Kairon 3.5 Basic Functions
This tutorial will take you through Kairon’s basic functions so that you can start using your software quickly. It does presume, however, that you have read the data entry tutorial thoroughly.
Introducing Kairon’s Screens
Kairon 3.5 has two screens on display at all times (the second screen (drawer) can be toggled “on” and “off”)
The Main Screen
The main screen contains the core data you are working on and can be switched to show “Data”, “Radix ”(Chart), “Aspect”(Grid), “Text”. These are all accessible through the “View” menu, and through icons on the toolbar.
“Data”
View > Data
Recapping Data Entry Basics
4 digit year
create a copy using “+”,
update a chart using “Change”,
delete obsolete charts using “-”
“save” often
“Radix” (Chart)
View > Radix
Produces a graphic representation of your data. Kairon 3.5 takes full advantage of your Macintosh’s graphic capacity.
Your chart can be almost endlessly altered to suit your taste, and and with Kairon 3.5, you can now select from many sets of preferences to suit your changing needs.
Chart preferences Quick Reference
Please note all of these subjects can be studied in detail, but this will get you started.
Zodiac
(Tropical/Sidereal etc.)
Kairon 3.5 > Preferences > System
House System
(Placidus/Koch/Equal etc.)
Kairon 3.5 > Preferences > Defaults
Objects
(Planets/Asteroids/Arabic Parts etc.)
Kairon 3.5 > Preferences > Points
Aspects
(Conjunct/Opposition/Trine etc.)
Kairon 3.5 > Preferences > Aspects
Colours
(Background and Wheel)
Kairon 3.5 > Preferences > Defaults
Colours
(Objects/Aspects etc.)
Kairon 3.5 > Preferences > Styles
Use with some care, detailed tutorial highly recommended
“Aspects” (Grid)
View > Aspects
Takes all of its cues from the chart defaults
“Text”
View > Text
There are 3 options here that make use of a sophisticated text editor.
AAF-Files
Allows simple transfer and editing of AAF data, which makes file sharing very easy within the AAF format.
Generated Text
A powerful option that will generate lists of positions, houses, aspects, angular separations and firdaria, with an option for dignities.
Objects on the list are determined by your chart preferences.
Interpretations
A new feature that allows you to generate customised reports based on your own experience. Objects in the interpretations list are determined by your chart preferences.
The Toolbar
Kairon 3.5’s Toolbar is fully customisable. Simply “control-click” (or right-click with 2 button mouse) on the Toolbar and select “Customize Toolbar” to see all available options. Drag and drop tools on and off as required. You can also alter display options between icons, text and icons, or text only, in the “control-click” menu on the Toolbar.
Save
Saves current changes in current data file.
Prints current screen using current printer defaults.
DataEntry
Brings current Data Entry screen to front.
TextView
Brings Text Editor screen to front.
Graphics
Brings current Radix (Chart) to the front.
Grid View
Brings current Aspect Grid to front.
Colors
Opens Apple colour picker in a floating screen.
Fonts
Opens Apple font picker in a floating screen.
Customize
Opens the “Customize Toolbar” screen.
Charts Selection
A menu that selects available charts from the data file.
Aspect Choker
A tool that sets an upper limit for all aspect orbs using a slide control. It is turned on or off using its check box.
Transparency
A tool that varies the transparency of the current screen for graphic overlays and other artistic endeavours. It is turned on or off using its check box.
ChartRotation
A tool that rotates the current chart for overlay on another chart.
Toggle Drawer
Toggles the drawer (secondary screen) open and shut.
Preferences
Opens the preferences screen.
Flexible Space
Places a visual space in the Toolbar that expands and contracts depending on other tools and options selected.
Space
Places a fixed visual space in the Toolbar.
Separator
Places a separator in the Toolbar.
The Drawer
View > Show/Hide Drawer
The drawer is a secondary screen in Kairon 3.5 and contains all of the tools required by the advanced Astrologer.
The drawer has 3 main levels. We will deal with the simplest levels first.
Comments
Kairon’s default drawer setting contains comments from the current data file as well as essential information (Sun, Moon, Ascendant and MC) displayed to the arc second.
?
Displays longitude to the arc second as well as rulership and dignity information for any object the mouse rolls over on the radix (chart) screen. This function can be turned on/off in the check box.
Methods
This is a complex level (it has its own menu in the menu bar) with 8 further levels within it.
Transits
Kairon 3.5’s transit engine allows you to step forward and back in time to refine your search. If you want to search transits in isolation (on the inside chart), the Time Machine allows you to do this. Transiting objects can be selected independent of natal preferences. Now has a graphic ephemeris working.
