#decantes

Disclaimer: the topic is vast and there’s lots of dig into, so for here I’m just going to talk about what could be useful. However, feel free to research more on these topics and see what astrologers have to say! Discussions can be very helpful in making informed decisions/information intake. Plus I’m probably missing out on a lot of things, so feel free to add on or make a post talking more about it if you’d like! Discussion is great, and sharing information together in order to encourage and help each other learn is nice. 

Decantes

The decan system originated in Ancient Egypt (2100 BCE) as part of the calendar system. It was found transcribed onto a coffin lids, it was originally based on the constellation - with the first set beginning with Sothis (Sirius) and each set has a corresponding divinity [x] As a measure of time, there are 36 decans that fit nearly perfectly onto the 360′degrees of the circle (10 degrees each, 360 degrees) with 5/6 days extra - note, these were considered to be ‘godless’ days. [x] Each decan originally marked a 10-days period (for Ancient Egyptian) - with the rising and setting of the stars used to mark the time of the night [x]  

It’s also important to consider it’s origins, because Gods and Goddess being assigned certain allotted times/days over their domain helps with understanding how much astronomy play a role in religious and cultural lifestyle. With the Ancient Egyptians - the Egyptian Pantheon and Spirits are considered divine, and having time/days set to make the best use of auspicious influences for certain subjects are important, whether it’s magical inclination, marriage, crops, business or unfavorable times. Sothis as mentioned above, beginning the first set of decan marked when the Nile would flood and thus, why it was important to know the dates for the Egyptians (check out: Sopdet and the Heliacal stars for more details). The main stars were usually given rulership over each set of decans. If you’d like a further reading on the topic that could be much more expansive and fascinating, I’d recommend the book ‘36 faces’ by Austin Coppock explores the different decantes and it’s correspondence in greater details ! [x]

Over-time, this influence became adapted. There was a change by Ptolemaic system (Hellenistic period) where the star sets originally (Ancient Egypt - pre-Hellenistic) were shifted into seven dignitary planet rulership of each sets instead. From the slowest moving to the fastest (thus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, etc.) [x] 

One interesting thing to note about Ptolemaic system is that this was when the geocentric idea came from. Ptolomy (2nd Century Geographer and Astronomer) believed that the earth is the center of the universe and the planets- the sun and moon included evolved around us (seems similar to how the natal chart is geocentric too, but now we know its the Sun we evolve around, there is an option for heliocentric chart as well. But this isn’t on the topic of that yet! ) [x]

Anyways, this is called the Chaldrean system. The “Chaldrean Planetary Order” derived the speed of each planet based on geocentric field - so the order becomes: Saturn - Jupiter - Mars - Sun - Venus - Mercury - Moon. [x] Based on how we assess the speed these planets come to orbit from our perspective.

This system was widely taught and spread, names such as Greco-Egyptian astrologer Teucer (3rd Century) and Roman astrologer Firmicus Maternus (4th cent) [x] The Chaldrean Planetary Decan would look like this (from the astrologydictionary - link to source in the ‘x’ ->[x] )

  So the order in list form:

Aries: Mars/Sun/Venus

Taurus: Mercury/Moon/Saturn

Gemini: Jupiter/Mars/Sun

Cancer: Venus/Mercury/Moon

Leo: Saturn/Jupiter/Mars

Virgo: Sun/Mercury/Mercury

Libra: Moon/Saturn/Jupiter

Scorpio: Mars/Sun/Mercury

Sagittarius: Mercury/Moon/Saturn

Capricorn: Jupiter/Mars/Sun

Aquarius: Venus/Mercury/Moon

Pisces: Saturn/Jupiter/Mars 

Note: 

1) it’s easier to write it out because you get into the flow of things and practice the order yourself, which is easier than remembering it by heart 

2)how these aren’t linked to the signs that have rulership over the planet, but rather the planet itself. It’s a little confusing, but these systems of planetary decans/rulership are considered minor dignitary during the Renaissance and Medieval traditions. You might’ve seen them referred to as ‘faces’ [x] most often coined as a part of essential dignitary by Lilly (so you’d often see ‘Chaldrean Decan’ accredited to Lilly)

As part of the essential dignitary -- wait, so what is essential dignitary?

