Solunars by Aldebaran Sidereal Academy

STAR CONSTELLATION ASTROLOGY
ANTHOLOGY TEXT FILES

I would hope that as many interested folk as possible see this info. I believe it is the birthright of everyone on more enlightened planets to know, at least, the actual astronomical, i.e., Star Constellation position of their Sun, and hopefully, Moon and Ascendant. - Kay Cavender

May you be Astronauts of Spirit,
And within your own sacred Directions
Tread the seasons' turning paths through each year's seven dark eclipses,
Emerge to walk the Moon of your understanding in full light,
And return always to bless the Ground of Being - renewed.

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KEY ABC'S OF A HOROSCOPE:
A> the Lights' (Sun & Moon) ASPECTS "TO" the planets;
B> any planets or lights "ON" the 4 ANGLES - which are the east/ASCendant and west/DSCendant points on the horizon crossed by the ecliptic, and the south/MC-and-north/IC Meridian crossed by the Ecliptic; and
C> CONSTELLATIONS of the Sun, Moon and Ascendant (ASC=eastern horizon intersected by ecliptic, the plane of the zodiac between Sun & Earth). That's it.

4 ANGLES: ASC-DSC. The Ascendant can be thought of as the (sunrise) eastern horizon position; the Descendant can be thought of as the (sunset) western horizon position. However, these (ASC-DSC) are the points on the horizon intersected by the ecliptic at any time of the day. [The ecliptic is great circle (or plane) of the celestial sphere that is the apparent path of the Sun among the stars defining the zodiac, as seen from the Earth.] MC-IC is the noon/south - midnight/north positions at any place on earth. (MC=Midheaven or Latin Medium Coeli - IC=Illium Coeli) These are the points on the Meridian, the celestial north-south great circle, crossed by the ecliptic at any time of the day. If there are 'angular' planets or lights in these positions, they would be considered the keynote of a chart.

"First Light" by Kay Cavender.

What were the original principles in astrology from earliest known historical records? Implications of Fagan's and others' research regarding The First Light of the Crescent Moon on the conceptual basis & calculation of political astrology. Related Addendum notes the scope of opinion in more recent astro-archaeological investigations of megalithic sites and their functions.

* * *

FIRST LIGHT
Kay Cavender

Each spring equinox in the northern hemisphere brings the renewal of Earth's fertility, a time of expectation and regeneration, perhaps the best time for new year's vows. Although the seasons are reversed in the southern hemisphere, hence not universals, nor the basis for the zodiac, still they are important seasonal markers. This year 1993, spring occurs March 20 GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) in the constellation 5 PISCES 20' 58.9" according to the Fagan/Allen ayanamsa. Astronomically we measure the equinoxes in terms of the relationship between the Sun and Earth only, i.e., the Sun's conjunction with the crossing of two planes: the oscillating (and hence precessing) Earth's equatorial plane and the ecliptic plane between Earth and the Sun, both projected measurements from the Earth.

In studying ancient astrologies, it is important to note that astrology was 'naked eye' visually pragmatic as well as mathematical. In ancient Egypt, believed by some to be source of the original zodiac, the day began at sunset with the viewing of the night sky. The beginning of the New Year in spring for ancient Egypt's sacred lunar calendar was marked not just by the equinox but additionally by the first appearance of the New Crescent Moon, i.e., the MOON'S FIRST LIGHT. The first light of the New Crescent Moon seen from the Earth usually occurs within two days after the ecliptic conjunction of the
Moon & Sun (which is called the syzygy or astronomical new moon). This syzygy new/dark moon takes place on the 29th day of the Synodic Cycle of the Moon (of 29.5306 days). The almanacs of ancient Egypt & Babylon showed this dark moon as a day of ill omen 'because' eclipses of the Sun took place then. The "29th" degree still has negative overtones astrologically, but the "29th" was originally from the last day of the Synodic Moon Cycle, ie., the dark moon, NOT the ecliptic degree.

This FIRST MOON LIGHT event after the equinox will not occur this year until March 24 or 25, depending on where in the world one is. It is the 'heliacal' [near the Sun] rising of the New Crescent Moon in the WEST just after the Sun has set that would have marked this spring's new year for the ancients. From Cyril Fagan's "SOLUNARS" pub. 10/55 American Astrology: "Apart from their civil & Sothic calendars, the Egyptian priesthood also observed the lunar year beginning with the first appearance of the crescent Moon at sunset about the date of the vernal equinox, and at a period more remote than the earliest known Babylonian record of a similar observance."

The Egyptians regarded planets and stars as gods. Mystically these events, the (heliacal) cycles of return and disappearance of the goddesses and gods from the night skies, were invested with great importance. The First Light of any heavenly body visible on the horizon, as viewed from a particular place on Earth, marked a kind of new beginning. Most of ancient religious and philosophic thought about gods and goddesses came from the identification with cyclic forces in our solar system, the lights (i.e., the Sun and Moon) and planets. In Jungian thought, the planets & lights name Archetypes, which we understand as universal motivating forces. Another sidereal astrologer, and a scholar of classical Greek and Egyptian hieroglyphics, Rupert Gleadow in his THE ORIGIN OF THE ZODIAC, emphasises the importance of the reappearance of the new crescent as from earliest times (page 210): "The word translated 'exaltations' means in fact 'hiding-places', and the hiding places of a planet are obviously those parts of the zodiac in which it is invisible, and especially the degree in which it disappears from view into the sun's rays at 'heliacal' setting and the degree of its reappearance at 'heliacal' rising. The same is true of the moon, and is proved by the distance of the moon's 'hiding-place' from the Sun's, 14 degrees, which is a typical elongation for a new crescent....these phenomena change their positions every time they occur.... Until the
zodiac drew attention to the position of planets in constellations, the chief focus of interest in them was their heliacal disappearances and reappearances..."

Further on heliacal disappearances and reappearances, Gleadow says regarding the Egyptian Nut Diagram, one of the earliest known horoscopes (from the chapter: The Horoscope of Eternity, page 193), "...they were all diagrams, or horoscopes, for the rising of Sirius.... The reason is that the diagrams were all for New Year's Day, and the Egyptian year effectively began not on the date of Sirius' 'heliacal' rising, which would have given slightly different dates for different parts of the country, but at the following new moon."

Although various scholars may not completely concur in the facts they had and the conclusions they drew, Dr. E. C. Krupp's ECHOES OF THE ANCIENT SKIES, The Astronomy of Lost Civilizations, a brilliant overview, also notes the importance of heliacal phenomena in ancient cultures in Egypt and in other than Egypt. For instance, (on page 170-171), "This isolated collection of upright megaliths is in northwestern Kenya. The stones were erected in this curious pattern in about 300 B.C., and the site is known as Namoratunga II. Its alignments are consistent with the traditional calendar of the people in the region....These stones at Namoratunga II are not actually devices used to measure the positions of stars. They are too big and too close for that, and calendar keeping by the stars doesn't require detailed mapping of their positions. The date of their appearances and disappearances are significant, however, and the Namoratunga megaliths could have been used as reminders and guides to the stars of calendric importance."

On page 175, Dr. Krupp also notes the the Sumerian calendar's orientation to the first crescent moon: "In Mesopatamia it was probably the Sumerians, the people who built the formative civilization of the region, who put the first formal calendar into use. The
Sumerian calendar was lunar, but its months began when the first crescent was sighted in the west."

Further consideration of the zodiacal beginnings follows from Cyril Fagan's Introduction to his SYMBOLISM OF THE STAR CONSTELLATIONS:

"From the beginning of astrological history, which seems to have originated in the valley of the River Nile, the Egyptians appear to have regarded LIBRA as the first of the zodiacal constellations. The Egyptian & Babylonian zodiacal constellations must not be confused with those imported into Greece by Cleostratus of Tenedos in the middle of the 6th century B.C., for they were each exactly 30 degrees in extent and were reckoned from [KEY marking stars:] the Pleiades in TAU 5 degrees, Aldebaran in TAU 15 degrees, Regulus in LEO 5 degrees, Spica (the Fiducial) in VIR 29 degrees, Antares in SCO 15 degrees....

"The earliest era known to us is that of Harakhte (Mars), which commenced on September 15, 3130 B.C. at 4.30 am L.M.T., at which time Spica rose heliacally at Heliopolis, making the ascendant precisely Libra 0 deg 00'. Owing to its south latitude (-2d 02') Spica 'bodily' rose with the beginning of Libra....The Egyptian and Babylonian Lunar year commenced during the dynastic periods, with the first "appearance" of the crescent Moon in the constellation Aries, which marked the lunar "New Year's Day" (1st Nisan), and which began at sunset...immediately after the sun had set, when the opposite constellation, Libra, was crossing the ascendant. Hence, the rising of LIBRA tallied with the beginning of both the Egyptian & Babylonian lunar years. Incidentally, during the same dynastic periods, the Semitic "Civil" year commenced on 1st Teshrit (Autumn) when the Sun had entered the constellation Libra....Although the beginnings of the native and sothic months were determined independently of the date of the crescent moon, yet from the earliest times, the Egyptian ideogram for a month was the well-known astrological symbol for the Moon. This would clearly indicate that the Egyptian year was originally lunar, and like that of the Babylonians and the Hebrews, began with the new moon of Easter."

Today, one remnant of ancient astronomical celebrations is still preserved in our Easter celebration as the Sunday in April nearest the equinox's full moon (rather than its new moon). But for the most part, we have lost sight of the First Light Beginnings. It seems to me that especially in matters of mundane/political astrology, this concept has
significant consequences. Crrently, political lunar returns are generally cast for the time of the astronomical new moon at the capitol. Othen than in L. Edward Johndro's work, I have not seen its application in political charts of monthly (Synodic) New Moons nor in reference to the equnoxes. But in general, the application of the Rising and Settings of the Lights, planets or stars, and their culminations, must be seen as central to astrology. We now know from work done by archeo-astronomers (such as Hawkin's STONEHENGE DECODED; Krupp's ECHOES OF THE ANCIENT SKIES) that most ancient
observatory/sacred sites point to the RISING and/or SETTING of either or both of the LIGHTS, as well as to stars, to mark seasonal events. Light is, after all, of the essence.

