Astrology-Central

This is where the Eastern Horizon intersects the Ecliptic. The Ascendant is opposite the Descendant. In most house systems the Ascendant forms the 1st House Cusp representing one’s reaction to the world outside, or the environment in general; the personality, the face others see, the impact of the self on others and vice versa; the primary motivation in life.

The Cadent Houses are the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th.
Planets placed in Cadent Houses makes them weak and ineffective, making it harder (requiring more work) to fulfill their promise.

This means two planets having opposite declinations, like Body1 is 23N13 and Body2 is 23S13.

An orb of 1 degree is commonly used. In interpretation, the contra-parallel is treated like an opposition aspect.

The time it takes a planet or point to make one complete revolution in the heavens.

Tropical Year (equinox to equinox) 365.24219878 days
Anomalistic Year (perigee to perigee) 365.25964134 days
Eclipse Year (Moon’s Node to Moon’s Node) 346.620031 days
Tropical Month (equinox to equinox) 27.321582 days
Synodic Month (new moon to new moon) 29.530589 days
Anomalistic Month (perigee to perigee) 27.554551 days
Draconic Month (Node to Node) 27.21222 days
Sidereal Year (fixed star to fixed star) 365.25636042 days
Sidereal Month (fixed star to fixed star) 27.321661 days
Sidereal day = 0.99726966 of a Tropical day

The Descendant is where the Western Horizon intersects the Ecliptic. It is opposite the Ascendant.

In most house systems the Descendant forms the 7th House Cusp. In interpretation, it describes the persons an individual attracts; an indicator of the partner’s character; the influence others have on self (determined by sign on cusp and/or any planets near cusp).

The dispositor of a planet is the ruler of the sign in which the planet is placed.

Example: If the Moon is in the sign of Leo then the Sun (which is the ruler of Leo) is the Moon’s dispositor. However, an exception to this rule can be found if the Almutem of a planet is calculated. For example, if Saturn is at 18°AR45’ the Almutem of that longitude is the Sun, not Mars, which means the Sun becomes Saturn’s dispositor.

Firdaria is a predictive technique used in medieval astrology where planetary rulers are assigned to periods of life. It is associated with the Chaldean Order of the planets. Each major period starts and ends on the person’s birthday.

Diurnal births commence with the Sun (10 years), followed by Venus (8 years), Mercury (13 years), Moon (9 years), Saturn (11 years), Jupiter (12 years), Mars (7 years), North Node (3 years) and South Node (2 years). After 75 years, the cycle repeats itself, starting again with the Sun.

Nocturnal births commence with the Moon (9 years), fllowed by Saturn (11 years), Jupiter (12 years), Mars (7 years), North Node (3 years), South Node (2 years), Sun (10 years), Venus (8 years), Mercury (13 years). After 75 years, the cycle repeats itself, starting again with the Moon.

A halfsum (midpoint) is the halfway point between two planet positions.

Formula HS = (A + B) / 2

Example Sun 10 Aries (10 degrees from 0 Aries) Moon 10 Taurus (40 degrees from 0 Aries) Sun + Moon = 10 + 40 = 50 HS = 50 / 2 = 25 = 25 Aries

Heliacal rising means a star or planet rising just before the Sun due to the rotation of the Earth.

Heliacal setting means a star setting just after the Sun due to the rotation of the Earth.

The heliacal rising and setting of the Moon occurs when it is within 17 degrees of the Sun.

The heliacal rising and setting of a star or planet occurs when it is within 30 degrees of the Sun.

The first day of the early Egyptian calendar was based on the heliacal (with the Sun) rising of Sothis (Sirius) that coincided with the start of the annual flood of the river Nile.

The Imum Coeli (IC) is the point where the Lower Meridian intersects the Ecliptic.

The Imum Coeli is opposite the Midheaven (MC). In most house systems the IC forms the 4th House Cusp. In interpretation, it represents the personal foundations, source of being, origins, roots, beginnings of life in the womb, personal, family and tribal heritage; connection with home; parental influence; most private and least conscious area.