(source: skyscript [x]) 

So it’s a part of how we define or understand rankings, influences and it’s position. How we assign hierarchy or understand how it’s working in a more structured and detailed manner. Essential dignitaries can be very fun to learn, since it will give us a better discernment and understanding of how certain planets can be working better than others in it’s positions. 

One thing to note about faces/decantes is that it’s very minor. As William Lilly has said:

"A Planet having little or no dignity, but by being in his Decanate or Face, is almost like a man ready to be turned out of doors, having much ado to maintain himself in credit and reputation."

(Christian Astrology - by William Lilly [x] ) 

There are 5 essential dignitaries to consider, and faces/decantes out of all of them may be considered to be the least influential.

However, it’s still fun to learn and start out from here. Since it is a segway into learning about other subjects in astrology. Now that it’s something people are keen on learning and is interested in, it’s a great way to start talking and teaching other subjects as well - these can help with making our practices more accurate and be open to different types of techniques and applications in astrology. Which would potentially benefit one another

Anyways. Yeah. Ok. Chaldrean System explained. How do we use this?

Faces/Decantes

Even though it’s minor, it’s good to start out with trying our steps anyways. But let’s look at some excerpt from ‘Hellenistic Astrology’ book by Chris Brennan first (it’s a v good book.. good value for it’s bucks as well)

This excerpt talks about rising decan used to talk about a person’s appearance and general disposition. Makes sense, but most importantly to what extent should decans be used and what influences does it have on the chart?

Well. Mostly we’d use it when referring the the Ascendant, but it could also be used to look at other planetary faces to see if it’s in a dignified position or not. 

An interesting take on how it’s used from Darkstarsastrology recommend that you could possibly use it to refer to other people in your life and other disposition as well:

Thus, the different planetary decans are essentially part of things bigger than you, divine feminine divine masculine, the mother, the teacher, the power higher/below us, the father. And essentially what you could possibly face in terms of challenges.

Another look at it from the earlier Hellenistic Astrology book:

I want to point you to the last paragraph, referring to ‘the first decan of Aries is given the same planetary ruler as the domicile of Aries as a whole’ because this is very interesting, compared to modern decantes (we’ll talk about that soon) and how it’s first decan is typically the one that is the domicile planetary ruler (i.e. Aries 1st decan - Mars, Taurus 1st decan - Venus, etc.) since the system is based on triplicity instead. 

The Chaldrean system, then, follows the Chaldrean order and each sign progression can often not have it’s domicile ruler in it’s allotted decan. This is different from the modern decans we use now, but doesn’t really make them any less valid. We’re very prone to assuming that things have to have it’s domicile ruler, when that’s not always the case. Sometimes it be like that, and at the same time - we may have taken for granted the ease and relative understandability triplicity based decan system gave us. But that doesn’t make these older system any less interesting to read or expand our visions on.

Essentially the introduction of and correspondence of signs to the planets actually came later as well. Plus, these are minor dignitaries - and essentially planets falling into it’s own face (i.e. Libra Saturn falling into the Saturn face) and help it become a little more dignified - which is what we’re focusing on with faces.

It does make you think about Lilly’s quote from above -  “a man ready to be turned out of doors, having much ado to maintain himself in credit and reputation." - it really be like that sometimes

Anyways, so carrying on from the above:

Note how this is focused on the planet. I think for a lot of new people? The idea of looking at faces and not seeing it’s domicile ruler available and make them feel like oh no then what’s the USE. But actually this can help us expand our vision and truly think about the planets and it’s influence! Rather than be reliant on the signs!

Like yeah, of course it would be nice and make sense if each signs has corresponding faces/decans that is it’s domicile. But also this is a system - one of many that we can learn. The example above - referring to the Aries Sun and how it could fall in the face of Mars, the face of it’s own Sun or the face of Venus. 

