Book Review: Primary Directions by Martin Gansten

Primary Directions: Astrology's Old Master Technique, by Martin Gansten

Primary Directions: Astrology's Old Master Technique
by Martin Gansten

Wessex Astrologer, ISBN 10: 1902405390, 206 pages; 2009. £13.50 + P&P.

Reviewed by Deb Houlding

Not so very long ago, no astrologer would have ventured into professional practice without the astronomical and mathematical knowledge of how to calculate primary directions, as well as the practical experience of knowing what they mean. During the Renaissance, directions were viewed as the one of the most important components of predictive astrology, as can be seen in the natal volume of Lilly's Christian Astrology, which features a substantial treatment of the meaning of directions made to prominent planets, angles and fixed stars.

But within the last century, primary directions have become all but forgotten. Alan Leo was one of the few 20th century astrologers who offered a (bumbling) attempt at making the technique accessible. Since he was leading the drive towards modernisation, popularisation and simplification, his support was always going to be half-hearted. The injury imposed upon this once highly-valued technique is illustrated in this telling mid-20th century assessment:

Some practitioners use so-called Primary Directions, which require exacting mathematical calculations. These are not widely employed in this age of 'instant astrology'. In any case they are far too complicated for elderly ladies who dabble with horoscopes in suburban back parlours. (Gansten, p.26).

Primary directions, as a technique, is not beyond the ken of the average committed astrologer - in fact the average committed astrologer is a comparatively intelligent and well educated individual* - but it does require a level of application and personalisation; hence it does not fit the profile of popular 'cook-book' astrology. The upshot for modern astrologers is that primary directions have been assumed to require such a mastery of mathematics and technical astronomy that even the mainstream astrology software developers have steered clear of the subject altogether.

So what has been needed for a long time is a no-nonsense text, which can offer a well informed outline of the topic as a whole, and then work towards shading in the details in a simple to understand style. Martin Gansten has perfectly fulfilled the task. Assuming no prior knowledge, his book begins with an overview and a history of the subject. It then breaks the subject apart - so that the various elements and terms are explained - before putting it all back together again so that the student can apply the technique in practice. There is also a summary of current software help at the back of the book, so that once the theory is properly understood, astrologers can become informed on the options available regarding automated tools.

The feedback from the members of this site speaks for itself as a testimony to how important this work is, and how well it has been received by astrological students and practitioners. What I personally want to add, is that this work has been vitally important for generating a renewed focus of attention upon a time-honoured technique that was in danger of being made redundant. Because of the way Martin has made the subject available and understandable, and raised it back to prominence, I feel sure that sometime in the future it will seem bizarre that any recognised astrology diploma, or software tool could go to market without having the topic of primary directions centrally featured, just as they were in the past. For that I want to say "well done Martin - and thank you very much!"

Deb Houlding
September, 2009
* - Independent site statistics show that this site has a high index of Graduates and Post Graduates.

COMMENTS FROM THE ASTROLOGER'S FORUM [ Add comment ]


	posted by Tom, 07-Aug-2009 12:32

"I had to fight for those chapter summaries! "

Glad you did and please send our appreciation to the publisher so that it might be done with other books.

Tom


	posted by Martin Gansten, 04-Aug-2009 23:28

Once again, thanks to everyone for your kind words! I just returned from Nottingham, where 25 or so of us spent a very pleasant weekend going over some of the material presented in the book. Deb deserves special thanks for making everything run so smoothly, and for taking the initiative in the first place! :'


	posted by Estebon_Duarte, 30-Jul-2009 22:39

I completely agree more with all of the above reviews. I had the book for only 1 week (i misplaced it somewhere :, ) and I had years of confusing technicalities cleared up for me instantly!
even though i've gone mad looking for it, your work has helped greatly thanks Martin!!


	posted by Mark, 30-Jul-2009 20:51

[quote:205db26871]This is one of the finest astrological texts I've encountered - the writing is clear, precise and accessible without denying the complexity of the subject matter; and I'm understanding the mechanics of primary direction to a degree that I wouldn't have thought possible, given my limited mathematical background.

There is more carefully thought-through and gracefully-presented information within these pages than in many works of three times the length. You provide your reader with soil and seed for a rich harvest, indeed. Thank you very much for your work.[/quote:205db26871]

I couldn't agree more. I do believe your work will become an astrological classic. Its fills a massive gap for the whole astrological community that has been sorely needed. For the non-mathematically minded amongst us like myself it makes the subject far more approachable and dispells many myths. I am sure your book will remain the definitive book on the subject for decades to come. Unless you yourself write a second edition!


	posted by Mark, 30-Jul-2009 20:43

[quote:886fa3075c]That's how I'd like to study a book - by sleeping on it [/quote:886fa3075c]

Thats a great idea. Maybe Martin could produce a tape version of his book allowing us to wake up able to calculate Primary directions by hand..... :lala

Ah Cagliostro is beautiful. What a cool cat. I know how he feels. Primary directions are hard work. :)


	posted by Astraea, 30-Jul-2009 18:00

Gjiada, Cagliostro is magnificent! And Deb, I agree with you completely - we need to be able to download enormous files while we sleep (hopefully we would look as relaxed and elegant as Cagliostro in the process).


	posted by Deb, 30-Jul-2009 15:32

That's how I'd like to study a book - by sleeping on it :)


	posted by margherita, 30-Jul-2009 15:02

I cannot resist, Cagliostro studying Martin's book

[img:5c0ff04640]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/gjiada/S6301325.jpg[/img:5c0ff04640]

margherita


	posted by Martin Gansten, 29-Jul-2009 22:15

Thank [i:654f0a8510]you[/i:654f0a8510]! I am blushing to my hair roots. :D It makes me happy to see the very things I felt to be most important being so much appreciated.


	posted by Astraea, 29-Jul-2009 18:55

Martin, thank you for fighting for those chapter summaries! They, and the glossary, are invaluable - it is such a help to have them for reference when working through complicated ideas, and when a nudge to the memory is called for. I am also very grateful for your well organized bibliography and index.

This is one of the finest astrological texts I've encountered - the writing is clear, precise and accessible without denying the complexity of the subject matter; and I'm understanding the mechanics of primary direction to a degree that I wouldn't have thought possible, given my limited mathematical background.

There is more carefully thought-through and gracefully-presented information within these pages than in many works of three times the length. You provide your reader with soil and seed for a rich harvest, indeed. Thank you very much for your work.


	posted by Martin Gansten, 29-Jul-2009 9:21

Thanks, Mark. Sorry to hear you can't make the workshop, but glad you like the book. (I had to fight for those chapter summaries! :D )

I grow more fond of the UK (not least Edinburgh!) with every visit, so feel free to recommend inviting me. ;)


	posted by Mark, 28-Jul-2009 22:22

Hello Martin,

I just wanted to thank you for your new book. I have had it since last week and its been a real pleasure to read.

I have been consciously taking my time reading and re-reading sections to ensure I am grasping your points correctly. Hence i have only made it to Chapter 4.

I love the way the book summarises all the key points at the end of each chapter. Thats very helpful and quite novel in an astrological book. :'

Sadly, I am not now going to be able to make your workshop in Nottingham for personal reasons. Its a deep regret. I had so much looked forward to being able to hear you on this subject.

I can only hope the UK Astrological Association will have the good sense to invite you over to run a similar one day workshop in future. However, I expect you are likely to be in demand in a lot of places in future. :)


	posted by Eddy, 28-Jul-2009 13:33

[quote:7f6e5ef69d][quote:7f6e5ef69d]I see you mention Placido's Part of Fortune too, I'm sure that with your book and with Morinus which includes it many are going to use it. [/quote:7f6e5ef69d]
I should perhaps say that I don't use it myself. I'd be delighted to see three or four examples where the PoF (calculated by whatever method!) is obviously useful in directions, particularly as hyleg. That would motivate me to use it more.[/quote:7f6e5ef69d]
Although I hardly look at the PoF (perhaps I should do it more) the use of the Placidus PoF doesn't attract me because in some cases at high latitudes on Earth the calculation of it is impossible. Even the method described by Wackford won't be of any help. Example: If Sun is on Cusp X and Moon on Cusp XII (Placidus) then the PoF would be considered to be on Cusp III. Since in some cases the Placidus system as used by Wackford doesn't have houses II, III and more (see http://skyscript.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4555 ), there will be no 'place' where the PoF could be situated.

I'm sorry if I mention polar issues time by time. I have no bad intentions with it but I see problems that in my opinion shouldn't be denied. I just saw Mark's new topic appear, so I will place some remarks over there.

[quote:7f6e5ef69d]
http://www.cieloeterra.it/articoli.sorti/sorti.html
http://www.cieloeterra.it/eng/eng.articoli.sorti/eng.sorti.html[/quote:7f6e5ef69d]I saw a very little mistake. Perhaps barely worth mentioning, but since people who want to repeat the calculations might get confused and therefore discouraged to do (pocket calculator) hand calculating..

[quote:7f6e5ef69d="cielo e terra somewhere in the middle of the article"]Moon 65°16'47" + 21°40'02" 41°27'36" 23°49'00" [/quote:7f6e5ef69d]The last value (AD/DA) should be 23°49'11" (RA - OA).


	posted by margherita, 28-Jul-2009 12:25

[quote:3b0b404a9e="Martin Gansten"]
Perhaps I should just learn the language a little better so that I can read it properly.[/quote:3b0b404a9e]
whatever you cannot understand because of the language you could write me, you know.
And yes CieloeTerra site is very rich, it's pity they don't translate more.

[quote:3b0b404a9e]
By all means do, and let me know if you find any mistakes. They have been checked repeatedly, but I am not infallible![/quote:3b0b404a9e]
Well, generally I do again calculations in order to understand better examples, human nature is doomed to mistake, Perfection is just of God, and I'm not in search of perfection.

