Notes on Profections

Profections are a symbolic method of moving a chart forward in time. With annual profections, the chart starts at birth with the first house, and is moved forward at the rate of one house per year. So, first birthday goes to house 2, 2nd birthday to house 3, and so on. At age 12 the profection returns to house 1 and the cycle repeats.

Profections can also be done in different time scales. Examples: Monthly profections move one sign per month in a year starting at the birthday. Within a month, profections move one sign per 2.5 days or 12 signs per 30 day month.

Time Lords

In traditional astrology not all of the planets are equally active at once. With Time Lords, the planets take turns being activated. The houses ruled by the planet, and the house where the planet is located, become active.

Time Lords and Profections

When a profection activates a house, the domicile lord of that house is also activated. Any planets that are in the profected house are also activated.

Things to look at in evaluating a profection.

- which house, its area of life.

- the Lord of the house, its location (by house and sign), general dignities, and aspects.

- any planets in the profected house, their condition by dignity and aspect, and the houses they rule.

Profections, Time Lords and Transits

Annual profections and their lords are used in evaluating the important of transits for the year. The location and condition of the domicile lord at the birth day, and the transits of the domicile lord, are especially important.

Note that, in evaluating the effect of a transit with a time lord, the location and condition of the planet in the natal chart is more important than the location and condition at the transit.

For Further Reference

Persian Nativities III : Abu Ma‘shar's On the Revolutions of the Years of Nativities, translated by Dr. Benjamin Dykes