Of course the Aries Sun falling into the face of the Sun is when it’s dignified, but the example above and how it’s explained: what you’ll find in each decan, truly helps give us a focus and idea of what to expect in different decans. This could be helpful in determining the different decans and it’s corresponding disposition - but again, the book ‘36 faces’ by Austin Coppock does a great job at exploring these based on ancient texts 

(also pls look away from the ‘shameful lustful’ misogynistic part oh my lord, wbk they’re terrible to women and it seeps into the studies as well) 

Decans (based on Triplicity) 

Moving swiftly along we’re now looking at decans based on triplicity. This is the one that’s most commonly used nowadays, astro.com refers to this as ‘traditional decans’ and here’s what they’re saying:

Note the latter passage, ‘the rulers of the decans are derived from the rulers of the signs of the same element.’ Thus, when we’re referring to the triplets from each element (i.e. fire - aries, sagittarius, leo) we’re referring to it’s rulers.

Triplicity is a little more than this.. I’m probably gonna make another post on it later? Because there are general rulers in terms of triplicity for whether the chart is during the diurnal sect or nocturnal sect. Like say if it’s at night, and you’re looking at the air triplicity - Mercury would be the ruler for the nocturnal sect, whilst during the day - it would be Saturn. For all airs.

Anyways, we’ll talk about that later. So for the decans, this is generally more modern and refers to it’s rulership. 

(from astro.com [x] ) 

These are the ones we’re more familiar with, basically how to get a grasp on this is much simpler. Rather than referring to the Chaldrean order - the first domicile ruler of the sign is essentially it’s first decan. So i.e. 

Aries 1st decan - Mars

Taurus 1st decan - Venus

And what follows through the decan order (remember it’s still segments of 10 degrees) - are the following signs. So you count to the next sign of the same element (triplicity) - if we’re looking at Aries, the next sign of the fire element is Leo. Leo’s ruler - the Sun, is hence the 2nd decan ruler. And then the next sign of the same element - Sagittarius, is the 3rd decan ruler of Aries. 

If we’re looking at Capricorn, the 1st decan is Saturn (domicile ruler of Capricorn). The second earth sign is Taurus, 2nd decan ruler is Venus. The third sign then, is Virgo - thus 3rd decan ruler. You count forward, and if you reach that Pisces-Aries mark, you keep going. Basically. It’s a little simpler to learn, rather than refer to the visible planets and the slowest - fastest movement.

Hm. So. There’s nothing technically? Wrong with these. You can use the ‘traditional’ decans or the Chaldren decan. Generally decans are quite mysterious, mostly because we know of it’s origin - but then we lost a lot of information on the subject/topic and it’s relevancy (i.e. how it’s used and how widely spread it was) during the Ottoman 

So with these, on astro.com you have three decan options:

Oh look there’s a third one. What do??

Manilus Decans

Decans - hm, let’s say ever since the Ancient Egyptian introduces it, afterwards during when the Chaldrean system arises - there’s a lot of other systems that was in competition of what could be the adapted use of decans as well.

Amongst these are the Manilius decans - which is a slightly less popular system but one we might want to talk about. This one is based on the zodiac sign in each decan. 

So one important thing to note: Notice how the Chaldrean and “traditional” refers to the planets being the main part of the decans? This one is referring to the signs. So to lay it out

Aries: Aries, Taurus, Gemini

Taurus: Cancer, Leo, Virgo

Already this might look confusing. Because we might’ve assumed it would go ‘wait, Taurus then Cancer, Leo, Virgo?’ when we think it should’ve been ‘Gemini, Cancer, Leo’. The zodiac sign progression carries on from one another - otherwise we’d have 2 decans for Gemini between Aries and Taurus, making it 20′ degrees whilst the rest gets 10′!

Think about it on the chart... if the start and the end of each decan ‘signs’ gets assigned twice - then the middle one would be uneven and loses out. Thus, we give each one equal sections.

