The Sovereign Soul: A Complete Guide to Hermetic Calculation
In the Hermetic tradition, you are not your Sun sign. You are a complex interplay of Fate (Heimarmene) and Spirit (Nous). To map this, we calculate the Almuten Figuris—the true master of your chart—and the Seven Hermetic Lots.
Phase 1: Finding Your Almuten Figuris
The Almuten Figuris is the planet that holds the most "dignity" across the five hylegical gates of your life. It is the Governor you must work with to achieve liberation.
1. The 5 Points of Power
Identify the exact degrees (Sign and Degree) of these points in your chart:
- The Sun & The Moon
- The Ascendant
- The Lot of Fortune
- The Prenatal Syzygy: The degree of the New or Full Moon immediately preceding your birth.
Example: Calculating the Prenatal Syzygy
Birth Date: October 20th.
• Check the lunations: A Full Moon occurred Oct 5th at 12° Aries. A New Moon occurred Oct 19th at 26° Libra.
• Result: Since Oct 19th is the last major lunation before birth, your Syzygy point is 26° Libra. Use this degree for your scoring tally.
Birth Date: October 20th.
• Check the lunations: A Full Moon occurred Oct 5th at 12° Aries. A New Moon occurred Oct 19th at 26° Libra.
• Result: Since Oct 19th is the last major lunation before birth, your Syzygy point is 26° Libra. Use this degree for your scoring tally.
2. The Scoring Matrix
| Dignity | Points | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Domicile | +5 | The planet ruling the sign. |
| Exaltation | +4 | The planet exalted in the sign. |
| Triplicity | +3 | The elemental ruler (depends on Day/Night birth). |
| Term (Bound) | +2 | The planet ruling the specific degree segment. |
| Face (Decan) | +1 | The planet ruling that 10° segment. |
Scoring Example: If your Sun is at 10° Leo in a Day Chart:
• Domicile: Sun (+5)
• Exaltation: None (0)
• Triplicity: Sun (+3 for Fire in day)
• Term: Venus (+2 for specific degrees of Leo)
• Face: Saturn (+1 for 2nd decan of Leo)
Total for this point: Sun 8, Venus 2, Saturn 1.
• Domicile: Sun (+5)
• Exaltation: None (0)
• Triplicity: Sun (+3 for Fire in day)
• Term: Venus (+2 for specific degrees of Leo)
• Face: Saturn (+1 for 2nd decan of Leo)
Total for this point: Sun 8, Venus 2, Saturn 1.
Repeat this for all 5 points. The planet with the highest total score is your Almuten.
Phase 2: The Seven Hermetic Lots
Lots are mathematical points projected from the Ascendant. They act as "shadow planets" revealing specific fated or spiritual themes.
| Lot Name | Day Birth Formula | Night Birth Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Fortune (Body) | ASC + Moon - Sun | ASC + Sun - Moon |
| Spirit (Will) | ASC + Sun - Moon | ASC + Moon - Sun |
| Eros (Love) | ASC + Venus - Spirit | ASC + Spirit - Venus |
| Necessity (Fate) | ASC + Fortune - Mercury | ASC + Mercury - Fortune |
| Courage (Mars) | ASC + Fortune - Mars | ASC + Mars - Fortune |
| Victory (Jupiter) | ASC + Jupiter - Spirit | ASC + Spirit - Jupiter |
| Nemesis (Saturn) | ASC + Fortune - Saturn | ASC + Saturn - Fortune |
How to calculate an arc:
1. Convert positions to 360° (Aries 0°, Taurus 30°, etc.).
2. Example for Lot of Fortune (Day Birth):
Ascendant at 15° Leo (135°) + Moon at 10° Taurus (40°) = 175°.
Subtract Sun at 20° Aries (20°).
175° - 20° = 155° (5° Virgo).
1. Convert positions to 360° (Aries 0°, Taurus 30°, etc.).
2. Example for Lot of Fortune (Day Birth):
Ascendant at 15° Leo (135°) + Moon at 10° Taurus (40°) = 175°.
Subtract Sun at 20° Aries (20°).
175° - 20° = 155° (5° Virgo).
Phase 3: Interpretation
- The Almuten Figuris: This is your Lord. If Jupiter is your Almuten, your soul ascends through wisdom and expansion. If Saturn, it ascends through discipline and the mastery of time.
- Lot of Spirit: Look at the house placement. Spirit in the 9th house suggests your soul’s path is tied to travel or higher learning.
- Lot of Fortune: Represents material luck. Fortune in the 2nd house points to physical wealth; in the 10th, it points to fated career success.
- Fortune vs Spirit: If Spirit is in a "Good" house (1, 10, 11) but Fortune is in a "Bad" house (6, 8, 12), your soul is strong but your material life is a struggle.