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Celestial Sphere
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The celestial sphere is an imaginary sphere that we picture surrounding the earth upon which the stars are fixed. Some ancient cultures believe such a sphere ( or bowl ) really existed. Today, however, astronomers use the concept as a way to map the location of stars relative to observers on Earth.
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Sky Pollution
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For Astronomers, sky pollution is anything that interferes with observing. These factors can include smog, fog, dust, and other products of combustion, as well as light pollution- a brightening of the background sky caused generally by city lights, which obscure all but the brightest celestial objects.
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Gibbous
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A word from Middle English that means bulging - an apt description of the moon's shape between its quarter phase and full phase.
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Latitude
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The lines of latitude, run parallel with the equator and measures the angular distance north and south of the equator. On the celestial shere, declination ( dec ) corresponds to latitude and measures the angular distance above or below the celestial equator.
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Declination
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The angular distance ( distance expressed as an angle rather than in absolute units, such as feet or miles ) north or south of the celestial equator.It is akin to lines of latitude on the earth.Declination is analogous to earthly latitute. The declination of a star seen directly above the earth's equator would also be at the celestial equator - that is, 0 degrees. A star at the north celestial pole ( that is, directly over the earth's north pole ) would be +90 degrees. At the south celestial pole, it would be -90 degrees. In the latitudes of the United States, stars directly overhead have declinations in +30- and +40- degree ranges. The Bradley Observatory at Agnes Scott College is at the latitude of 33 deg 45 min 55.84 sec. That means that is Decatur, GA the North Star ( polaris ) is about 34 degrees above the northern horizon.
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Longitude
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The lines of longitude run vertically from pole to pole. They demarcate angular distance measured east and west of the so-called prime meridian ( that is, 0 degrees ), which by convention and history has been fixed at greenwich Obervatory, in greenwich, England. On the celestude sphere, right ascension ( R.A. ) corresponds to longitude.
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Altazimuth Coordinates
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Are Altitude ( angular distance above the horizon ) and azimuth ( compass direction expressed in angular measure ).
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Asterism
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A arbitrary grouping of stars within or associated with a constellation, which are perceived to have a recognizable shape ( such as a teapot or Orion's Belth ) and, therefore, readily serve as celestial landmarks.
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Arc to Arcturus
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A handy mnemonic ofter taught to astronomy students to help them easily locate the star. Following the arc of the Big Dipper's handle leads to this bright star.
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Angular size and angular separation
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Astronomers use angular size and angular distance to describe the apparent sizes and separations of objest in the sky. The size and distance are expressed as angles on the sky rather than as absolute units ( such as feet or miles ). Since many of these measurements are less than a full degree, we point out that a degree is made up of 60 arcminutes and an arcminute of 60 arcseconds.
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System of Orienting Yourself
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To view the sky meaningfully, you need a system of orienting yourself and identifying certain key features. Celestial coordinates and altazimuth coordinates offer two such systems. While the celestial coordinate system is how professional; astronomers designate location, altazimuth coordinates are used on telescopes that have an altazimuth mount.
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Consa
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Imaginative groupings of stars perceived as images, many of them influenced by Greek mythology; however, these groupings are arbitrary, reflecting human imagination rather then any actual relationship between those stars.