Aries: Aries, Taurus, Gemini

Taurus: Cancer, Leo, Virgo

Gemini: Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius

Cancer: Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces

Leo: Aries, Taurus, Gemini

Virgo: Cancer, Leo, Virgo 

Libra: Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius

Scorpio: Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces

Sagittarius: Aries, Taurus, Gemini

Capricorn: Cancer, Leo, Virgo

Aquarius: Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius

Pisces: Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces

Note: How because these are sets of 3s, and we have 12 zodiac signs, they separate easily into sets of 4s. Thus - we end up with repeating sequences for each triplicity - i.e. Aries, Leo and Sagittarius all have ‘Aries, Taurus, Gemini’ decans if we use the Manilius decans. 

So anyways.. back to the decan system.. here’s what it’ll look like with the Chaldrean System:

This is a chart of a hypothetical person, but as you can see - on astro.com the options shows you the decan underneath the sign (the three separated segments). The Chaldrean decans shows you where each placement lies - so if you’re wanting to look at i.e. if it’s dignified

Let’s look at each placements. Is the moon dignified? It’s in the Venus decan. So no. The rest seems to be similar, except for one dignified by face Mars that is in the Mars decan. This is how it works.

My friend and speculated on whether or not the sign’s rulership matters. Like say if we have a Virgo Venus - would that Virgo Venus falling into the Mercury decan be considered dignified? 

It doesn’t seem like the answer is yes, since the sources I’ve read so far has only referred to strictly the corresponding planet in it’s own planetary rulership. But if anyone has sources that might’ve said otherwise, if possible historically, please feel free to share and let us know.

There’s one other thing I found during my research that could be relevant to the topic of decans, and that is the ‘proper face’

This is an excerpt from Hellenistic Astrology once again. But since the explanation is kinda hard to follow, I’m probably going to try to talk about almugea and proper faces after I’m done with the other stuff (you can read up on the topic or do research on it in the meantime!)

Oh right. Back to the topic. Below is the ‘traditional’ decans on astro.com:

As you can see, the decans here are based on triplicity instead. One thing to note is how the rulers are the traditional ruler, you can get this option by checking the ‘Uranus-Pluto turn on/off’ option:

You can technically have it unchecked like this, and it’ll change the rulership in some of the decans to Uranus, Neptune and Pluto (i.e. Cancer - Moon, Pluto, Neptune) instead of the above example.

Hm. It’s probably easier to look at and see with whole signs - since decan division may get harder to look at if it’s in placidus. See like this:

Plus having the Uranus-Pluto option turned off, as well as whole sign system practiced can probably be good form for when we move onto other topics on this/similar subjects. Since we’re referring to part traditional astrology and this is closer to how it was used/practiced. 

Anyways.. so I hope this post was a good introduction and brought to attention some of the different decan systems used through history. Books are a great place to look further into the subjects, but I know a lot of us might have a hard time figuring out where to start or what to look for. Below are some great resources you might want to look into or read further up on if you want more details on the topic - or just to solidify our understanding of the subject.

Below is a conclusive reminder of what we talked about and faces in the scheme of things - from medieval astrology guide [ x ] - to remind you that there’s so much more to learn. And thus, there are more to our journey after this. 

Seems kinda bleak but hey. We started and got through that! We can move onto bigger things now! 💞💗💓

Sources/Further Readings:

‘Decans’ - Astrowiki

‘Traditional Astrology Options’ - Astro.com 

‘Decans explained’

‘The Zodiacal Decans - Astrological Use & History’ by Darkstarastrology 

Decans in Astrology - Horoscope Within *note this is about modern/’traditional’ decans

Understanding Planetary Dignitary and Debility - Skyscript 

Essential Dignitaries of Planet - Renaissance Astrology 

‘Decans’ - The Astrology Dictionary 

‘36 faces’ by Austin Coppock

‘Hellenistic Astrology’ by Chris Brennan

‘Christian Astrology’ by William Lilly

Ancient Astrology by Tamsyn Barton 

Ancient Astrology in Theory and Practice by Demetra George