My wishes for renewed Light Beginnings for all from our SUN and MOON and other guiding Lights.

SIDEREALLY YOURS, Kay Cavender

P.S.> In response to several BB EMAILS on this post: Yes, based on historical research by (primarily) Cyril Fagan and others, I do question the very basic concept of political/mundane charts for the seasons. These are calculated for the astronomical occurrence of the Sun's solstices & equinoxes WITHOUT reference to the new Moon's
crescent ON THE EARTH'S HORIZON as was anciently done. For many siderealists, it is ultimately the Earth's angles (ie., DIRECTION/TIME POSITIONS: the east/rising, west/setting, south/M.C., and north/I.C.) which individualize the celestial bodies' cyclic expression or relation to a particular place. This accords with the observance of ancient astronomies that the FIRST LIGHT of the new crescent Moon, when rising
and/or setting (angular) nearest a Solstice or Equinox, triggers the critical celestial event/observance.

One value of historical research is to provide a basis by which to evaluate the present by comparison and contrast. The veritable heaven-on-earth principle of FIRST LIGHT offers a vast opportunity of interpretation which few living today have explored.

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ADDENDUM:
There is a wide range of opinion/belief among experts concerning the implications of astro-archaelogyical sites and their functions. Peter Lancaster Brown's MEGALITHS, MYTHS AND MEN: An Introduction to Astro-Archaeology represents a conservative and skeptical view concerning the purpose of megalithic sites: "We have seen that a very strong case can be established for solar alighments in North-West European Megalithic
monuments and some associated tombs. For the Moon also--especially at Stonehenge--alignments of a kind seemed proved beyond reasonable doubts. However, among the whole corpus of astronomical uses for Megalithic monuments the ideas advocating stellar alignments for star risings or settings seem to be the weakest of all. If we are to
believe that the ancients knew the configurations of stars and their risings and settings on very intimate terms--which I certainly feel can be assumed a priori-- such permanent markers would be of no practical use. Nowhere else in the world can one find any real evidence for permanent alignments to stars for practical purposes. Dedication of a monument to a particular star rising at a particular epoch, such as those cited by Lockyear and Pensrose for Egypt and Greece, 'may' be another matter, and this idea can perhaps claim a little verisimilitude on religious grounds. A star and planet spotter needs no horizon marker to guide him among the stars and help him anticipate the rising of any star or configuration still below the horizon. All necessary
information can be quickly learned and then memorized."

And yet the fact remains that these sites were so built, whether practical astronomically or not. And the question of the scope of their function and purpose still evades us. Brown, although advocating a wider view and older chronology of history, with a much larger dispersal of knowledge, still is very pragmatically focused (p. 290):
Brown says, "...archaeologists as well as astronomers, in formulating ideas, often overlook the stark fact that the prime activity of most prehistoric societies was with economic/ domestic matters. It seems that both archaeologists and astronomers are sometimes afflicted with the blinkered notion that almost everything ancient must have a ceremonial or be of a deeper 'scientific' purpose."

This is a point well taken. But one must also be open to the question of whether megalithic sites were used for everyday concerns such as health which is domestic as well as spiritual. Even through our cultural bias of scientific enlightenment, we can almost suspect that the Egyptians did not see their gods as separate from their economic, domestic, or socio-political concerns. Even our theories of how the Great Pyramid was built still leave much (if not everything) to be explained. That's an incredible mass & puzzle of stone for just a few impractical astronomical alignments.

As some non-conservative archaeoastronomers think (such as David Zink in THE ANCIENT STONES SPEAK), the primary purpose of many ancient cultures may have been the ritual act of aligning oneself with cosmic energies to raise consciousness by observing and focusing on significant astronomical events in observatory temples built to amplify their energies.

From megalithic sites studied in the Old World, the New World, and the Pacific, Zink, an absolutely fascinating and most original author, makes a plausible argument with evidence for a widespread tradition and technology from a shared vision: "1. They had a geometry based on a subtle understanding of the physical universe, which is, once again beginning to be comprehended. 2. They had an astronomical understanding far beyond that justified by a presently remaining evidence, one which allowed maximum utilization of solar, lunar and stellar energies. 3. They possessed a subtle geophysics in which the now-known earth's magnetic fields are but the grossest manifestation of a planetary system of energy which, in fact, responds like a living organism to solar, lunar and stellar energies, and perhaps, even to the mental energy of entire populations. 4. They employed a sacred architecture whose temples were located so as to derive maximum advantage from the energies understood by these unified sciences; temples, that is whose structure enhanced the planet's energy within them for healing and the raising of consciousness; thus, psychology, physiology, geophysics, and architecture were welded together in an empirical spiritual experience. 5. They had an engineering capability that allowed them to capitalize on the benefits to be derived from the use of large stones at power points in a worldwide energy system."

If one considers the metaphysic that the self is in some way analogous in principle to the cosmos, then the measurement of our relation to the cosmos in not only very important, it is essential.
* * * *

"Tropical versus Sidereal 'MEASUREMENT' of the Zodiac." A condensed summary on the difference, with dates (subject to precession). Plus excerpts from Cyril Fagan on PRECESSION and AGES that are so lucid no one could fail to understand them. . . . Plus Cyril Fagan's essay from 7/1970 Spica, "The Sidereal Zodiac," a summary of many issues that he wrote on for years. PLUS Fagan's classic "ANY CAMEL BOY COULD TELL" Letter, 8/1967. See related file


SIGNS VERSUS STAR CONSTELLATIONS =
TROPICAL VERSUS SIDEREAL "MEASUREMENT" IN THE ZODIAC
A Condensed Summary of Some Basic Definitions

The tropical or moving zodiac popularly represented as the "signs"
is not the same as the sidereal or fixed star constellation zodiac.
The issue for zodiacal measurement is the starting point. Along the
ecliptic, both signs and constellations are sectioned into 12 lunes of
30 degrees each (although no constellation is of uniform size).
For zodiacal position and division, the sidereal or star
constellation zodiac uses key marking stars behind the ecliptic plane
created by the Earth's path around the Sun. The fixed stars maintain
their relative positions in patterns or "constellations" for thousands
of years even though each fixed star has its own "proper motion" in
space, which in the mean, amounts to about one degree in 120,000 years.
Thus, the Sidereal zodiac is designated as the fixed zodiac.
For their starting point, the tropical signs are keyed to the
(March 20-21) `moving' spring equinox; the spring equinox precesses, or
moves backward through the constellations, one degree every 71.6 years.
The equinoxes are measured by the intersection of the projected Earth's
equator with the Sun's "apparent" path--the ecliptic plane. It is
important to understand that the equinoxes precess/move backward
through the ecliptic plane constellations (one degree every 71.6 years)
due to the slow gyration of the Earth's pole-and-equator along the
ecliptic.
About 221 A.D., the moving spring equinox, the "seasonal" marker,
coincided with 0 degrees of the actual star constellation Aries FROM
WHICH this "sign" marker was named; whereas the sidereal or star
constellations were marked anciently by famous bright stars which
indicated their positions along the ecliptic plane/circle. The
historical error of mistaking the signs for the constellations has come
down to us via the Greeks who misunderstood astrology from Egypto-
Babylonian sources. The Greeks thought incorrectly that the
equinoctial points the only fixed points in the firmament from which
all measurements should be taken because these points rose due east and
set due west.
This tropical version of the zodiac found some acceptance circa l39
A.D. through the translation of Ptolemy's works although many different
versions existed as to the starting point. It became generally thought
that the moving spring point was fixed; this became an unquestionable
point of theology in medieval times when the Earth was considered the
center of the universe.
Even now, the precessing measuring point of the spring equinox (the
intersection of ecliptic & gyrating equator) & its incorrect sign
designation "Aries" is mistaken for the actual star constellation. The
equinox never was the zodiac; it was and is a seasonal marker, moving
against the backdrop of (zodiacal) star constellations near the
ecliptic plane. When the Greeks mis-understood that the stars were the
markers (or fiducials) in astrology and emphasized instead the solar
position at the equinoxes, they also confused the original focus on the
full Moon and the Ascendant.
Since 221 A.D., the moving spring equinox, the seasonal marker, has
precessed, i.e., moved backwards through the constellations some 24-2/3
degrees to overlap the previous star constellation Pisces. The equinox
currently occurs at about 5-1/3 degrees of Pisces (according to the
Fagan/Allen Synetic Vernal Point correction. CONSEQUENTLY, IN ACTUAL
ASTRONOMICAL TERMS, THOSE BORN IN THE FIRST 24-2/3 DAYS (AND/OR
DEGREES) OF ANY "SIGN" REALLY HAVE THEIR SUN IN THE PREVIOUS
CONSTELLATION.
Approximate, current dates for the apparent Sun's entry into the
actual star constellations is as follows. PISCES is listed first since
the spring equinox now occurs therein (at about 5-1/3 degrees Pisces).
Hence, at this time we are still in the AGE OF PISCES as determined by
the occurrence of the spring equinox in the constellation Pisces.


