Pre-Descendant

Definition

The Pre-Descendant (Greek prodynon) is the place sixth from the Horoskopos in whole-sign reckoning — the place "pre-ascending" the Descendant. In Hephaistio's exposition of Ptolemy's doctrine of bodily injuries and ailments, it joins the two pivots, the Ascendant and the Descendant, as a third critical place to watch. It is named for its role in that injury technique, not as a general label for the sixth house.

In Tradition

Hephaistio, transmitting Ptolemy, directs the astrologer to observe the two pivots and the Pre-Descendant carefully and to note how the malefic stars are configured to them. A malefic in any of these three places — or squaring or opposing the degrees that pre-ascend them — is cause to suspect bodily injuries and ailments. The suspicion sharpens when one or both lights happen to be pivotal and the malefics either ascend after them or pre-ascend them. The Pre-Descendant earns its place in the doctrine as the third site, beyond the two pivots, where malefic configuration warns of bodily harm.

In Practice

When you work Ptolemy's technique for injuries and ailments, do not stop at the Ascendant and Descendant — add the Pre-Descendant, the sixth place from the rising sign, as the third site to inspect. Check whether a malefic sits in any of the three, or throws a square or opposition onto the degrees pre-ascending them. Weigh the warning more heavily when a luminary is itself on a pivot and a malefic rises just after it or just before it. Treat the place here strictly in its injury-doctrine role; this is the named Pre-Descendant of that technique, not the everyday sixth house of work or illness in the general sense.

Historical Origin

The place is named by Hephaistio of Thebes, Apotelesmatics Book II (in Robert Schmidt's Project Hindsight translation, pp. 58-59), transmitting Ptolemy's doctrine of bodily injuries and ailments from Tetrabiblos Book III. There the two pivots and the Pre-Descendant, sixth from the Horoskopos, are set out together as the places to examine for malefic configuration.

Etymology

Origin: Greek. Meaning: the place pre-ascending the Descendant.

Further Reading

• Hephaistio of Thebes, Apotelesmatics
• Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos