Pluto return Error

[Ozymandias]

Today I went to do a Pluto return and came across my first and only error (Runtime Error Line 156).
After using my date of birth 02/15/1981, it gives this error. I did some tests and going back to 1978 it still repeats the error, before that everything was fine. I really don't know if this is something that only happens here on my computer, that's why I came here to clear up the doubt and bring this information. Otherwise, I just want to thank you for your dedication in developing and making PlanetDance available. I respect your work a lot because it was where my passion for astrology began.

[Jean]

Hi there,
Thanks for the compliments.
Unfortunately I can't see where it goes wrong. I tried myself, also with 1978 but i can't get it to make an error.
Also, on line 156 it just wants to open a window to show it, the return is already found there, and i wouldn't know why it should have a problem with that.

So for now i'm afraid i can't do much, maybe something will come up. How do other returns go?

[Ozymandias]

The error actually appears here after 1977, before everything works! (Only Pluto). The other returns work perfectly with 1981 but not Pluto. Is there somewhere where I can download previous versions to test? Because I remember this return working. If anyone else who views this post can test this return in 1981 to see if the error is recurrent in other users, I would appreciate it. I added an image of what the return looks like

[Jean]

The problem for me is that the error happens at the moment the module tries to show the horoscope. So the return is already calculated, there was no problem there, problem is only when the window is created to show it. So there's no relation with a birth time, planet or whatever, the problem, according to the error message, is purely about creating a window to show the horoscope. As showing a horoscope is not problem in all other 100 other modules there's no logic for me, it's a mystery for now.

[Ozymandias]

Well, I did all the tests possible within my reach, such as reinstalling and configuring it without changes or separating it from AstroClock. Besides, I loved being able to bring something mysterious! My intention was always to bring a "problem" that I discovered to help make PlanetDance perfect. Which it already is! Anyway, I am immensely grateful for your attention. I will be waiting for any news.

[Jean]

An older version would not help you. If other returns work well, it's a mystery why pluto does not.

[ABer]

Hi Ozymandias - thanks for your very kind words about Planetdance. It's really good to know about your positive experiences. In my view this error is to be due to the fact on or about this date Pluto will have been moving very slowly due to it's recent retrograde station on 26 or 27 January 1981. This is a problem with returns for extremely slow moving planets like Pluto. I think the error is likely due to the coincidence of your required return date with this very slow movement of Pluto. This may be confounding the code that searches for the exact moment of return to the birth degree. Pluto will station retrograde on or about the same date each year for a number of years due to its slow movement. This explains why the problem persists over a number of years but then resolves as the station date slowly changes over time.

Jean - does this sound plausible?

That's my best guess anyway!

Best wishes to you both. Ed

[ABer]

Hi again - I have tried to recreate this too, but everything worked fine for me.

Could you describe precisely what you are trying to do. If I understand you correctly, you are trying to create a Pluto return based on your birth chart? However the image above seems to show a Pluto return based on the startup chart?

I have used a birth time and date based on your details shown above, for the place of the failed return chart.

Thanks. Ed

[Jean]

@Ed, the error is on a line with horoscopewindow(), so the return is calculated / found, it just has to be displayed.
@Ozymandias look at the pic, it's horoscope list searching for pluto conj. pluto, does this work?
If it does, can you do Calculate from it's menu to show a return?

Also.. try an update, i modified the return module, it was searching for 200 years but pluto has an orbit of 248 years and that could account for the error.

[ABer]

Hi Jean - that could well resolve the issue - I didn't think of the length of the return cycle.

Ed

[Jean]

If the return took more than 200 years then it will return a zero julian day value, wich translates to the year -4712, maybe there's something there that cannot handle that though it should cause no problem.

[Ozymandias]

Ok, Pluto may be slow, but you are Mercury!

First, I would like to thank you for your attention ABer and your theory about the slow return causing the error. To answer your question, when I open PlanetDance my natal chart is already there with the chart of the day. I go to the menu horoscope/return/Pluto return/(In the menu that appears I click on start) and there I have the return in a graph and not in a table. But I believe you already know that. How did you do it in a table?

Jean, I couldn't do the calculation through the menu, because I woke up uninstalling everything and doing a clean install without my appearance settings and adjustments. I make a lot of changes to the original settings. Even so, here is a picture with the menu and the return chart WORKING!

You modified the return module and that solved the error! The year -4712 (I had noticed, but didn't imagine it would be relevant) is in the error image and the correct year is 2227 considering Pluto's direct and retrograde motion (February 15, 1981, exact degree of 24*13'33'' in Libra for Pluto). Pluto's orbital cycle: 248 years Base calculation: 1981 + 248 years = 2229. I have no words to thank you for your attention and willingness to solve something that apparently only I was noticing, so I'm going to make a tea and make PlanetDance mine again, as it is already a pleasure to configure the best Astrology program.

[Jean]

hey Ozymandias, glad it's fixed.

That table Ed was showing is Time Ephemeris.
Mine is horoscope - list, have a look, you can do more advanced searches with it, there's also time - list.

[Jean]

ps, next time something like this happens, you don't need to undo all your settings, it mostly has no effect on a runtime error. Just report and we'll try to fix it.

[ABer]

Thanks Jean. Great work once again. Ed