Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about AstralWise, Hellenistic astrology, or how our tools work? Below you will find answers to the most common questions we receive.

1. What is AstralWise?

AstralWise is a free online astrology platform specializing in Hellenistic astrology — the original Western astrological tradition practiced from roughly the 2nd century BCE through the 7th century CE. We offer precise birth chart calculations, synastry compatibility reports, daily horoscopes, and an extensive library of educational articles, all grounded in classical techniques such as Whole Sign Houses, planetary sect, and annual profections.

2. What is Hellenistic astrology?

Hellenistic astrology is the earliest systematized form of Western horoscopic astrology. It emerged in Greco-Roman Egypt around the 2nd century BCE, blending Mesopotamian omen traditions, Egyptian decanic astrology, and Greek philosophical thought. Unlike modern psychological astrology, Hellenistic astrology uses concrete predictive techniques — including planetary sect, essential dignities, Arabic Lots, annual profections, and zodiacal releasing — to analyze a birth chart with remarkable specificity. Many of these techniques were lost for centuries and have only recently been recovered through the translation of ancient Greek and Latin texts.

3. How accurate are the calculations?

Our planetary calculations use the Swiss Ephemeris, the same high-precision astronomical engine trusted by professional astrologers and researchers worldwide. Planetary positions are accurate to within fractions of an arc-second. We compute all charts using the Whole Sign House system, the original house system of Hellenistic astrology, and factor in the seven classical planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn) along with the Lot of Fortune and other Arabic Lots.

4. What data do I need to generate a birth chart?

To calculate a complete and accurate birth chart, you need three pieces of information:

• Date of birth — the exact calendar date (day, month, year).
• Time of birth — as precise as possible, ideally from a birth certificate or hospital record.
• Place of birth — the city or town where you were born, which we use to determine geographic coordinates and the correct time zone offset.

5. Is my data safe?

Yes. We take your privacy seriously. Birth data you enter is stored locally in your browser using localStorage — it never leaves your device unless you explicitly create an account. We do not sell, share, or monetize your personal information. For geocoding (converting your birth place to coordinates), we use the open-source Nominatim service, which does not retain your queries. For full details, please read our Privacy Policy.

6. What is the difference between the free and premium plans?

Our free plan gives you access to full birth chart calculations with Whole Sign Houses, basic natal interpretations, daily horoscopes, and our entire blog of educational articles. The premium plan ($9.99 one-time payment) unlocks advanced features including:

• Detailed annual profection reports with transit overlays.
• Zodiacal releasing timelines for career and relationships.
• Full synastry and compatibility analysis.
• Extended Arabic Lots calculations (Lot of Spirit, Lot of Eros, and more).
• PDF export of your complete natal report.

7. How is Hellenistic astrology different from modern astrology?

Modern astrology (developed primarily in the 20th century) tends to be psychological and character-oriented, focusing on personality traits and inner potential. Hellenistic astrology, by contrast, is a predictive and event-oriented system. Key differences include:

• House system: Hellenistic astrology uses Whole Sign Houses, where each house equals one entire zodiac sign. Modern astrology often uses Placidus or Koch.
• Planets: Hellenistic astrology works with the seven visible, classical planets. It does not use Uranus, Neptune, or Pluto.
• Sect: Hellenistic astrology distinguishes between day charts (Sun above the horizon) and night charts (Sun below), which fundamentally changes how planets are interpreted.
• Timing techniques: Hellenistic astrologers use annual profections and zodiacal releasing — time-lord systems that activate specific planets and signs at specific ages — rather than relying solely on transits and progressions.
• Lots: Arabic Lots (such as the Lot of Fortune) are mathematical points derived from the positions of planets that reveal specific life topics. They are central to Hellenistic practice but rarely used in modern astrology.

8. What are the 7 classical planets?

In Hellenistic astrology, the seven classical planets are the celestial bodies visible to the naked eye, each governing specific areas of life:

• Sun — vitality, identity, career, father, authority.
• Moon — body, emotions, daily life, mother, the public.
• Mercury — communication, intellect, commerce, skill.
• Venus — love, beauty, pleasure, art, relationships.
• Mars — action, conflict, courage, surgery, competition.
• Jupiter — expansion, fortune, wisdom, faith, abundance.
• Saturn — limitation, discipline, time, loss, endurance.

These seven luminaries and planets formed the complete toolkit of the ancient astrologer. The outer planets (Uranus, Neptune, Pluto) were unknown to the Hellenistic tradition and are not used in our calculations.

9. What is sect?

Sect is one of the most important concepts in Hellenistic astrology. It divides charts into two teams based on whether you were born during the day or night:

• Day sect (diurnal): The Sun is above the horizon. The Sun, Jupiter, and Saturn belong to the day team.
• Night sect (nocturnal): The Sun is below the horizon. The Moon, Venus, and Mars belong to the night team.

A planet "in sect" — meaning it is on the correct team and in the correct position (e.g., a day planet in a day chart above the horizon) — operates at its best and most constructive. A planet "contrary to sect" tends to produce more challenging or difficult results. Sect is the single most reliable factor for determining whether a planet will express itself positively or negatively in a given chart.

10. What is the Lot of Fortune?

The Lot of Fortune (also called the Part of Fortune) is the most important of the Arabic Lots — mathematical points calculated from the positions of the Sun, Moon, and Ascendant. For a day chart, the formula is: Ascendant + Moon - Sun. For a night chart, the formula is reversed: Ascendant + Sun - Moon. The Lot of Fortune represents physical well-being, material circumstances, and overall fortune. Its sign, house placement, and ruling planet reveal key information about your health, livelihood, and worldly success. In Hellenistic astrology, the Lot of Fortune is as important as the Ascendant itself.

11. Do I need my exact birth time?

For the most accurate chart, yes — your birth time matters significantly. The Ascendant (rising sign) changes roughly every two hours, and many Hellenistic techniques depend on knowing the correct Ascendant. If your birth time is off by even 15-30 minutes, it can change your rising sign, house placements, and the interpretation of your entire chart. That said, if you do not know your birth time at all, we can still generate a chart set to noon that provides useful information about planetary signs and aspects — you simply will not have accurate house placements or Lot calculations. We recommend checking your birth certificate or contacting the hospital where you were born to obtain the most precise time possible.

12. Can I use AstralWise on mobile?

Absolutely. AstralWise is fully responsive and works seamlessly on smartphones and tablets. The entire experience — from entering your birth data to viewing your chart and reading interpretations — is optimized for mobile screens. There is no app to download; simply visit astralwise.com in your mobile browser, and you are ready to go.