Grimes' Methodology
The purpose of this methodology is to provide a step-by-step focus, for the astrologer, that ends with an accurate and specific prediction for a given point in time.
Several astrologers have tried this methodology in a series of blind analyses, in which nothing more than the birth date, time, place was known, along with an event window, consisting of a date or date range to consider. This methodology has proven its efficacy in such analyses.
Summary of Steps
Step 1 - Identify and Interpret the "Natal Triggers" *
Write down every natal trigger, auspicious and inauspicious, that occurs in the rasi. A natal trigger is identified as any planet, benefic or malefic, which conjoins or aspects another planet or house Equal Bhava Madhya (EBM), within a five degree orb of influence - irrespective of house or sign boundaries. Standard Vedic aspects are used for each planet. Having identified the natal triggers, write down the interpretation of each.
Requirements for Step 1
A fundamental understanding of Vedic Astrology, the ability to identify natal triggers, and the ability to accurately interpret them.
Purpose of Step 1
No significant event will transpire in a person's chart unless it has been foretold in the rasi. However, it is the planetary period and prevailing transits which will tell the astute astrologer when those "Natal Triggers" will be pulled and come to fruition. This is why it is paramount in importance to assess the natal triggers first, because nothing will happen if the rasi does not indicate it.
* The term "Natal Trigger" has been coined by the author, Ron Grimes. It means a condition existing in the rasi, or natal chart, indicating a certain event will transpire, at some point in time, for the chart's owner.
Step 2 - Create A List of Significations
Create a table of three columns, with the mahadasa lord being represented in the first column, the bhukti lord in the second column, and the pratyantardasa lord in the third column.
In each column, copy down, from the "Significations" list, the following four types of significations:
1. significations of the house containing the period lord's mulatrikona sign
2. significations of the period lord's house of residence
3. natural significations of the period lord
4. significations of the period lord's house of transit *
* House of transit during the event window in question.
A fifth type of signification will be included in each column:
Requirements for Step 2
List of Natal Triggers developed in Step 1.
List of Planet/House significations found in "Significations".
Purpose of Step 2
In Step 2, we are creating a list of significations which have the potential of being activated during the event window in question. However, in this step, we are not making an opinion as to which significations will be activated. That assessment begins to happen in Step 3.
Step 3 - Identify Recurring Themes for Each Period Lord
Using the table, created in the previous step, start with column 1, and identify those significations which occur two or more times. Write down those significations and the number of times they occur within the column. Do the same for columns two and three.
Requirements for Step 3
Table created in Step 2
Purpose of Step 3
In Step 3, we are now identifying those significations which have the highest probability of occurring during the event window.
Step 4 - Summarize the "Color", "Trend", and "Causes"
Using the findings of Step 3, write a statement about what "colors" the period, what is the "trend", and what are the "causes". The mahadasa lord colors the period; the bhukti lord sets the trend; and the pratyantardasa lord indicates the cause(s) of the prevailing trend. It is important to note that we are only listing the significations which occur two, or more, times - as identified in Step 3. It is important, in this step, not to characterize the periods as being either benefic or malefic. Simply limit your statements to nouns - no modifiers of any sort.
Significations which occur three times, or more, in a given column, should be stated as being "virtually guaranteed" to happen during the corresponding period. Significations appearing only twice should be stated as being "probable".
Requirements for Step 4
List of significations, produced in Step 3, as occurring two times, or more.
Purpose of Step 4
We are, in essence, setting the boundaries, or framework, for the event window. As a general rule, the astrologer will find that the event window transits, to be subsequently analyzed, will activate those significations found occurring two times, or more, in the list created in Step 3.
Step 5 - Examine the Event Window Transits
Identify those slow/stationary transits occurring on the date(s) in question. Then, render the proper interpretation of those transits.
In this step, use only the transits of Rahu, Ketu, Saturn, and Jupiter against either natal or transit positions. Add Mars to this list if its transit during the event window is slower than normal; otherwise, assess Mars under Step 8.
Having identified each transit, sort them in order of severity, with the most severe being listed first. Determine the severity of a transit, giving priority to the first two bullets, or guidelines, below:
A transit planet, whose speed is slower than normal, will have a greater effect than a transit planet that is traveling at its normal speed, or faster.
Example: Rahu transiting at 1' per day has a greater effect than Saturn travelling at 1' per day, but it would be less significant than Jupiter travelling at 1' per day. In other words, it is relative to normal speed.
A slow transit involving a period lord should be given primary consideration.
A transit planet has more influence the longer it conjoins, or aspects, another planet or house's Equal Bhava Madhya (EBM).
