Decan (astrology)


In astrology, a decan is the subdivision of an astrological sign.
In order to give fuller interpretation to the zodiac signs, ancient astrologers subdivided each sign into periods of approximately ten days. These divisions are known as the "decans" or "decantes" and are somewhat arbitrary in order to allow for the five extra days in the year beyond the 360 days required for the thirty-six decans.
Astrologers believe that each of the decans has its own individual character.
In modern times, however, the assignment of decans has changed considerably. Each sign is allocated a triplicity, consisting of three of the four classical elements air, water, earth or fire, and is therefore subdivided into three equal parts of 10 degrees each; these parts are referred to as decans or decanates.
Each decan of a sign is assigned rulership by the planet ruling the sign and secondary rulership by the planet ruling the decan.
The decans and their rulers are assigned as follows as based on the concepts of modern Western astrology:
Sign0-10 degrees10-20 degrees20-30 degrees
AriesMarsSunJupiter
TaurusVenusMercurySaturn
GeminiMercuryVenusUranus
CancerMoonPlutoNeptune
LeoSunJupiterMars
VirgoMercurySaturnVenus
LibraVenusUranusMercury
ScorpioPlutoNeptuneMoon
SagittariusJupiterMarsSun
CapricornSaturnVenusMercury
AquariusUranusMercuryVenus
PiscesNeptuneMoonPluto

The decans and their rulers are assigned as follows as based on the concepts of ancient Western astrology :
SignDomicile rulerExaltation ruler0-10 degrees10-20 degrees20-30 degrees
AriesMarsSunMarsSunVenus
TaurusVenusMoonMercuryMoonSaturn
GeminiMercuryN/AJupiterMarsSun
CancerMoonJupiterVenusMercuryMoon
LeoSunN/ASaturnJupiterMars
VirgoMercuryMercurySunVenusMercury
LibraVenusSaturnMoonSaturnJupiter
ScorpioMarsN/AMarsSunVenus
SagittariusJupiterN/AMercuryMoonSaturn
CapricornSaturnMarsJupiterMarsSun
AquariusSaturnN/AVenusMercuryMoon
PiscesJupiterVenusSaturnJupiterMars