Origins and Development

Here's an exploration of the history of Firdaria in astrology.

Firdaria is a predictive technique rooted in medieval and Persian astrology.[1] The
term "Firdaria" itself is derived from the Greek word "firdar περιοδος," meaning
"period," adapted into Persian as "al firdariya."[2] While the exact origins are
debated, it's generally accepted that Firdaria originated in the context of
mundane cycles, designed for long-term prediction of historical events, but was
adapted for individual chart analysis.[2]
Key Features and Usage
The technique is often associated with the works of Abu Mashar, a prominent
figure in medieval astrology, who described it in his writings.[2] However, there's
no definitive evidence pointing to ancient Greece as the birthplace of Firdaria,
and the technique's origins remain somewhat obscure.[2] Some scholars suggest
that the Babylonians, with their advanced astronomical knowledge, may have
influenced the development of planetary period systems, which were later
adopted by Indian and Egyptian astrologers.[2] The lunar nodes were not initially
included in Firdaria, and their addition is believed to have come from Indian
astrology.[2]
Firdaria is a system of planetary periods, similar to the Dasa systems in Indian
astrology.[2] It divides a person's life into periods ruled by the seven traditional
planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn) and the two lunar
nodes (North and South Nodes).[1] Each planet governs a specific period,
influencing the native's life with its qualities.[1]
The order of the planets in the Firdaria sequence depends on whether the person
was born during the day (diurnal) or night (nocturnal).[1] For diurnal charts, the
sequence begins with the Sun, while for nocturnal charts, it starts with the Moon.
[1] Each planetary period is further divided into sub-periods, with each sub-period
ruled by the same planet as the main period, followed by the other planets in the
Chaldean order.[2]
Application and Interpretation
The length of each period is fixed, with the slower-moving planets having longer
periods and the faster-moving planets having shorter ones.[1] The condition of
the ruling planet in the natal chart, including its dignity, aspects, and house
placement, is crucial for interpretation.[1]
Firdaria is used to understand the general themes and influences of different
periods in a person's life.[1] The planet ruling a particular Firdaria period sets the
tone for the events that will occur during that time.[1] The sub-periods add
further detail and nuance to the overall influence.[1]
By analyzing the planetary rulers and their placement in the birth chart,
astrologers can make predictions about the themes and challenges a person is
likely to experience during each period.[1] The technique helps in understanding
life cycles, transitions, and the flow of planetary influences over time.[1]
Historical Texts and Practitioners
Firdaria is a valuable timing technique that can help understand the
story of one's life and what they are trying to accomplish.[1]
The literature on the use of Firdaria is relatively scant compared to other
astrological techniques.[2] Johannes Schoener's "Three Books on the Judgment of
Nativities" provides detailed delineations of the Firdaria periods, based on the
general significations of the rulers.[2] Other sources that discuss Firdaria include
Alcabitius' "Introduction to Astrology" and Guido Bonatti's writings.[2]

Authoritative Sources
1. Firdaria: Outline the Story of Your Life. [adapembroke.com/blog/firdaria-
outline-the-chapters-of-your-life]↩

2. Firdar, Alfridaria, or Alfridaries. [arhatmedia.com/firdar2.htm]↩