A transit planet exerts its influence with increasing intensity as its orb of influence, against another planet or house's Equal Bhava Madhya (EBM), decreases from five to zero degrees, on approach.
A transit planet exerts its influence with decreasing intensity as its orb of influence, against another planet or house's Equal Bhava Madhya (EBM), increases from 1+ degrees, on departure.
A transit influence against another planet has more effect than a transit influence against a house's Equal Bhava Madhya (EBM).
A transit influence against a planet is more effective if the same type of influence (benefic or malefic) is also being exerted against the house containing the receiving planet's mulatrikona sign.
Example: The relevance of Ketu afflicting Jupiter is greater if there is also an affliction against the Equal Bhava Madhya (EBM) of the house containing Sagittarius.
A transit benefic planet is able to exert a benefic influence according to the following number of factors that are true:
The intensity, with which a transit malefic planet exerts its influence, increases according to the number of following factors that are true:
Requirements for Step 5
A fundamental understanding of Vedic Astrology, the ability to identify transits, and the ability to accurately interpret them.
Purpose of Step 5
We are determining which transits are in effect, and the level of importance that should be given to each transit configuration.
Important: It is not until this step that the astrologer should characterize things as either benefic or malefic. The reason being is that it is not until this step that the astrologer knows which transit(s) should be given the greatest emphasis.
Step 6 - Synthesis
Using the results of Step 4 and Step 5, you now know what colors the event window, the trend and probable cause of the event window. You also know which transits are most important to consider. With this information, you should now be able to write a fluid paragraph, without the astrological jargon, that accurately and specifically describes the time frame - whether that be past, present, or future. All that is needed to accomplish this is to read over the results of Step 4 and Step 5 several times, and exercising sound reading comprehension skills.
Requirements for Step 6
Results of Step 4 and Step 5.
Purpose of Step 6
To create a specific and accurate prediction that is stripped of astrological jargon.
Step 7 - Refining the Prediction
If you have a sound understanding of Vedic Astrology, and you have followed this methodology precisely, you can be assured that your prediction is both specific and accurate. Now, the astrologer may want to further refine the prediction by modifying the statements according to the guidelines below:
If the event window occurs during a malefic mahadasa, and the operating bhukti is...
Requirements for Step 7
Results of Step 6.
Purpose of Step 7
To refine the prediction so that the intensity of the prediction can be better understood.
Step 8 - Advanced Refinements
This step should not be attempted until the astrologer can consistently render accurate and specific predictions, using Step 1 through Step 7. This step is meant to add detail to the prediction as to what is the additional background noise going on during the event window. To do this, simply apply the principles of Step 5 to the faster transiting planets, Mars, Venus, Mercury, Sun, and Moon.
The astrologer will find that this step will either give further emphasis to conclusions already drawn, or add background understanding to what was occurring at the time in question.
Depending on the transit speed of Mars, I would either treat this planet either in Step 5 or here in Step 8. The determination should be made based on the relative transit speed of the planet. For example, during 1999, Mars spent approximately eight months in Libra. Under such a condition, Mars should be treated in Step 5.
Summary Notes
Astrologers will find this methodology most helpful if certain guidelines will be followed:
Don't make any characterizations of "good" or "bad" in Steps 2 through
Step 4. In these steps, you are only determining the significations that will be activated - nothing more.
In each step, only focus on that step. Don't worry about the final outcome or prediction(s).
In each step, only focus on what I have indicated as requirements for that step. Don't bring any other baggage into that step of the methodology.
Don't second guess yourself or the methodology.
Forget about any clues you think you may have picked up or someone inadvertantly gave you. It is best to have no information other than the necessary birth data and date(s) of the event window.
And lastly, don't be discouraged if you must go through this methodology several times, with as many charts, before having consistent success. This is normal with any methodology.
Follow the link below to see an example of how this methodology should be carried out against a real chart.
Chart of Jane Doe
Several astrologers have tried this methodology in a series of blind analyses, in which nothing more than the birth date, time, place was known, along with an event window, consisting of a date or date range to consider. This methodology has proven its efficacy in such analyses.
Summary of Steps
Step 1 - Identify and Interpret the "Natal Triggers" *
Write down every natal trigger, auspicious and inauspicious, that occurs in the rasi. A natal trigger is identified as any planet, benefic or malefic, which conjoins or aspects another planet or house Equal Bhava Madhya (EBM), within a five degree orb of influence - irrespective of house or sign boundaries. Standard Vedic aspects are used for each planet. Having identified the natal triggers, write down the interpretation of each.
Requirements for Step 1
A fundamental understanding of Vedic Astrology, the ability to identify natal triggers, and the ability to accurately interpret them.