PISCES - Mar 15 VIRGO - Sep 17
ARIES - Apr 14 LIBRA - Oct 18
TAURUS - May 15 SCORPIO - Nov 17
GEMINI - Jun 15 SAGITTARIUS - Dec l6
CANCER - Jul 17 CAPRICORN - Jan 15
LEO - Aug 17 AQUARIUS- Feb 13


As Cyril Fagan, the founder of modern western sidereal astrology,
has strongly emphasized that the original and most ancient astrology
from Egypto-Babylonian cultures was night-time visual; thus the
planets' movements were measured in reference to the fixed stars and
constellations. Many ancient 'days' were reckoned to began at sunset
when a view of the night sky was then possible. Unless reminded of the
obviousness of this, we miss its significance.
Chief among the significant KEY MARKING STARS on the ecliptic
circle was and is SPICA (the "Peg" or Ear of Corn) at the end of Virgo
(29 degrees VIRGO 06' 05", according to the Fagan/Allen Synetic Vernal
Point, or SVP, correction). Other key (easy to see) stars close to the
ecliptic are ALCYONE in the PLEIADES in 5 degrees TAUrus, and
especially ALDEBARAN ("The Bull's Eye" meaning absolute "center") in 15
degrees TAUrus--which is directly opposite ANTARES in 15 degrees
SCOrpio. REGULUS (The Little King) is in 5 degrees LEO. VINDEMIATRIX
(The Grape Gatherer) in 15 degrees VIRgo was also important although it
is some 16 degrees north latitude from the ecliptic plane.
Although stars are commonly listed in terms of the longitude of the
signs, when stars are corrected to the longitude of the constellations,
some star names are obviously related to the constellations in which
they are located - such as the "tail" stars which fall appropriately
near the END of the zodiacal constellations: Denebola (Lion's Tail) in
26LEO52; Lesath (The Sting) in 29SCO16; Deneb Algedi (Goat's Tail) in
28CAP48. Other zodiacal stars which retain their constellation place
related names and occur (as would be expected) in those constellations
include the following: El Nath (North Horn of the Bull) in 28TAU50;
Castor and Pollux, the "twin" stars, are in 25GEM30 and 28GEM29;
Acubens (the Southern Claw) in 18CAN54; Adhaferah (Mane) in 2LEO49; Al
Jabhah (Lion's Forehead) in 3LEO07; Kiffa Australis (South Scale) and
Kiffa Borealis (North Scale) in 20LIB21 and 24LIB37 respectively; Al
Nasl (Arrow-Head) in 6SAG31, and Polis (Foal) in 8SAG28; Algedi (Goat)
in 9CAP07; Situla (Urn) in 14AQU09. There are similar examples
occurring in extra-zodiacal (non-ecliptic) stars and constellations.
Cyril Fagan has detailed his research in Zodiacs Old and New, The
Symbolism of the Star Constellations, Astrological Origins, The Primer
of Sidereal Astrology, The Solunars Handbook, and his 17 years of
monthly "Solunars" articles in American Astrology from 1953 to 1970 and
reprinted through 1977, as well as in Spica, A Journal of Sidereal
Astrology, published 1961 -1974.
**************




______________________________________________________________________
*For above title [Tropical vs. Sidereal Measurement in the Zodiac],
Thanks to
Cyril Fagan, "Solunars" AMERICAN ASTROLOGY, 11/61

For all historical times Regulus should hold its position at R on
the ecliptic. If we measure its distance (longitude) for the year 1800
A.D. from the vernal-equinoctial point, it will be found to be in Leo
27d 03', but if it is measured for the year 2,000 A.D. its longitude
will be found to be Leo 29d 50'. Since Regulus is a fixed star,
nailed, as it were, to R on the ecliptic, why has its longitude
increased in a mere interval of 200 years by 2d 47'? Obviously this
does not make sense, the inference being that Regulus is not a fixed
star at all. The answer is, of course, that Regulus is a fixed star
and has not changed it position, but the fiducial of the "tropical"
zodiac--the vernal equinoctial point, has retrograded along the circle
of the ecliptic by 2d 47' in these 200 years, such retrogression being
caused by precession, thereby increasing Regulus' longitude by that
amount.
On the other hand, siderealists do not measure longitudes from the
ever receding vernal point, but from a fixed point on the ecliptic,
which is the fiducial of the "sidereal zodiac." Known as Libra 0d it
is situated 0d 54' to the east of the fixed star Spica in Virgo 29d
06'. Reckoned from this point, the longitude of Regulus is Leo 5d 06',
and this was its longitude in the time of the Pharaohs as it will be
its longitude for many millennia to come.
From this we learn that there is only one zodiac, but two different
ways of measuring longitudes in that zodiac; the tropical and the
sidereal. To talk therefore of the tropical and sidereal zodiacs is
fallacious, leading to increasing confusion and misunderstanding. Such
a loose way of talking has led to the present conflict among
astrologers. How frequently have we seen such captions as "The
Tropical Versus the Sidereal Zodiac" and the like. A better caption
would be "Tropical Versus Sidereal Measurements in the Zodiac," which
would immediately clear away much of the confusion.
* * *




Another definition of the PRECESSION OF THE EQUINOXES
from D. Ulansey's Origins of the Mithraic Mysteries:
According to modern astronomy--in which of course the earth is seen
revolving around the sun once a year and rotating on its axis once a
day--the precession of the equinoxes is conceived of as a slow wobble
in the earth's rotation on its axis. This causes the earth's poles to
move very slowly with respect to the rest of the solar system, tracing
a circle in the sky over a period of 25,920 years. This movement of
the earth's axis and the poles results also in the movement of the
celestial equator onto the celestial sphere. And the earth's equator,
because it is defined in a circle on the earth ninty degrees away from
the poles, obviously [also] has to change its position relative to the
fixed stars accordingly as the position of the earth's axis and pole
changes.
All of the elements of this modern understanding of the precession
of the equinoxes were also part of Hipparchus own understanding of the
precession with, however, one crucial difference. This crucial
difference is that whereas today the precession is understood as a
movement of the earth, for Hipparchus because he was operating under
the ancient assumption of a geocentric cosmos in which the earth was
absolutely fixed in space and everything went around it, the precession
could only be understood as a movement of the structure of the entire
cosmos, rather than the earth.
* * * * * * * * * *


Cyril Fagan, THE SYMBOLISM OF THE CONSTELLATIONS, 1962
["The BEGINNING of the Zodiac"]
When astrologers talk about the zodiac they usually mean the great
Circle of the Ecliptic, which, for all intents and purposes, is the
apparent path of the Sun, Moon and planets around the heavens. There
is only one Circle of the Ecliptic, and hence only one zodiac (the
ecliptic being, or as it were, the 'backbone' of the zodiac'). Because
a circle has no natural beginning, different points on that circle
have, over the centuries been held to constitute 'the beginning of the
zodiac.' To talk of the 'tropical zodiac' and 'sidereal zodiac' as
though they were two separate and distinct zodiacs is just false
thinking (as they are two different ways of MEASURING the zodiac). The
fundamental difference between the two is that they each commence at
different points on precisely the same circle, namely the Circle of the
Ecliptic, which is divided into 360 equal parts, called 'degrees of
longitude.' So, when we reduce one zodiac to the other, we are merely
altering the position of the starting point, and measuring all our
longitudes from it, instead of from the former. At present, the
starting point of the popular or tropical 'zodiac' is about 24 degrees
in advance of the sidereal counted clockwise. So in order to change
from the tropical to the sidereal, all that one has to do is subtract
these 24 degrees from all tropical longitudes, thereby altering them
into sidereal measurement. The process is quite elementary, with
nothing mysterious about it. But to come down to details, let us
consider some facts.
From time to time, in the ancient Greek world, astronomers would
choose different starting points as the beginning of the zodiac. In
virtually all these cases they chose as the starting point, one of the
four seasonal points, principally the vernal-equinoctial, which is
transited every year about March 21 (Gregorian). This was preferred
because they were convinced that the equinoctial and solstitial points
were the only ones in the heavens which never altered their positions.
In their view these points were fixed in the firmament for all time.
In one Greek version, the zodiac commenced at a point 15 degrees to the
west of the vernal equinoctial point (abbreviated hereafter 'V.P.'),
the Greek astronomers considering that the V.P. was fixed absolutely in
Aries 15 degrees. In another version, the zodiac was held to commence
at a point 12 deg. to the west of the V.P. This latter position was
considered as being permanently fixed in Aries 12 deg. In the version
of the zodiac known to scholars as "System A" (which originated with
the Babylonian astronomer, Naburrinu as a sidereal zodiac) the V.P was
believed to be permanently fixed in Aries 10 deg., and in "System B"
(attributed to Kidinnu) it was held to be fixed in Aries 8 deg.
"System B" was the hellenistic version of the zodiac, popular in Greece
and Rome at the time the Denderah temples were being built. It was not
until about 139 B.C. that Hipparchus and his pupil Posedonius commenced
the zodiac with the V.P. itself i.e. in Aries "0 degrees." All these
Greek versions of the zodiac are known as tropical or equinoctial
because all measurements were reckoned from the equinoctial or tropical
points on the celestial sphere.
What the Greeks never knew was that these points were not fixed in
the firmament, but were moving backwards along the ecliptic circle at
the rate of one degree in about 71-1/2 tropical years. This was their
fatal error, an error that has vitiated western astrology ever since
the beginning of the Christian era. This retrograde movement of the
equinoxes and solstices is known as the "PRECESSION OF THE EQUINOXES"
and consequently the Greek versions of the zodiac are known as
"precessional,' 'moving,' and 'seasonal.' The modern version of the
tropical zodiac, i.e.,, that with the V.P. permanently fixed in "Aries
0 degrees" did not find general acceptance in the western world until
Ptolemy's works (circa 139 A.D.) were translated unto Arabic, and from
the Arabic into the Vulgate after the Saracen invasion of Europe.
THE BEGINNING OF THE MORE ANCIENT EGYPTIAN AND BABYLONIAN ZODIAC was
a fixed point on the Circle of the Ecliptic, i.e. a point not subject
to precession. The monumental and textual records of ancient Babylonia
and Egypt agree that this fixed point was about one degree to the east
of the fixed star, Spica ("Ear of Corn"), thus giving its fixed or
sidereal ("starry") longitude as Virgo 29 degrees. This version of the
zodiac comprised 12 equal zodiacal constellations, each containing
precisely 30 degrees of longitude. It commenced with Libra as the
first constellation and ended with Virgo as the 12th. The position of
the planets, luminaries, comets and the like, was measured, frequently
by the unaided eye or by astrolabes, from one of the Normal Stars
(N.S.) Some 52 of these N.S. are listed in ancient Babylonian texts.
All were bright, fixed stars, lying reasonably close to the ecliptic,
their sidereal longitudes and latitudes being known. The sidereal
longitude was the distance of the N.S. from the beginning of this
version of the zodiac, measured in degrees of a circle along the
ecliptic circle. Unlike the planets, all the fixed stars have retained
their relative positions in the firmament, without perceptible
alteration for many thousands of years, notwithstanding the fact that
each fixed star has its own 'proper motion' in space, which in the
mean, amounts to about one degree in 120,000 years. Among the chief
N.S., with their Sidereal Longitudes, mention may be made of the
following: Antares-Scorpio 15d; Pleiades-Taurus 5d; Aldebaran-Taurus
15d; Regulus-Leo 5d; Vindemiatrix-Virgo 15d; Spica-Virgo 29d (the chief
fiducial star).
The records of antiquity attest to the fact that there was only one
sidereal version of the zodiac, which was absolutely constant from the
8th century B.C. (Hypsomata) down to the beginning of the Christian
era; and it placed the fixed star, Spica (Sanscrit=Chitra), near the
left foot of the Virgin, in the agricultural or harvest constellation
of the same name Virgo 29 degrees. This was also the 'foot' of the
zodiac itself. In short, the sidereal zodiac perpetually commenced at
a point on the ecliptic circle, one degree to the east of Spica. The
attempts of eastern astrologers to read Spica as being in the beginning
of the constellation Libra are a flagrant contradiction of ancient
records and natural symbolism. It should be mentioned here that
Babylonian and Egyptian records in respect of the true beginning of the
Sidereal zodiac are the most ancient, and hence, the most authentic in
the world. When experimenting with charts computed for the times of
entry of the Sun and Moon into the 'cardinal' constellations, Garth
Allen, the American astrologer, discovered, statistically that when a
small correction was applied to Spica's sidereal longitude for the
epoch 1950.0 the most satisfactory charts were obtained. In short, he
determined that Spica's true sidereal longitude was VIRGO 29 degrees
06' 05", and that the mean sidereal longitude of the V.P. for the epoch
1950.0 was 335deg57'28".64 (Pisces 5deg57'28".64). This he termed the
Synetic Vernal Point (S.V.P.), which has now been adopted generally by
siderealists....
The zero year, i.e. the year in which the present version of the
tropical zodiac and the sidereal zodiac coincided was 220 A.D.
* * *