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Planet: Sun
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The Sun tells us of the actual core of a person, the inner self, of that which is of central concern. It also shows us the general vitality and the ability to assert oneself, it describes a general tone of being which colors everything else. Sign equivalent: Leo
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Planet: Moon
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The Moon represents our feelings and emotions, the receptivity, imagination and basic feeling tone of a person. It also has an effect on the sense ofrhythm, time and timing, it influences our adaptability to change, our mobility and versatility. Sign equivalent: Cancer
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Planet: Mercury
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Mercury represents reason, reasonableness (common sense), that which is rational. It stands for the spoken and written word, putting in order, weighing and evaluating, the process of learning and skills. Sign equivalents: Gemini and Virgo
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Planet:Venus
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Venus gives us a sense of beauty, the enjoyment of pleasure, aesthetic awareness, love of harmony, sociability, taking pleasure in relationships and eroticism. Sign equivalents: Libra and Taurus
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Planet: Mars
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Mars represents the energy and drive of a person, their courage, determination, the freedom of spontaneous impulse. It also describes the readiness for action, the way one goes about doing things as well as simple aggression. Sign equivalent: Aries
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Planet: Jupiter
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The search for individual meaning and purpose, optimism, hope and a sense of justice are represented by Jupiter. So also faith, a basic philosophy oflife, the striving for spiritual growth and expansion. Sign equivalent: Sagittarius
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Planet: Saturn
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Saturn shows how we experience "reality", where we meet with resistance and discover our limitations. It represents the conscience and moral conviction, the laws and rules which we choose to obey. It also tells us about our powers of endurance and the ability to concentrate, it lends qualities like earnestness, caution and reserve. Sign equivalent: Capricorn
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Planet: Uranus
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Uranus stands for intuition, it transmits sudden inspiration and lightning insights. An openness for all that is new, unknown and unusual. A sort of wrong-headed contrariness is also associated with this planet. It is said to be characteristic of astrology as such. Sign equivalent: Aquarius
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Planet: Neptune
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This planet gives us the supersensory, opens doors to mystical experience and the transcendental. On this level it is hard to discern where perception moves into deception, illusion and false appearances, and so Neptune is associated with all of these, with drugs and all kinds of pseudo-realities. Sign equivalent: Pisces
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Planet: Pluto
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Pluto describes how we deal with power, personal and non-personal, be it through suffering the power of others or exercising it ourselves. It describes how we meet the demonic and magical, our regenerative powers and our capacity for radical change and rebirth: the cycles of dying and becoming. Sign equivalent: Scorpio
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Element: Fire
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People with a strong emphasis of the fire element are spontaneous and impulsive, they apply their energies wholeheartedly. Their emotional response is quick and they have a lively imagination. Fire signs: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius
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Element: Air
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Airy people are quick and animated. They apply their energies in very diverse ways. They tend to intellectualize their feelings and expectations. Air signs: Libra, Aquarius, Gemini
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Element: Water
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People with a strongly emphasized water element are feeling types and are very sensitive. Their imaginative and emotional lives are deep and rich. Water signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
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Element: Earth
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Earthy people react quietly and slowly. They apply themselves with endurance. Emotionally they are deeply rooted and slow to change. Earth signs: Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo
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Elementary states or Qualities: Cardinal
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People with an emphasis on cardinal signs have an urge to take the lead and to shape things. They are initiators and act according to their aims and goals. Cardinal signs: Aries, Libra, Cancer, Capricorn
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Elementary states or Qualities: Fixed
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People with an emphasis on the fixed signs have a desire to build on what is already there and to organize it more efficiently. They tend to preservea "status quo" and act in response to given circumstances. Fixed signs: Leo, Aquarius, Scorpio, Taurus
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Elementary states or Qualities: Mutable
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People with an emphasis on the mutable or common signs tend to seek change and renewal. They can easily replace one thing with another and align their actions with unfolding processes. Mutable signs: Sagitarius, Gemini, Pisces, Virgo
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Aries
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Cardinal fire; ruled by Mars; Willpower, impulsive, initiative, courage, energy, activity
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Taurus
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Fixed earth; ruled by Venus ; Sensual, pleasure-seeker, steadfast, strives for security
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Gemini
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Mutable air; ruled by Mercury ;Mental type, witty, communicative, mobile, takes pleasure in learning. Rarely touches down
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Cancer
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Cardinal water; ruled by the Moon ; Emotional type, stubborn, seeks safety and closeness
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Leo
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Fixed fire; ruled by the Sun ; Glamour, generosity, organizer, the center of attention
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Virgo
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Mutable earth; ruled by Mercury ; Precise, differentiates, does what is necessary, utilitarian
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Libra
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Cardinal air; ruled by Venus ; A sense of beauty and proportion, tactful, seeks balance and harmony. Sometimes hovers between the scales
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Scorpio
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Fixed water; ruled by Pluto ; Corrosive, passionate, piercing, extreme situations
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Sagittarius
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Mutable fire; ruled by Jupiter ; Free spirit, carefree, love of movement, cheerful
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Capricorn
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Cardinal earth; ruled by Saturn ; Enduring, has a sense of purpose, proud, ambitious
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Aquarius
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Fixed air; ruled by Uranus ; Communicative, humanitarian, progressive, fraternal
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Pisces
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Mutable water; ruled by Neptune ; Sensitive, compassionate, helpful, sociable
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Horizon ; Ascendant and Descendant ; The individual and his complement
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This axis, which divides the horoscope into an 'upper' (day-side) and a 'lower' (night-side) half, represents the local horizon at the time of birth.That point at which the eastern horizon intersects the ecliptic is termed the ascendant. It is the beginning or cusp of the first house. In opposition to it, on the cusp of the seventh house, we find the descendant. We will discuss the interpretation of the houses on the following pages. Planets found near the ascendant at the moment of birth are rising, or have just risen, while planets close to the descendant are setting.
