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Photo: Venus conjunct the new Moon
- Summer of 2002 -
Moon: 02Leo15 & Venus: 29Cancer11
Charting The Night Sky
When looking at the horoscope, remember that planets are always treated as if being seen from our "stationary" viewpoint here on Earth. We now know that their orbits are actually around the Sun. But, Astrology was developed by people who lived in concert with the rhythms of the earth, and of her seasons, as marked by movements they noted in the sky. They lived off the land, but they also lived with it. And, they put it in the very center of their star charts, because that's where they stood as they drew them....
In fact, their star charts were filled with an amazing array of data about their detailed observations of the sky. They were the ones who developed what we call the horoscope, a term evolved from the Greek words: hora meaning "hour", and skopein meaning "to look at, to spy upon". The horoscope not only includes data about the location on Earth where the observation was made; it also reveals conditions such as the time of day, month and year. It even records epochs, according to the interrelationships of the slower moving planets. It is truly a magnified view of the celestial spheres at a particular moment in time.
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The horoscope, its prominent points and its associations with the physical world, is explored with animated illustrations in Joanna's three-part article "Risings".
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Distant Origins
Drifting through the Mists of Time
Our ancestors clearly graphed and analyzed their Celestial observations. They just as surely lived under a subtly glowing night sky. Unfettered by need of the deeper securities we've gained through our city-based, modern lifestyles, they were often already outdoors when the night fell. The sky was an immediate part of their world view. And that world view was solidly earthbound. They could readily see the planets circling the Earth each night. It never occurred to them to question that! When the earliest star charts formed, they were from this earthbound perspective. When those star charts evolved into horoscopes, it was from that same traditional perspective.
The antiquity of Astrology is such that it harkens to a nearly prehistoric time. It emerged as an awareness of the great cosmic clock. The watchers in the night saw the same constellations move rhythmically over their heads, year after year. Seasons could be described by the positions of the stars, as they slowly turned overhead each night.... And even as surely as the stars held to their places, gradually turning as a unit, the planets were found to move swiftly! The stars may have formed an awe inspiring canopy, but the planets possessed a far greater power; and Power was something ascribed to the gods of all creation....
Using the cosmic clock is what really led to the formation of the signs of the Zodiac. As described in Decanates, those early sky-watchers found that a certain star would align with the horizon at a specific time of the night. For the sake of discussion, we'll assume that the specific moment in time is that first moment of full darkness after sunset. Bright stars rising (or setting) along the horizon were always considered the most noteworthy.
Like our Sun, who, from the viewpoint of planet Earth, is a much larger (and therefore more important!) cousin of those stars; they arose in the east, and moved westward. But, the duration of their alignment near that eastern horizon was limited to only about 10 days. By then, another bright fixed star would have moved into the all-important position of rising in the sky.
So, the brightest stars became the handy markers of the steady march of Time. Individual sectors of sky, set in 10 day allotments, became known as Decans (derived from the Greek word-root "deka" meaning "ten") . The 36 decans were eventually grouped into sets of three, and 12 discrete signs were born.
The 30-day sectors were expedient in other ways, as well. They very nearly matched the Moon's complete phase-cycle through the sky. In the same amount of time, the Sun covered the full distance across a sign. It fit together neatly in one other way: in a year, all 12 signs were traversed by the Sun.
It was also noted that the swift planets never varied much from a certain band of sky. The band, like a gigantic belt, girdles the Earth. It is aligned slantwise to her equator, slung like a bandolier, canted at 23½°. The constellations in that particular tract of sky, with their prancing mythical characters, naturally evolved into the Signs of the Zodiac.
Of course, in reality, that angular cant of the Zodiac is due to the Earth's tilt on her axis, as she encircles the Sun. What appears as the Sun's travel across and through the skies of our earth, is actually a combined reflection of Earth's daily rotation upon her own axis, and of her annual journey around the Sun.
But, from here on Earth's surface, it does appear as if the Sun circles us, day after day. Hence, that track of the Sun is called the Via Solis, meaning literally, "the Sun's path". It is from there, and there alone that all of the mysterious Eclipses materialize. So, that singular Solar pathway through our skies is more commonly known as the Ecliptic.
The circle of stars known as the Zodiac form the perimeters of the Via Solis. This swath of stars is roughly 16° wide, ranging about 8° above the actual line of the ecliptic, and 8° below it. It is the familiar haunt of those swift, powerful planets.
