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Most astrology software fits into one of two categories: programs that calculate
a variety of astrological charts and tables, and programs that interpret
chart factors. TimePassages is one of the very few that excels in both areas.
For the practicing astrologer,
TimePassages offers natal, Secondary progressed, Solar Arc directed, Solar
and Lunar return, Composite, relocated, and transit charts. You can choose
from Equal, Koch, Placidus, and Campanus house systems, display the four
major asteroids and the comet Chiron, and create sets of different aspect
orbs for natal, transiting, progressed, and comparison work. The program
displays additional information about charts, such as the sole dispositor,
leading planet, focus planet, ascendant ruler, the major aspect pattern
(e.g. t-square), overall chart pattern (e.g. funnel chart), and a table
of elements and modes. The program has excellent accuracy and covers the
period from 1500-2150.
Among the many
unique capabilities of TimePassages is its depiction of the strength of
aspect lines by varying their thickness. Stronger aspects are displayed
as thicker lines, and weaker aspects as thinner lines. You can select
the orbs at which thicker lines are shown, as well as the amount of thickness
at each level.
TimePassages
does a very good job of showing bi-wheels, with a second person's chart,
or the progressed, directed, or transiting planets, around a natal chart,
complete with interaspect lines between the two charts. Even more powerful,
and also uniquely implemented, is the program's ability to animate the
biwheels of transits, progressions, and directions around a natal chart.
You can select the rate of animation (a minute, hour, day, week, month,
quarter, or year per tick) forward or backwards in time, adjust the animation
rate slower or faster as you watch the changes take place, and see all
of the aspects forming and subsiding.
Also unique is the inclusion
of the complete ACS U.S. and World electronic atlases for such a low additional
price. Most companies charge $100 for the ACS Atlas. People who purchase
the TimePassages version without the atlas can also upgrade for $59 later.
The ACS electronic atlas is an essential utility that automatically enters
the correct longitude, latitude, time zone, and time changes (e.g. daylight
savings time) for about 300,000 cities throughout the world.
It
is the inclusion of interpretations for both natal factors and transiting
events that makes TimePassages an incredibly valuable program for both
the general public and students of astrology. All of the interpretations
can be viewed either one at a time by clicking on planets, aspect lines,
or interaspect lines in a chart wheel or biwheel, or as full reports that
can be both viewed and printed out.
Lengthy
and often well-written paragraphs interpret not only each natal planet,
chiron, and the asteroids by sign and house, but also aspect lines between
planets. The natal report also thoughtfully focuses the reader on the
planets which are activated by chart patterns and aspect patterns, and
the aspects that are the strongest in the chart. Here's an example:
The Sun represents
will and purpose, the sense of vitality, and the evolving higher Self.
In Cancer it is Cardinal-Water and rules the stomach and breasts. Cancerians
are nurturing and protective of others. Your ruling planet is the Moon,
and you tend to be moody, with your emotions constantly changing. Cancer
people are usually security-conscious. Your home is important to you.
You are apt to appear passive, and to rely on your feelings. You are subtle,
rather than direct, and are likely to reflect the moods of those around
you. You are likely to be involved with the past in some way, because
the sign of Cancer, the sign of nurturing, protecting, sustaining, is
strongly tied to the past, and the principle of Karma. As a Cancer person,
you tend to collect the residue of past experience and hold onto it, as
a coloration of present activities, leading you to instinctual action.
You can benefit from shedding the light of conscious reason on your habitual
patterns, and focusing on your true goals.
TimePassages
can create transit hit lists for transits by Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus,
Neptune and Pluto, with or without interpretive text. The transit reports
can be 3, 6, or 12 months in length, sorted by beginning or exact date
or transiting planet, for any time zone, entering orb, and date. The program
lists (and interprets) both the ingresses of these planets into houses
and the major and minor aspects they make to other planets (and to Chiron)
in the chart. The interpretations are definitely worth including, and
elucidate the meaning of each event. Here's an example:
Transiting Neptune in semi-square with natal Chiron
1/12/99, exact 2/7/99, ends 3/9/99
This can be a somewhat stressful
period of time for you. What is affected that part of yourself that is
a dissolver of old structures, for the purpose of making way for some
hitherto unseen aspect of yourself to emerge, and you are likely to undergo
a transformation of your spiritual values at this time. You may experience
a tension between an old and outmoded way of being and a new vision of
what could be possible. The shadow side is disappointment with yourself,
for not being further along on the path you envision, and there could
be confusion about what you truly want at this time. But the joy of this
spiritual journey of discovery comes from making peace with yourself and
beginning to fulfill your dreams. Something new, deep inside you, is awaiting
birth. There are angels in the woodwork calling out for you to listen
with your inner senses. You are dreaming a new realization into being
for yourself, ultimately a new world, since the world is really what we
are dreaming into being with each new moment. If you dream wisely at this
time, you can make a difference, for yourself, and for others around you
as well.
The crown jewel of the interpretations offered
by TimePassages is the optional ($119) Synastry Module. This may very well
be the best chart comparison report on the market, with in-depth and stunningly
accurate delineations of all of the interaspects between two people's charts.
The
report also reveals both general and romantic meanings to each interaspect.
Many of the interpretations are too lengthy (up to 25 lines!) to quote
here. Here's one of the shorter sections:
Hank's Mars in strong sextile (within 0.6 degrees) with Penny's Sun
This aspect, of Sun in flowing relation with partner's Mars, symbolizes
positive self-expression, action, and mobility in your partnership energy,
together with a sense of shared purpose. Together, you will be capable
of rapid progress toward your goals, with up attitudes, helpfulness and
just going for it. You will find abundant support by Hank for the strong
leadership of Penny, as you keep focus on the mutual awareness of vital
life pursuits, and your drive to succeed together.
In a romantic context, physical
attraction and sexual compatibility is strong. You may be inclined as
a couple toward exercise and athletics. Together, you are fiery and determined,
and ignite each other with drive and passion. This aspect symbolizes the
principle of energy and motivation. You may be destined to accomplish
much as a partnership, especially since there is likely to be support
for permitting self-expression and independence in each other. Your passionate
drive together leads to much doing, and enjoyable physical expression.
There can be a sense of leading others as well, or taking charge of life
together.
For those who wish to sell the reports that TimePassages creates, a one-time
commercial license is available for $300. Considering the quality of the
reports, this is a very good deal. The program also comes with a 30 day
money back guarantee, which is unheard of in the astrology business. Clearly
its author cares about his customers.
TimePassages succeeds wonderfully as the only program offering both a good
range of charts and calculations, and a fine set of interpretive reports.
It is also the only Western program offered for both PC and Mac users, and
therefore will please a much wider audience. We are fortunate to have this
software available to us.
Hank Friedman - as seen in the May, 2000 issue of American
Astrology.
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