Actually here I moved all my previous changes from Astrolog 5.20k to new original version 5.30. Most new switches are accessible in Windows version through menus.

• 1. In graphics wheel chart between house (sign) cusps and house numbers (sign icons) are added icons of dispositors.

• 2. In graphics wheel charts is changed dashenness of aspects lines: now aspect line is solid if orb of real aspect is below 1/4 of maximum allowed orb for current aspect (not fixed 2 degree independent of allowed orbs). In case of narrow orbs about 2 degree original Astrolog shows all aspects with solid lines, changed one only exact aspects with orb below 0.5 degree.

• 3. In comparison grid charts transit-natal (both text and graphics) is now used different planets restriction set for both input charts, second set is transiting planets restriction set (originally in this case was used for both charts one restriction set from first chart).

• 4. Added alternative way to restrict stars. Originally if all stars are unrestricted, using of -U switch caused garbage of graphics wheel chart from aspect lines between all stars, also star orbs are fixed 2.0 deg.

  In version 5.30a are added switches YU, YUo and YUa.
  -YUo <value> - SET aspect ORBS for stars (in degrees), default 1.2 deg
  -YU - switch on/off alternative star restrictions.
  -YUa <value> - number of aspects taked into account to unrestrict stars.
  For example:
  -YUa 1 - all stars not conjunct allowed objects are restricted,
  -YUa 2 - all stars not conjunct or not opposed allowed objects are restricted etc.
  Note, that switch -YU itself don't allow any stars, one can use -U switch independent of -YU. In Windows version these settings are available in menu "Chart Settings".
  Stars needs really very narrow orbs, about 1 deg or narrower, and in version 5.30a orb additions of objects aren't used for aspects with stars, because orb-addition may be in this case greater than orb itself.

  Here you can compare images of natal chart wheels in case of original and changed Astrolog (my own birth chart). Note, that in case of changed Astrolog 5.30a stars are allowed, but displayed are only stars, conjunct with some other allowed object.
  Difference of aspect lines is more clear in case of comparison chart natal-transit with 2.5 times narrower orbs - original and changed. Note, that in changed case is changed also info-border. (look point 11 below).

• 5. In case of comparison charts and parallel-antiparallel charts all orbs and orb-additions are temporarily decreased and restored after calculating of chart. In case of parallels-antiparallels also powers of aspects are decreased 4 times. Now no need to change aspect orbs in case of comparison or parallel-antiparrelel charts - they are automatically decreased.
  New switches -YOc <value> and -YOp <value> sets coefficients of temporary decreasing. For example:
  -YOc 2.0 - set for comparison charts 2 TIMES narrower orbs (default 2.5)
  -YOp 5.0 - set for parallel-antiparallel charts 5 TIMES narrower orbs (default 6.0)
  To disallow this option enough to set both coefficient to 1.0. In Windows version these switches are available in menu "Aspect Settings".

• 6. Changed aspect powers calculation. With -a and -a0 switches instead fixed powers of planets given in astrolog.dat file, powers calculated with -j switch are used (really, only positions part). In case of comparison charts for natal charts are used calculated planet powers, for transiting planets respective transiting powers from astrolog.dat, for progressed planets calculated planets powers. If compared two separate charts, calculated different powers for both charts are used. Changed are also power calculations with -T switch, now "-Tn" and "-rt infile now" gives same result.

• 7. Planets powers calculations are overwritten.

  Changed calculation of position powers powers: Added decreasing of power, if planet is in falling or debilitating sign or house. In aspects powers sum calculations now is used position powers of planets, given in first column, instead fixed from astrolog.dat - now powers of aspects depends from planets positions.

  Astrolog routines gives possibility to include in powers calculations also addition of power, if planets are in reception. Now planet powers are calculated in separate routine used for both -a and -j switches. Taked into account are: ruling, exalting, fall and debilitating in sign and house, also RECEPTION for main planets. As earlier, planet give addition to rulers through sign and house, also house cusps give addition to sign rulers.

  MAIN CHANGE:
  Astrologers are using two definitions of house ruler:
  1) classical (natural ruler) - ruler of 1st house is Mars, ruler of 2nd house is Venus etc.
  2) accidental (situative ruler) - ruler of house is planet, which rules sign where is house cusp.
  Contemporary astrologers uses mostly situative rulers, and natural rulers are used as auxiliary.
  Original astrolog uses in power calculations only natural rulers.
  In current version influence through houses are divided to two parts:
  1) 1/2 is given to natural rulers.
  2) 1/2 is given to situative rulers.
  

  To planets total powers are added powers of parallels and antiparallels. Orbs and orb additions are temporarily decreased (look point 6 above) and aspect-powers decreased 4 times (for parallel 0.25).

• 8. Changed -j -X graphics chart: situative rulers hierarchy is added, so now here is three hierarchy: sign dispositor, house natural dispositor and house situative dispositor. Here you can also compare outputs of original and changed versions of Astrolog.

• 9. In standard text chart added column with planet ruling, exalt etc in house, corresponding to situative house ruler. So after house number in column Rul. is now two letters - first one corresponding natural ruler, second one corresponding situative ruler.

• 10. Added animation of graphics secondary progressed charts:
  astrolog -i infile.in -pn -X and
  astrolog -i infile.in -p mm dd yy -X
  

• 11. Changed info-border in graphics wheel charts. In case of progression chart are displayed natal data, and also time and Julian day, where chart is progressed. In case of comparison charts are displayed info of both charts and for second chart is marked which chart it is: comparison, transit or progressed. These data changes respectively in case of animation.

