Now it is time to put theory into practice by using the revolutionary technique of astrological dial-work.  It is difficult to predict how each student will react to this. Sometimes a person with an artistic mind readily adapts to this method.  Other times it takes a mathematical mind.  It does not seem to be relative to one's astrological experience or academic intelligence. It may help if you have a 'child's mind' or if you are a person who likes playing with wooden puzzles.

   One thing is for sure: after you complete this assignment you will feel like an expert astrologer! You will have great satisfaction with what you have accomplished.  Get ready to be propelled to new astrological heights!

   You will remember this assignment for a long time, probably for the rest of your life. Quite a few students find this to be the most exciting astrological activity they have ever done, and they get very excited and energized.  Occasionally a few people just don't 'get it', but when they persevere, they wind up 'kicking themselves' when they find out how easy it all is.

  Now If you already have commercially made dials and software that will produce dial-charts, your task will be easier.  For those 'starting from scratch', take special notice that downloading, printing, cutting the dials, etc. - may take a long time.  It is not difficult to do, just time-consuming... and  many of you are going to find this nice to do.  Actually, it is fun to do !

  Refer to the article about Uranian Astrology, from Assignment 1, found at:
http://www.armonics.net/uraniana/introduzio_en.htm      also found at:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Aegean/9719/uranianlessons/page1.html
Be sure to re-read the first 2 or 3 pages of this article before you start with the activities in this assignment (up to the heading  "Cardinal Points").  Don't worry about the mathematics shown in the article; all you need to do is to get a general understanding of the basics.  You really should have this article printed

    You may also want to refer to the natal chart interpretation found at:
    http://www.armonics.net/uraniana/hesse_en.htm
  This was written by a student of mine, who only had several lessons from me over the Net.  'Parsifal'  includes the Transneptunians and uses some advanced techniques, but you can get an excellent idea of how to proceed with Symmetrical work.  If it looks complex, don't worry because most of it is quite basic, and in a short time by doing this assignment, you will prove to yourself that you too can do this work. 

If you have software that will produce 360 and 90 degree charts, for dial work, print both 360 and 90 natal charts for Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone.  All natal data is given below. Be sure to check that the planetary positions in your charts are the same as in the lists given below. We are only using the 13 traditional planets and points (no TNPs, asteroids, etc.).

If you do not have software to produce dial-charts, 
you will need to download the charts found at:

             http://junojuno2.tripod.com/ bell360.jpg
             http://junojuno2.tripod.com/ bell90.jpg

Or you can enter the positions of planets and points by hand - refer to the lists below.
See also the suggestions at the end of this assignment, for free software and dials.
 

If you do not have  360 and 90 dials, you will need to download all or at least two of the following images of dials.  Some are better than others. This may take a long time to get right.  Be patient.  You may have to use a photocopier to get the correct size.  If your printer does not produce a decent result, and if you cannot use another printer (a friend or printing shop), then you will have to make your own dials (this will not take as long as you may think, and will be very rewarding). 
 

  Be sure your dials have markings at these degrees:  0, 180, 90, 45. 
      Place an arrow pointer at zero degrees.

Bell dedicated his early life to education, and became a professor of vocal physiology at Boston University in 1873, teaching deaf-mutes.  He produced the first telephonic transmission on 5 June 1875, and patented the telephone the following year.
 

   Put the  360 degree natal chart of Alexander G. Bell on a piece of cardboard or a piece of styrofoam plastic. You will need to poke a pin hole into this work board.  Tape this 360 natal chart to the work board, so it will not move.  It is essential that you have a sturdy work board; if you just use a magazine or no work board at all, your measurements will be less accurate and more difficult. Cork board or other soft material can work well.

Align the cut-out 360 degree dial onto the natal chart, and push a drawing pin, thumb tack, or similar pin through both the dial and the chart.  The dial should be able to rotate freely.  To avoid undue wear, stick some tape over the centres of both the dial and the chart.  If the dial does not fit exactly onto the chart (if the dial is larger or considerably smaller) then you will have to draw the natal positions onto your working paper, or use a photocopier to re-size your dial Warning: some photocopiers produce slight distortions, so rotate your dial and check that the degree spacings are equal.  The aim here is to get off the computer - this is very important so please do not cheat, OK ? You will learn far more, and get more accurate results by using a real dial on a paper chart.  All expert Symmetrical Astrologers agree that beginners must get off the screen and use the 'real thing'. Even experts cannot use a computer for all of their Symmetrical work!  If you do not use a real dial on a paper chart for this assignment, you will be making a big mistake.

      The Questions
 

  1.  The first part of this exercise will focus on the 360 chart and dial only.  Place the pointer arrow at Mercury.  Why is Mercury a good place to start with this natal chart?
 

  2. What do you see at 180 and 90 degrees? Answer in the form of  A = B.
(The pointer should still be on Mercury.) 
Note: Keep all orbs within 2.5 degrees, unless instructed otherwise. 
 

  3.  Interpret the above planetary picture (at least two sentences).
 

  4.  Before we get too far into dial work, here are several basic questions. 
The answers can be simple and brief. You can find the answers by surfing the Net.

           a.  What is a 'transit' of a planet?

           b.  What is the difference between solar arc direction and a progression?

           c.  What are the luminaries ?

           d.  Name the five personal points 

  5.  Move the pointer slightly to the right (from Mercury) so that Ve and Asc are both at 7 degrees on the dial.  Write one planetary picture in the form of   A = B / C  , that includes Mercury.  Include an interpretation relevant to Bell's life.  Note: if you have a 'midpoint book' such as C.of S. I., you may copy the interpretations, but it is better to put it in your own words.  If you do not have a reference book, you will have to combine the planetary energies as shown in Part A of this exercise.  Some people find it helpful to place their fingers on either side of the pointer, moving them along bit by bit, equally - this enables them to see the symmetry.
 

  6.  Keeping the pointer at or near Mercury, give three other 3-part planetary 
pictures in the form of  A = B / C.     Include relevant interpretations.
 

  7.  Place the pointer half-way between Me and Ve.  What is the chart position of this point?  For example, the Node is at 199deg, approximately.
 
 

  8.  We can widen the 2.5 degree orb to 3 or 4 degrees when personal points are involved, and also when dealing with direct midpoints (refer to Arlene Kramer's article).  Using this knowledge, give a planetary picture with the Moon in the form of  A = B / C.     Include a relevant interpretation.
 

  9.  Place the pointer on the Ascendant. 
Give one 3-part planetary picture and a relevant interpretation.
 

  10.  Do the same procedure as in question 9 above, for each of the following:
               a.  The Sun
               b.  The Moon's Node
               c.  Venus
 

  11. Optional:  Place the pointer at 275deg, which is the approximate midpoint of   M / Ma.  Look at all 90 and 45 marks around the dial and notice there are no planets or points aspecting the   M / Ma   midpoint.   We call this an unoccupied midpoint, but just because nothing is 'sitting' in the middle of the MC and Mars does not mean there are no planetary pictures.  There are several !    Again, refer to Arlene Kramer's article if you need further explanation.  Keeping orbs not much more than 2 degrees, find a series of of planetary pictures that all center around the  M / Ma   midpoint. 
Answer in the form of:   M / Ma =  C / D =  E / F =  G / H  =  I / J
 

  12. Now we will use the 90 degree dial and chart. 
The genius astrologer Alfred Witte gave this marvelous tool.
          a.  What are two advantages of the 90 degree dial (compared to the 360 dial)?
          b.  What is one disadvantage of the 90 dial ?
You can find the answers within Arlene Kramer's article, or you will see for yourself by doing the following questions.  Surprisingly, many of my students miss the most obvious advantage for the 90 dial, and they later 'kick themselves' for missing it.
 

  13.  Place the pointer on the Sun. 
Give several planetary pictures in the form of:    A = B / C  =  C / D
Optional:  give interpretations.
 

  14. Optional:  Switch back to the 360 dial and chart and find the same planetary pictures as in question 13 above.  If you like puzzles, or if you like to look for patterns, you will enjoy this exercise.  Be sure to use the 45 degree marks on the 360 dial.
 

  15.  Place the pointer at Mercury.  Notice the 'cluster' of the Moon, Mercury and the Midheaven.  From the 360 chart, we know that the midpoint of Mo & Me is the MC, but here on the 90 chart it looks as though there is a conjunction between Me  and  Mo  and  MC.....  but they are not true conjunctions.  To show this combination, we can write    M = Mo = Me,     or better yet   [  M, Mo, Me ]:  the commas signify that they appear as conjunctions on a chart that is not a 360.
     Now, look at the 90 chart.  You do not need the dial this time.  Where else on the chart do you see what appears as a conjunction?  Give the planetary picture for this combination.
 

