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What is the Dodecatemoria in Astrology?

The dodecatemoria- also called the twelfth parts, dwadasamsa, dwadachamsha, dwad or duad- is a subdivision of the Zodiac, like a mini Zodiac itself within each Sign, popular throughout history in Babylonian and Hellenistic Astrology, extensively developed during the Islamicate period such as with Abu Ma’shar.

It is used, like many Astrological techniques, to add another layer of depth and nuance to birth chart (and horary) interpretation.

It breaks down each 30º Zodiac Sign into a further 12 Signs of 2.5º each, beginning with the main Sign itself and following through in Zodiacal order.

For example, the dodecatemoria of Sagittarius begins with Sagittarius from 0 - 2.5º, then the second dodecatemoria of Sagittarius from 2.5 - 5º is in Capricorn, and so on.

Continue reading for more details:

How to use the dodecatemoria

A very popular technique from the inception of “Western” Astrology in Babylonia, it fell out of use but is coming back into favour, along with similar subdivisions of the Zodiac such as the bounds and decans (although the dodecatemoria does not traditionally add any “essential dignity’ to a Planet).

You can think of the dodecatemoria like an added tone of the Planetary expression. For example, if Venus is in Leo in the dodecatemoria of Capricorn (12.5-15º Leo), it is still a playful, generous, performative Venus, but with a slightly more sombre tone than perhaps a Venus in Leo also in the dodecatemoria of Leo (which would be between 0-2.5º Leo).

Of course, this must still be taken into context with the bounds and decans.

In the example above, the first 5º of Leo are the bounds of Jupiter, which can add magnanimity, but it is also the decan of Saturn, which can again temper it (but being in the dodecatemoria of Leo still brings some levity).

On the other hand, 12.5-15º Leo is in the bound of Saturn, adding a sense of responsibility to the joy of Leo; within the decan of Jupiter can add buoyancy and optimism; still all restrained by being in the dodecatemoria of Capricorn.

Thus, Venus at 4º Leo could be said to be more flamboyant than a Venus at 13º Leo (but both, of course, still have Leonine characteristics, it is just how they are expressed).

Looked at another way, if the Planets are the actors and the Zodiac Signs are the costumes or general character, the dodecatemoria can be their mood or tone of voice (while the bounds and decans could speak to their competency, confidence, or way of enacting their goals).

Whereas the bounds and decans can give a Planet more strength to act out their Planetary activities (so for Mars to be more Martial or Venus to be more Venusian), speaking to how comfortable they are in a Sign, and who their first point of reference is (like moving up the ranks with the supervisor for the decans and the manager for the bounds); the dodecatemoria speaks for to the style in which this is acted out.

Let’s say we are looking at Mars, the actor, as a soldier. Mars in Capricorn would be more mature and tempered, strategic; Mars in Aries would be fierier and more impetuous, instinctive; Mars in Cancer would be more heart-centred and sensitive, empathetic (more of a lover than a fighter).

Then, let’s take Mars in Capricorn. Up to 6º Capricorn it is in the bound of Mercury, so could be good with community, self-expression, and wily manoeuvres on the field. Mars at 28º Capricorn is in its own bound (also at its maximum exaltation) so can add an extra level of efficiency and competency, as well as drive and energy.

The first 10º of Capricorn are the decan of Jupiter so Mars here is still mature and dutiful, with astute planning for its actions (in the bound of Mercury), with an added sense of hope and “winner’s mindset”. The last decan of Capricorn belongs to the Sun, so this can add an extra capacity for leadership and visibility to its energetic efficiency.

Lastly, the second dodecatemoria of Capricorn is in Aquarius, so the first Mars could have an added level of ingenuity or uniqueness, the element of surprise, unafraid to go against the grain. The last 2.5º of Capricorn are in the dodecatemoria of Sagittarius, so a Mars here could have an added sense of adventurous and YOLO to the significations described above.

Typically, however, the 12th parts were traditionally used to give more information on the Ascendant and the Moon, two extremely important components Hellenistically and Medievally.

For another layer, the Planetary ruler of the dodecatemoria can also be assessed (obviously using only the seven classical Planets). For example Sagittarius Rising at 17º44 is in the dodecatemoria of Gemini, beyond the delineations discussed above, we can then look to the placement of Mercury for more detail on the individual.

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What are the dodecatemoria?

Within each of the twelve Zodiac Signs (comprising 30º degrees each), there is another layer of Zodiac Sign every 2.5º (30 divided by 12), which can be used for extra detail for a placement.

For example, if your Ascendant is at 5º44’ Aries, then that is in the dodecatemoria, or 12th part, of Gemini. What that means is you are still an Aries Rising, with typical forthrightness and energy (other placements notwithstanding), but there can be an added flexibility, curiosity, desire for learning, meeting new people, and self-expression (it is also the bound of Jupiter and decan of Mars adding potential optimism/generosity and fire/impulsivity).

The dodecatemoria

While a rough idea can be gauged by going through in 2.5º increments, the most accurate way can be to simply use a free online calculator such as Astro-seek’s.

