Astrology programs are the astrologer’s best friend. These let you do in minutes what used to take hours before the dawn of the computer era. And with programs designed for students and practitioners of all levels, you really have no excuse not to use one. Whether you are a student, professional or hobbyist, astrology software will make your life a thousand times easier.
Astrology for Windows
Halloran’s old 32-bit astrology program is the free version of AstrolDeluxe Report Writer, an old favorite. It is very easy to use. All the basic chart calculations you need to do are right in the main screen.The chartwheels look clean and nicely done. You can save up to 100 charts in a single chart file. (hint)
Of particular interest is the synastry weighting system which rates compatibility between charts via a communication index. It is meant only as a general guide of course, but it is still useful. I tested this once with two very close friends (a Cancer and a fellow with a grand water trine) and they pegged at 5.95, a very high score in that system.
Note that the downloadable version is incompatible with a 64-bit Windows 7 computer. If you want to run this program in that version of Windows, you will need to order an updated version on CD from Halloran.
Visit the Astrology for Windows home page.
AstroWin
Programmer Allen Edwall offers a family of astrology software for free download. These applications have been around for a long time. Your philosophy of astrology might differ from his (as mine does) but you cannot deny this is a wonderful service to the astrological community online.
Students who need a full-featured calculation program should check out AstroWin. It does natal, transits, progressions, solar arc, midpoints, cosmodynes, planetary hours and even numerology. It lets you use various house systems and even has a map. In short, enough features to keep a novice busy. As of this writing, its last update was in 16 October 2010.
For those who are interested in free horoscope and compatibility reports rather than math, Astro123 is more suitable. Astro123 calculates birth charts and transits and includes natal, synastry and composite interpretations that were originally in separate applications. (Anyone remember Me_You and _You_Me?) These interpretations are actually well-written. Frankly, I like them better than most other computer-generated reports I have seen. You can use them as a guide for your own original reports.
Other programs in the AstroWin suite include: Vocation for analyzing career potential in a horoscope; Transits for forecast calculations; Election Helper, Discovering Horary and Horary Helper for students of electional and horary astrology; AstroClk which is an astrology clock (no recent updates); and MatchMkr, a matchmaking application.
ZEN Lite
ZET Lite is another free astrology program. It is feature-rich and includes the same (or very similar) interpretation sets as Astro123. It is the free version of a commercial program.
Commercial Software
Janus is a complete astrology program for both students and professionals. It does natals, synastry, transits, progressions, returns, and other standard stuff plus special features for horary, elections, relocations, fixed stars, Arabic Parts and others. Interpretations are included.
Kepler is another full-featured program. All basic calculations and interpretation texts are included. One of its most distinctive features is the ability to produce beautiful chart wheels. The designs make charts that are ideal for gifts or just hanging on your wall for display.
Halloran‘s program AstrolDeluxe is an excellent calculations program with a very friendly user-interface. Unfortunately, interpretation sets are not included; you buy them separately for about $100 or less each. It does come bundled with an atlas like other good astrology programs are.
Solar Fire is among the most advanced professional astrology applications out there. It boasts of numerous features for just about every kind of astrologer: natal, forecasts, relationships, traditional, esoteric, and more. There are lengthy interpretations, tons of data and chart designs.