THE SIDEREAL ZODIAC by Cyril Fagan
July 1970 SPICA

Everybody knows about the Earth encircling the Sun once a year.
This path is known as the ecliptic because eclipses of the Sun or Moon
can only occur at the New Moon or Full Moon when the Moon is also on
the ecliptic. The ecliptic, known also as the orbit of the Earth, lies
in a field of myriads of fixed stars, indeed zillions of them, each a
mighty sun in its own right. At staggering speeds these fixed stars
are moving in outer space around our own galaxy, the Milky Way. But
they are so utterly far from our Sun that they do not appear to move at
all. Actually their apparent mean motion is about one degree of the
ecliptic in about 120,000 years.
Long before the Pyramids were built in the 3rd millennia B.C., the
Egyptians divided the belt of the heavens that lay on either side of
the ecliptic into 72 equal parts. As the circle of the ecliptic
comprised 360 degrees therefore each of these parts comprised 5 degrees
and were later called pentades from the Greek penta, five. In the
course of time, the Egyptians further divided this belt later to be
known as the zodiac, into 12 equal parts known as constellations; each
constellation containing 6 pentades.
Since a circle has no natural beginning, they considered it [the
beginning] to be during the month when the waters of the Nile had so
far receded as to let the bulls be harnessed and the land to be
ploughed.
As the Egyptian day began at sunset, they called the group of fixed
stars that rose in the east at that time, that is, the stars that were
of the Ascendant, "the Stars of the Bull." As this group contained the
brilliant star of the first magnitude, Aldebaran, they made that the
fiducial star of the zodiac. That is to say by placing Aldebaran, the
Bull's Eye, in the mathematical centre of the constellation they began
the circle of the zodiac at a point precisely 15 degrees to the west of
this star. This point is now known as the point Taurus 0 degrees. By
a strange coincidence it commences the pentade of the Pleiades which
are about Taurus 5 degrees. So from the remotest of time, the
original, and hence authentic zodiac, commenced with Taurus 0 degrees
and ended with Aries 30 degrees.
Being a very conservative people the High Priests of Egypt kept
their knowledge of the zodiac to themselves, rarely imparting its
secrets or its mysteries to foreigners. At the time of king Zoser and
his Grand Vizier Imhotep, both astrology and astronomy were in an
advanced state of development. It is recorded that an Egyptian High
Priest taught the Babylonians their astrology but exactly when is not
on record. This did not happen during the reign of King Ammisaduqua of
the 1st Babylonian Dynasty (1582-1562 B.C.) for the omens attached to
the Heliacal risings and Settings of the planets during his reign were
all expressed in terms of the Babylonian Lunar calendar and not in
terms of zodiacal constellations. On the other hand we find astrology
flourishing in all the Akkadian countries during the 1st millennium
B.C.
But neither the Egyptians nor the Chaldeans (Akkadians) imparted
their astrological lore to the Greeks. What little knowledge they
gained from the Babylonian astrological cuneiform tablets was the
results of the spoils of war. The Greek Cleostratus of Tenedos some
time during the 6th century introduced the Egyptian zodiac in to
Greece. Wrongly believing that the zodiacal constellations were so
named from the images, the Greeks presumed the Egyptian constellations
to have been in the patterns formed by the bright stars; thus the
classical zodiac of Greece and Rome is composed of 12 constellations of
unequal lengths. Needless to remark the Egypto-Babylonian zodiac
consists of 12 zodiacal constellations of precisely 30 degrees each.
Notwithstanding the wonderful culture, art and military might of
Greece, their astronomers could never discover at what point of the
ecliptic the Egypto-Babylonian zodiac commenced. Because the
equinoctial points invariably rose due east and set due west the Greeks
considered them the only fixed points in the firmament, from which all
measurements should be taken. But what precisely were their
longitudes? The very asking of this question implied the existence of
a "fixed" zodiac! That was the great puzzle that vexed the minds of
Greek astronomers down the corridors of time and which they finally
failed to solve; and neither the Egyptians or the Chaldeans appeared to
have ever enlightened them.
Captured Babylonian cuneiform tablets, when translated, informed the
Greeks that for the epochs 850 and 650 B.C., the longitudes of the
vernal point were Aries 15 degrees and 12 degrees respectively. But
how could that be, the Greeks wondered, seeing that the vernal point
was a "fixed" point in the heavens! To add to their general confusion,
about 331 B.C., Callisthenes, a general in the army of Alexander the
Great, at the behest of his uncle Aristotle, sent from the fallen
Babylon a large collection of cuneiform clay tablets. Among them were
the Lunar Tables of Naburriannu and Kidinnu, great Babylonian
astronomers, the former, whose Tables are for the epoch 500 B.C. gave
the longitude of the spring point as Aries 8 degrees; whereas the
latter, whose Tables are for the epoch 373 B.C. gave it as Aries 4
degrees. These contradictions perplexed the Greek astronomers no end,
making their confusion more confounded. So a series of co-existing
tropical zodiacs were invented by the Greeks.
A tropical zodiac is one in which the vernal equinoctial point is
given a fixed longitude; a definition that is well worth remembering.
In the late period of Greece and Rome over half-a-dozen tropical
zodiacs vied with one another for recognition. Here it should be
mentioned that the tropical zodiac was the sole invention of the
Greeks. The most popular of these zodiacs was that attributed to
Kidinnu which put the longitude of the vernal point permanently in
Aries 4 degrees, and believe it or not this version was still in vogue
in certain parts of Europe right down to the Middle Ages!
In 139 B.C. while examining some Babylonian astronomical tables and
making measurements of their own, Hipparchus and his assistants
"discovered" the phenomenon of precession. They concluded that every
fixed star in the heavens was subject to a slow progressive movement of
about 1 degree in a century. At the time this discovery was made all
the fixed stars had precessed (progressed) since Kidinuu's epoch as to
leave the longitude of the equinoctial point about Aries 0 degrees, and
so his pupils Posidonius and Geminus "invented" yet another tropical
zodiac, one having the longitude of the vernal equinoctial point fixed
in Aries 0 degrees. Although accepted by Claudius Ptolemy, a great
admirer of Hipparchus, it was repudiated outright by his colleagues.
It did not begin to become popular in Europe until Ptolemy's ALMAGEST
and the TETRABIBLOS were translated into the vulgate about the 4th
century A.D. These translations were Europe's first introduction to
classical astrology.
What Hipparchus and Claudius Ptolemy filed utterly to realize was
that it was the equinoctial and solstice points that were receding
(retrograding) and not the fixed stars that were precessing. In short,
their beloved equinoctial points were not fixed at all and hence the
raison d'etre for the existence of a tropical zodiac vanished
completely.
The combined gravitational pulls of the Sun and Moon on the Earth's
equatorial bulge causes the pole of the Earth to describe a small
circle of the sphere about 23.5 degrees around the pole of the
ecliptic; which angle is known as the Obliquity of the Ecliptic. The
pole of the Earth takes about 26,000 years to complete its encirclement
of the pole of the ecliptic. In consequence, the points where the
circle of the equator intersects the circle of the ecliptic, namely the
equinoctial points, are receding along the circle of the ecliptic, at
present the rate of 1 degree in about 71.5 years. This purely
terrestrial movement is known as the precession (or more correctly the
recession) of the equinoxes.
Like the ancient Egyptians and Chaldeans, the Hindu zodiac also
commenced with Taurus 0 degrees and ended with Aries 30 degrees. When
Alexander the Great conquered the Punjab in 326 B.C., and at a period
when Egypt and the Akkandian nations were in decline and passing away,
his ministers quickly set about Hellenising the old zodiac of India,
which was now made to commence with Aries, which then housed the vernal
equinox. In short, they attempted to make it tropical. After the
Greek influence waned in India, the Hindus attempted to revert to their
sidereal technique but found it was too late and inconvenient to
recommence their zodiac with Taurus. Now alas, they were left with a
mongrel zodiac which is neither sidereal nor tropical for the vernal
point moved into Pisces in A.D. 221. The Hindus apparently are far too
conservative and too tied to tradition to make any change now.
One of the great mysteries of astrology was the origin of the
exaltation degrees of the planets which represented one of the oldest
of its traditions, and a mystery that eluded the best endeavours of
researchers. But in May 1949 I was fortunate enough to at last solve
this mystery. These zodiacal degrees proved to be the heliacal
phenomena of the planets for the lunar year 786-85 B.C. and for no
other year in historical times. But the solution also clearly showed
that these were the sidereal and not the tropical longitudes of the
planets.
The absolute authenticity of the solution is vouched for by the fact
that the sidereal longitude of the vernal point Aries 14 degrees
accords perfectly with all the records of ancient Egyptian and Chaldean
determinations of the sidereal longitudes of the vernal point for the
stated years. Should these longitudes by graphed on paper, using the
year of the epoch as the other co-ordinate, it will be found that the
resultant "curve" is a perfectly straight line. [Fagan's book, Zodiacs
Old and New, has this diagram, and the file HELIACAL] Furthermore
should this "curve" be extrapolated into the future it will be found
that the Aquarian Age will not commence until some 407 years hence.