Aspectfinder
Kairon 3.5’s aspect tool gives transit to natal aspects in a broad selection of timeframes and steps, available for printout in the text generator.
Eclipsefinder
Will find eclipses of the Sun and Moon, occultations by the Moon of other bodies and the rising and setting of many bodies, reporting this information to the text generator.
Synastry
Contains everything you need for synastry, composite, and space-time midpoint (combine) charts, all information can be generated in the text file for exporting or printing. Objects in synastry can be selected independent of natal preferences.
Harmonics
The harmonic tool is simple and self explanatory, it will retain the original natal houses (and angles) on request.
Progressions
Self explanatory with clearly selectable options. Profections also available from that screen. Objects included in progression can be selected independently of natal preferences
Directions
Self explanatory with easily selected options. Objects in directions are the same as those for progressions.
Returns
Solar and Lunar returns can be selected here, as can Planetars (pioneered by P. Oban). The Lunar return has options for first and second return of the month. All returns can be relocated using the atlas. Objects for this screen can be selected independent of natal data.
Import/Export/Open/Save
File > Import
The import function will allow you to quickly import your old Kairon 2.19, Astrolog and AAF files into your preferred Kairon 3.5 AAF-File (Kairon 3.5 can hold up to 30,000 sets of data per AAF-File).
File > Export
The powerful export function allows for
PDF/EPS/TIFF
The main screen is saved to selected format.
Dignities/Pref
This function makes Kairon 3.5 very versatile.
Creates a new set of dignities or preferences which can be accessed from the files menu (preference files also accessible from the styles menu).
Text/RTF
For text screens only, this exports to two useful formats.
File > Open
Opens any supported file as a new AAF-File in a fresh window in Kairon 3.5.
File > Save
Saves changes made to current file. (Make sure you want to save these changes, this data becomes the new default for “revert”.)
File > Save As...
Allows you to change the name of the current .aaf file and save a copy to a new location. *Note* to save in other formats, use the “export” function.
File > Revert
Reopens the current chart with the data from the most recent “save” command (useful to remember if you have made an error)
Multiple Preference Sets
Many astrologers prefer different sets of colours, objects, orbs and dignities depending on what they are doing on a given day. For example, you might prefer a particular set of colours and objects for conducting research and a very different set when reading for clients, and perhaps a third set when publishing for the Web.
Quick-Reference
Making New Preference Sets
Important- Kairon 3.5 overwrites preferences as they are altered, therefore to preserve the existing set of preferences, you must first create and name your new preferences set, select the new preference set,THEN make your alterations to the new set and save it.
File > Export
Choose “Export” from the file menu.
Choose “Dignities” or “Preference” from the radio buttons.
Name your file so that you can recognise it, Kairon 3.5 will automatically apply the correct file extension.
Select the new set using one of the methods below.
Your new preference set will reflect any changes you make.
Switching Preference Sets
This can be done several ways.
Kairon 3.5 > Preferences > Files
Any valid preference sets can be selected from this screen by selecting the button to the right of the appropriate line.
Kairon 3.5 > Preferences > Styles
Styles sets can be selected from the “select-prefs-Dokument” menu in the styles screen.
Kairon 3.5 > Preferences > Dignities
Dignities sets can be selected from the “Rules from” menu in the Dignities screen.
Switching Between sets of Aspect Orbs
Switching sets of aspect orbs requires some expertise with the Macintosh. It can be done easily and quite safely, but it must be done CAREFULLY. It requires digging in the Library of your Macintosh and archiving multiple sets of Kairon’s dynamic preferences.
The path you want is applications\libraries\preferences\com.Kairon.Kairon35_X.plist
in your user profile.
Open a new window in the Finder. Click the “home<username>” icon, double-click the “Library” folder double click the “Preferences” folder
Select the file <com.Kairon.Kairon3_X2Pro.plist>
Create an archive of the file using the file menu. (or the contextual menu from a “right click”)
Create a new folder in the preferences folder and name it something appropriate like “Kairon_plist_archives” and place the new archive in it.
Name the archive something informative like “narrow_orb.zip”
Change the aspect orbs in Kairon 3.5 and repeat the above procedure for each set, putting them all in the same folder for convenience.
To switch between Aspect Orb sets
Close Kairon 3.5
Navigate to preferences folder in Library. Locate and open your “Kairon_plist_archives” folder
double-click the appropriate archive.
move the new preferences into the preferences folder and click “replace” when asked.
Open Kairon 3.5.