Symbolic Directions in Modern Astrology (Paperback or Softback)

In this book, Charles Carter (1887-1968) seeks a method of astrological forecasting that produces accurate results without the complicated calculations of Primary Directions. To quote Carter, an ideal directional system should fulfil four criteria: 1. No important event should pass without a direction. 2. No direction should pass without an event. 3. Events and directions should correspond narrowly in time. 4. Events and directions should correspond in character. (from page 10) To achieve these goals, Carter examined a number of symbolic systems. Symbolic because they were not based on any actual planetary movement, but rather, were arcs, arbitrarily chosen and then uniformly applied to all factors in the natal chart. In this book, he presents the best of his research. Among the systems of exceptional merit are the One degree, the Naibod (59'8"), the Duodenary (2o30'), the Sub-duodenary (12'30"), the Septenary (4 2/7 o), Novenary (3o20') and the Fractional Measure, which is based on natal aspects. Along the way, Carter's restless mind tackled the subject of death. Here, he discovered what he termed the Measure of Death. He says while it does not always forecast death, the Measure of Death is always present at death. Carter found symbolic directions to have real value in astrological forecasting. His work remains unique. This book was first published in 1929.

C.E.O. Carter (1887 - 1968) was the most outstanding British astrologer of the 20th century. After the death of Alan Leo, Carter ran Leo's Astrological Lodge at the Theosophical Society, from 1920 to the 1952. He was first Principal of the Faculty of Astrological Studies, which he helped found in 1948. He edited The Astrologer's Quarterly from 1926 until 1959.

Carter's books, penetrating & full of unique insights, are ideal for intermediate & advanced astrologers. They are, in fact, virtually in a class by themselves. Instead of a book on synastry, or forecasting, or horary or elections, Carter's books are organic wholes. Instead of treating aspects in one chapter, signs in another, and planets in a third, Carter shows how individual astrological factors combine to create living, breathing people. For example, Carter tells us that a cardinal grand cross has one sort of effect if it falls in succedent houses, quite another if it falls angular. It is this constant interplay of factors, and Carter's brilliant, lucid exposition, that makes his books so precious.