What, Two Zodiacs?
Traditionally, the annual starting point for the Zodiac is measured from the Vernal Equinox (onset of spring). Two basic ways of measuring this new beginning are used. One simply starts with the fixed point of 0° of the constellation Aries. Due to irregularities of earth's spin on her axis, however, this point no longer aligns with the Spring Equinox. Hence, in the Sidereal Zodiac, that critically important time of seasonal transition now rests somewhere in early Pisces, and changes its position annually.
Historically prominent figures in the West solved this problem by adhering to the principle that the Spring Equinoctial Point remains the ideal place to begin the Zodiac. Recognizing that much of the rich symbolism of Aries, indeed of all the Zodiac signs, was based on the nourishing transitions of earth's seasonal climatic changes---with their regular, rhythmic intervals---the Vernal Equinox itself became the emblematic 0° point of Aries. Thus the invigorating cardinal signs of the Tropical Zodiac remain aligned with the measurable celestial shifts into each of Earth's four major seasons.
· The Sidereal Zodiac ·
The bright stars of the Zodiac actually appear to move, very, very slowly, about 1° every 71½ years. Because of the tidal effects of the Sun and the Moon, and the Earth's resultant equatorial bulge, the gyroscopic spin of the earth on her axis wobbles slightly, much like that of a spinning top. Shadowing that wobble, the earth's axis slowly shifts the direction to which it points. Over time, it inscribes a full, 360° cone-shaped circle. Among other things, this means that Polaris, our current northern celestial pole star, does not always serve in that role.... Amazingly enough, the existence of this movement has been known since at least the 2nd Century, A.D., and probably earlier!
Such slow revolution matters little during the lifespan of an individual. But, over time, the cumulative effects of this motion, called Precession, will move the actual location of the Vernal Equinox through every degree of the Zodiac! Encompassing the diversion of the Spring Equinox throughout all the constellations of the Zodiac, the complete circuit is called a Great Year. That journey requires about 26,000 earth years.
The direction of Earth's slow axial wobble carries this motion backwards through the signs. Each sign encountered gives birth to a new "age". Hence we see the emergence of songs with lyrics like "This is the Dawning of the Age of Aquarius", referencing our present position in the Great Year. While all seem to agree that we approximate that cusp, our exact position within the Great Year remains a subject of some controversy.
Based on the Latin word sidere derivative of the word sidus meaning "star" or "constellation", the Sidereal Zodiac, is named for the constellations of stars that it follows. It is the Zodiac used by modern Astronomers and Eastern Astrologers---also known as Vedic Astrologers. This Zodiac, with its sidereal based signs, records the movement of the Vernal Equinox through Time, as it makes it's long trek across the stars.
· The Tropical Zodiac ·
The Tropical Zodiac is used by Western Astrologers, as urged by Ptolemy, long recognized as father of Western Astrology (he was a well-educated Greek Astronomer-Astrologer who lived in Egypt during the 2nd Century, A.D.). The boundaries of the signs in the Tropical Zodiac are defined differently than those of the Sidereal Zodiac, and it all starts with the Celestial Equator....
The Celestial Sphere
Equinoctial View
The Via Solis is shown by the diagonal yellow line.
The vertical turquoise line indicates the Sun's crossing point over the equator. This entry into the Northern Hemisphere marks the onset of spring there. It coincides with the Sun's ingress into the Tropical Zodiac's cardinal sign of Aries.
The Celestial Equator is represented by the central gray horizontal line. Planetary positions north or south of it are recorded in degrees of Declination. The boundaries of Solar travel to the north and south of it is 23½° of arc, the same angle as the slant of the earth's axis. That axial slant is responsible for creating the four distinct seasons of Earth's temperate zones.
Each sign of the Tropical Zodiac has a fixed location governed by its Declination. Thus, the Tropical Zodiac is geo-solar-based, providing known constants for its interpretive launching-point. The essence of the Tropical Zodiac is intertwined with the Sun's annual Declination Cycle, and the seasonal changes associated with it.
This ties it closely to life on Earth, both literally, and symbolically.
This image of the Celestial Sphere also indicates locations of the related earth-surface coordinates
Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn.
The Celestial Equator is an imaginary extension of Earth's equator, visualized as projecting outwards into space, abutting the sky. The Sky is further envisioned as a gigantic sphere, totally surrounding the earth; in fact Earth is at its very center. This mentally constructed object is called the Celestial Sphere.
