In order to make sure we all start off on the same page and with the same resources, I am sending some links and instructions before class. In order to participate, everyone needs a software program. If you don't already have one, I highly recommend Astrolog32. Sure, they didn't use computers in period, but we can delve into drawing charts by hand later if you want. Unless you are very computer literate, use the default settings when you install Astrolog. We may have to reference them later. Next, you will need to know where you are on the globe. The best place I have found to get latitude and longitude coordinates is Astrodienst. Write these coordinates down. I will show you where to put them later. You should also know your time zone. If you don't, it is also found at the atlas. Start it up. I believe it will ask you to set your default location the first time you run the program. Input the coordinates you wrote down from the atlas. Remember to put the proper number in the proper slot or you will get very weird looking charts. I accidentally told it I was further north than the north pole once, and it didn't like that. It told me south was north and east was west. You should now be able to see a lovely colorful chart on a black background (I find it much easier on the eyes than the white background of some programs). The information you input will be displayed in the upper right hand corner. You should be able to identify the coordinates, location name (if you input one), today's date, and the current time. If you cannot get this far, let me know.
Go to Edit, then Edit Configuration File. Maximize the window it opens so that it is nice and neat and easy to read. In this file, all the labels are after their controls. First, go to the lines for default time zone and location. They all start with the letter z. Verify your coordinates and such on the appropriate lines. If you don't know the exact second of your location, degrees and minutes is quite sufficient. Enter it in the same format they have, so dd:mm or dd:mm:ss, where d is degree of longitude, m is minute of the degree, and s is second of the minute.
Now we are going to switch from Placidus to Regiomontanus houses. Approximately 19 lines down is a line that says, "-c 0 ; House system [Change "0" to desired system]" Change the 0 to a 5.
Now we are going to scroll down to "Default Restrictions." On the line labelled Planets, change the last three 0's to 1's. That will turn off Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. On the next line, it should look like 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 1. You can copy and paste that in if it is easier. That will show only the north and south nodes and the part of fortune. The next line should be all 1's except for the first, and 10th, which should be 0's. That will turn on the Ascendant and the Midheaven. The fourth line should be all 1's. We don't care about Uranians for this.
Now we are done editing. Click on File, then Save. Close and reopen Astrolog to make sure that the changes were made. Alternatively, you can save this file to the folder you originally saved Astrolog in (default is C:\astrolog32\main). I had to upload it as a .txt file, so you will have to resave it as astrolog32.dat. This will overwrite the original data file, thus making your changes. You still have to change your location and such, unless you happen to live next door to me, in which case, come over and introduce yourself. :)
There is just one more software thing to take care of now. You will want a program that calculates planetary hours. I recommend either Allen Edwall's PopHr program (free) or Clysmic's Lunabar program (also free). These won't require nearly so much tweaking as Astrolog. Lunabar seems to be only available in the US and Canada. Or you can do like I did and get both.
If you choose Lunabar, you can set your location at "Tools", "Program Options". Click on the tab that says "My location" and input your state and town. Voila! Now if you click on the Sun on the toolbar, it will tellyou the current planetary hour (among other things). I will explain how to calculate them yourself during class, but for now, this is a great start.
If you choose PopHr (the link to download is towards the bottom of the page), click on the M button on the left-hand side. This will open a new window with the settings in it. Each one is well labelled. Set your Time zone (positive numbers are west of GMT (London), negative numbers are east of GMT (London)), making sure it is set correctly for daylight savings if necessary. If you are in the northern hemisphere, it is very highly unlikely that you would be in daylight savings time right now. Set your latitude and longitude. Where it specifies east/west and north/south, 0 is north and 0 is west. If you are east, set it to 1. If you are south, set it to 1. Click Save and then Quit. It will now show you the current planetary hour. This program will work for anywhere in the world.