• 12. Fixed bug, where applayng-separating of comparison charts natal - progressed and natal - transit was wrong. Now with -rt and -rp switch natal chart planets velocities are made zero, and -rt (or -rp) with -a switch give correct applay-separate aspects (like -T switch).

• 13. By analogy with sign's powers calculations added house's powers calculation. (in DOS version switch -j0).

• 14. In aspect configurations list (in dos version switch -g0) added "Mystic Rectangle". Aspect configuration list is now printed out also with aspect list (switch -a0). "Mystic Rectangle" is described in lesson by L. M. P. McPherson.

• 15. Original Astrolog has ability to display positions of 177 Arabic Parts. But there aren't displayed aspects to other objects. In version 5.30a is added possibility to show only Parts, which haves some aspects with other unrestricted objects, and to show these aspects. Orbs can be set by user.
  Here are added switches YPo, YPa and YPs.

  -YPo <value> - SET aspect ORBS for Arabic Parts (in degrees), default 1.0 deg.

  -YPa <value> - number of aspects taked into account to display Parts.

  For example:
  -YPa 1 - all Parts not conjunct allowed objects aren't displayed.
  -YPa 2 - all Parts not conjunct or not opposed allowed objects aren't displayed etc.
  -YPa 0 - switch off this option, display like original version.

  -YPs <value> - number of aspects displayed for every Parts.

  For example:
  -YPs 1 - all conjunctions are displayed.
  -YPs 2 - all conjunctions and oppositions are displayed etc.
  -YPs 0 - switch off this option, display like original version.

  In Windows version these switches are available in menu "Chart Settings". Note, that these switches are independent, that means, in case of -YPa 0 -YPs 18 Astrolog 5.30a display all aspects of all Arabic Parts.
  Here you can look example of output with default settings.

• 16. Added new graphics outputs:
  The idea was given by Theodore Natsinas the author of "Astro - Chart ", (1992) published by Compupress - Greece. Any comments or opinions about it can be mailed to: tednat@compulink.gr
  • Tension - harmonic chart. On graphics wheel chart instead of standard aspects distribution of tensions/harmonics are displayed. Over the Zodiac for every point is calculated sum of powers of all aspects to this point, oppositions and squares has negative influence, trines and sextiles positive (conjunctions aren't taken into account as neutral). Tension points are placed near center, harmonics near outside of wheel. Result is like some flower, where petals shows harmonic areas, intervals between petals shows tension areas. Ring in center shows neutral level. This chart can be reversed, and petals shows tension areas.

  • Aspectation chart. By analogy, for every point is calculated sum of all allowed aspects to this point, but now all influences are summarized with same sign. Now petals shows more aspected areas in a chart.
    Both charts can be rescaled.

  • Allowed are also analogous comparison charts. Here are two differences:
    a) In case of comparison charts orbs are temporarily decreased (look point 5 above), so "flower" can be with very sharp petals, but one can use -YOc switch to smooth picture. -YOc 1.5 seems enough.
    b) In different comparison charts different planet powers for outer planets ring are used: for comparison (-r0) planet powers are calculated (look point 7 above), for transit planets respective transit influences from astrolog.dat are used. Powers for inner planet ring are calculated like for natal. Here you can look such transit chart, where orbs are temporarily decreased 1.5 times (switch -YOc 1.5 used).

  • New switches:
    -Xa 0 - switch off new graphics (also -X made it) -Xa 1 - display tension/harmonic chart, tensions inside.
    -Xa -1 - same chart, but reversed, tensions outside.
    -Xa 2 - display aspecting chart.
    -YXc <value> - rescale both charts, value between 0.2 and 4.0, default 1.0.
    

    In Windows version these switches are available in menu "Chart Settings" in separate box.

  • Text output for such charts is added to standard influence output (-j). After every allowed object is printed four columns. First two columns shows respectively harmonics and tensions in point, where planet is placed. Third column (sum of first two) shows summary tensions/harmonics in point, where planet is placed, fourth one total aspectation of this point. Note, that these aren't planet powers but parameters of respective point on chart. In other words, third column correspond to -Xa and -XA switches, and fourth one correspond to -Xc switch.

• 17. Corrected calculation of Alcabitius house cusps. Thanks to Per Dahlin (pdahlin@tripnet.se) who sent me definition of Alcabitius house cusps.

• 18. Changed calculations of house cusps in Polar Zone. In some situations in Polar Zone (named by Per Dahlin "circumpolar situations") pairs ASC - DES must be reverted, because Zodiac is ascending in reverted direction. Discussion in alt.astrology shows, that exist two points of view to flipping also MC -IC:
  1) MC is defined as upper culmination, then MC - IC aren't flipped, but MC is under horizon.
  2) MC is defined as culmination above horizon and MC - IC are flipped.

  In most graphics wheel charts with reverted ASC, it' s placed to right. Then Zodiac and planets saves his placement.

  Because exists two points of view to flipping of MC in Polar Zone, in this version user can select, flip in circumpolar situation only Asc or both Asc and MC. This option is controlled by switch -YH (or _YH, =YH). Default setting is =YH (that means, flipped are both MC and Asc). If one want flip only Asc, best way is add to astrolog.dat line:

  _YH

  Because use of this switch is very rare, this switch isn't controlled under Windows menus.

• 19. Added Uranian Proserpina. So Astrolog 5.30a has 9 Uranians instead original 8. Proserpina is Uranian #8, (obj. #40) and last Uranian Poseidon is obj. #41. Remember about corresponding changes in astrolog.dat. All info about Proserpina I have is available here.

• 20. Added 25 fixed stars, listed here. Because added stars have apparent magnitude greater than 2.0, colors of star printout are changed. Stars brighter than (less than) magnitude 1.0, are red, with magnitude between 1.0 and 2.0 are orange, and stars with magnitudes greater than 2.0 are dark red. Star name "Orion" is changed to Alnilam (epsilon Orionis), because one of added stars Mintaka (delta Orionis) is another star from Orion's belt (see helpfile of Astrolog, description of switch -U)

• 21. In Windows version increased (2 times) screen buffer, because some new text outputs doesn't go in old one.

• 22. Added new feature. In original Astrolog user can customize rulership of a planet using switch -YJ. That mean, changed are data, where planet is argument and sign is value, and lot of planets can be marked as rulers of same sign. But this switch don't changes data, where sign is argument, planet is value, and here for every sign is only one planet marked as ruler. Graphics dispositor chart uses just these data and this chart is independent of switch -YJ.

  In version 5.30a is added new switch -Yr, which allow to change these data and set as ruler of sign any planet, even Uranian. As result, on graphics dispositor chart can be more than 10 fixed planets (originally Mercury and Venus rules two signs) but maximum 12, own planet for every sign.
  Using of switch:

  -Yr <sign> <object>

  Example below changes ruler of Virgo to Proserpina and ruler of Libra to Chiron.

  -Yr 6 40 -Yr 7 11

  Here you can look an example of such chart.

  This switch changes also data, where planet is argument, that mean, no need for additional switch -YJ <object> <sign> <old_value>. Such change of ruler of sign changes also results of planets powers calculations, because changed version of Astrolog uses dispositor data in power calculations.

  Using of this switch is probably very rare, so best way is put it to astrolog.dat file.

• 23. Changed default color of Venus from green (Air) to yellow (Earth) because Venus is always connected with Taurus (Earth), but often as ruler of Libra is used some other planet (for example Chiron). If one likes more original color, it can be simply restored by adding of one line to astrolog.dat file:
  -YJ 4 7 2

Mostly cleanup of code, but also added some new things.

• 24. In Windows version using of parallel-contraparallel aspects can be set very simply. But Transit To Transit and Transit To Natal Hits are calculated for normal aspects independent of setting of Parallel aspect switch. Only effect is changing of aspect names from conjunctions and Oppositions to Parallels and Contraparallels, but used are really normal aspects, also trines, squares etc. In original Astrolog searching of parallel and contraparallel hits is absent at all. Now this omissed part is added and is possible to search also Parallel and ContraParallel aspects like it was possible with normal aspects.

  I don't added any specific switch to DOS version, in DOS version such searches are possible by using of additional switch -ap, which switches to parallel aspects.

  Note, that I don't added also any new interpretation.

• 25. Overwrited temporary decreasing of orbs in case of parallels and comparison charts which allowed to remove lot of unnecessary code.

• 26. Fixed my omission in animation of progressed chart, which itself worked, but in cause of transit-transit and transit-natal searches and influences caused changes of chart data (in Windows version after repeat of search, data of first chart was changed).

• 27. Fixed original Astrolog omission, where in case of -sr switch (equatorial coordinates instead ecliptical) coordinates of house cusps aren't transformed from ecliptics to equator, and planets itself was on equator, but was placed to ecliptical houses.

• 28. All -Z switch (Horizon) charts must be independent from -sr switch, because image of visible sky relatively to local horizon must be independent of coordinate system we use for planets (equatorial, ecliptical or some other). In original Astrolog all outputs of -Z switches changes in case of additional switch -sr. All routines, connected with -Z switch, transforms first coordinates from ecliptic to equator and then from equator to local horizon coordinates. In case of -sr switch first transform from ecliptic to equator is superfluous, because in case of -sr switch coordinates are already given in equatorial system. In 5.30b this bug is fixed.

• 29. Added new switch -Ze, where outputs are relatively to equator instead of local horizon. These outputs gives good illustration to parallels- contraparallels. Combinations -Z0e and -Ze0 are legal, also with -X switch. In Windows version added respective control in menu "Obscure Settings".

• 30. To graphics outputs with -Z -X switches (overview of space relatively to local horizon) are added positions of ecliptics (dark gray dashed line) and space equator (light gray dashed line). Animation of such picture gives good possibility to look to moving of planets and important planes in time and hepls to understand problems with polar MC and Asc. Here is example of normal chart. In case of polar chart is clearly visible, that MC (intersection point of ecliptic and south direction) is under local horizon, also Asc (intersection point of ecliptic and local horizon) is on west from MC.

• 31. Fixed my bug with switch -Zd (rising and setting) in polar zone, where flipping of MC caused nonexisting hits from planets to MC and IC.

• 32. Fixed bug in calculation of Gauquelin sectors in polar zone. In this case some planets can not rise and set during a day. Astrolog restricts such planets, but original version don't restores old restriction set when returning to standard wheel.

• 33. Fixed my own bug, where using SouthNode/Lilith with _b switch (don't use ephemeris files) caused in graphics mode error message and exit.

• 34. Missing of control over Proserpina in Windows version caused a lot of problems (in Win version). This very serious bug is fixed now.

• 35. Added two points on the sky - Centre of our Galaxy and Apex of Sun. There are different data, better seems data from "Brockhaus ABC der Astronimie" (Leipzig 1961):
  Centre of Galaxy: 17h 40' , -29 deg
  Apex of Sun: 18h 04' , +30 deg
  

  Better data of Centrum of Galaxy gives J. Shklowsky (- 17h 42' 30" -29 deg 02', results of radioastronomy). Of cource, all theses dara are corrected to epoch 1900, used by Astrolog.

• 36. In text mode added support of 8-bit characters in any place (name, place, custom interpretation etc.). In graphics mode Astrolog uses his own fonts, and needs additional work to create at least codepage 850 support.