So, if one pictures Earth's equator extending out into space, the place where it "meets" the sky is the Celestial Equator; and it's criss-crossed by that circular band of stars called the Zodiac. The Via Solis, tracker of the movements of the Sun, also defines the centerline of this zodiac. The signs of the Tropical Zodiac closely shadow the Solar travels as they first drive above, and then drop below the Celestial Equator.
The onset of each of Earth's four seasons arrives with Sun's entry (or ingress) into each of the four cardinal signs of the Tropical Zodiac. The first of these celebrates the Sun's arrival at the Celestial Equator, when moving northwards. This moment marks the onset of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and is when the Sun makes his ingress into Aries.
When he reaches the terrestrial latitude of the Tropic of Cancer, it's not only the most northern point on earth where the Sun can shine directly overhead, but it's also the first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. This moment marks the onset of the sign of Cancer. At the end of summer, the Sun once again crosses the Celestial Equator on its way south for the winter. That crossing is the time of the Autumnal Equinox, and the Sun's ingress into Libra.
When the furthest point south is reached, he shines directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. This ingress into the Tropical Zodiac sign of Capricorn is the start of Winter in the Northern Hemisphere. (The associated seasons are exactly reversed in the Southern Hemisphere!)
So, instead of following the equinoxes on their long journey through shifting signs of the Sidereal Zodiac's Great Year, the signs of the Tropical Zodiac are fixed. They are tied directly to the Earth's annual circuit of the Sun, and to her four seasons. Those seasons are the result of Earth's tilt on her axis. The entire system is Earth-centered, as it records her seasonal interactions with her Sun. Hence the Tropical Zodiac seems somewhat more closely linked to our lives, perhaps blithely lived while perched so tenuously upon her fragile surface. This is the Zodiac extensively explored in Joanna's article on Declination, the ultimate cornerstone of the Tropical Zodiac.
The very name zodiac literally means "circle of animals". But, by very little stretch of the imagination, it's quickly understood as the "circle of living beings". By extension, this also comes to mean a "circle of life". Indeed, it is life on Earth that is described by the processes of Astrology. And, the outlining circle that is the Zodiac, is at once a substantial part of the structural framework of Astrology, and its very lifeblood.
Experience the Night Sky!
Despite modern city lights, a clear sense of what our ancestors must have felt, while gazing up at the darkened, star-studded sky, can be experienced by almost anyone. The process is simple, and only requires a willingness to step outside the front door. Once there, just pause for a moment, and look upwards....
Face toward the south with the eastern horizon to your left, and the west to your right. Lean your head back a bit, and gaze up at the sky. Of course, at mid-day you'd know exactly where to look for the Sun! After rising in the east, it travels upwards until nearly overhead at noon, then sinks into the west at the sunset.
The other planets make very similar passages. Facing south at sunset, you may glimpse the newest Crescent Moon just visible before she, too, slips below a darkening western skyline, on your right. Or, if the Moon is in her 1st quarter at sundown, she will be nearly overhead, shining through her half-profile, with the Zodiac arching behind her in a most dazzling display! Yet, if she is cycling into her Full phase, she will be rising way over on your left, in the eastern sky, at sunset. The last quarter of the Moon, however, leaves the evening sky darkened, with just the canopy of stars to illuminate the leading edge of night. Her glowing crescent bathes only the early morning hours with her subtle light.
But, no matter when you view her, you can still imagine and follow the trailing arc that is traced by the Moon each month, as she makes her rounds across the star-encrusted sky. That pathway is the Zodiac! All of the planets, called Wanderers by the Greeks, are traveling somewhere along it....
Measuring the Night
For a real feeling of the size of the heavenly bodies, glance briefly at the sphere of the setting Sun or take note of the rising full Moon. Amazingly, from our earthbound perspective, the disk of the Moon appears about the same size as that of the Sun! Their diameters appear to be about ½ degree, measured against the apparent 180° overhead arc of the sky!
Here's something practical taught by Astronomers. Your own hand can readily become a simple instrument of measuring distances between planets and bright stars in or near the Zodiac, or anywhere in the sky. No matter what height you are, proportions are such that your arm length and hand size are about right for these naked-eye observations.
· First Position ·
Holding your hand clenched in a fist, with the thumb raised and pointing straight up, fully extend your arm. The thumbnail should be facing you. Held at arm's length like that, and used to sight celestial objects, your thumb measures ½° across its width!
Now, next time the Moon becomes full, raise your thumb like that and hold it over her face. It will be just wide enough to cover her bright countenance!
· Second & Third Positions ·
Once again hold your hand extended at arm's length in a fist, palm facing the ground, but this time keep fingers and thumb tucked in. The width of your fist spans about 10° of arc. Next, fully extend the thumb and the little finger. Now the hand spans 20°.
The nice thing about this hand system is that it's always available to you, wherever you go. It's surprisingly accurate, and allows you to readily enhance your understanding of the planets' interrelationships, with a very small investment of your time. Knowing a few additional bits of information only increases your enjoyment of the night sky. An example of this is that, although the exact amount varies slightly, the Moon travels about 12½° per 24-hour day. Seeing it approaching another planet, such as Venus, may tell you that you really want to be on hand to see that next day's morning or evening skyline!
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Warning!
Do not try this with the Sun.
Permanent eye damage or blindness can quickly result from looking directly at the Sun especially when using light focusing instruments such as a telescope or binocular!
Children must always be supervised when using such instruments during daylight hours! Heartbreaking stories abound.
Special solar-rated filters are required to safely aim optical instruments at the Sun, and even then, limitations exist. If you do not have such filters, or do not know how to use them, do not aim these devices at the Sun.
Despite being filtered through thicker layers of our atmosphere, even the setting Sun has strong radiation and should not be given more than the briefest naked-eye glance. Do not focus your eyes on the Sun's orb!
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the Brilliant Venus
Meanwhile, keep a sharp lookout for the ever beautiful Venus. She's the third brightest object in the sky, and especially visible when she stretches far away from the blinding light of the Sun. She follows her own rhythms, cycling first as a morning "star", rising before the Sun; then as an evening star, lingering in the sky after sunset. She disappears altogether during the times in between.
Never straying more than 48° from his side, she is the literal consort of the Sun. Yet, in myth, she is far more often linked with Mars. Stories about her abound, and the tales of her life-cycle are as plentiful as the peoples who've watched her rise and set across the millennia. One thing is sure, she is as lovely as any heavenly vision, whenever she makes her radiant appearances.
Venus began a new cycle during the Spring of 2004, when she again made her debut as a morning star. One Venus Retrograde cycle lasts for a year and a little over seven months. The cycle will only begin in a given sign once every eight years. Only five signs are highlighted by Venus' cycle during any one eight year rotation. Usually the same five signs repeat for several decades in succession.
Since she's so easily seen in the evening or morning skies, the approximate dates of her appearances, directional shifts, and disappearances for this synodic cycle,** are listed below. Visibility at any time will, of course, depend upon local weather conditions, as well as having her celestial longitude being a minimum distance away from the Sun.
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**(A synodic cycle is one that ends and begins with a specific phase-relationship between planets, usually measured in association with the Sun. Synodic is from the Greek word synodos meaning meeting, or conjunction and applies especially to conjunctions of heavenly bodies.)
Venus grows brighter and brighter as she moves further away from the Sun, who overpowers her with his brilliance when she is near him. She is brightest when closest to her "maximum elongation", or furthest distance from the Sun. However, she'll be quite radiant for several weeks before and after that time.
In the current sky, Venus is reaching her maximum elongation as the summer season draws to an end. She will begin moving back toward the Sun once Autumnal Equinox is attained. Remaining remarkably bright for many weeks afterward, she will continue as an evening star through the end of 2005.
As the third brightest visible planet, the ancients would have known that Venus is important to humanity. In her morning aspect (rising ahead of the Sun), she is said to be a fierce goddess of the art of War, staunch defender of the hearth and home. When dressed in her glowing evening gown (rising behind the Sun), she is the beautiful enchantress, goddess of relationship, ever the patroness of art.
Concerned with relationships, things of value, beauty and the arts, Venus in the natal chart is a very personal planet. The sign she is in at birth will outline how the person acquires his or her money. Other planets aspecting her natally will act as modifiers in describing the way the individual relates to others.
Articles on Using Astrology's Starlit Path:
[Table of Contents] [Decans] [Duads] [Eclipse] [Declination]
[Horoscope] [Ascendant] [the Angles] [Combust!] [Zodiac]
[Page Designing in Solar Fire®] [News'n Views]
Copyright 2002-2005 © StarlitPath.com
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