Purpose of Step 1
No significant event will transpire in a person's chart unless it has been foretold in the rasi. However, it is the planetary period and prevailing transits which will tell the astute astrologer when those "Natal Triggers" will be pulled and come to fruition. This is why it is paramount in importance to assess the natal triggers first, because nothing will happen if the rasi does not indicate it.
* The term "Natal Trigger" has been coined by the author, Ron Grimes. It means a condition existing in the rasi, or natal chart, indicating a certain event will transpire, at some point in time, for the chart's owner.
Step 2 - Create A List of Significations
Create a table of three columns, with the mahadasa lord being represented in the first column, the bhukti lord in the second column, and the pratyantardasa lord in the third column.
In each column, copy down, from the "Significations" list, the following four types of significations:
1. significations of the house containing the period lord's mulatrikona sign
2. significations of the period lord's house of residence
3. natural significations of the period lord
4. significations of the period lord's house of transit *
* House of transit during the event window in question.
A fifth type of signification will be included in each column:
- significations discovered in Step 1 that directly involve
- the period lord being assessed
- natal triggers involving the period lord's dispositor - if the period lord resides in a house containing a mulatrikona sign
- natal triggers occurring in the period lord's mulatrikona sign
Requirements for Step 2
List of Natal Triggers developed in Step 1.
List of Planet/House significations found in "Significations".
Purpose of Step 2
In Step 2, we are creating a list of significations which have the potential of being activated during the event window in question. However, in this step, we are not making an opinion as to which significations will be activated. That assessment begins to happen in Step 3.
Step 3 - Identify Recurring Themes for Each Period Lord
Using the table, created in the previous step, start with column 1, and identify those significations which occur two or more times. Write down those significations and the number of times they occur within the column. Do the same for columns two and three.
Requirements for Step 3
Table created in Step 2
Purpose of Step 3
In Step 3, we are now identifying those significations which have the highest probability of occurring during the event window.
Step 4 - Summarize the "Color", "Trend", and "Causes"
Using the findings of Step 3, write a statement about what "colors" the period, what is the "trend", and what are the "causes". The mahadasa lord colors the period; the bhukti lord sets the trend; and the pratyantardasa lord indicates the cause(s) of the prevailing trend. It is important to note that we are only listing the significations which occur two, or more, times - as identified in Step 3. It is important, in this step, not to characterize the periods as being either benefic or malefic. Simply limit your statements to nouns - no modifiers of any sort.
Significations which occur three times, or more, in a given column, should be stated as being "virtually guaranteed" to happen during the corresponding period. Significations appearing only twice should be stated as being "probable".
Requirements for Step 4
List of significations, produced in Step 3, as occurring two times, or more.
Purpose of Step 4
We are, in essence, setting the boundaries, or framework, for the event window. As a general rule, the astrologer will find that the event window transits, to be subsequently analyzed, will activate those significations found occurring two times, or more, in the list created in Step 3.
Step 5 - Examine the Event Window Transits
Identify those slow/stationary transits occurring on the date(s) in question. Then, render the proper interpretation of those transits.
In this step, use only the transits of Rahu, Ketu, Saturn, and Jupiter against either natal or transit positions. Add Mars to this list if its transit during the event window is slower than normal; otherwise, assess Mars under Step 8.
Having identified each transit, sort them in order of severity, with the most severe being listed first. Determine the severity of a transit, giving priority to the first two bullets, or guidelines, below:
A transit planet, whose speed is slower than normal, will have a greater effect than a transit planet that is traveling at its normal speed, or faster.
- Saturn's normal average speed is approximately 2' per day
- Jupiter's normal average speed is approximately 5' per day
- Rahu and Ketu's normal average speed is approximately 3' per day
Example: Rahu transiting at 1' per day has a greater effect than Saturn travelling at 1' per day, but it would be less significant than Jupiter travelling at 1' per day. In other words, it is relative to normal speed.
A slow transit involving a period lord should be given primary consideration.
A transit planet has more influence the longer it conjoins, or aspects, another planet or house's Equal Bhava Madhya (EBM).
A transit planet exerts its influence with increasing intensity as its orb of influence, against another planet or house's Equal Bhava Madhya (EBM), decreases from five to zero degrees, on approach.
A transit planet exerts its influence with decreasing intensity as its orb of influence, against another planet or house's Equal Bhava Madhya (EBM), increases from 1+ degrees, on departure.
A transit influence against another planet has more effect than a transit influence against a house's Equal Bhava Madhya (EBM).
A transit influence against a planet is more effective if the same type of influence (benefic or malefic) is also being exerted against the house containing the receiving planet's mulatrikona sign.