The LA is used in the Uranian system and can be turned on in the Comsogram, and the Uranian Graph.

Examples Auckland 36s52 174e46 LA = 11°43′ Capricorn (with Solar Correction turned on). San Francisco 37n47 122w26 LA = 10°08′ Aquarius (with Solar Correction turned on).

In Janus, the LM can be turned on in the Comsogram, and the Uranian Graph.

Examples Auckland 36s52 174e46 LM = 23°44′ Virgo (with Solar Correction turned on). San Francisco 37n47 122w26 LM = 29°08′ Scorpio (with Solar Correction turned on).

Mutual Reception is the name given to the relationship between two planets where the Ruler of the first planet (by ruler or exaltation) is the same as the second planet, and the Ruler of the second planet (by domicile or exaltation) is the same as the first planet. Planets in Mutual Reception can be read as if they are in their own dignity.

NGC = New General Catalogue.

This catalogue assigns a number to each celestial object. Example: Sirius has the NGC number 8833.

Geocentric Planetary Nodes The geocentric nodes of a planet’s orbit are points where the orbit intersects the plane of the ecliptic.

The north node is where the planet crosses the ecliptic from south to north and is called the ascending node. The south node is where the planet crosses the ecliptic from north to south and is called the descending node. The north node is not opposite the south node.

Heliocentric Planetary Nodes The heliocentric nodes of a planet’s orbit are points where the orbit intersects the plane of the Earth’s orbit. The north node is opposite the south node, and they move at the rate of about 1degree per 100 years.

Obliquity is the angle made between the plane of the ecliptic and the plane of the celestial equator.

This value is currently around 23 degrees 26 minutes and varies slowly over the centuries.

Oriental/occidental to the Sun (Commonly used) Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are oriental if they rise before the Sun, otherwise they are occidental.

The Moon, Mercury and Venus are oriental if they rise after the Sun, otherwise they are occidental.

Quadrant System Using whole sign houses, any planets in houses 10,11,12 or 4,5,6 are oriental, otherwise they are occidental.

Paran (short for Paranatellonta) is a term used to describe two planets being on any of the angles (within orb) at the same time due solely to the rotation of the Earth. When a planet is on one of the angles, and another planet is also on one of the angles at the same time, then a diurnal or mundane aspect is made between the two planets, called a paran or paranatellonta.

Planets are in paran if: One planet is rising and the other planet is either rising, on the MC, setting, or on the IC. One planet is on the MC and the other planet is either rising, on the MC, setting, or on the IC. One planet is setting and the other planet is either rising, on the MC, setting, or on the IC. One planet is on the IC and the other planet is either rising, on the MC, setting, or on the IC.

The Part of Fortune (PF) is one of the most commonly used Arabic Parts, and is also known as ‘Pars Fortune’, ‘Fortuna’, and ‘Lunar Ascendant’. It is associated with earthly gain, and is incorporated in many medieval astrology calculations.

Formulas In Medieval Astrology, the PF was calculated differently depending on whether the chart was Diurnal or Nocturnal. PF = Ascendant + Moon – Sun (for a diurnal chart). PF = Ascendant + Sun – Moon (for a nocturnal chart).

Lilly used one formula for both diurnal and nocturnal charts. PF = Ascendant + Moon – Sun

Partile means an aspect of the same degree.

Examples Sun 15°01′ Aries and Moon 15°59′ Aries is a partile conjunction. Sun 5°10′ Aries and Moon 5°30′ Cancer is a partile square. However, Sun 14°59′ Taurus and Moon 15°01′ Taurus is NOT a partile conjunction.

The Sun/Moon and Asc/Mc midpoints are considered to be two of the most important midpoint pairs in midpoint astrology. This is because they involve the personal points in the chart.

The Sun/Moon midpoint brings together the masculine and feminine energies within an individual, and has been called the "Inner Marriage" by some writers (see ‘Working with Astrology’ by Michael Harding & Charles Harvey, pub. Cinnabar Books). The Sun/Moon midpoint describes how a person "gets him/herself together". Any planet conjunct, or at an H8 aspect to the midpoint of the Sun & Moon is considered to be "on the midpoint". The effect of a planet or planets at the midpoint is to bring the energies of the Sun/Moon into focus through the nature of that planet. Eg, Venus at the Sun/Moon would suggest the person "gets him/herself together through artistic activity or love".

The cycles of the planets, Lunar Nodes, asteroids and hypotheticals are:

Geocentric Mean Cycle Periods

Moon 29.530589 days Sun 365.242 days Vulcan 365.242 days Mercury 365.242 days Venus 365.242 days Mars 686.930 days Ceres 5 years Pallas 5 years Juno 5 years Vesta 5 years Jupiter 11.858 years Moon’s Node 18.6 years Saturn 29.42 years Chiron 51 years Uranus 83.75 years Neptune 163.74 years Pluto 245.33 years Cupido 260 years Hades 357 years Zeus 448 years Kronos 512 years Apollon 576 years Admetos 614 years Vulkanus 660 years Poseidon 743 years Transpluto 663 years

Heliocentric Mean Cycle Periods

Vulcan 18.584 days Mercury 87.968 days Venus 224.695 days Earth 365.242 days Mars 686.930 days Ceres 5 years Pallas 5 years Juno 5 years Vesta 5 years Jupiter 11.858 years Moon’s Node 18.6 years Saturn 29.42 years Chiron 51 years Uranus 83.75 years Neptune 163.74 years Pluto 245.33 years Cupido 260 years Hades 357 years Zeus 448 years Kronos 512 years Apollon 576 years Admetos 614 years Vulkanus 660 years Poseidon 743 years Transpluto 663 years

The Tropical Zodiac moves slowly backward through the Sidereal Zodiac (which is fixed to the positions of the constellations) at the rate of approximately 1degree per 72 years due to precession of the equinoxes. Precession is caused the very slow rotation (or wobble) of the Earth’s axis of rotation due to the gravitational pull of the Moon on the Earth’s small equatorial bulge. Over a 2150 year period the Tropical Zodiac moves approximately 30 degrees and is called a Precessional Age or Astrological Age. The full cycle, taking about 25,800 years, is called the Precessional Year or Great Year.

During this period Tropical 0° Aries will move through 360 degrees of the Sidereal Zodiac and will return to its starting position.

Over long periods of time the Vernal Point slowly moves through the constellations.

We are currently nearing the end of the Age of Pisces and entering the Age of Aquarius.

A dynamic aspect (half a semi-square) based on the 16th Harmonic.

Aspect Symbol Angle Fraction Quarto-Square ® 22.5° 1/16 3 x Quarto-Square ´ 67.5° 3/16 5 x Quarto-Square º 112.5° 5/16 7 x Quarto-Square À 157.5° 7/16

Quotidian is the name given to the rate used in secondary progressions.

The most commonly used rate is called Q2 and it is based on the ratio of 1 tropical day for a year (1 : 365.24219879). An alternate rate is called Q1 or Bija correction and is based on the ratio of 1 sidereal day for a year (1 : 366.2563992).

A planet is said to retrograde when its apparent motion from the Earth is backwards. Opinions vary on the interpretation of retrogradation. In natal work, it is considered an affliction, in horary work, it indicates that there is a need to go back over the matter and review it and in predictive work, it is often associated with the need to hold off taking important steps. All of the planets will be retrograde at some point in an 18 month period. The Sun and the Moon are never retrograde.

Rx Motion: When a planet appears to be moving backwards in the zodiac (as opposed to direct motion).

Rx Station: The point in a planet’s retrograde cycle where it is standing still (at a station), preparing to go from direct motion to retrograde motion. Coming early in the retrograde cycle, it indicates a situation that is starting to crystalize, eventually building to a crisis point later in the cycle.

Planet: Planet 1 returns to same longitude as Natal.

Midpoint: Transiting midpoint of Planet 1 and Planet 2 returns to same longitude as Natal.

Phase angle: Tr planet 1 and Tr Planet 2 return to same phase angle as Natal.

Kinetic Solar: Transiting Sun returns to same longitude as Progressed Sun.

Kinetic Lunar: Transiting Moon returns to same longitude as Progressed Moon.

Synodic: Transiting Sun/Moon angle at same angle as Natal Sun/Moon. The synodic cycle is the month of about 29.5 days of the lunar phases.

Metonic: Transiting Sun/Moon angle at same angle as natal Sun and Moon, in zodiacal positions almost same as natal positions. The metonic cycle is almost exactly 19 years.

Anlunar: Transiting Moon returns to position of Moon at the most recent solar return.

The Saros cycle (a family of eclipses) is 223 lunations or approximately 18 years 9-11 days (6585 days) in which the Sun, Moon and Moon’s Node return to almost the same relative places.

Eclipses in one cycle follow the same sequence in the next cycle.

There are 38 Saros Cycles, and each contains between 70 and 74 individual eclipses. 19 of these cycles start at the North Pole and 19 start at the North Pole.

Each Saros series begins at the North or South Pole as a small partial eclipse, and each successive eclipse in the series moves a little closer to the equator and is of a slight larger magnitude. Each eclipse in the Saros series gains in magnitude until they become total eclipses. When eclipses in the series reach the equator they are at their strongest. The following eclipses in the series progressively move away from the equator and become weaker until they finally reach the opposite pole from where they started about 1280 years later. Each eclipse in the series advances 10 degrees along the ecliptic (the zodiac), and moves 120 degrees further West in terrestrial longitude than the previous eclipse. So every third eclipse in the series will be at the same terrestrial longitude, but slightly north or south in terrestrial latitude depending from which pole the series started.

Sun standing still. At the time of the two Solstices, the Sun reaches its most northern and southern degrees from the equator. The moment of the Solstice corresponds with the longest and shortest days in summer and winter respectively.

Sun enters On or near Date Northern Hemisphere Southern Hemisphere Cancer 21 June Summer Solstice Winter Solstice Capricorn 21 Dec Winter Solstice Summer Solstice

In July the Earth reaches its farthest distance from the Sun and this point in the Earth’s orbit is called Aphelion. In January the Earth reaches its nearest distance from the Sun and this point in the Earth’s orbit is called Perihelion.

Stars can be classified as a spectral type denoted by a letter giving the major class and is sometimes followed by a number from 0 to 9 providing a sub-division within each class. 0 is at the hot end of the range, and 9 is at the cool end of the range. So A5 would be hotter than A6.

The spectral class indicates a star’s color and surface temperature.

The following table lists spectral classes in the order of hottest to coolest.

Class Temperature Color W 80 000K Greenish-White O 36 000K Greenish-White B 18 000K Bluish-White A 9 000K White F 7 000K Yellowish-White G 5 000K Yellow K 4 000K Orange M 3 100K Orange-Red R 2 500K Orange-Red N 2 000K Red S 1 500K Red

Sums are used in Uranian astrology and generally have the form A + B – C. Planet A, Planet B, and Planet C can each be a Natal, Directed or Transiting Planet.

Example Sum = Natal Sun + Directed Moon – Transiting Mercury

Halfsums have the form A/B Planet A and Planet B can each be a Natal, Directed or Transiting Planet.

Example HS = Natal Sun / Transiting Moon

In Janus’ Cosmogram you can calculate any of the following sums.

A + B sum A – B sum A / B halfsum A + B – C sensitive point (A / B) / (C / D) double halfsum (A + B) / (C / D) mp of sum and halfsum

You can select planet A, B, C and D and whether they are Transiting, Directed, or Radix.

In relatively recent times it has been possible to calculate the position of the Moon’s True Node.

The true node can be direct or retrograde, and can vary by a few degrees either side of the mean node position.

Under the Sun’s Beams (USB) is a term used in Traditional, Electional and Horary astrology.

A planet is said to be USB when it is between 8.5 degrees and 17 degrees from the Sun.

A planet USB is said to be mildly afflicted.