In episode 192 astrologers Chris Brennan and Leisa Schaim present a detailed introduction to the ancient zodiacal releasing timing technique, which divides your life into chapters and paragraphs, and helps to identify your life story.

In ancient Hellenistic astrology there were several different time-lord techniques that were used to determine when the potential of placements in the birth chart would be awakened, although many of them were lost in the transmission of astrology over the past 2000 years.

Zodiacal releasing is a time-lord technique that has been recovered over the past two decades through translations of the Greek text of the 2nd century astrologer Vettius Valens.

In this episode Chris and Leisa present a 4-hour workshop on the technique, in order to provide the audience with a broad overview and introduction to zodiacal releasing.

There is a long set of show notes below, which outline some of the main points we made during the course of the episode.

This episode is available in both audio and video versions, and you will find links to both at the bottom of this page, just after the show notes.

Zodiacal Releasing Podcast Outline

Here is our outline with the major points we touched on in this episode:

Introduction

A collection of lost timing systems known as “time-lord” techniques.

Recovered in the past 30 years due to revival of ancient astrology.

Many of them were lost in the transmission of astrology over 2000 years.

Recovered through translations.

They time the activation of latent potentials in the birth chart.

Not all chart placements are activated at all times.

Some lie dormant until awakened through these timing techniques.

Similar to dasa systems in Indian astrology

Most powerful one found so far is called zodiacal releasing.

From 2nd century astrologer Vettius Valens.

Divides the life into chapters and paragraphs.

Used to study different topics like career, health, or relationships.

Can time career peaks and transitions.

Periods that are experienced as more subjectively positive or negative.

Our goal here today is to provide a broad introduction and overview to the topic.

One of the most complex techniques, but also one of the most interesting and profound.

Usually taught at the end of Chris' Hellenistic astrology course.

The full lecture on this is 18 hours long.

Main goal is to introduce the technique to novices here

Some additional personal anecdotes that may be useful to advanced users.

Calculating Zodiacal Releasing Periods

First must calculate the Lot of Fortune, Spirit, and Eros.

These are the starting points for the ZR technique.

Three easy ways:

Arabic Part or Lot Calculator on Astro-Seek.com

Thanks to Petr Soural from Astroseek

Astro.com → extended chart selection → style: Astrodienst w/ Arabic Points

Astrodienst does not use the correct Eros calculation here.

Update (3/11/19): Astrodienst has a new zodiacal releasing calculator, which now calculates Eros correctly.

To find it, go to Astro.com → free horoscopes → extended chart selection → chart drawing style: Hellenistic.

Click "PDF Additional tables" on this page to export the ZR periods.

Solar Fire: Google: Installing Hellenistic Astrology Page Design in Solar Fire

Identify the sign that each lot is placed in.

Start from the lot that matches the topic you want to study.

The quality of the lot provides the context of the resulting periods.

Spirit: career, overall life direction, actions

Fortune: health, accidents, the body, that which befalls you.

Eros: relationships, marriage, love.

Each sign of the zodiac is attributed a certain number of years:

Aries and Scorpio: 15

Taurus and Libra: 8

Gemini and Virgo: 20

Cancer: 25

Leo: 19

Sagittarius and Pisces: 12

Capricorn: 27

Aquarius: 30