Unsolved:Decan (astrology)

In astrology, a decan is the subdivision of an astrological sign (zodiac sign). In order to give fuller interpretation to the zodiac signs, ancient astrologers subdivided each sign into periods of approximately ten days. These divisions are known as the "decans" or "decantes" and are somewhat arbitrary in order to allow for the five (and sometimes six) extra days in the year beyond the 360 days required for the thirty-six decans.

Astrologers believe that each of the decans has its own individual character.

In modern times, however, the assignment of decans has changed considerably. Each sign is allocated a triplicity, consisting of three of the four classical elements air, water, earth or fire, and is therefore subdivided into three equal parts of 10 degrees each; these parts are referred to as decans or decanates.

Each decan of a sign is assigned rulership by the planet ruling the sign and secondary rulership by the planet ruling the decan.

The decans and their rulers are assigned as follows as based on the concepts of modern Western astrology:

Sign	0-10 degrees	10-20 degrees	20-30 degrees
Aries	Mars	Sun	Jupiter
Taurus	Venus	Mercury	Saturn
Gemini	Mercury	Venus	Uranus
Cancer	Moon	Pluto	Neptune
Leo	Sun	Jupiter	Mars
Virgo	Mercury	Saturn	Venus
Libra	Venus	Uranus	Mercury
Scorpio	Pluto	Neptune	Moon
Sagittarius	Jupiter	Mars	Sun
Capricorn	Saturn	Venus	Mercury
Aquarius	Uranus	Mercury	Venus
Pisces	Neptune	Moon	Pluto

The decans and their rulers are assigned as follows as based on the concepts of ancient Western astrology :

Sign	Domicile ruler	Exaltation ruler	0-10 degrees	10-20 degrees	20-30 degrees
Aries	Mars	Sun	Mars	Sun	Venus
Taurus	Venus	Moon	Mercury	Moon	Saturn
Gemini	Mercury	N/A	Jupiter	Mars	Sun
Cancer	Moon	Jupiter	Venus	Mercury	Moon
Leo	Sun	N/A	Saturn	Jupiter	Mars
Virgo	Mercury	Mercury	Sun	Venus	Mercury
Libra	Venus	Saturn	Moon	Saturn	Jupiter
Scorpio	Mars	N/A	Mars	Sun	Venus
Sagittarius	Jupiter	N/A	Mercury	Moon	Saturn
Capricorn	Saturn	Mars	Jupiter	Mars	Sun
Aquarius	Saturn	N/A	Venus	Mercury	Moon
Pisces	Jupiter	Venus	Saturn	Jupiter	Mars

See also

• Decans

External links

• Decan meanings, from Three Books of Occult Philosophy by Henry Cornelius Agrippa and Astrolabium Planum by Johannes Engel.
• 3rd Decan Aries Talisman Example of decan talisman using traditional astrology.