Planetary Years

Definition

Planetary Years are a Hellenistic system that gives each of the seven traditional planets three year-numbers — minor (or least), middle (or mean), and major (or greatest). Astrologers use them in lifespan calculations and in time-lord techniques such as the decennials and Valens-style aphesis (a "releasing" of a chart point through the signs). A planet's minor years match its shortest characteristic period, its major years its longest, and the middle is the mean of the two.

In Tradition

In Hellenistic and medieval traditional practice, the major years (Saturn 57, Jupiter 79, Mars 66, Sun 120, Venus 82, Mercury 76, Moon 108) come from adding up each planet's Egyptian terms — for the five non-luminary planets — and from separate traditions for the Sun and Moon. The minor years match observed return-periods: Jupiter about 12 years, Venus 8, Mercury about 20 in its synodic cycle.

In Practice

Astrologers apply planetary years in two main areas. In lifespan work, the alcochoden — the planet with the strongest essential dignity at the hyleg's degree — grants its year-number as the baseline length of life: a well-dignified alcochoden gives its major years, a moderately placed one its middle years, a weakened one its minor years. Aspects from benefic planets add years; aspects from malefics subtract them. In time-lord aphesis (Valens, Anthologiae IV-V), the minor-year value of a sign's ruling planet — sometimes called by the Greek elakhistoi — is how long the time-lordship lingers in that sign before moving on; the same numbers, read as months instead of years, produce the sub-periods of the decennials scheme.

Historical Origin

The values are tabulated in Vettius Valens, Anthologiae (Book IV), referenced by Ptolemy in Tetrabiblos III, and elaborated by Dorotheus of Sidon and by Firmicus Maternus in Mathesis II and VI. The Arabic transmission — Abu Ma'shar, Sahl, and Bonatti's Liber Astronomiae — preserves all three classes of year under the names firdar, alfridaria, and the major-minor terminology.

Etymology

Origin: Latin. Meaning: Years of the planets.

Definition

In Tradition

In Practice

Historical Origin

Etymology

Further Reading