• 37. Added new interpretation way, where interpretation is read from text files, prepared by user. There are three areas:
  • planets and aspects, where are described meanings of planets in signs and houses and their aspects.
    
  • houses, where are described meanings of positions of house cusps, planets in houses etc.
    
  • meanings of stars (if these are unrestricted).

  NOTE, that interpretation is read from additional text files, which must be filled by user. Here you can see full description of this feature.

  This interpretation is controlled by switches:

  -Ia - only regrouped info, without interpretation
  -Ib - full interpretation
  -Ip - interpretation of planets
  -Ih - interpretation of houses
  

  All these switches works also without interpretation files.

• 38. Added 8-bit text support also to graphics mode. Because of structure of original Astrolog (uses his own font) here is compiled in support of codepage 850 (international latin). As I wrote earlyer (look above), in text mode actual codepage is supported.

• 39. Fixed my bug, where some 8-bit characters in first place of name or postion caused damage of text chart header.

• 40. Fixed bug in my addition to influence (switch -j0) printout. Total aspectation of planets was wrong - was added influence of conjunction of planet with himself.

• 41. Aspectation output (switch -j0) is changed. Now are six columns: Name of planet, sum of harmonical aspects (trines and sextiles), sum of tension aspects (squares and oppositions), sum of harmonical and tension aspects, where tension aspects are negative, sum of conjuncions, total aspectation of planet.

• 42. In "flower" graphics output is removed simultaneous influence of opposite house cusps - included are conjunctions and trines to unrestricted cusps, but removed oppositions and sextiles to allowed opposite cusps. That's similar to "smart cusps" option of original Astrolog.

• 43. Added alternative interpretation of positions of dispositors in signs and houses. Switches -Ib, -Ip, -Ih are same, than in previous versions. Changes and additions:

  -Ia - added info about positions of situative and natural dispositors in signs and houses
  -Id - like -Ih, but added interpretations of positions of dispositors in signs and houses
  -Io - All possible interpretations. Like -Ib, but added interpretations of dispositors in signs and houses.

  Interpretations of positions of dispositors in houses and signs you can find in book "The Astrological Tarot" by Georges Mushery, published in 1994 by Senate, an imprint of Studio Editions Ltd, London.

  NOTE, that interpretation is read from additional text files, which must be filled by user. Here you can see full description of this feature.

• 44. Last changes in "alternative interpretation" wasn't reflected in Windows version's menus. This omission is fixed.

• 45. Original Astrolog 5.30 sources (and also older changed versions) can't be compiled in text mode without corrections in sources. In version 5.30e it's fixed.

• 46. Changed graphich output "Local Horizon" (switches -X -Z). On ecliptics curve (added in version 5.30b) are marked beginnig points of zodiacal signs. So finally there are local horizon (horizontal stright), space equator (light gray dashed line) and ecliptics (dark gray dashed line). Point 0Ari is marked as red, 0Lib as green and all other beginning points of zodiacal sings as white points on ecliptics curve.
  Animation of this graphics chart is good illustration to problems with Houses in polar zone.

• 47. To graphics wheel and biwheel charts added new feature. Original Astrolog (and all previous changed versions) shows all exact (or nearly exact) aspects as solid lines, undependently of real power of aspect. That means, exact aspect between two very weak planet is solid, and not exact (but much more powerful) aspect between two important planet is dashed.

  Astrolog 5.30f allows to change dashennes of aspect lines relatively to calculated power, not exactness. That means, solid are all aspects with power more than 8.0 (default setting), and weak aspects are dached even they are exact. New feature is realized in "bonus mode" (-Xi switch or pressing the i key in a window). That allows change between "aspects by exactness" and "aspects by power" by the fly. In some cases changes in chart are great, in some cases small. To be sure, which mode is in using, to info border just below "Astrolog 5.30f" in bonus mode are now words "Bonus mode". Originally in bonus mode are shown only planets without aspects.

  One can change minimal aspect power to be solid by new switch -YPp.

  -YPp <value>

  Default value is 8.0. In Windows version value can be changed in menu "Obscure settings".

• 48. To info-border of graphics wheel charts (single and comparison) is added some info of aspects in (or between) chart(s). There are outputs:
  Harm = sum of harmonical aspects (trines and sextiles),
  Tens = sum of tension aspects (squares and oppositions),
  Summ = sum of harmonical and tension aspects, where tension aspects are negative,
  Conj = sum of conjuncions,
  Total = total aspectation of planet.

  This option is controlled by new switch -XI. If Astrolog is already running graphichs wheel chart, this option can be toggled on/off by pressing "I".

  In case of single chart that's just same info, whish is printed out in last line in -j0 switch text output. In case of comparison charts there are summarized aspects between two charts.

• in aspectation calculations with -j0 switch. There was always used orb addition, so all numbers was greater (until 7-8%).

• 50. Fixed my bug, caused by changes in two previous versions. In case of graphichs composite chart graphichs wheel was correct, but planets positions in infoborder was wrong: there was postitions from first chart, not from composite chart. This bug is fixed now.

• 51. Position of Centre of Galaxy is corrected. Seems, that I made there unnecessary transformation of epoch, which caused difference about 1 degree. New position for now (26Sag08) matches better with other sources than old one (25Sag22).

Alois Treindl modified Astrolog 5.30 and named new version 5.31. It contains the new Swiss Ephemeris instead of the older Placalc ephemeris. The responsibility for this modification is with Alois Treindl. Original Astrolog 5.31 with all related files is available at ftp://www.astro.com/pub/astrolog/

Instead of older Placalc ephemeris new ones are used: sepl_xx.se1 for planets, seas_xx.se1 for astreoids and semo_xx.se1 for Moon. Every set of files covers 600 years. Windows version has builtin planetary and Moon ephemeris, which uses another algorithm and covers 3000 BC - 3000 AD. Though, external ephemeris are more precise and quick. Pkziped set of ephemeris files sweph_18.zip contains files for 1800 AD - 2400 AD.