The full evidence for all the foregoing will be found in this
writer's ASTROLOGICAL ORIGINS now in the course of publication.
* * * * *




Cyril Fagan, Letter in 'Many Things,' A.A. 8/67
Ethos and Origins
[Fagan's Classic "ANY CAMEL BOY COULD TELL" Letter]

Was it necessary to major as a high priest in astronomy to note that
every time the Moon was full amidst the stars of that constellation
subsequently yclepted Virgo by the Romans, harvesting in ancient Egypt
was in full sway? Could not the untutored camel-boy watering his
dromedary by the banks of the Nile notice every time the Full Moon
occulted the "Ear of Corn" the rich fruits of the earth were being
gathered? Did it require great erudition on the part of the farmers to
identify this particular star field with the harvesting season? Yet
the Moon only became full in Virgo in very early spring which was the
harvesting season of ancient Egypt BUT OF NO OTHER NATION OF ANTIQUITY.
In itself, this single fact is adequate evidence that the Egyptians
named this zodiacal constellation and, by implication, the other eleven
to boot!
This conclusion is sustained by the fact that many zodiacal and
planetary glyphs in common use today are Egyptian hieroglyphics that
were in vogue in the pre-Pyramidic period! They are not to be found in
Akkadian cuneiform wedges or Sumerian script. The zodiac was
acknowledged by the Egyptian eons before the latter-day esotericism was
spawned, and which was repudiated by the Tathagata as the "closed fist"
leading to confusion instead of truth "...to a jungle, a wilderness, a
puppet-show, a writhing and a fetter, coupled with suffering and
despair..."
When New Year's Day of the common Egyptian calendar (1st Thoth) fell
in any zodiacal constellation, that particular constellation was
deified as leader of the stellar host. On the average the 1st Thoth
took 118 years to retrograde through a zodiacal constellation. But it
is a fallacy to assume that all celestial rams, bulls and scorpions are
necessarily identical with the zodiacal constellations of the same
name. Thus Mshtyw ("Ox's Foreleg") is the constellation Ursa Major
while Capricorn is simply indicated by the Old Empire demotic Ab ("A
Horn") and Taurus by 'rt ("Bull's jawbone"). The opinions of Kepler
and Sir Isaac Newton as to the origin of the zodiac can be
discountenanced as Jean Francois Champollion had not then succeeded in
translating the Rosetta Stone. Such are the facts of antiquity; and
facts require no theory for their sustenance nor faith for their
acceptance!
* * * *




APRIL 1968 American Astrology, "Many Things"
LETTER FROM READER:
...
Astronomers working with Babylonian material state that the zodiac
of the signs goes back to the fifth century B.C. The first text in
this zodiac is dated 420 B.C. This statement is made by B. L. van der
Waerden in Babylonian Astronomy. II. "The Thirty-six Stars," Journal
of Near Eastern Studies, Vol VIII, No. 1, page 25, column 1, paragraph
2. Van der Waerden then translates the relevant passage, and
continues: "I agree with Schnabel, Weidner, and Rehm that these
positions refer--just as in all later texts of the same kind--to
zodiacal signs, not to zodiacal constellations."
If these astronomers are correct, and I have every reason to assume
they are, then the zodiac of the signs is not a Greek "error" but a
development in Babylonian astrology.


ANSWER FROM CYRIL FAGAN:
That ... has raised this question is appreciated, since other
students may also have been misled along the same line. The source she
quotes was published by Professor B. L. van der Waerden of the
Mathematical Institute of Zurich in the January 1949 issue of JNES.
Two years later (1951) appeared Zodiacs, Old and New [by Cyril Fagan],
wherein it was shown, among other things, that Kugler, Epping, and
Schoch stumbled against the sidereal zodiac of the Egyptians and the
Babylonians but failed to recognize the fact. This led to considerable
correspondence between Van der Waerden, Boker, Weidner, Rehm, Eisler
and others on the one part and James Hynes and myself on the other.
The upshot of this correspondence led to the publication of The
History of the Zodiac (illustrated and in English) by Van der Waerden
(Archiv fur Orientforschung, Ban XVI, Zweiter Teil). Treating of the
"Limiting Points of Signs" he writes,
"Since Hipparchus we are wont to identify the beginning point
of the sign Aries with the spring point. However, we must not
stick to this. In Babylonian and early Greek astronomy the
beginning points of the signs are rigidly connected not with
the equinoxes, but with the fixed stars. (Italics Van der
Waerdens!) For Babylonian astronomy this was first proved by
Kugler from Lunar Tables and planetary tables confirm it..."

From this it will be seen that Van der Waerden, making a seeming
`volte face,' had altered his opinion as given in "The Thirty-six
Stars." Furthermore, he makes it clear that the modern version of the
tropical zodiac, with the vernal point "fixed" in Aries 0 degrees of
the signs, is no earlier than the Greek astronomer Hipparchus (circa
139 B.C.) who, after he had been credited with having discovered the
phenomenon of precession, invented it for the purposes of computing the
position of the fixed stars in right ascension and declination. But it
was left to Posidonius and Geminius in the 1st century B.C. to
systematize this modern version of the tropical zodiac (vide A. Bouche-
Le-clercq, L'Astrologie Grecque, Paris 1899).
To assume, therefore, that it existed prior to the 1st century B.C.
is a very common and deeply entrenched error among astrologers. It was
completely unknown to the Egyptians and Babylonians even though their
lunar calendars were seasonal.
Perhaps the root of the confusion lies in the use of the word signs.
When astronomers, such as Schnabel, Rehm and Neugebauer talk of
zodiacal constellations they usually have in mind the Greco-Roman
constellations (circa 600 B.C.), which are of unequal length, ill-
defined and hence useless for purposes of fine measurement. They
distinguish between two types of "signs" of equal length, the fixed and
the tropical, the fixed signs being identified with those of Babylon.
Eastern and western siderealists, on the other hand, while ignoring the
Greco-Roman version of the zodiac, term the "fixed" signs of Egypt and
Babylon `zodiacal constellations.'
The Greeks, who alone invented tropical zodiacs had many versions.
Pliny the Elder, who flourished between 23 and 79 A.D. writes, "All
these seasons, too, commence at the eighth degree of the signs of the
zodiac. The winter solstice begins at the eighth degree of Capricorn,
the eighth day before the Kalends of January in general; the vernal
equinox at the eighth degree of Aries; the summer solstice at the
eighth degree of Cancer and the autumnal equinox at the eighth degree
of Libra" (Natural History, Bk. XVIII, Chapter 59, Bohn Classical
Library, Vol. IV, pp. 78-79). Columella (60 A.D.) says, "...Winter,
which begins about eight days before 1st January in the eighth degree
of Capricorn...and I am not deceived by Hipparchus's argument which
teaches that the solstices and the equinoxes happen not in the eighth
but in the first degree of the signs. In this rustic science I follow
the Fastus of Eudoxus and Meton and the ancient astronomers which fit
the publish festivals" (Columella IX 14, 12). Achilles Tatius (3rd
century A.D.) states, "Some place the tropics in the beginning, others
the eighth degree, others about the twelfth and others about the
fifteenth" (Isag. 23). Manilius, Censorius and Manetho write much the
same thing.
Hipparchus' reform in the 2nd century B.C., which Posidonius and
Geminius systematized in the 1st century B.C., apparently did not catch
on for many centuries thereafter. As shown by O. Neugebauer and H.B.
van Hoeson in Greek Horoscopes (American Philosophical Society,
Philadelphia 1959), even after Claudius Ptolemy adopted the vernal
point as the fiducial for his star catalogue in Almagest, about 140
A.D., astrologers continued to cast charts with the vernal point
displaced several degrees from Aries 0 degrees. Horoscopes cast by
Palchus late in the 5th century A.D. "place his zero point of
longitudes close to Aries 3 degrees of the modern norm: (p. 187). In
fact, page 179-190 of Greek Horoscopes show that, of the 180 horoscopes
preserved, only seven cases provide degrees, or degrees and minutes,
permitting a direct comparison with modern computation. These charts
span the period from 50 to 160 A.D., two or more centuries after
Hipparchus, and yet not one of them uses the vernal point as its
fiducial, nor, for that matter, are System A or B the basis for the
longitudes used. Graphic plotting of longitudes against dates shows
clearly that even late Greek astrologers did not generally accept the
vernal point as Aries 0 degrees.

In his History (p. 129) Van der Waerden shows that the original
Babylonian zodiac, like that of ancient India, began with mul-MUL
(Pleiades) in the constellation Taurus and ended with mul-HUNGA
("Hireling"), there being no Aries in this zodiac. How then can it be
argued that the zodiac commenced with the vernal point in Aries 0
degrees?
In the Journal of Cuneiform Studies, Vol. VI, No 2, Professor S.
Sachs of Brown University published six Babylonian horoscopes, the
earliest of which is dated April 29, 410 B.C. This is believed to be
the earlierst `genethliacal' horoscope extant. These six charts were
examined and were proved to have been computed in the sidereal zodiac.
But the earliest Katarche chart extant is the Egyptian horoscope for
the inauguration of the Sothic era, July 16, (O.S.), 2767 B.C. (vide
"Zodiacs of Egypt," p. 40 et seq., The Symbolism of the Constellations,
by Cyril Fagan). Needless to say, it was calculated in the sidereal.
In his History, Van der Waerden demonstrates that in the Egyptian and
Babylonian zodiacs Spica was fixed in Virgo 29 degrees, which puts
Aldebaran, the "Bull's Eye," in Taurus 15 degrees 00' which star is now
recognized as being the original fiducial of the sidereal zodiac (vide
August 1967 issue of American Astrology).
* * * * *

(Continued)


Cyril Fagan's 8/67 "SOLUNARS, A STUDY OF THE SIDEREAL ZODIAC"
[THE SIDEREAL ZODIAC, PRECESSION, & AGES]

REVIEWING THE SITUATION!

