ARABIC PARTS ARABIC PARTS The Arabic Parts (also called lots) are calculated by adding and subtracting the position of planets and other features on a chart. They were put to great use by the 8th and 9th century Arab astrologers who inherited the knowledge from Babylonian, Egyptian and Greek astrology. For example, the Pars Fortuna or Part of Fortune (by day) is Ascendant + Moon - Sun and the Part of Fortune (by night) is Ascendant + Sun - Moon. The very ancient astrologers believed the Ascendant and the Part of Fortune were the most important elements of the chart relating to the Sun rising and the Moon rising respectively. The Sociological and Historical Significance of Lots The formulae commonly referred to as Lots in astrological parlance are also known as Arabic Parts due to the first popular collection of these formulae from Al-Biruni (b.973 AD). This is widely considered to be a misnomer, since selected formulae and the concept behind the lots were known to have existed at the time of Ptolemy, and as far back as 300 BC and before. The concept is considered to have been developed by the Chaldeans, expanded upon by the Greeks, and only then after an already substantial history being taken up by the medieval Arabs. The most significant historical collections of formulae which have come down to us were those from: Marcus Manilus, 15? AD. Sidonius Dorotheus, Firmicus Maternus, 334 AD. Al-Biruni, ?1029 AD.
Sources Serena's Guide to Divination Granite, Robert Hurzt Granite. The Fortunes of Astrology: A New Complete Treatment of the Arabic Parts. San Diego, CA: ACS Publications, 1980. Hughes, Emylu Lander Hughes. A Book of Marriage Charts. Tempe, Arizona: American Federation of Astrologers, 1986. Lewis, James R. The Astrology Encyclopedia. Detroit: Visible Ink, 1994. Louis, Anthony. Horary Astrology: The History and Practice of Divination. St. Paul: Llewellyn, 1991. Zoller, Robert. Lost Key to Prediction. New York: Inner Traditions, 1980. Zoller, Robert. Tools & Techniques of the Medieval Astrologers. Published privately by the author, 1981.