Quarters of the Moon:
This method is described in Vettius Valens Anthology, book 4, written about 160 CE. Valens first determines the prenatal lunation for the nativity which is the new Moon or full Moon immediately preceding birth. Once the prenatal lunation is found, the first planet in the order of the signs becomes the lord of the first major period, the next planet in zodiacal order is lord of the second period and so on until all 7 have taken their turn. The major periods are 1/4th of the lesser years:
Major Periods:
| Sun |
4 yrs, 9 m |
| Moon |
6 yrs, 3 m |
| Mercury |
5 yrs |
| Venus |
2 yrs |
| Mars |
3 yrs, 9 m |
| Jupiter |
3 yrs |
| Saturn |
7 yrs, 6 m |
| Total = |
32 yrs, 3 m |
The principle behind the division is based upon the recurrence cycles of the planets (the lesser years) divided by 129. The 32 years and 3 months is 1/4th of 129 years. The major periods lengths are the lesser years divided by 129. For instance, a Sun major period is 19/129ths of 32.25 years which is 4 years and 9 months.
Each sub period has a length that is x/129ths of the length of the major period, with the first planet having the sub period being the same as the major period ruler. Then the next planet after this in zodiacal order takes over according the x/129th proportion of its overall period.
The Meaning:
Valens used the quarters method with profections and considered them highly effective. The planets that have the times in a given period of the persons life show what the major issues are and sub periods show how that issue unfolds. For instance if a general (major) period lord is currently the Sun and that planet is in the 10th house, career issues, the father and other issues as signified by that combination will come to the fore during that time, the successive sub periods indicate the outcomes or variations of activity.
In the same manner a sub period can indicate by its position what happens. For instance, if the Sun major period is in the 10th, then hands over to Mars which is natally in the 8th, it can mean a cutting off of the career, change of career direction in accord with the nature of the native's 8th house. If it hands over to Jupiter while it is either natally or by transit in the 1st, it can indicate promotion, if Saturn is the current period lord and is in the 12th it cools off the career prospects and makes the issue more slack, etc...
It is always more important to consider the natal position of the planet. Afterwards consider where the same planet that is the time lord transits and where.