• 52. Just same modification is made with Astrolog 5.30g1, new version name is 5.31g. This version hasn't any additional modifications from my side.

Astrolog 5.40 and then 5.41 with Swiss Ephemeris was released.

• 53. Here I moved all my previous changes from Astrolog 5.31g to new original version 5.41. Because Swiss Ephemeris are more precise and quick than older Placalc ephemeris, I moved to 5.41 and don't will change versions with Placalc anymore. So Astrolog 5.40a doesn't exist.

• 54. Added alternative interpretation of TRANSIT-NATAL comparison charts, analogious to earlyer alternative interpretation of natal charts. For details see file interalt.txt. Sample interpretation files with descriptions are in file interalt.zip.

• 55. Added three new switches (YSa, YSj, YSs) for use in astrolog.dat file, which allows to change some default settings:
  =YSa - sets aspects in listings by default as applying-separating.
  =YSj - influence text chart shows by default also house's influence.
  =YSs - aspect listing shows by default also aspect summary.

• 56. To most text outputs added headers, where are described type of chart, in case of comparison charts also data of both charts. In case of multiply charts header is printed only once.

• 57. To Aspects Configurations list added also "Kite" (described for example in lesson about aspects by L. M. C. McPherson.

• 58. Fixed original Astrolog bug, appeared between versions 5.30 and 5.40 - positions of planets and Houses in Gauquelin graphics chart infoborder was wrong.

• 59. To Windows version "Help" menu added new item - Open World Atlas, which opens WEB browser and connects to infoserver http://www.astro.ch/atlas/. (I use it often to find coordinates and timezones of different towns). URL is placed into file watlas.url, added to package.

• 60. Fixed original Astrolog omission - Windows version "Help" menu looks for necessary files only in local directory. Now these files are searched through all directories, connected with astrolog (see helpfile for details of setting of environment variables) with searching order:
  • 1) Local directory
  • 2) Environment directories, set in autoexec.bat, one of them version specific (names of directories as examples, names of environment variables must be strict and in upper-case:
    • a) set ASTR5.41B=C:\aaaaa\541
    • b) set ASTROLOG=d:\abbbb
    • c) set ASTR=H:\miscfile
  • 3) Default directory, compiled in: C:\ASTROLOG

  If Astrolog doesn't find file, it doesn't attempt to start wordpad or WEB browser but prints only warning, that it can't find file.

• 61. Improved configuration file astrolog.dat, saved by Windows version - all switches of changed versions are in separate section:
  ; SWITCHES, NOT SUPPORTED BY ORIGINAL ASTROLOG

  That simplifies use of the same astrolog.dat file for both changed and original versions - for original version simply comment out all switches, described in this section.

• 62. Fixed bug in stars restriction window, appeared in 5.41a (star Sheat was always shown as unrestricted).

All changes in last version are connected with fixed stars. Main change - also fixed stars are now calculated by Swiss Ephemeris routines.

• 63. Stars calculations moved to Swiss Ephemeris, which improved precision of calculations. Additional file fixstars.ast is necessary. That's specially modified file fixstars.cat from SWEPH, which contains data of about 800 fixed stars (actually fixstars.ast is last version of fixstars.cat, where data of stars, used by Astrolog, are copied to first 74 lines). There are traditional name of star (like Aldebaran), canonical name (like alTau), ephemeris and magnitude. Without this file all stars calculations are made as in previous versions.

• 64. If fixstars.ast file is used, name and maginitude from file overwrites these internal data of Astrolog and are printed out in listings etc. In some printouts are used also canonical names of stars.

• 65. Stars are searched by line (star) number in fixstars.ast file, so copying of lines in astrolog.ast to first 74 positions gives possibilty to use all stars from this catalogue (in blocks by 74 stars, allowed by changed Astrolog).
  • Note, that most stars in catalogue hasn't traditional name but only canonical name. If you want to use such a stars, I suggest to write canonical name also into traditional name field (like i'ts made with zeRet in fixstars.ast). In other case you will see blank starname(s) in all listings and if such stars are more than one, it's difficult to distinguish them (in some printouts they can be distinguished by canonical name).

• 66. Changed stars restrictions menu in Windows version. Internal names of stars, used by Astrolog, are overwritten by names from fixstars.ast file. Canonical names aren't used there, so if you will use stars with blank traditional name filed, it will be blank also in menu.
  • Note, that when Astrolog starts first time with disallowed fixed stars, internal stars names are used (because fixstars.ast file isn't used in this case). If you use modified fixstars.ast file, you have to cast once any chart with all fixed stars unrestricted. Then all stars names will be overwritten and with next charts you can see there new names from fixstars.ast and use them for restriction.

  • In case of alternative stars restriciton you don't need stars restriction menu, stars are restricted and unrestricted automagically. But after first chart with fixed stars there will be names from fixstars.ast.

• 67. Changed some text outputs:
  • In chart listing object name field is increased to 10 characters, (important for stars!), for stars added canonical names instead of blank field for velocity.

  • In Local Horizon and Prime Vertical text charts added recpective line to header, object names increased to 7 characters.

• 68. Stars colours can be customized. New switches:
  -YUb1 <value> for stars with magnitude below 1.0
  -YUb2 <value> for stars with magnitude between 1.0 and 2.0
  -YUb3 <value> for stars with magnitude over 2.0

  Colors: ( <value> )

  0 - black, 1 - maroon, 2 - dk. green, 3 - orange, 4 - dk. blue, 5 - purple, 6 - dk. cyan, 7 - lt. gray, 8 - dk. gray, 9 - red, 10 - green, 11 - yellow, 12 - blue, 13 - magenta, 14 - cyan, 15 - white.

