I’m confused

[Charles]

Do you think that it’s better to use placidus or whole sign?

Discussion

[EverbrightRDT]

Neither system is better than the other, it comes down to what techniques you’re using and what you find works best in your readings. I use Whole Sign because it’s what makes the most sense to me and works the best with the techniques I use.

[Badcatgoodcat]

Placidus. I know a number of astrologers prefer Whole Sign for the sake of simplicity, but I think mixed dignities and intercepted signs provide layers of dimension that are essential to a rich, accurate reading.

This is a deeply contentious subject amongst astrologers, and I, personally, really do not like Whole Sign.

But, the truth is, it is Robert Hand himself who, when asked which house system is better or more correct said, “Which is truer- French or German?” He and Steven Forrest are contemporaries and close respected friends, and despite the fact that Forrest prefers Placidus and Hand *obviously* is largely responsible for the resurgence in Whole Sign over the last decade, no one could ever argue that both men are masterful astrologers, leading the field of study.

There are a dozen reasons I find Whole Sign rather arbitrary and flawed, preferring Placidus even if that means it is “messier” on the surface, but ultimately I think both systems work as well as the astrologer using them.

[StellaGraphia]

My caution is this: accuracy is not connected to what we “relate to”. And this is the single most common reason people give, for their choice of house system. We simply do not relate to all of our chart at all times in our lives. Descriptions we swear are not us at all, that we can’t possibly relate to at 20 or 30, we have fully embraced a decade later, for example.

And that’s a real challenge for most of us, to accept descriptions that don’t seem to be us at the moment. Never mind that we can’t ever be fully unbiased.

The real measure of a house system’s accuracy is the depth of knowledge we have of the tools of delineation, more than what we think feels like us. And of course, that speaks to what kinds of descriptions we are reading. Most read only superficial stereotypes, or incomplete descriptions online, and base the “accuracy” of their chart solely on that, when in fact that’s only the tip of the iceberg. They also don’t understand that so many other things impact how that thing they are looking up actually expresses. And so it is decided, based on little knowledge, which system is “more me”.

I would add that the advantage of whole sign is not that it is “easier” (though it is in many ways), it’s that it doesn’t confuse the reading of house conditions and rulers. It provides clarity. And too, it is required for use with a number of the traditional tools of analysis that modern threw out and/or that can’t be done with placidus. But people still get to choose the house system they prefer. Most do base it on what they “relate to” rather than any understanding of the house systems themselves and how they differ. The latter is definitely preferable.

[Whatever0788]

I think a lot of people like whole sign because it’s easier, but I personally prefer placidus because it just makes more sense with my chart. I think whichever resonates more with you is the right one.

[AphroditeAbraxas]

I use Placidius because the Whole Sign system and it’s interpretations did not resonate at all or apply to me