| Among packages aimed at the professional or more serious student of Western astrology, Windows applications continue to predominate. Solar Fire remains a market leader, but Sirius and its precursor Kepler from Cosmic Patterns are gaining ground, in a static market where little except cosmetic development has eventuated for several years. Matrix Software provides Win*Star and maintains a loyal following, while an unrestricted 30-day demo of Janus is offered by Astrology House to experience for yourself. Mac aficionados need an emulator, or are limited to the Io Edition from Time Cycles Research, that lags behind in terms of its actual capabilities, despite their elegantly themed website. |
Shareware isn’t free, but is freely distributed
usually as a trial version, that you can register
to enjoy the full capabilities of the application, often rather more cheaply than
regular commercial software. For example deep in the Windows world, ZET is
an astrology program with some interesting touches. There is
a Lite version to try out gratis, while registration entitles
you to two further levels of extra content. Written
by Anatoly Zaytsev from the Ukraine, if you like stellar
graphics you are sure to enjoy yourself. For Mac users, Kairon has a long history and some vocal advocates. I haven’t tried this program personally, but you can download and run it thirty times before you need to register. |
| There is a wide range of Windows freeware available, so many exciting programs originate in this sector, as the potentially free Swiss Ephemeris places accuracy within the reach of everyone nowadays. Although Astrolog
5.40 is ancient, its features put most other freeware to shame, plus there is a functional port for Linux that is now quite out of date. Morinus is probably the best choice for Linux devotees, with handsome charts once you have tweaked them, a Windows version and maybe another for Mac admirers, but unfortunately all from a staunchly traditional perspective, with no Chiron at the time of writing.
Windows fans might favour Riyal
for Windows, sporting the power
and depth of technical detail that is absent from most professional packages. |
No summary of computerised chart calculation
would be complete without mention of Alois Treindl
and the very excellent Astrodienst.
The extent of the options they offer online via their Extended
Chart Selection is impressively awesome, including
astro*carto*graphy, harmonics, solar and lunar returns, different kinds
of relationship horoscope, progressed composites and several thousand
named asteroids for starters. All these alternatives are totally free, so they must be worth a look. Also, simply click on the software links below to visit my own link recommendations and archive, where you can find sundry other programs and online services mentioned that didn't quite make it on to this page, including some useful astronomy software too… |