  "Save settings" in Windows version saves also these stars colours settings.

• 69. To Windows version "Help" menu added new item - Open Fixed Stars, which opens WEB browser and connects to infoserver http://www.winshop.com.au/annew/. URL is placed into file stars.url, added to package.

• 70. Fixed bug in Windows and Unix/Linux versions 5.41C, where use of alternative interpretation files causes crach of program.

• 71. Calculations of Uranianas are also moved from Matrix routines to Swiss Ephemeris. No need in additional ephemeris files, these ephemeris are in standard SWEPH package. Note, that Proserpina was added earlyer by myself and is calculated as previously by Matrix routines. So Proserpina is moved to last place and is now Uranian #9 (not #8 as earlyer).

• 72. Improved fixed stars ephemeris file fixstars.ast:
  • In previous file all omegas and omicrons had same canonical name - om. Now all omegas are clearly ome, all omicrons omi. That caused small changes in printout formats where canonical names of fixed stars are used.
  • Stars are reordered by constellations, which helps seek of necessary stars.
  • Added names to lot of stars.
  • Added some stars, used in astrology, but not listed earlyer. Now file contains data of over 1000 fixed stars.

• 73. Added stars ordering by Prime Vertical. In Windows version it can be choosen in Chart settings, in command line versions is added new switch -Up.

• 74. Added new graphics output - local horizon chart in Prime Vertical coordinates. In original Astrolog -Z0 switch has different meanings in text and graphics modes. In text mode it gets output with prime vertical coordinates, in graphics mode it's local horizon output (same with -Z), but with other point of view, named in Windows version "Horizon Chart Displays With Polar Center" (choose it in "Chart" -> "Chart Settings", then "Local Horizon" chart and then Graphics).

  • Original Astrolog output. You lie faced to zehith, head to Nord. Zenith is just in centre of screen, upper half is nordic hemisphere, internal circle represents local horizon, external dashed circle represents "stretched" opposite point Nadir. Planets, which are under horizon, are outside internal circle. Original Astrolog covered sky up to -90 deg in corners of picture and up tp -37 deg latitude in N, E, S and W directions (so area inside 53 deg to nadir in these directions is invisible). I rescaled picture, so now in these directions is invisible only area inside 9 degree from Nadir (visible is part between +90 and -81 degree latitude), and in corners is visible "stretched" Nadir.

  • To switch to added Prime Vertical mode, hit i (bonus mode). This system is exactly perpendicular to previous. You are faced to South - horizontal line in centre of screen is local horizon, just in centre of screen is southern point of horizon. Part inside of internal cicrcle is just in front of you, outside of cicrcle behind you. So Zenith is just upper crossing point of vertical line and circle, nadir lower one. This picture is scaled just as previous one, dached outern circle is "stretched" northen point on local horizon.

• 75. Added restriction set for progressed charts (for natal-progressed comparison charts only!). To set restrictions for progressed charts a new switch -YRP is used in the same way as restrictions and transit restricitons are set by -YR and -YRT switches (see helpfile and astrolog.dat).

• 76. Modified power calculations. There are significant changes:
  • 1) Positional power calculations revised and cleaned. This caused changes in some settings in the astrolog.dat file (see power.txt). Initial powers are revised. Of course, one can play with these values to find his own preferred power levels.
  • 2) User can set powers of parallels relative to conjunctions (new switch -YOP <value>, default 0.25). In earlier versions this default value was fixed.
  • 3) In all planet power calculations only unrestricted aspects are used (earlier versions used in some outputs just the 5 main aspects).

• 77. Small changes in headers for comparison text charts - for synastry and dual charts the name from the second chart is added.

• 78. All older versions of Astrolog showed parallel/contraparallel aspects as separating. To find out whether a parallel/contraparallel is applying, it's necessary to know speeds in latitude but Astrolog did not use them, and could not calculate these aspects at all.

  Fortunately the Swiss Ephemeris calculates speeds in latitude, so in version 5.41E real appplying/separating parallel/contraparallel aspects are calculated. Note that it's necessary to use the Swiss Ephemeris to calculate them. With _b switch (don't use ephemeris files) Matrix routines are used and speeds in latitude aren't calculated, and these aspects won't be calculated in that case - as in original version, aspects are then always shown as separating.

• 79. Fixed a bug in the Windows version, where restrictions of Alnilam and Elnath were garbled. Restriction of Alnilam caused the restriction of Elnath and vice-versa.

• 80. Fixed a bug in the Windows version, where it wasn't possible to use the "Null" house system.

• 81. Aspects between fixed stars are removed from all outputs.

• 82. Fixed original astrolog bug. POF (in main objects) was wrong in case of equatorial coordinates (but in arabic parts list it was correct).

• 83. Colors of all main objects can be changed from default. New switch added:
  -Yq <object> <color>

  Just by standard Astrolog rules there are object and color numbers or names (see helpfile.540), so all examples below will give you blue Mars :)

  -Yq 5 12
  -Yq 5 blue
  -Yq mars 12
  -Yq mars blue

• 84. Alternative stars restriction works now also with parallels. So if (with active "alternative restriction") you switch to parallels (View -> Parallel Aspects), unrestricted will be stars which parallels some object (if you increase apect numbers for alternative restriction, there will be unrestricted stars with contraparallels too).

