lunar Return
Lunar Return
A lunar return is the recurring instant when the transiting Moon reaches the natal Moon’s chosen zodiac longitude. Scope is explicit.
Read definition - return and symbolic timing · Saturn Return
Saturn Return
A Saturn return is not a universal crisis deadline and cannot establish maturity, marriage, career loss, illness, or death. Scope is explicit.
Read definition - return and symbolic timing · Jupiter Return
Jupiter Return
A Jupiter return occurs when transiting Jupiter reaches natal Jupiter’s longitude, sometimes more than once because of retrograde motion. Scope is explicit.
Read definition - return and symbolic timing · Venus Return
Venus Return
A Venus return is an exact recurrence of natal Venus longitude; its roughly annual timing is disrupted by Venus retrograde cycles. Scope is explicit.
Read definition - return and symbolic timing · Mars Return
Mars Return
A Mars return is the exact return of transiting Mars to natal Mars longitude, on an irregular interval shaped by retrograde motion. Scope is explicit.
Read definition - return and symbolic timing · Planetary Returns Overview
Planetary Returns Overview
Return cycles are not interchangeable clocks and do not divide a life into guaranteed chapters or outcomes. Scope is explicit.
Read definition - return and symbolic timing · Secondary Progressions
Secondary Progressions
Secondary progression maps one day after birth to one year of life, creating a symbolic derived date rather than a current sky. Scope is explicit.
Read definition - return and symbolic timing · Progressed Moon
Progressed Moon
The progressed Moon does not prove a mood, pregnancy, relocation, family event, or monthly deadline. Scope is explicit.
Read definition - return and symbolic timing · Progressed Lunar Phase
Progressed Lunar Phase
Progressed lunar phase is the normalized angular separation between progressed Moon and progressed Sun on the symbolic derived date. Scope is explicit.
Read definition - return and symbolic timing · Solar Arc Directions
Solar Arc Directions
Solar arc directs every natal point by the same arc traveled by the progressed Sun from its natal longitude. Scope is explicit.
Read definition - return and symbolic timing · Primary Directions
Primary Directions
Primary directions project celestial points through the Earth’s diurnal rotation using a specified sphere model and direction key. Scope is explicit.
Read definition - return and symbolic timing · Annual Profections
Annual Profections
Annual profection advances the natal Ascendant or house focus by one sign per year in a repeating twelve-year cycle. Scope is explicit.
Read definition - return and symbolic timing · Zodiacal Releasing
Zodiacal Releasing
Zodiacal releasing is a Hellenistic time-lord technique that releases from a selected lot through sign periods at nested levels. Scope is explicit.
Read definition
Definition and exact scope
Fourteen guides distinguish astronomical returns, symbolic progressions, solar arc and primary directions, and traditional time-lord calendars.
Calculation or decision rule
Name the technique before calculation, publish its time key, location and zodiac convention, solve every boundary exactly, and compare only commensurable layers. The receipt retains the chosen input record, reference frame, tolerance, and version, then identifies the first step where an independent recalculation diverges.
Worked case and illustrative near miss
natal ☉ 10°15′♉; return search bracket t0=10°10′ and t1=10°20′; same zodiac declared. interpolation locates one solar-longitude crossing inside the bracket; it supplies a chart time, not an event promise.
Illustrative near miss; does not qualify: Using the calendar birthday at midnight as the solar return without solving the longitude crossing.
School, model, and context variants
These pages document methods and do not claim an OpenFate timing engine; symbolic dates cannot certify life events, deadlines, or outcomes.
Product, safety, and verification boundary
OpenFate connects Returns, Progressions, and Directions only to its implemented bounded reading; it exposes no unsupported calculator. Returns, Progressions, and Directions preserves contrary observations and uncertainty. It cannot replace consent, professional help, location research, or a person’s account.
Sources and editorial basis
- NCGR-PAA Level III CurriculumNCGR-PAA Level III Curriculum, “Synastry” and “Solar Return”, pp. 2–3; “Classical Astrology: Timing”, p. 3; forecast bibliography, pp. 5–6The NCGR-PAA advanced curriculum lists the inputs, calculation distinctions, and synthesis steps taught for synastry, composite and Davison charts, solar and lunar returns, transits, progressions, solar arcs, and profections. It documents professional curriculum scope, not empirical validation.
- Astrodienst Chart Type and Calculation MethodsAstrodienst Chart Types help, “Progressed Composite Chart, reference place method” heading and paragraphs defining Secondary Progression, solar arc, and calculation optionsAstrodienst chart-type documentation used to distinguish real-time transits, symbolic day-for-year secondary progressions, directed angles, and mathematical relationship charts. Calculation conventions must be named before interpretation.
- Organization for Professional Astrology: Code of EthicsOPA Code of Ethics §1(c) Accurate Data, §1(j) Fatalistic Statements and client autonomy, and §2(f) Scope of Practice and referralAn independent practitioner code covering accurate data, confidentiality, client welfare, informed practice, competence, and referral boundaries.