Arabic Parts

Abu Ali Al-Khayyat describes parts as “a sensitive point in the zodiac determined by calculating the distance between one point and another point and adding the distance to a third point. [....]" In classical astrology, they were called lots because they were used to determine the prospects for a particular thing. In astrology of modern times, they are usually called Arabic Parts because only the Part of Fortune is mentioned by Ptolemy, and all the other parts are mistakenly assumed to have been invented by the Arabs.” Another ancient authority on Parts, Al-Biruni, lists 97 Parts which can be applied to the nativity. There are many books written today on “the soul’s contract” or “how to find your inner purpose”, the list goes on ad nauseum, and once again we are humbled by the knowledge of the ancients. Again this subject is not a new one posed by the ever-so-enlightened modern man, but in our modern times a very obvious factor is missing.

The 7 Pillars of Wisdom which are mentioned in the Biblical texts are derived from Parts, and a chart called the architecture of the soul can be studied by the astrologer to assist with this “soul’s contract”. However, in astrology of The Tradition, the missing factor prevalent in commercial teachings should be a priority in this astrological assessment.

The Part of Fortune

The one Part used today by both modern and traditional astrologers is the Part of Fortune. In modern astrology it is viewed simply as your “pot of gold at the end of the rainbow”, or where /how you will find or make your fortune. In astrology of The Tradition we commence our studies with horary which is the discipline concerned with everyday questions relating to the trials and tribulations of daily life. In horary the Part of Fortune can be viewed as the fortune in light of the question being asked. It can therefore indeed show where or how you will make your fortune, but it can also symbolise your missing cat, mislaid share certificates, the lost wallet or the prize awaiting you in light of the question posed. However to believe that the essence of the Part of Fortune is thus, is to do it a great disservice.

Once we graduate to natal studies where we immerse ourselves in the psyche, personality and dare I say it, the soul of the native, we see that the Part of Fortune plays a more profound role. It is then viewed as the Part of Hunger, based on very sound ancient reasoning. It depicts what your soul truly hungers for, and in traditional studies which are based on profound philosophical teachings, if you honour your soul’s calling the pot of gold will follow. Not everyone is born into a society fluid enough to honour their Part of Hunger, but for those who can, and who are fortunate enough to earn a living from pursuing their dreams, it is a blessing.

The Part of Homesickness

I take the Part of Fortune one step further and I view it as the Part of Homesickness. The true role of man is to live a quality of life which enables him to return to the source, to the divine, to God – this is the soul’s desire in each and every human being on the most profound level of our existence. The ache that we all experience in the early hours of the morning, when all is still and calm and there are no distractions available to plug the hole, the constant restlessness of over achievers or the suicidal depression of those who have lost hope, everyone to some degree, at some or other stage of their lives, experiences this pang of longing. No matter how hard we try and compensate, we come up empty handed. Buying a new car, losing 10 kg’s, moving countries, changing partners, partaking of another alcoholic drink or swallowing more anti depressant tablets, nothing can ease that ache in the soul which can only be appeased by our union with God. We spend our lives searching for the next thrill, the next fix of something or other, which is to be applied as a soothing balm, and nothing works.

That is why I call the Part of Hunger the Part of Homesickness, and for as long as we deviate from our return path to God, the homesickness will persist. The placement of the Part by house and the sign it is in can shed light on how the native wishes to serve God and the path they wish to walk to return to Him, but few people today will admit that they have this ache, and one has to be very cautious when voicing these sentiments, not only to clients but also to fellow astrologers.

To Be or Not To Be

Every person has the God given gift of free will, and how you apply your free will is well, your free will. No one has the authority to dominate others with their belief system or to look askance at those whose religious practices are different or even non existent, but sometimes we can do ourselves a great service by considering possibilities presented by others. If the accumulation of material assets does not satisfy your Part of Hunger, or the addiction to whatever drug, person or activity of choice you use to keep the longing at bay still doesn’t afford you comfort, perhaps a moment’s reflection on the Part of Hunger in your chart will be worth the effort. This, coupled with a good dose of honesty and humility, can literally change your life.