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Meridian ; A Vertical Division ; Imum Coeli and Medium Coeli ; Origins and orientation
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The second important axis in house division is the meridian. This divides the horoscope into an eastern (on the left of the chart) and a western (on the right of the chart) half. The uppermost point of intersection of this axis with the ecliptic is called the Medium Coeli (MC) or midheaven, the lower point (situated under the horizon) is termed the Imum Coeli (IC). Planets close to the MC occupy the highest possible place in the heavens at the time of birth, while planets near the IC are so to speak under our feet on the other side of the earth.
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House System
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the astrological houses show us which spheres or aspects of life receive more weight than others in a horoscope. Each astrological house stands for aparticular sphere. The house division of a horoscope varies from person to person, since it is calculated according to the exact time of birth and the geographic position of the place of birth. The horoscope is divided by two axes into the eastern and western hemispheres as well as into the day and night hemispheres. The four points of intersection of these two axes with the ecliptic determine the house division of the horoscope. This is usually based on a further division of each of the four quadrants by three. There are various mathematical models according to which the houses are calculated. Consequently there is quite a long list of differing house systems (Placidus, Regiomontanus, Equal, Vehlow, etc.). Most of these differ only in the method of calculation used to divide the quadrants. The transition from one house to another is not as clear as the change from one sign to another. Planets occupying a position near the end of a house are often interpreted as belonging to the next.
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1st House (Ascendant) – The individual personality
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Together with the Sun and Moon the ascendant is one of the most important single factors in a horoscope. The sign at the beginning of the first housetells us a lot about someone's personality, temperament and constitution. It typifies our immediate, instinctive reaction and shows how we present ourselves to the world. The planet ruling the ascendant sign is of particular importance for the interpretation
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2nd House – Values and Possessions
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The second house and its occupants tell us about the material circumstances, the acquisitive urge and how we deal with possessions and material means. This includes the relationship to our own body.
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3rd House – Communication
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The third house and any planets occupying it tell us of our siblings, the manner in which we communicate on an everyday level and the relationships which determine our daily life.
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4th House – Roots and Origins
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This house describes our origins, the parental home and the circumstances influencing childhood and youth. It describes how we relate to “family”, our attitude towards “hearth and home”. The father image and the relationship to the real father are also to be found here.
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5th House – Pleasure and Creativity
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Sexuality and eroticism are at home here, along with play in general and all types of creative expression. This house also describes how we relate tochildren, pleasure and simple fun.
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6th House – Work and Routine
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The sixth house describes the circumstances surrounding us in our daily lives, including the work environment and daily routine. This includes our behaviour towards subordinates. Bodily hygiene and care also belong here, as well as tendencies to certain acquired illnesses.
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7th House – Relating
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The descendant sign and planets occupying the seventh house tell us about how we select our partners and describes the partnerships and relationshipswe seek. Often we are involuntarily attracted to people whose horoscopes carry a strong emphasis of the sign in our seventh house.
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8th House – Loss and Common Property
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The eighth house shows how we relate to communal goods and how we deal with material loss. The taxes levied on us each year are a good example for this and show how closely related these areas are. Traditional astrology maintains that this house has an affinity to death and all things metaphysical. Death would then be the ultimate material loss. Amongst other things, the study of metaphysics can be a very differentiated way of dealing with this loss, which inevitably comes to us all.
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9th House – Philosophies and Far Countries
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The ninth house describes our spiritual leaning, life philosophy and our world view. In fact, these are often influenced by journeys to foreign countries. The attitudes cultivated and formed in this house can greatly influence matters of the 10th. (see below)
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10th House (MC) – Occupation and Calling
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This house is of particular importance, since it affects not only our choice of profession and our sense of calling - it also has a bearing on our general development, what we become. This continues throughout our lives. According to tradition, as well as more recent experience, this house describes the mother image and the relationship to the real mother.
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11th House – Friends and Acquaintances
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The eleventh house describes how we relate to friends, benefactors and teachers - people who wish us well or from whom we can learn. It also shows usin these roles. This house shows how we relate to the society in which we live.
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12th House – Beyond the Personal
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This house represents those spheres of life in which the individual no longer plays a part, where we step back for a greater whole or lose ourselves in one. Traditional astrology sees hospitals, prisons and psychiatric institutions in this house. It is also associated with monasteries and any other retreats.
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Conjunction - 0°
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The conjunction tends to be a harmonious aspect. Its quality depends greatly on the planets involved, as well as on how close the aspect is. For example, a conjunction between the Sun and Mercury is generally regarded as harmonious. If, however, the distance between them is less than a few degrees, Mercury is said to be “burnt” or “in combustion”, with corresponding results. In general, the conjunction shows an immediate connection which usually works in one way or another.
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Opposition - 180°
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Although the opposition is generally regarded as “disharmonious” or dynamic, it often has quite a motivating and energizing effect. Here too, the quality of the aspect depends on the planets involved, and on what one makes of it. On the whole, an opposition between two planets creates tension between them, often with positive results.
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Square - 90°
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The square is regarded as a disharmonious aspect, the planets involved seem to be “blocked”. The problems that arise from the square keep on turning up, like a bad penny. The difficulty lies in trying to reconcile two forces that are trying to move in completely different directions. Usually this takes the form of desires and needs which are mutually exclusive.
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Trine - 120°
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The trine is a harmonious aspect, the planets involved work together in a complementary fashion, enriching one another. Trines show where our naturaltalents lie, whether we actually make use of them or not is up to us.
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Sextile - 60°
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The sextile tends to have a harmonious effect, depending of course on the planets involved.
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Semisquare - 45°
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disharmonious
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Sesquiquadrat - 135°
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disharmonious
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Semisextile - 30°
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neutral
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Quincunx - 150°
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neutral
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Inconjunct - 150°
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neutral
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Quintile - 72°
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harmonious
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Biquintile - 144°
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harmonious
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Retrograde Motion
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If we look at our solar system "from above", all of the planets revolve around the sun in the same direction (anti-clockwise). However, since astrology views the planets as they are seen from the earth, some of the planets seem to be moving backwards at times. This would seem to be the case, when an outer, slow-moving planet such as Saturn is overtaken by the earth. When the planets are in retrograde motion, in other words, apparently moving backwards, the astrological position is marked with an R. Whether this is of significance or not still gives rise to discussion. However, it can help us decide whether a particular aspect is still operative or not. The motion of the planets can also help us make decisions on other astrological matters.
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Other Parts and Points
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Astrologers use a colorful collection of "points". These derive from points within the horoscope and are of symbolic significance, such as the "part of fortune" or the "Age Point". At present there is very little agreement amongst astrologers on the importance of these points, or on how meaningful they actually are. Lilith and the Moon's nodes are exceptions: these points are based on astronomical data and consequently find more acceptance in astrological circles. The moon’s nodes, which are always exactly opposed, are those points where the paths of the moon and the earth cross. Most astrologers see these points as being of karmic significance: The ascending or northern node is said to represent the spiritual development called for in this life, while the descending or southern node represents experience gathered during previous lives. Another point of view regards the northern node as a point of meeting, signifying important personal ties or connections, while the south node indicates separation. The well-known German astrologer Thomas Ring taught that the northern node shows where subconscious contents can become accessible, whereas the southern node shows where conscious awareness can sink back into the depths of the unconscious.
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Lilith, The Astronomical
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The Moon travels along an elliptical path around the Earth. An ellipse has two focal points, and the other focal point, not occupied by the Earth hasbeen called the Dark Moon, the Black Moon or Lilith. This is a slightly simplified definition, since, actually, the Moon and the Earth both move around their common centre of gravity, and the path of the Moon is not a neat ellipse, but a rather wobbly affair. One must distinguish between the mean orbit of the Moon, which is a slowly elongating ellipse, and the actual orbit, which vaccilates around the mean path, due to interference of various kinds. Just as there a "mean" and a "true" Lunar Node, so there is a "mean" and a "true" ellipse and a "mean" and a "true" Lilith. I write "true" in inverted commas, because the Moon's Node is only "true" about twice per month, when the Moon is actually on it, for the rest of the time, it is as "untrue" as the mean Node. In fact, when working with a point so close to the Earth, one should also take the great parallax into consideration, i.e. consider, from which point on the Earth one is actually looking at a point in the heavens. Astrology observes the planets geocentrically, as if from the Earth's centre, and not topocentrically, from the actual place of the observer.
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Lilith
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In the beginning was the Great Goddess, and the Goddess was the Earth, and the Earth was the Goddess. The origins of the cult of the Great Goddess lie hidden in the dim twilight of prehistoric time. The Goddess ruled for hundreds of thousands of years. In the course of time, the Mother-Goddess was overthrown and driven under, and the triumph of the most patriarchal of archetypes - Jahwe, God the Father, Allah - was complete in the Judaic, Christian and Moslem worlds. It was only in the tamed form of Mary, Mother of God, that some aspects of the Mother Goddess were permitted to survive. Various Black Madonnas in ancient sanctuaries still bear witness to her. The figure of Lilith represents one aspect of the Great Goddess. In ancient Babylon, she was worshipped as Lilitu, Ischtar or Lamaschtu. Jewish mythology already puts her into darker realms - an evil Demon of the night, a fitting mate for Satan, lying in wait for men, and killing children.
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Lilith, The Dark Moon
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The Dark Moon has also been defined as the aphelion of the Moon's orbit, or that point in the orbit farthest from the Earth. Both these points, the aphelion and the second focal point, lie on the long axis of the orbital ellipse, the line of apsides. Seen from the Earth, they lie in the same direction, and therefore occupy the same place in the Zodiac. The second focal point lies at a distance only about 36´000 km from the Earth, the aphelion at about 400´000 km. Apart from this, both definitions can be regarded as being equivalent. Because the orbit of the Moon continually shifts forward in space, the Dark Moon moves along the Zodiak at about 40° per year. A complete revolution takes 8 years and 10 months.
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Lilith , Interpreting
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"During my years of astrological practice, I have come to use the Dark Moon in all my chart analyses, as a complement to interpretating the Moon. It would never occur to me to neglect this influence. The Dark Moon describes our relationship to the absolute, to sacrifice as such, and shows how we let go. In transit, the Dark Moon indicates some form of castration or frustration, frequently in the areas of desire, a powerlessness of the psyche, or a general inhibition. On the other hand, it shows where we question ourselves, our lives, our jobs, and our beliefs. I feel this is important, since it gives us the opportunity to "let go" of something. The Dark Moon shows where we can let the Whole flow into our selves, without putting an "I" in the way, without putting up a wall in the form of ego. At the same time, it doesn't indicate passivity - on the contrary - it symbolizes the firm will to be open and trusting, to let the Greater World flow through one, relying entirely on the great laws of the universe, on that which we name God. To prepare us for this opening, the Dark Moon creates a necessary void." (Joëlle de Gravelaine in "Lilith und das Loslassen", Astrologie Heute Nr. 23)
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Horoscope
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Astrologers use a kind of chart or diagram called a horoscope to find out the very special relationship between a person and the Sun, Moon and planets. A horoscope is really a picture of exactly how the sky looked from the place where that particular person was born, at the time of day he or she was born, on the date and year of his or her birth. But instead of making an actual drawing of the sky showing the position of the Sun, Moon and planets at the ti |
