Decans – 36 Decans of the Zodiac

If you can count up and do simple multiplication, then you will soon understand what a decan is! You need to remember that the zodiac was devised by the men of ancient times, as a circle of 360°, divided into twelve signs each covering 30°. Each sign is then subdivided into three equal parts of 10° each, named decans.

Therefore: 12 signs x 3 equals parts = 36 decans.

The use of Decans yersterday and today

Early astrologers were keen to predict collective events and natural phenomena which might disturb their community’s harmony and wellbeing. They had to be as precise as possible and the use of decans in the zodiac helped them to work out predictions that were relatively more reliable and better targeted; each decan, inside a specific segment of the zodiac, provide us with unique information.

From the colective to the specific

During the 2nd or 3rd century BC, the astrologers’ concern was to adapt their data and information in order to bring a solution to social preoccupations and meet individual expectations.

To do so, they looked very closely at the specific characteristics given by the position of the 36 decans inside the zodiac. When you have learned how to draw up a birth chart, interpret and make astrological predictions, you will understand how very useful decans really are to give a more precise guide as you make your observations.

For the moment, it is useful to discover the fundamental characteristics assigned to each one of them. You can find these on the zodiac board which you received with part 1, written above each decan. then to add another layer of knowledge, you can discover the ruling planet of each decan. just as the twelve signs of the zodiac each have a ruling planet, each decan has a ruler, i.e. a planet which governs the 10° of its span and gives it certain distinct characteristics.

Therefore, by combining what you’ve discovered about the nature of the ruling planet of a sign and the ruling planet of a specific decan within that sign, you can obtain more subtle, more detailed, and more precise information about the position of the Sun, the ascendant, the Moon and any of the other planets situated in that sign and in that decan, in a person’s birth chart.

The 36 decans of the zodiac

Aries: ruling planet Mars

First decan: from 0 to 10°, known as decan of Dynamism

Ruling planet: Pluto (combination Mars-Pluto).

Second decan: from 10 to 20°, known as decan of Charisma

Ruling planet: the Sun (combination Mars–Sun).

Third decan: from 20 to 30°, known as decan of Passions

Ruling planet: venus (combination Mars-Venus).

Taurus: ruling planet Venus

First decan: from 30 to 40°, known as decan of Common Sense

Ruling planet: Mercury (combination Venus–Mercury).

Second decan: from 40 to 50°, known as decan of Fertility

Ruling planet: the Moon (combination Venus–Moon).

Third decan: from 50 to 60°, known as decan of Realism

Ruling planet: Saturn (combination Venus–Saturn).

Gemini: ruling planet Mercury

First decan: from 60 to 70°, known as decan of Intuitions

Ruling planet: Neptune (combination Mercury–Neptune).

Second decan: from 70 to 80°, known as decan of Idealism

Ruling planet: Mars (combination Mercury-Mars).

Third decan: from 80 to 90°, known as decan of Versatility

Ruling planet: the Sun (combination Mercury–Sun).

Cancer: ruling planet the Moon

First decan: from 90 to 100°, known as decan of Emotions

Ruling planet: Venus (combination Moon-Venus).

Second decan: from 100 to 110°, known as decan of Sympathy

Ruling planet: Mercury (combination Moon–Mercury).

Third decan: from 110 to 120°, known as decan of Sensibility

Ruling planet: the Moon (combination Moon–Moon).

Leo: ruling planet the Sun

First decan: from 120 to 130°, known as decan of Extremism

Ruling planet: Saturn (combination Sun–Saturn).

Second decan: from 130 to 140°, known as decan of Pride

Ruling planet: Jupiter (combination Sun–Jupiter).

Third decan: from 140 to 150°, known as decan of Power

Ruling planet: Pluto (combination Sun-Pluto).

Virgo: ruling planet Mercury

First decan: from 150 to 160°, known as decan of Skill

Ruling planet: the Sun (combination Mercury–Sun).

Second decan: from 160 to 170°, known as decan of Diplomacy

Ruling planet: Venus (combination Mercury–Venus).

Third decan: from 170 to 180°, known as decan of Altruism

Ruling planet: Mercury (combination Mercury–Mercury).

Libra: ruling planet Venus

First decan: from 180 to 190°, known as decan of Sociability

Ruling planet: the Moon (combination Venus–Moon).

Second decan: from 190 to 200°, known as decan of Freewill

Ruling planet: Saturn (combination Venus–Saturn).

Third decan: from 200 to 210°, known as decan of Justice

Ruling planet: Jupiter (combination Venus–Jupiter).

Scorpio: ruling planets Mars and secondarily Pluto

First decan: from 210 to 220°, known as decan of Impulses

Ruling planet: Mars (combination Mars/Pluto–Mars).

Second decan: from 220 to 230°, known as decan of Nonconformism

Ruling planet: Uranus (combination Mars/Pluto–Uranus).

Third decan: from 230 to 240°, known as decan of Psychic Powers

Ruling planet: Venus (combination mars/Pluto–Venus).

Sagittarius: ruling planet Jupiter

First decan: from 240 to 250°, known as decan of Wisdom

Ruling planet: Mercury (combination Jupiter–Mercury).

Second decan: from 250 to 260°, known as decan of Adventures

Ruling planet: the Moon (combination Jupiter–Moon).

Third decan: from 260 to 270°, known as decan of Knowledge

Ruling planet: Saturn (combination Jupiter–Saturn).

Capricorn: ruling planet Saturn

First decan: from 270 to 280°, known as decan of Organisation

Ruling planet: Jupiter (combination Saturn–Jupiter).

Second decan: from 280 to 290°, known as decan of Patience

Ruling planet: Mars (combination Saturn–Mars).

Third decan: from 290 to 300°, known as decan of Courage

Ruling planet: Uranus (combination Saturn–Uranus).

Aquarius: ruling planet Saturn and secondarily Uranus

First decan: from 300 to 310°, known as decan of Originality

Ruling planet: Venus (combination Saturn/Uranus–Venus).

Second decan: from 310 to 320°, known as decan of Inspirations

Ruling planet: the black Moon (combination Saturn/Uranus–black Moon).

Third decan: from 320 to 330°, known as decan of Ideals

Ruling planet: Neptune (combination Saturn/Uranus–Neptune).

Pisces: ruling planets are Jupiter and secondarily Neptune

First decan: from 330 to 340°, known as decan of Perception

Ruling planet: Saturn (combination Jupiter/Neptune–Saturn).

Second decan: from 340 to 350°, known as decan of Open-mindedness

Ruling planet: Jupiter (combination Jupiter/Neptune–Jupiter).

Third decan: from 350 to 360° or 0°, known as decan of Receptivity

Ruling planet: Mars (combination Jupiter/Neptune–Mars).