Every month for the past fourteen years, the superior merits of the
sidereal version of the zodiac have been explicated and extolled in
this column and yet, to judge by the letters constantly received, there
still appears to be many readers who are confused as to the raison
d'etre for the existence of any version other than the tropical or
popular one. So while what follows mainly is penned to expel such
clouds of confusion and to enlighten newcomers to these pages, the
seasoned reader may find much food for thought too.
It is first necessary to mention just a few technicalities but to
avoid adding to the existing confusion these will be made as simple as
possible. Now let us picture two hoops, like those children play with
but of gigantic size. Let us imagine that one of the hoops is a wooden
one with a broad rim while the other is of steel with a narrow rim.
Let us suppose that the steel hoop fits rather snugly inside the wooden
one, not on the flat, but at a more or less permanent angle of 23.5
degrees. This angle is very important in what follows and is called
the "obliquity of the ecliptic" by astronomers.
Both hoops are so large that they extend indefinitely into outer
space. The wooden hoop with the broad rim is the circle of the zodiac.
It is divided into twelve equal parts called zodiacal constellations
each containing precisely 30 degrees. In the mathematical center of
the rim is another hoop but this time a very thin one. It is the
earth's path (orbit) around the Sun. It is called the "ecliptic,"
because eclipses of the Sun or Moon occur should the Moon be on the
ecliptic at the time of a New or Full Moon. Up to the time of the
discovery of Pluto in 1930, the wooden rim was held to extend some 8
degrees on either side of the ecliptic. Inside that wooden rim
revolved the Moon and planets around a central Sun. They never went
outside its confines (except Pluto). When precisely on the ecliptic
they were said to be devoid of latitude like the earth itself. But
when situated at the extremities of the rim they were at their maximum
latitudes and were said to be at their "bends"; the Moon, Venus and
Saturn on such occasions having the greatest latitude. When Pluto was
discovered it was found that, true to his escapist proclivity, on
specified occasions he broke bounds and wandered some 7 degrees beyond
the confines of the zodiacal rim.
At the moment our chief concern is with the thin steel hoop inside
the wooden one. Though dubbed the "celestial equator," be not
deceived, for it is only the earth's equator projected infinitely into
outer space. That is to say it lies in the same plane as the earth's
equator. Where the wooden and steel hoops intersect each other are
known respectively as the vernal and autumnal equinoxes. The words
vernal and autumnal mean spring and fall, and equinox means that when
the Sun (actually the earth) is at these points day and night are of
equal duration.
All might be well if the steel hoop elected to "stay put." But,
alas, owing to the combined gravitational pull of the Sun and Moon on
the earth's equatorial protuberance, the steel rim in the long, long
ago has been set in motion. To make matters worse, this motion is
"backwards" and it is of the upmost importance to remember this fact in
all that follows. The backward or retrograde motion was named by the
late Greek astronomers as the "precession of the equinoxes," but for
our purposes more approximately styled the "regression of the
equinoxes."
The motion, being ecliptical, varies but it takes some 26,000 years
to complete the round of the wooden hoop, the present motion being 1
degree in 72.5 years. Seeing that the motion is perpetually
retrograde, it implies that these equinoctial points, every 2,170 years
in the mean will pass from one zodiacal constellation to the other but
via the backdoor, as it were. thus if at one particular period the
vernal equinox was in Capricorn 0 degrees then 72 years later it will
be in Sagittarius 29 degrees and 72 years after that in Sagittarius 28
degrees and so on. Never, never do the equinoxes enter by the hall-
door!
When the Sun apparently is in conjunction with the vernal equinox,
which usually occurs on March 21st of our Gregorian or modern calendar,
it is the first day of spring and when it is in conjunction with the
opposite, or fall point, usually on September 23rd, it is the first day
of autumn. Incidentally, the calendar, be it lunar or solar, is always
tropical or seasonal. Otherwise it would be useless for civil
purposes.
Having assimilated and digested the foregoing, the astute reader
will be in a position to appreciate and evaluate what follows. In the
summer of 4153 B.C. the vernal equinox was in the first degree of
Gemini, but the next year, 4152 B.C., it had slipped quietly into 30th
degree of Taurus. Slowly retreating through that constellation it did
not leave it until some 2,197 years later, or to be more precise, in
the spring of 1955 B.C. But those 2,197 years embraced the most
momentous of all years, for they saw the first pages of recorded
history in the enacting. It was during those years that the great
nations of remote antiquity as Egypt, Sumeria, Babylonia, Assyria arose
and consolidated their power and domination. It was during then that
the might pyramids were built and that the earliest events of the Old
Testament occurred. Then too it was that the great Biblical heroes
were born. The estheticism and intellectualism of Greece and the power
and the rule of Rome were still enshrouded in the far distant mists of
futurity. Richard Hinckley Allen in his "Star Names" (1899) writes:
"This was the golden age of astronomy; in all ancient zodiacs preserved
to us, it (Taurus) began the year. It is to this that Virgil alluded
in the much quoted lines from the 1st "Georgic" which May rendered:

When with golden hornes bright Taurus opes,
The yeare; and downward the crosse Dogstarre stoopes;

and the poet's description well agrees with mythology's idea of
Europa's bull, for he always was thus described, and snowy white in
color...."
The lunar calendars of the ancient Semitic peoples, which among
others include the ancient Egyptians, the Akkadians (Assyro-
Babylonians), the Phoenicians, Moabites and Hebrews, made provision for
the annual celebration of two New Year days, the civil and the
ecclesiastical. The civil one was celebrated during the lunar month
Nisan. This was the first month of spring when the Sun was in
conjunction with the vernal equinox, equivalent to March 21st of our
modern calendar. The ecclesiastical one was celebrated during the
month of Teshrit when the Sun was in conjunction with the fall equinox,
equivalent to September 23rd, modern. All lunar calendars were from
time to time adjusted to accord with the seasons and hence were
tropical, seasonal and equinoctial as is our modern (solar) calendar
itself.
But the great point to note and never to forget is that during the
first two thousand years or so of recorded history, when the vernal
equinox was receding through it, Taurus was the first of the zodiacal
constellations and Aries the last! More than that Taurus not only was
the leader during this period of the seasons (tropical months) but was
for all time the captain of the zodiacal constellations. Even among
the Romans of the Aries age, Taurus was still hailed as "Princeps
armenti," leader of the zodiacal herd!
A feature of the architecture and sculpture of the first two
millennia of the historical period, and indeed for many centuries
later, was the astonishing prevalence of colossal and massive monuments
of bulls. Who is not familiar with illustrations of the formidable
"lamassu" (winded human headed bull) from the palace of Sargon II of
Assyria at Dur Sharrukin, or that of the Egyptian Apis of Memphis, the
Minotaur of Crete down the corridors of time to the sacred white bull
attacked by the scorpion, and sacrificially slain by the Sun-god Mithra
of Iran. Mithraism was the only serious rival to the then nascent
Christianity.
In remote antiquity the symbol of the bull became synonymous with
the first, the leader. Thus the first letter of the Greek and other
alphabets, alpha or A is derived from the Hebrew Aleph, a bull.
Moreover, in the melothesia of this period Taurus ruled the head,
Gemini the neck, ending with Aires ruling the feet!
Contrary to those of the later-day Greeks, the zodiacal
constellations of the ancient Egyptians and Akkadians each comprised
precisely 30 degrees. But how were the boundaries of the first
constellation Taurus defined? The answer to this tells the story of
the finest achievement of positional astronomy and of astrology of
modern times. Briefly it may be summed up as follows. It is generally
held in the East that the confines of the leading constellation is
usually indicated by a pilot or marking star of adequate magnitude.
Such a marking star is technically termed its fiducial. In India,
where their zodiac, as now in the West, commences with Aries, there
exists two schools. One maintains that Zeta Piscium (Revati) marks the
zero point of the constellation Aries, while the other school is
convinced that Alpha Virginis (Spica, Chitra) marks the zero point of
the constellation Libra.
For centuries our good Hindu pundits have been at loggerheads over
this problem, and as yet are no nearer to a solution. Their problem is
complicated by the fact that as a body they are not prepared to accept
Simon Newcomb's constants for general precession nor the equatorial
coordinates of the official star lists issued from time to time by
western observatories. They argue that the star positions and
constants as given in such medieval works as the "Surya siddhanta" by
their sacred Rishis are good enough for them. In consequence, each
Hindu astrologer has his own method of deriving the ayanamsha (gap
between the zodiacs) from his own pet fiducial and by the looks of
things, this stalemate is likely to subsist for many generations to
come.
In the "Paranatellonta of Aswini" (Astrological Magazine, Jan. and
Feb. 1952 issues, edited by B.V. Raman of Bangalore, India) it was
pointed out that while Chitra made a convenient marking star for
determining the beginning of the Sayana (tropical) zodiac in the 4th
century A.D. and Revati in the 6th century A.D., it was very doubtful
if they ever served as fiducials for the Nirayana or sidereal zodiac.
It never seems to have occurred to our esteemed Eastern confreres that
the fiducial star many not be at the beginning of a constellation. The
Yogatars (chief stars) of the 28 Hindu Nakshatras (Lunar Mansions) are
nearer the center than to the beginning.
When the mystery of the exaltation degrees of the planets was
finally solved in May 1949, it was found that in the sidereal zodiac of
the exaltation year, 786 B.C., Spica was in Virgo 29 degrees, a most
awkward and unlikely longitude for a prime fiducial star! The same
sidereal longitude for Spica was obtained by Professor B. L. van der
Waerden from an analysis of the lunar tables of the Babylonian
astronomers Naburiannu (B.C. 508) and Kidinnu (B.C. 379), from the
Jupiter tablets, the Babylonian almanacs and from a Babylonian star
catalogue (Sonderabdruck aus "Archiv fur Orientfors," Band II, Zweiter
Teil).
Clearly then, Spica was not the original prime fiducial of the
sidereal version of the zodiac. Even if Revanti's sidereal longitude
turned out to be precisely Aries 0 degrees or Spica's Libra 0 degrees,
it still would be doubtful that either was the original fiducial,
seeing that Taurus and not Aries was the first of the zodiacal
constellations, so what fixed star or stars defined the frontiers of
the sidereal Taurus?
It was during this impasse that Garth Allen came to the rescue. He
reasoned that if there was any truth at all in sidereal astrology it
should be possible to determine by advanced statistical methods alone,
of which he is a past master, the precise sidereal longitude of the
mean vernal equinox for any given epoch without any appeal whatsoever
to fiducial stars. Having computed numerous solar and lunar ingresses
and the like for a wide variety of happenings such as meteorological
phenomena, natural catastrophes, fires, explosions, earthquakes,
accidents "et hoc genus omne," he discovered for the epoch 1950.0 that
Spica's mean sidereal longitude was only in error by 06'05", an
extraordinarily close approximation to the longitude Virgo 29 degrees,
00' obtained by the resolution of the Hypsomata. (See the May, June,
July 1957 and the August 1964 issues of this magazine). But Spica in
Virgo 29 degrees, 06' 05" is even less convincing as a fiducial star.