ARIES:
- 0 - 2.5º = Aries
- 2.5 - 5º = Taurus
- 5 - 7.5º = Gemini
- 7.5 - 10º = Cancer
- 10 - 12.5º = Leo
- 12.5 - 15º = Virgo
- 15 - 17.5º = Libra
- 17.5 - 20º = Scorpio
- 20 - 22.5º = Sagittarius
- 22.5 - 25º = Capricorn
- 25 - 27.5º = Aquarius
- 27.5 - 30º = Pisces

TAURUS:
- 0 - 2.5º = Taurus
- 2.5 - 5º = Gemini
- 5 - 7.5º = Cancer
- 7.5 - 10º = Leo
- 10 - 12.5º = Virgo
- 12.5 - 15º = Libra
- 15 - 17.5º = Scorpio
- 17.5 - 20º = Sagittarius
- 20 - 22.5º = Capricorn
- 22.5 - 25º = Aquarius
- 25 - 27.5º = Pisces
- 27.5 - 30º = Aries

GEMINI:
- 0 - 2.5º = Gemini
- 2.5 - 5º = Cancer
- 5 - 7.5º = Leo
- 7.5 - 10º = Virgo
- 10 - 12.5º = Libra
- 12.5 - 15º = Scorpio
- 15 - 17.5º = Sagittarius
- 17.5 - 20º = Capricorn
- 20 - 22.5º = Aquarius
- 22.5 - 25º = Pisces
- 25 - 27.5º = Aries
- 27.5 - 30º = Taurus

CANCER:
- 0 - 2.5º = Cancer
- 2.5 - 5º = Leo
- 5 - 7.5º = Virgo
- 7.5 - 10º = Libra
- 10 - 12.5º = Scorpio
- 12.5 - 15º = Sagittarius
- 15 - 17.5º = Capricorn
- 17.5 - 20º = Aquarius
- 20 - 22.5º = Pisces
- 22.5 - 25º = Aries
- 25 - 27.5º = Taurus
- 27.5 - 30º = Gemini

LEO:
- 0 - 2.5º = Leo
- 2.5 - 5º = Virgo
- 5 - 7.5º = Libra
- 7.5 - 10º = Scorpio
- 10 - 12.5º = Sagittarius
- 12.5 - 15º = Capricorn
- 15 - 17.5º = Aquarius
- 17.5 - 20º = Pisces
- 20 - 22.5º = Aries
- 22.5 - 25º = Taurus
- 25 - 27.5º = Gemini
- 27.5 - 30º = Cancer

VIRGO:
- 0 - 2.5º = Virgo
- 2.5 - 5º = Libra
- 5 - 7.5º = Scorpio
- 7.5 - 10º = Sagittarius
- 10 - 12.5º = Capricorn
- 12.5 - 15º = Aquarius
- 15 - 17.5º = Pisces
- 17.5 - 20º = Aries
- 20 - 22.5º = Taurus
- 22.5 - 25º = Gemini
- 25 - 27.5º = Cancer
- 27.5 - 30º = Leo

LIBRA:
- 0 - 2.5º = Libra
- 2.5 - 5º = Scorpio
- 5 - 7.5º = Sagittarius
- 7.5 - 10º = Capricorn
- 10 - 12.5º = Aquarius
- 12.5 - 15º = Pisces
- 15 - 17.5º = Aries
- 17.5 - 20º = Taurus
- 20 - 22.5º = Gemini
- 22.5 - 25º = Cancer
- 25 - 27.5º = Leo
- 27.5 - 30º = Virgo

SCORPIO:
- 0 - 2.5º = Scorpio
- 2.5 - 5º = Sagittarius
- 5 - 7.5º = Capricorn
- 7.5 - 10º = Aquarius
- 10 - 12.5º = Pisces
- 12.5 - 15º = Aries
- 15 - 17.5º = Taurus
- 17.5 - 20º = Gemini
- 20 - 22.5º = Cancer
- 22.5 - 25º = Leo
- 25 - 27.5º = Virgo
- 27.5 - 30º = Libra

SAGITTARIUS:
- 0 - 2.5º = Sagittarius
- 2.5 - 5º = Capricorn
- 5 - 7.5º = Aquarius
- 7.5 - 10º = Pisces
- 10 - 12.5º = Aries
- 12.5 - 15º = Taurus
- 15 - 17.5º = Gemini
- 17.5 - 20º = Cancer
- 20 - 22.5º = Leo
- 22.5 - 25º = Virgo
- 25 - 27.5º = Libra
- 27.5 - 30º = Scoprio

CAPRICORN:
- 0 - 2.5º = Capricorn
- 2.5 - 5º = Aquarius
- 5 - 7.5º = Pisces
- 7.5 - 10º = Aries
- 10 - 12.5º = Taurus
- 12.5 - 15º = Gemini
- 15 - 17.5º = Cancer
- 17.5 - 20º = Leo
- 20 - 22.5º = Virgo
- 22.5 - 25º = Libra
- 25 - 27.5º = Scorpio
- 27.5 - 30º = Sagittarius

AQUARIUS:
- 0 - 2.5º = Aquarius
- 2.5 - 5º = Pisces
- 5 - 7.5º = Aries
- 7.5 - 10º = Taurus
- 10 - 12.5º = Gemini
- 12.5 - 15º = Cancer
- 15 - 17.5º = Leo
- 17.5 - 20º = Virgo
- 20 - 22.5º = Libra
- 22.5 - 25º = Scorpio
- 25 - 27.5º = Sagittarius
- 27.5 - 30º = Capricorn

PISCES:
- 0 - 2.5º = Pisces
- 2.5 - 5º = Aries
- 5 - 7.5º = Taurus
- 7.5 - 10º = Gemini
- 10 - 12.5º = Cancer
- 12.5 - 15º = Leo
- 15 - 17.5º = Virgo
- 17.5 - 20º = Libra
- 20 - 22.5º = Scorpio
- 22.5 - 25º = Sagittarius
- 25 - 27.5º = Capricorn
- 27.5 - 30º = Aquarius

According to Abu Ma’shar, there is a list of specific physical and character descriptions, as well a life predictions and “remedies” (such as drinking calming teas) that apply to each dodecatemoria, which historian Dr. Ali A Olomi has translated, it’s quite fascinating!

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So that’s an overview of the dodecatemoria in Astrology, I hope it’s insightful for you! Let me know in the comments section below if you have anything else to add or any questions.

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