Example: The relevance of Ketu afflicting Jupiter is greater if there is also an affliction against the Equal Bhava Madhya (EBM) of the house containing Sagittarius.
A transit benefic planet is able to exert a benefic influence according to the following number of factors that are true:
- its natal position is strong and unafflicted
- it is transiting a kendra or trine
- it is transiting near a house's Equal Bhava Madhya (EBM)
- it is in a friendly sign, and not transit debilitated
- its transit dispositor is strong and unafflicted
- it is the most benefic planet for the chart in question
- there are no offsetting malefic influences to the transiting benefic itself, or the planet/house's Equal Bhava Madhya (EBM) being beneficially conjoined/aspected.
The intensity, with which a transit malefic planet exerts its influence, increases according to the number of following factors that are true:
- its natal position is weak and afflicted
- it is transiting a dusthana house
- it is transiting near a house's Equal Bhava Madhya (EBM)
- it is in an unfriendly sign and/or debilitated
- its transit dispositor is weak and/or afflicted
- it is the most malefic planet for the chart in question
- there are no offsetting benefic influences to the transiting malefic itself, or the planet/house's Equal Bhava Madhya (EBM) being afflicted
Requirements for Step 5
A fundamental understanding of Vedic Astrology, the ability to identify transits, and the ability to accurately interpret them.
Purpose of Step 5
We are determining which transits are in effect, and the level of importance that should be given to each transit configuration.
Important: It is not until this step that the astrologer should characterize things as either benefic or malefic. The reason being is that it is not until this step that the astrologer knows which transit(s) should be given the greatest emphasis.
Step 6 - Synthesis
Using the results of Step 4 and Step 5, you now know what colors the event window, the trend and probable cause of the event window. You also know which transits are most important to consider. With this information, you should now be able to write a fluid paragraph, without the astrological jargon, that accurately and specifically describes the time frame - whether that be past, present, or future. All that is needed to accomplish this is to read over the results of Step 4 and Step 5 several times, and exercising sound reading comprehension skills.
Requirements for Step 6
Results of Step 4 and Step 5.
Purpose of Step 6
To create a specific and accurate prediction that is stripped of astrological jargon.
Step 7 - Refining the Prediction
If you have a sound understanding of Vedic Astrology, and you have followed this methodology precisely, you can be assured that your prediction is both specific and accurate. Now, the astrologer may want to further refine the prediction by modifying the statements according to the guidelines below:
If the event window occurs during a malefic mahadasa, and the operating bhukti is...
- a functional malefic, there will be lots of suffering
- a functional benefic who is strong (natally and in transit), there will be good results
- a functional benefic who is strong natally but weak in transit, there will be only fair results
- a functional benefic who is weak and/or afflicted (natally or in transit), creates only hope
- a functional malefic, there will be mild sufferings
- a functional malefic in close conjunction or aspect with other weak planets, there will be grave concerns/tragic happenings
- a functional benefic who is strong (natally and in transit), there will be good results
- a functional benefic who is badly placed or otherwise weak, there will be average results with mishaps during unfavorable transits
Requirements for Step 7
Results of Step 6.
Purpose of Step 7
To refine the prediction so that the intensity of the prediction can be better understood.
Step 8 - Advanced Refinements
This step should not be attempted until the astrologer can consistently render accurate and specific predictions, using Step 1 through Step 7. This step is meant to add detail to the prediction as to what is the additional background noise going on during the event window. To do this, simply apply the principles of Step 5 to the faster transiting planets, Mars, Venus, Mercury, Sun, and Moon.
The astrologer will find that this step will either give further emphasis to conclusions already drawn, or add background understanding to what was occurring at the time in question.
Depending on the transit speed of Mars, I would either treat this planet either in Step 5 or here in Step 8. The determination should be made based on the relative transit speed of the planet. For example, during 1999, Mars spent approximately eight months in Libra. Under such a condition, Mars should be treated in Step 5.
Summary Notes
Astrologers will find this methodology most helpful if certain guidelines will be followed:
Don't make any characterizations of "good" or "bad" in Steps 2 through
Step 4. In these steps, you are only determining the significations that will be activated - nothing more.
In each step, only focus on that step. Don't worry about the final outcome or prediction(s).
In each step, only focus on what I have indicated as requirements for that step. Don't bring any other baggage into that step of the methodology.
Don't second guess yourself or the methodology.
Forget about any clues you think you may have picked up or someone inadvertantly gave you. It is best to have no information other than the necessary birth data and date(s) of the event window.
And lastly, don't be discouraged if you must go through this methodology several times, with as many charts, before having consistent success. This is normal with any methodology.
Follow the link below to see an example of how this methodology should be carried out against a real chart.
Chart of Jane Doe