THE BULL'S EYE!

Now for the remarkable part of Garth Allen's discovery of which at
that time he was totally unaware. According to Professor P. V.
Neugebauer's authoritive "Sterntafeln (Tafeln zur astronomischen
Chronologie I. Leipzip 1912) for the year 786 B.C.--the golden year of
astrology--when the exaltation degrees of the planets in the zodiac
originated, we find the following positions, proper motions having been
fully allowed for:

Alpha Tauri (Aldebaran, The Bull's Eye)
RA 30.80 degrees, Declination +6.7l degrees
Alpha Scorpii (Antaras)
RA 207.37 degrees, Declination = 16.00 degrees

the obliquity of the ecliptic being 23.79 degrees. By trogometrical
reduction their respective tropical and sidereal longitudes are as
follows:

Aldebaran Antares
Tropical longitude 31.08 degrees 211.11 degrees
SVP for 786 B.C. 13.92 13.92
------------------------------
Sidereal longitudes 45.00 225.03

or Taurus 15 degrees 00' and Scorpio 15 degrees 03 respectively.

This puts Aldebaran in the precise mathematical center of the Bull
and Antares almost in the precise mathematical center of the Scorpion;
both fixed stars being of the first magnitude and in partile (precise)
mutual opposition. The Arabs called Aldebaran "Ain al Thaur," the
Greeks "Omma Bos" and the Romans "Oculus Tauri," all meaning the Bull's
Eye. To this day the world over, the term Bull's Eye implies the
mathematical center! In the Greco-Roman star atlases (c. 600 B.C.)
only the Bull's head and forelegs are depicted, thus putting the bull's
Eye in the dead center of that constellation. In the Egyptian
Celestial Diagrams, as they were called of the New Empire period (c.
1500 to 1200 B.C.) it was usual for the scribes to represent the stars
by five-pointed devices called determinatives, but in one of the
Rameside diagrams, Aldebaran is shown as an eight-pointed star of
unusual proportions! The Arabs also name Alpha Tauri as Al Debaran,
commonly but apparently wrongly translated the Follower.
In his Babylonian Menologies and Semitic Calendars (Oxford
University Press 1935), Professor S. Langdon says Aldebaran was known
to the Babylonians as Al-debaranu "the forecaster and writer" and as
isu li-e "Star of the Tablet." It was identified with Nabu (Nebo) the
Babylonian god of astrology, who wrote the fates of all men at the
beginning of the lunar year, which began in the month of Nisannu
(Nisan) when the fine thin crescent of the New-moon in the
constellation Taurus was first seen above the western horizon just
before it set. Garth Allen's computations have revealed to the whole
astrological world that the Bull's Eye was and still is the prime
fiducial of the sidereal zodiac, with Antares as second fiddle in the
heart of the Scorpion. So the aged-worn vexed Hindu problem of the
ayanamsha finally was solved once and for all even though the solution
is not accepted by those most concerned!

THE PASSOVER

In the year B.C. 1955 the vernal equinox softly passed over from
Taurus 1 degree into Aries 30 degrees and thus initiated into being the
great Aries age when the great Aries age when the "Golden Calf" doffed
his crown as the leader of the herd and handed it over to the Lamb.
From then until 216 A.D. Aries the Ram was to reign as supreme leader
of the zodiacal flock. But note in this historical changing of the
guard the vernal equinox entered Aires by its postern port, backdoor or
servant's entrance. As already stated it is vital that we understand
this, otherwise we will get confused and go astray. Surely it is
unnecessary to detail here the great historical events of the Arien
age. In all their richness and minutia they will be found in history
and reference books. Suffice it to say that this age witnessed the
gradual decline and extinction of the glory that was Egypt, Babylon and
Assyria and the coming into being of the elegance of Greece and the
power of Rome. It also witnessed the coming into being of Buddhism,
Christianity and Mithraism.

MODERNITY

In 216 A.D. when the power of Rome and the estheticism of Greece
were moribund, the vernal equinox slipped out of Aries, and the Ram
glided like a dewdrop into the vast seas of Pisces. In doing so, the
Ram surrendered its leadership to the Two Fishes. From 216 A.D. until
2376 A.D. the Fishes will lead the zodiacal herd, with Pisces in the
anatomical melothesia ruling the head and Aquarius the feet!

THE BLUNDER

What is his historically known as the "Late Classical Period"
embraces the few centuries immediately before and after the beginning
of the Christian Era, when the mean sidereal longitudes of the vernal
equinox were as follows:

200 B.C. Aries 5 degrees 50'
100 B.C. Aries 4 degrees 27'
1 B.C. Aries 3 degrees 04'
100 A.D. Aries 1 degree 41'
200 A.D. Aries 0 degrees 18'
300 A.D. Pisces 28 degrees 55'

Although the birth and death of Claudius Ptolemy are not recorded it
is known form his own Al Magest that he made observation of the heavens
between 127 and 151 A.D. when the average sidereal longitude of the
vernal equinox was Aries 1 degree 09'. Should Ptolemy be the author of
the Tetrabiblos (now much disputed), he was perfectly correct and in
order when he wrote "...For this reason although there is no natural
beginning of the zodiac, since it is a circle, they (Nechepso and
Petosiris?) assume that the sign which begins with the vernal equinox,
that of Aries, is the starting point of them all..." (Tetrabiblos I.
10 P. 61). When this was penned "...the sign that begins with the
vernal equinox..." was undoubtedly Aries as the above tabulation
indicates. But ARIES DID NOT BEGIN WITH THE VERNAL EQUINOX SOME THREE
THOUSAND YEARS BEFORE THEN NOR DOES IT BEGIN WITH ARIES NOW!
Today the tropical year commences with Pisces and in some four
hundred years or so hence it will begin with Aquarius. The blunder is
not Ptolemy's but that of his adoring fans of yesterday. Taking his
statements as eternal verities they "...forgot to put the zodiacal
clock back in A.D. 216..." and it has been in a deep freeze ever since!
At the ripe age of 2.170 years "the old lady" died in that year, but
unburied, her mummified remains are still in the cupboard.

Continued in 9/1967 "Solunars"; see file [WHAT_AGE?]
* * * *

[THE12] This file contains notes on files [PISCES through AQUARIUS]-
the 12 Star Constellation files with excerpts from the founder and
pioneer sidereal authors - CYRIL FAGAN, the re-discoverer of the Star
Constellation astrology whose seeds were found in ancient Egypt and
Mesopotamia, GARTH ALLEN (Donald Bradley), and RUPERT GLEADOW. Their
viewpoints are essential and invaluable, but unfortunately mostly no
longer in print. These files are saved in ASCII format, a generic
format read by file-viewers and any word processor. Comparing these
major three authors in each constellation file helps to explain and
broaden basic concepts.
Additional excerpts from tropicalist Frederic Van Norstrand - see
tropicalist DISCLAIMER.


Centuries of confusion exist in the delineations or character
descriptions from the zodiac: original observations made of the
Constellations' characteristics and related symbols were overlayed with
the characteristics of the mis-designated Signs, which have precessed
backwards to overlap the previous constellations, presently by 83%.
Currently, "free-associating" from cultural images given to the signs
(which images and size have varied culture to culture) provides daily
newspaper horoscopes. The difference between actual character and
supposed theory is simply rationalized because of the intuitive scent
of the truth in the much garbled core archetype. To understand the
essence of the constellations, CYRIL FAGAN presented a classic
delineation of the constellations based on their more recent
traditional "ruling" planets (dignities) and exaltations (hypsomata):
Like Planet -Like Constellation! In this he was conservative.
[Note that the terms 'constellation' and 'sign' were historically
used interchangeably.]

Special Note: In files [TAURUS] AND [VIRGO], see sections from
Cyril Fagan's ASTROLOGICAL ORIGINS and ZODIACS OLD AND NEW for
historical information on the original Egyptian zodiac to distinquish
between
<A> the occurrence of the (precessing/changing) equinoxes as when in
Taurus (Taurean Era), and
<B> the original divisions of the zodiac, 0 LIB-ARI, 0CAP-CAN,
marked by SPICA (at the end of Virgo). When writing, Fagan does not
make this distinction clear, although it would be clear to a few
scholars who had the same encyclopedic background he did.

BIRTHDATA for Fagan, Gleadow, Allen & Firebrace in TAURUS file & Van
Norstrand data end of CAPRICRN, as well as below, along with bookcopy
info on the authors.