Now i'm running at home in order to start the book,

margherita


	posted by Martin Gansten, 28-Jul-2009 11:36

Glad you got the book, Margherita. :)

[quote:d6bf543a55]I see you mention Placido's Part of Fortune too, I'm sure that with your book and with Morinus which includes it many are going to use it. [/quote:d6bf543a55]
I should perhaps say that I don't use it myself. I'd be delighted to see three or four examples where the PoF (calculated by whatever method!) is obviously useful in directions, particularly as hyleg. That would motivate me to use it more.

[quote:d6bf543a55]Here, when Giancarlo explained to his students, people were a little shocked. Anyway in CieloeTerra they don't use that formula, they prefer a slight variant from two Placido's students, Brunacci and Onorati.
Maybe they wrote something on it on their site[/quote:d6bf543a55]
I knew of this article (in Italian and English) since before:
http://www.cieloeterra.it/articoli.sorti/sorti.html
http://www.cieloeterra.it/eng/eng.articoli.sorti/eng.sorti.html
Looking around, I also found this, only in Italian as far as I could see:
http://www.cieloeterra.it/articoli.sorteoraria/sorteoraria.html
Perhaps I should just learn the language a little better so that I can read it properly.

[quote:d6bf543a55]I look forward to check examples with Morinus, I'm a Virgo Sun, I did the same with Kolev. :)[/quote:d6bf543a55]
By all means do, and let me know if you find any mistakes. They have been checked repeatedly, but I am not infallible!


	posted by margherita, 28-Jul-2009 10:25

Hello Martin,

Thanks, I had my copy this morning while going to work so i could start reading on the bus :)

I see you mention Placido's Part of Fortune too, I'm sure that with your book and with Morinus which includes it many are going to use it.

Here, when Giancarlo explained to his students, people were a little shocked. Anyway in CieloeTerra they don't use that formula, they prefer a slight variant from two Placido's students, Brunacci and Onorati.
Maybe they wrote something on it on their site, myself I vote for keeping things easier, I'm a little lazy

I look forward to check examples with Morinus, I'm a Virgo Sun, I did the same with Kolev. :)

I'm very happy to have your book and I would have the possibility to fly in England, but this is more difficult.
Just think a little about what I told you, :sg

margherita


	posted by Minderwiz, 23-Jul-2009 17:31

My copy arrived from Amazon yesterday and I know Wessex Astrologer sent out copies for arrival on previous day.

I'm only up to Chapter 3 but it is just what I was looking for!

Thanks Martin


	posted by Ed F, 21-Jul-2009 18:38

Yes, I ordered it yesterday. Looking forward to it.

- Ed


	posted by Martin Gansten, 21-Jul-2009 18:28

Thank you, Olivia. :D


	posted by Olivia, 21-Jul-2009 15:50

Self-promotion is perfectly acceptable here when you're making the lives of thousands of astrologers easier!

Got a note from Margaret at Wessex that the book is out, and am looking forward. Of course given our postal system it may be another two months, but I'm very eager to read it - and thank you so much for writing it!

For those who don't know, you can get a sample chapter of Martin's book from the front page of skyscript, and he's a very clear writer.

Yay! And wishing you every success with it :)


	posted by margherita, 21-Jul-2009 14:27

I've just placed my order, but just because is paperback, I hate heavy books ;)

margherita


	posted by Mark, 20-Jul-2009 16:20

I got a an email late last week from Wessex Astrologer, the publisher in the UK, that the book was ready and would be despatched soon. So I am assuming my copy will arrive any day now.

Its great the book has come out now. I will get a chance to read some of it it before attending Martin's Primary Directions workshop here in the UK in early August! :D

Mark


	posted by Astraea, 20-Jul-2009 15:19

Gjiada, Martin's book seems to have been published separately and earlier in the US - my friend in England still hasn't received his, though he has had it on preorder for some time. Amazon shipped mine on July 15. The book is in paperback. You'll probably be receiving notice of its release soon.

	Re: Primary directions book is out, and an erratum
	posted by margherita, 20-Jul-2009 15:11

The book is out!?
I booked it and nobody wrote me :(
Now I'm running to the editor site, I hope it is a paperback, I read books on the bus
margherita


	posted by Astraea, 19-Jul-2009 18:55

Martin, you've written an excellent and much-needed book that is informative on many levels. Amazon shipped my copy last Wednesday and I've been reading and re-reading it since then. It's a pleasure to encounter an astrology book written by someone whose breadth of knowledge is matched by depth - especially where traditional astrology is concerned. Thank you!

	Primary directions book is out, and an erratum
	posted by Martin Gansten, 19-Jul-2009 16:55

As many have asked, I may perhaps be forgiven for a spot of self-promotion in announcing that *Primary Directions: Astrology's Old Master Technique* is now available from Wessex Astrologer, Amazon, etc.

I should also like to point out a potentially confusing misprint in Appendix I, where (despite countless proof-readings), in the middle paragraph on p. 151, the words 'adding' and 'subtracting' have changed places. The formulae on the page are, however, correct. The error will be corrected in future editions.

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	Gilman: One After Another Campion: A History Of Western Astrology, Vol II Schmidt: Definitions and Foundations Gansten: Primary Directions Louis: The Art of Forecasting using Solar Returns Sellar: An Introduction to Medical Astrology

All Reviews