Active Points Reference #

Kerykeion supports 53 non-star chart points through the active_points parameter. Fixed stars use the separate active_fixed_stars parameter and fixed-star presets; they are not members of ALL_ACTIVE_POINTS. This page documents both configuration mechanisms.

Available Points #

Main Planets (10) #

The classical and modern planets, always available.

Lunar Nodes (4) #

Two calculation methods are available: True (oscillating, astronomically precise) and Mean (smoothed average).

By default, only True_North_Lunar_Node is active (the South Node is not). You can switch to Mean nodes or enable more.

Angles / Axial Cusps (4) #

The four angles of the chart. These are always recommended to keep active.

Other Points (8) #

Asteroids (4) #

The four major asteroids in the main belt.

Uranian / Hamburg School Planets (8) #

Eight hypothetical trans-Neptunian points used in Uranian astrology. Pass them in active_points to include.

Trans-Neptunian Objects (7) #

Distant objects beyond Neptune. Ephemeris data may not be available for all historical dates.

Note: Some TNOs may not have ephemeris data for very old or far-future dates. If calculation fails for a point, a warning is logged and the point is removed from the active points for that subject.

Fixed Stars (1,447-name catalog; 23-star preset, configured separately) #

The default libephemeris backend provides a 1,447-name catalog. The 23 names below form DEFAULT_FIXED_STARS (all 15 Behenian stars plus 8 additional bright stars); they are a convenient preset, not the complete catalog. Fixed stars are inactive by default and are selected with active_fixed_stars, not active_points. Import FixedStarCatalog from kerykeion.fixed_stars and use list_all()/find() for the full catalog.

Royal Stars (4) #

Behenian Stars (11, not listed above) #

Other Bright Stars (8) #

Arabic Parts / Lots (4) #

Calculated points based on the formula involving the Ascendant, Sun, and other bodies. For Pars_Fortunae and Pars_Spiritus, the calculation depends on whether the chart is diurnal or nocturnal (the is_diurnal field on the subject model); Pars_Amoris and Pars_Fidei use a single formula regardless of sect.

Special Points (4) #

Preset Configurations #

Kerykeion provides three preset lists you can import and use directly.

DEFAULT_ACTIVE_POINTS (14 points) #

The default configuration used when no active_points parameter is specified.

Includes: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, True_North_Lunar_Node, Chiron, Ascendant, Medium_Coeli.

TRADITIONAL_ASTROLOGY_ACTIVE_POINTS (9 points) #

The seven classical planets plus both True lunar nodes. Useful for traditional/Hellenistic astrology.

Includes: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, True_North_Lunar_Node, True_South_Lunar_Node.

from kerykeion import AstrologicalSubjectFactory, ChartDataFactory
from kerykeion.settings.config_constants import TRADITIONAL_ASTROLOGY_ACTIVE_POINTS

subject = AstrologicalSubjectFactory.from_birth_data(
    "Traditional Chart", 1990, 6, 15, 12, 0,
    lng=12.4964, lat=41.9028, tz_str="Europe/Rome", online=False,
)

chart_data = ChartDataFactory.create_natal_chart_data(
    subject,
    active_points=TRADITIONAL_ASTROLOGY_ACTIVE_POINTS,
)

ALL_ACTIVE_POINTS (53 points) #

Every non-star active point enabled. Useful for research or comprehensive analysis; configure fixed stars separately with active_fixed_stars.

from kerykeion.settings.config_constants import ALL_ACTIVE_POINTS

chart_data = ChartDataFactory.create_natal_chart_data(
    subject,
    active_points=ALL_ACTIVE_POINTS,
)

Custom Configuration #

You can build your own list by combining any of the available point names:

from kerykeion import AstrologicalSubjectFactory, ChartDataFactory

# Classical planets + asteroids + Part of Fortune
custom_points = [
    "Sun", "Moon", "Mercury", "Venus", "Mars",
    "Jupiter", "Saturn",
    "Ceres", "Pallas", "Juno", "Vesta",
    "Pars_Fortunae",
    "Ascendant", "Medium_Coeli", "Descendant", "Imum_Coeli",
]

subject = AstrologicalSubjectFactory.from_birth_data(
    "Custom Points", 1990, 6, 15, 12, 0,
    lng=12.4964, lat=41.9028, tz_str="Europe/Rome", online=False,
    active_points=custom_points,
)

chart_data = ChartDataFactory.create_natal_chart_data(
    subject,
    active_points=custom_points,
)

# Access the Part of Fortune
print(f"Pars Fortunae: {subject.pars_fortunae.sign} at {subject.pars_fortunae.position:.2f}°")

Diurnal / Nocturnal Detection #

The AstrologicalSubjectModel carries an is_diurnal boolean field. This determines whether the chart is a day chart (Sun above the horizon) or a night chart (Sun below). It is used internally for Arabic Parts calculation (for Pars_Fortunae and Pars_Spiritus the formula reverses in night charts; Pars_Amoris and Pars_Fidei use the same formula regardless of sect, as shown in the table above).

subject = AstrologicalSubjectFactory.from_birth_data(
    "Day or Night", 1990, 6, 15, 12, 0,
    lng=12.4964, lat=41.9028, tz_str="Europe/Rome", online=False,
)

print(f"Is diurnal chart: {subject.is_diurnal}")

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