One of the considerations I take into account when looking at a nativity are the triplicity lords of the houses.
The triplicities have their origins in the ancient Mesopotamian worldview where they were associated with the winds of the four directions. The Sumerians, Assyrians and Babylonians along with the Egyptians saw the stars as being carried by these winds. The Sumerians and Babylonians interpreted omens depending on the direction of the wind and recorded these in their proverbs:
The north wind is a satisfying wind; the south wind is harmful to man.
The east wind is a rain-bearing wind; the west wind is greater than those who live there.
The east wind is a wind of prosperity, the friend of Naram-Suen.
—from ETCSL 6.1.04 lines 11-13
and…
The south wind, when it blows, dizzies people with dust.
The north wind when mightily blowing splits open the broad land.
The east wind, which has caused the rain above to rain down its lightning, makes a man's body waste away.
The west wind is evil, tirelessly brings devastation to the arallû-plains.
—Utukku Lemnutu (tablet 12)
The four directions of the wind and heavens came to be divided up with their corresponding signs in the Babylonian zodiac.
The early Greeks also associated the winds with the cardinal directions and the seasons as Anemoi, the wind gods. Originally there were only three detailed by Hesiod in The Theogony. There are also Orphic Hymns to Zephyros for the spring and westerly winds, Notos for the summer and south winds, and Boreas for the winter and north winds. The fourth Anemoi, Eurus was relegated to the east wind and the season of autumn but is scant in the surviving literature. There are also lesser wind deities that appear in a few ancient sources.
Hellenistic astrologers, in adopting much of the Babylonian astronomy, incorporated the triplicities of the zodiac signs. Dorotheus of Sidon became the first astrologer to use the triplicities as indicators for divining events *horoscopically*. However, Vettius Valens is noted as the first author to connect the triplicities with the four elements.
Prior to Dorotheus, other astrologers such as Thrasyllus only worked with the triplicities of the sect light in assessing emminence in the nativity. During the Hellenistic period, life was also divided into only two phases so the first two triplicity lords of the ruling luminary were seen to govern the first and second half of life respectively, while the third triplicity lord was considered to assist the other two throughout the lifespan.
Later Persian authors expanded on Dorotheus' work and divided the life into three, instead of two, phases. The late-Sasanian astrologer Al-Andarzaghar established a triplicity lord system for delineating the meanings of the houses. Al-Andarzaghar is thought to have lived in the 7th century CE, between Buzurjmihr of the 6th century and Mash'allah of the 8th century. His work greatly influenced the legendary astrologers al-Qabisi, Abu Ma’shar, al-Khayyat and many more in the Medieval Islamicate tradition.
So what exactly are the triplicities? Simply put, the term triplicity defines a grouping of three (tri). The triplicities comprise the four groups of three signs of the same element or modality which form trigons (or trines) with each other: Aries/Leo/Sagittarius (Fire); Taurus/Virgo/Capricorn (Earth); Gemini/Libra/Aquarius (Air); Cancer/Scorpio/Pisces (Water). The Fire and Air signs are ruled by the diurnal sect planets, while the Earth and Water signs are ruled by the nocturnal sect planets. The triplicity rulers are further arranged according to sect (see below):
From al-Andarzaghar's methodology we derive the significations of the three triplicity lords for each house. Again, sect is important in determining their order. The planetary domicile rulers of the triplicities tell us which life topics they govern in the nativity. We determine how effectively each planet will deliver its natal promise based on its essential and accidental dignity. Essential dignity is qualified by whether the planet is in its own sign (domicile or exaltation), face (decan) or term (bound). Accidental fortitude is determined by angularity or being in a favorable house (ie, a succedent place or where the planet rejoices).
We consider the triplicity rulers of the houses in working with profections, progressions, transits and other timing techniques, as well as in horary. For example, when in a Venus-ruled year, monthly revolution or Fardar, the topics that Venus governs or "promises" are likely to take precedence in that period. In determining the answer to questions in a horary, the triplicity lords can indicate their results with finer nuance.
Let's consider the triplicity rulerships for each house. Below I've compiled their significations from al-Qabisi's interpretations of al-Andarzaghar’s teachings, modernizing some of the meanings wherever applicable. Paid subscribers have access to this content.
*I explore the triplicities and more in each of my readings. For the Libra ingress I am offering 30% OFF any reading with the coupon EQUINOX —this coupon expires Oct 1st. If interested in receiving direct guidance on how to interpret the triplicity rulers in relation to timing life events, etc schedule an appointment with me here: