Decanates and Duads for More Precise Chart Interpretation

An astrological chart is divided into twelve houses. Each house represents 30 degrees of the 360-degree circle.

Each house can, in turn, be divided into three sections of 10 degrees each, called decanates. Decanates allow for a more detailed, precise focus in inspiring your clients.

Each decanate, in turn, can be divided into four sections of 2 1/2 degrees each, called duads. Some astrologers go beyond duads to consider each of the 360 degrees separately. These smaller divisions are usually used in East Indian astrology, and they come up with very precise predictions.

Within each house, there is a whole, microcosmic horoscope, made up of 12 divisions of 2 1/2 degrees each - or 12 duads.

For the interpretation of decanates, the first decanate in each sign is sub-ruled by the same sign as the sign itself. For example, for Leo, the first decanate is ruled by Leo. The next decanate is sub-ruled by the next sign in the triplicity, going around the chart counter-clockwise. So the next decanate after Leo would be Sagittarius (i.e. the next fire sign), and the third would be Aries. So, a person born in the first decanate of Leo would have an intensified Leo influence. Those born in the second would still be Leos but also have Sagittarian qualities, and so on.

For the interpretation of duads, the first duad in each sign has the sub-sign of the sign itself, and then they proceed in order through all twelve. For example, the first duad of Aries,would intensify the Aries influence; the second would add a Taurean influence to the Aries, and so on.