• 85. To switch to parallels in command line (DOS or Unix) version (in Win version it's simple), there is new switch -YSP. It's useful also in some other cases (like in combination with -d switch to see parallel-contraparallel events during day/month etc).

• 86. Added automagic restriction of stars also by prime vertical. There are new switches:
  -YUP <value>

  where value:
  

  0 - switch this off
  1 - unrestricted are stars, which conjuncts some object (except cusps, POF etc).
  2 - unrestricted are stars with PV = 0, 45, 90, etc degrees
  3 - unrestricted are both above
  

  -YUO1 <orb1>
  -YUO2 <orb2>

  These switches are obvious, they sets orbs for automagic restrictions above (for YUP 1 and YUP 2 respectively), default orbs are 1.166666667 deg (1deg10').
  When you use -YUP <value>, don't worry about switching on/off "alternative stars restriction", it will be automatically back to previous value when you get -YUP 0.
  I dindn't add anyhing to Windows version menus, all can be comfortably done by macros like
  {M0 1 "_v -Z0 -U -Up -YUP 1"}
  DOS version supports all new switches above.

• 87. Added alternative date format for some outputs (like events search with -d switch), where abbreviature of month is printed instead of number of month (i.e. "12 Jan 2000" instead of original "12- 1-2000"). That can be switched by new switch -Yn. Default setting is Astrolog's original one (numeric month), =Yn switches to abbreviatures.

• 88. Names and abbreviatures of aspects can be customized. New switches:
  -An <n> <name>
  -AA <n> <abbreviature>

  There n is number of aspect, name and abbreviature are new name and abbreviature for this aspect. Best way to use is put them to astrolog.dat file.

  NB! <abbreviature> MUST be three characters. Astrolog doesn't check lenght of new abbreviature, and in other case most outputs where aspect abbreviatures are used, will be distorted.

• 89. Astrolog computes position of Lilith (Dark Moon) using external ephemeris. When -b setting is off, Astrolog will display the position of the South Node instead (see helpfile.540, description of -HO switch). Position of Lilith is calculated by Swiss Ephemeris only if central planet is Earth, and in version 5.41F if central planet isn't Earth, Lilit is analogiously replaced by South Node even if -b switch is on.

• 90. Original Astrolog doesn't replace central object in comparison grid charts. In version 5.41F changes of central planet are reflected also there.

• 91. Fixed original Astrolog bug, where Local Horizon data (and also Prime Vertical) were off by up to several arc-minutes.

• 92. Fixed original Astrolog bug (Windows version), where "Time / Space Midpoint" chart is correct, but it was not possible to return back to "No relationship chart" - there was still previous "midpoint" chart.

• 93. In "Rising and Setting" chart fixed bug, where "Print Nearest Second" worked unproperly - seconds weren't shown for risings and settings.

  In this context more correct termin instead of "zenith" and "nadir" is astronomical termin "culmination" that means transit over meridian. There are two culminations: "upper culmination" when planet has highest position and "lower culmination" when planet has lowest position. So in the chart termins "zeniths" and "nadirs" are replaced by "culm.(up)" and "culm.(lo)" respectively.

• 94.Uncorrect object name "Nadir" has been replaced by corret "IC". Nadir has different meaning than IC, Nadir is the point on the sky opposite to Zenith.

• 95. Slightly improved Astrolog's behaviour in case of progressed and relationship charts. Earlyer Windows versions allowed to do progression and then do some relationship chart like Natal-Progressed. Or vice versa, when looking say Natal-Progressed chart switch also Progression "on". That all confused Astrolog and results were often unpredictable.

  Now any use of relationship charts (in menu "Info") switches off "Do Progression" (in "Chart" => "Progressions"). And vice versa, switching progression on (in "Chart" => "Progression") switches off any comparison. As result Astrolog is displaying just what it has to dasplay, no confusion.

• 96. Fixed orignal astrolog bug (appeared only in Windows version). When natal chart was opened from file with saved planets positions (not birth data), there only first output was correct, all next charts (as aspect list, transit searches, all comparison charts etc) had wrong planets positions.

  NB! Use such input files carefully! They are treated by astrolog as files "with no time and space", so a lot of chart types can't be used with them. An examples are all progression charts, because they needs birth-chart time to calculate progressions.

• 97. Fixed bug of changed versions, where in case of use of data with saved planet positions (just as above), data-border of graphics charts dilsplayed info "no time or space" twice.

• Time and location have new format - with seconds, both for chart's data inputs and outputs. Only outputs with old data format are events searching outputs, because with reasonably low division value they anyway can be off by a few minutes, so seconds seems unnecessary there.

  "Rising and setting" chart is only exception among searching charts that shows time with seconds. Even with default setting d: 48 times are off by only a few seconds, and it is quick enough to show precise (by seconds) times with d: 96 in reasonably short time. Note, that values of azimuth angles in rising/setting moment are extremely sensitive of time changes (very small change of time causes big change in azimuth) and can be off by a few seconds. To improve azimuth precision one has to increase division value up to hundreds.

  All input files with old time/location format can be used, but all outputs are saved only in new time/location format.

• 98. Calculations precision improved - time-dependent obliquity of ecliptic is used instead of fixed value.

• Added new switsh to change local horizon text output from default ENWS to NESW. One has just to add line

  =YZ

  to astrolog.dat file and it will be deafult setting.

• 99. Slightly changed Prime Vertical text chart output: Altitude and Azimuth in header have been replaced by Amplitude and Prm-Vrt. One can see this chart by choosing "Local Horizon" and setting "Horizon Chart with Polar Center / Prime Vert. (text)" in "Chart settings". Note, that this switch has different meanings for text and graphics charts: in text mode it switches between Local Horizon <=> Prime Vertical outputs, in graphics it switches between "normal wiew" and "view vith Polar Center". However, one can switch also between Polar Center and Pime Vert. also in graphics by hitting 'i' on the keyboard (switch to bonus mode).

