Egyptian Terms (Bounds)

Definition

The Egyptian terms (Greek horia, Latin termini, "limits or boundaries") are a way of splitting each 30-degree zodiac sign into five unequal stretches, each handed to one of the five non-luminary planets — Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, and Mercury. The widths and the order of rulers change from sign to sign and follow no neat geometric rule, which suggests the system grew by tradition and experience rather than by calculation. It is one of three classical bounds-systems, alongside the Chaldean and Ptolemy's revised set, and was used by almost every Greek-Hellenistic astrologer.

In Tradition

For Holden, Brennan, and Crane, the Egyptian terms are the bounds-system that dominated classical practice. In Tetrabiblos I.21 Ptolemy records them as the standing tradition before offering his revised "Ptolemaic" set. Holden notes that in ancient texts the lord of the terms "was almost more important than the sign ruler." The five planetary year-totals from the Egyptian terms — Saturn 57, Jupiter 79, Mars 66, Venus 82, Mercury 76, summing to 360 — give the major-years figures used in length-of-life work.

In Practice

In traditional practice an astrologer uses the Egyptian-terms table to find which planet rules the terms each planet falls in — and the terms of the Ascendant degree — then weighs the terms-lord's state alongside the sign-lord's when reading the chart. A planet in its own terms is considered strengthened; in Lilly's 5-point grading of essential dignity, ruling its own terms is worth +2 points. A planet in its own terms and its own sign is doubly strengthened; a malefic (a planet that tends to bring difficulty) in the terms of a benefic (one that tends to help) is softened, and a benefic in the terms of a malefic is weakened. The terms-lord acts as a secondary signifier in horary, natal, and electional work — and it matters especially for the Lots, for length-of-life procedures (where the terms-lord at the hyleg degree is one candidate for the alcochoden), and for reading primary directions.

Historical Origin

The Egyptian terms are attested in Vettius Valens, Anthologiae I (about 145-175 CE), in Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos I.21 (2nd century CE; Ptolemy records the Egyptian set as the standing tradition before introducing his revised version), and in Dorotheus, Carmen Astrologicum (1st century CE). Modern coverage: Holden, A History of Horoscopic Astrology (2nd ed., 2006); Brennan, Hellenistic Astrology (2017); Crane, Practical Guide to Traditional Astrology.

Definition

In Tradition

In Practice

Historical Origin

Further Reading