  Go back to the 360 chart (you do not need the dial).  The Sun and Ascendant are actually conjunct, by an orb of about 4 degrees.  Both are personal points and also conjunct, so using such a big orb is OK.  Remember, in Symmetrical Astrology we usually keep orbs quite small, usually less than 2 degrees, and very often less than 1 degree.
       To show a true conjunction, use this symbol:   ^
On my keyboard it is above the number 6, but the position may differ on various keyboards. So, we can express the above example as   Su  ^  Asc. 
This   ^   is the correct and most proper way to express a conjunction, 
but also you can write it as:    Su  conj  Asc     or     Su 360 Asc
 

  16.  Using the 90 chart and 90 dial, and keeping the pointer at Mercury, give a planetary picture in the form of:   A, B, C  =  C / D  =  E / F      Optional:  give an interpretation.
 

  17.  Place the pointer on the Node and give the associated planetary pictures.
Use the form:   A = B = C / D  =  (etc.)   Optional:  give interpretations (if you can do this entire question  properly, you have made considerable progress).
 

  18.  Optional:  What other planetary pictures can you see?
 
 
  19.  Alexander Graham Bell produced the first telephonic transmission on 5 June 1875.  A solar arc directed chart for Bell on this date gives the position of Jupiter at  96d14m.  Mark this on the 360 chart and place the 360 dial pointer on it. What do you see?  If you are not excited, jumping up and down with joy, then something is wrong!  Write a sentence or two about how Bell's natal chart is impacted by solar arc directed Jupiter.  Also include a few planetary pictures.  
By the way, "solar arc directed Jupiter" is written as [ d Ju  ]    or    Ju (d)
Natal or Radix points are expressed with a small "r"
Natal Saturn would be:    r Sa    or   Sa (r)
So, when you write the planetary pictures for this answer, be sure to make the necessary disctinctions.
 
  
  20.  Where is the transiting Moon on 5 June 1875, 11:30 AM, Boston, MA, USA ?  
Give your answer as degrees on the 360 chart, not Zodiac positions.  
Write a sentence about what you see.
 
 
  21.  Where is transiting Mercury on this important date?
Write a sentence or two about this.
 

   22. Explain the significance of the transiting Sun when the telephone was invented.
 
 
   23.  How long did this assignment take you, and how difficult or easy was it ? 
Any other comments would be appreciated.
 

   Do you need dials and software?   

If you go to http://www.Astrowin.org  you can download an excellent, FREE- for-ever  astrology program which does include a 90 degree dial amongst many other very useful features, except that it does not have the Transneptunians used in Uranian astrology. There are other free programs for you to download: see the Links page on the main index of Steve Lee's site: MAIN INDEX

To get a 90 degree sort of all the planets TNP's asteroids in your chart, go to http://www.speakeasy.org/~jondunn/ast/asteroids.html 
Select the 'all positions for a date and time, then use option 1 for colour. On the entry fields, change the sort from 360 to 90, make sure you tick for 'non astronomical bodies' and I suggest you use the 'reduced list' box to save time, and also because otherwise you will have more data than you can handle. This will give you a nice clear sort for your dial that you got free from Astrowin.  In fact on Jon's site you can sort by whatever harmonic you choose!! 

You can also go to Treehousemountain.com for books and tools.
http://www.treehousemountain.com/Dials90.htm

Also go to Steve Lee's site (actually you are already on it!) which has multiple sources for dials, books and software.   Click on the links at the bottom of this page, or here:   Books   Dials  Software

The best free Symmetrical Astrology software program  can be downloaded from Michael Feist's site: http://members.aol.com/alogicpc  - go to the English section of his site; send him an email if you have trouble. "AstroLogicPC"  is used by many Uranian experts world-wide.  It is an expensive program to buy, but you can have it for free.  The catch?  Well, first of all it is in DOS, not Windows, and second of all there is a 30 second delay for every chart or other feature that you want done.  Also, you cannot see the chart on the screen.  But if you can tolerate DOS (we all did ten years ago!) or get a computer whiz to help you download and use the program (if you are not good with computers)..... then believe me, it produces the best ever charts for dial work and has many features such as a graphic ephemeris section.