• 100. Changed calculations of Solar Arc. Original Astrolog calculates there actually directions, where all planets and house cusps positions are moved forward to an amount equal in degrees to the number of years that have passed between the specified date and the chart in question. Because real (even mean or average) motion of Sun isn't 1 degree per day, resulting Solar Arc Sun position doesn't match with secondary progressed Sun position (but they must match).

  To correct this situation, there has been added another calculation of Solar Arc - first secondary progressed Sun's position is determined and then all chart components are moved accordlingly.

  To avoid misunderstanding, existing Solar Acr calculations remains, but have now corrected name "Degree Per Day/Month", as earlyer one can change amount of degrees per year (more strictly, amount of days for 1 degree direction. See description of -p0 and -pd switches in helpfile.540). Added calculation is named "Solar Arc Directions" and there Sun's position follows secondary progressed Sun positions, all other point in chart are moved accordlingly.

  Existing switches -p0, -p0n remain as previously. For new correct "Solar Arc Directions" calculations new switches -p1 and -p1n are used. In Windows version all can be done through menus: "Chart" => "Progressions..."

• 101. Slightly changed chraphics charts' infoborder and text charts' headers - secondary progressed charts are still named as "progressed", Solar Arc and "Degree per Year/Mont" are marked as "directed" with name of direction.

• Graphics chart's infoborder has additional information: Obliquity of ecliptic, Sidereal time, Delta T (in seconds) and in case of sidereal chart Ayanamsha (sidereal offest).

  Note, that Ayanamsha has negative value and dafaults to Fagan Bradley. Ayanamsha control in "Calculation Settings" has a dropdown to allow quick selection of some common systems of sidereal astrology. The values are additions to default value and they are 0.0 for Fagan Bradley, 0.883333 (or 0 degrees 53') for N.C. Lahiri, 0.983333 (or 0 degrees 59') for Krishnamurti, and 2.333333 (or 2 degrees 20') for B.V. Raman. On the screen has shown resulting value.

• 102. Date/time and Julian Day in the graphics charts' infoboredr has been colored:

  1. First (or single) data/time is always bright white.

  2. Second date/time is always yellow.

  3. JD (which is actually also time/date) has color of corresponding date/time above (as yellow in case of transit comparison or direction charts). If JD doesn't correspond to neither date/time above (as in case of progressions where JD corresponds to date/time of planets' positions on the screen), color is green. Note, that in case of Synastry and Comparison charts JD will be yellow, becsuse it corresponds to second date/time above (data of second chart).

• 103. Windows version controls of progressed charts have been polished. They looks more clear now. As default 365.2422 (tropical) year has used.

  In "Degree per Days" dropdown are also available:
  

  365.25636 (sidereal year)
  27.321582 (tropical month)
  27.321661 (sidereal month)
  29.530588 (synodic month)

  Other more exotic (like Draconic) years/months aren't included.

• 104. Astrolog computes position of Lilith (Dark Moon) using external ephemeris. When ephemeris are set off, Astrolog will display the position of the South Node instead (see helpfile.540, description of -HO switch). For users, who wants to use South Node always, there has been added new switch =YN which forces Astrolog to do it. This switch can be entered through "Edit" => "Enter Command Line" (Windows version) or simply added to astrolog.dat file to make this behaviour default.

• 105. By default Astrolog calculates mean Lilith. For users who wants to use osculting position of Lilith, new switch -YL has been added. As above, this switch can be added to astrolog.dat file, which makes such behaviour default.

• 106. Dispositors' glyphs on the graphichs wheels can be switched on/off using switch -YD (default on). To choose appropriate default behaviour of program, this switch can be added to astrolog.dat file.

Valentin Abramov

/*
** Astrolog (Version 5.41)
**       
** Code changed by Valentin Abramov
** Version 5.41G
** Last code change made 26th Apr. 2002
**
** IMPORTANT NOTICE: The graphics database and chart display routines
** used in this program are Copyright (C) 1991-1998 by Walter D. Pullen
** (Astara@msn.com, http://www.magitech.com/~cruiser1/astrolog.htm).
** Permission is granted to freely use and distribute these routines
** provided one doesn't sell, restrict, or profit from them in any way.
** Modification is allowed provided these notices remain with any
** altered or edited versions of the program.
**
** The main planetary calculation routines used in this program have
** been Copyrighted and the core of this program is basically a
** conversion to C of the routines created by James Neely as listed in
** Michael Erlewine's 'Manual of Computer Programming for Astrologers',
** available from Matrix Software. The copyright gives us permission to
** use the routines for personal use but not to sell them or profit from
** them in any way.
**
** The PostScript code within the core graphics routines are programmed
** and Copyright (C) 1992-1993 by Brian D. Willoughby
** (brianw@sounds.wa.com). Conditions are identical to those above.
**
** The extended accurate ephemeris databases and formulas are from the
** calculation routines in the library SWISS EPHEMERIS and are programmed and
** copyright 1998 by Astrodienst AG.
** The use of that source code is subject to
** the Swiss Ephemeris Public License, available at 
** http://www.astro.ch/swisseph. This copyright notice must not be 
** changed or removed by any user of this program.
**
** Initial programming 8/28,30, 9/10,13,16,20,23, 10/3,6,7, 11/7,10,21/1991.
** X Window graphics initially programmed 10/23-29/1991.
** PostScript graphics initially programmed 11/29-30/1992.
** Last code change made 12/20/1998.
** Modifications from version 5.40 to 5.41 are by Alois Treindl.
*/

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