DISCLAIMER of token tropical 'signs' orientation! (There, now.)
Explanation for including tropicalist Frederic Van Norstrand's writing:
he had studied early historical astrological tradition (Ptolemy &
others) when the constellations & signs were only a degree or so off.
Hence his sources were primarily sidereal. I radically cut his "occult
orientation" - his material on stones, colors, talismans, diseases; the
correspondences were unconvincing. I particularly cut his
contradictory descriptions combined from 1> the observed behavior of
the actual constellation, and from 2> the precessing/overlapping
"sign's" theory of one's character, and from 3> the rationalization for
making the two fit. Surprisingly and not surprisingly, what emerges
are character sketches in many ways similar to Fagan's & Gleadow's.
Albeit he had a quirky 30's psychology, F.V.N.'s description of the
Moon sign 'benefits' for each sex echoes a much older tradition of
understanding the Moon - specifically that one's Fate-with-a-mate
(sexual desire) relates to the Moon placement and aspects, as well as
to diseases, to their 'corresponding' healing herbs, talismans, stones,
and colors. Also Van Norstand was the only writer in his time to
publish particularly on the Moon signs, whether he understood the
implications of the spring equinox as the fiducial of the tropical
zodiac or not.
* * *


SOURCES:
Allen, Garth (Donald Bradley). Article series, American Astrology
Magazine. New York: Clancy Publications, Inc., 1950's & 60's.
Fagan, Cyril. Astrological Origins. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn
Publications, 1971
Fagan, Cyril. The Symbolism of the Constellations. London: Moray
Press, 1962.
Fagan, Cyril. Zodiacs Old and New. London: Robert Ascombre & Co.,
1951.
Firebrace, Brigadier R.C. Astrology Moray Series. London: Moray
Press, 1959.
Gleadow, Rupert. Your Character In the Zodiac. London: Phoenix House
1968.
Mayo, Jeff. D.F.Astrol.S. The Astrologer's Astronomical Handbook.
London: L.N.Fowler & Co.Ltd., 1965.
Van Norstrand, Frederic. The Influence of the Moon in the 12 Signs.
Tuscon, Arizona: Clancy Publications, Inc., 1942. San Francisco:
SoLunar Publication, 1970.
* * *



I would like as many interested folk as possible to see this
sidereal information. It must be the birthright of everyone on some
enlightened planets to know the actual astronomical, i.e., Star
Constellation position of their Sun, and hopefully their Moon and
Ascendant.


* * *


May you be an Astronaut of Spirit,
And within your own sacred Directions
Tread the seasons' turning spiral paths
through each year's seven dark eclipses,
Emerge to walk the Moon of your understanding in full light,
And return always to bless the Ground of Being - renewed.


* * *


EDITORS NOTE appended from file [4SPHERES]: Regarding the
constellation divisions, it is a helpful to visualize the Earth as
divided into 12 orange sections (cut longitudinally) or "lunes" as
these sections would have an appearance similar to a crescent lunar
phase. And further, to visualize the Earth's projection of longitude
and latitude onto the apparent sphere of the heavens-in-lunes. The
orange core would be the pole of the Earth's axis about which it turns,
and would point now to Polaris, the North Pole Star, the still place in
the sky about which all stars turn.

Each 30 degree "lune" section was historically named for a star
constellation near the ecliptic; i.e., the whole lune section of the
heavens from north to south pole is named for the 'zodiacal'
constellation, or the constellation nearest the ecliptic. That is, it
is not merely the plane of the ecliptic that is being divided, but the
entire celestial sphere in terms of the Earth's rotational relationship
to the heavens. Keep in mind Allen's "Radial movement in space defines
the zodiac." The primary historical and astronomical issue is how to
divide up those lunes in the first place - WHERE ARE THE BEGINNINGS AND
ENDS OF THE HISTORICAL CONSTELLATION DIVISIONS?
The related question has also been posed as to what constitutes the
axis of the zodiac? Is it, as tropicalists believe, the projected
Earth's-pole-&-equator which oscillate and thus cause the precession of
the equinoxes 1 degree every 72 years? (The stars have their own
proper motion which, as Aldebaran, may only change its sidereal
longitude by 3 minutes of arc in 2735 years, or 1 degree in approxi-
mately 57,000 years.) Or would it be the APEX of the Sun's Way? The
APEX studies by Garth Allen fairly coincide with the historical
evidence presented by Fagan in these divisions.
It is well to understand at the outset that it is the Earth's
angles, i.e., the ecliptic plane's crossing of the horizon and North-
South Prime Meridian, which provides the focus/scope or framework for
what impinges on our consciousness here. The angles are defined as the
foreground of consciousness, a kind of relativistic notion that
everything is relative to the observer, or the experiencer. This is
distinct from using the equinoctial measure 'as' the tropical zodiac.
And it does not answer the question of where the beginning and end of
the ecliptic/zodiacal constellations are.
Cyril Fagan rediscovered the in ancient Egyptian astrology the
historical roots of the constellations. Garth Allen attempted to find
in the APEX of the Sun's Way - an astronomical explanation for the
division within the physics of the universe itself. Consider that the
first step in observational astronomy is to establish the north pole
and the resultant north-south Meridian division of the celestial
sphere. By analogy, finding the APEX (the direction the Sun is
traveling in the universe) gives a kind of pole/pointer, from which a
meridian can be drawn down to the ecliptic to divide it at 0 degrees
Capricorn and Cancer.
Our personal and immediate perspective in the universe is FROM THE
DAILY ANGLES of the Earth in relation to our Sun; our Earth life, our
seasons, are dependent on the orientation of the Earth and its pole.
Earth is our position of perception to which the heavens are relative.
We are here the perceivers. But also astronomically, the direction in
the heavens that the Sun is traveling (APEX) is also the direction its
planets are traveling. And that is also a major factor of our
relationship to the rest of the heavens. The APEX, which divides the
ecliptic plane through the heavens analogously to the way the Earth's
tilt and pole divides our day and year, would offer the best
explanation I've yet seen of an astronomical basis for the
constellations.
Cyril Fagan's Astrological Origins refers to the research of
Professors A. N. Vyssotsky and Peter van de Kamp investigations of the
solar Apex with its position as follows: R.A. 19h 00m 00s plus or
minus a miximum error of 6m, and Declination N. 36 degrees 00' plus or
minus a maximum error of 1 degree 30'. 1950.0 = mean obliquity of the
ecliptic 23d 26'45". Reducing these to their ecliptical coordinates
gives the Mean sidereal longitude as 29 degrees Sagittarius 32' - "less
than half a degree from the sidereal Tropic of Capricorn....In this
respect it should be noticed that the Sun's ingress into the
constellation Capricorn, termed by Garth Allen the Capsolar, and the
Moon's ingress therein, the Caplunar, constitute the most important
ingresses during the year."
See also file [TRP&SID] on Tropical vs. Sidereal Measurement of the
Zodiac.
* * *
* * * * *


CYRIL FAGAN [May 22, 1896, Dublin, IRE., 12:25 pm = data given by
Pauline Fagan to Kay Cavender as the data Cyril used. Died January 5,
1970, between 2 - 5am, Tucson, AZ.]
Fagan's bio from a bookcover: Born into a well-known medical family
in Dublin, Ireland, Cyril Fagan was educated at Belvedere and
Castleknock Colleges. Prevented from following in the family tradition
through almost totally impaired hearing since childhood, he turned his
acutely enquiring mind to other things, many and varied, finally
deciding to make the betterment of the subject he loved the most
astrology, his life's work.
Dissatisfied with all available material on the subject, he decided
to set out and find the answers for himself. He combed the libraries
of many of the capitals of Europe and soon concluded that a working
knowledge of astronomy and Egyptology was essential if the embryo of
astrology was to be unearthed. These he mastered alone as he had done
everything else. He has lived in many places over the years including
Wales, London, Spain, Morocco, and the USA, and has traveled throughout
most of Europe and some of Canada.
Works include Astrological Origins; Zodiacs, Old and New; A Primer
of Sidereal Astrology; Symbolism of the Constellations; The Solunars
Handbook, and a monthly contribution to American Astrology, "Solunars"
published nonstop from 1953 - 1970. See also his articles in American
Astrology under his pseudonym, I. COWLEY, "The President's Outlook."
Cyril Fagan was President/Founder of the Irish Astrological Society,
and a Fellow of the American Federation of Astrologers; a Fellow of the
Federation of British Astrologers; and a Komandoro of the Universal
Order of Antares (Trieste).
The most momentous and revolutionary astrological discovery of all
time was made in 1948 by Cyril Fagan, the well-known astrologer and
Egyptian scholar. He discovered that the historical exaltation degrees
of the zodiac originated in 786 B.C. and that all these degrees were
expressed in terms of the zodiac of the constellations and not of the
signs. This led him into a whole series of further discoveries which
are equally important to the archeologist, the chronologist, the
historian, and the astrologer.
First and foremost, he found that the so-called Egyptian decans were
in fact pentades or 5-day star groups, a discovery that immediately led
to the identification of most of them. He also solved the precise date
of the Inauguration of the famous Sothic Cycle as well as dating the
zodiacs of Esna and Denderah.
* * * *




OTHER SIDEREALISTS:

GARTH ALLEN (Donald Bradley): (from American Astrology): Born 16
MAY 1925; 2:04 am CST; 40n21' 97w35' Nebraska. Died April 25, 1974;,
11.25 PM MST; 110w59, 32n14.

BRIGADIER ROY C. FIREBRACE (publisher of SPICA, A SIDEREAL JOURNAL)
(sent to me by Brigadier Firebrace): 16 AUG 1889; 5:00 pm InterColonial
or Atlantic time (-4h 14' 20"); Halifax, Nova Scotia 63w35, 44n38'
(Bio written on his death by Deputy Editor of SPICA, Dr. Mary
Austin). Brigadier Roy C. Firebrace. The Master and yet the Student
of Sidereal Astrology. He died peacefully at 10.30 a.m. on 10th
November 1974 in London and was cremated a few days later.
Brigadier Firebrace was, as you know, wonderful in his approach to
Astrology. He had a truly dedicated mind towards research. He was a
big man with a gentle nature and a fine sense of humour. He possessed
a deep understanding of life in all its aspects, a fountain of
knowledge and a wonderful memory, for he was fluent in seven languages
and understood several more.
Brigadier Firebrace had led a most interesting life having served in
two World Wars, been Military Attache in the Baltic States and Russia,
and had interpreted at Cabinet Meetings in Downing Street for Winston
Churchill. He was a soldier for forty years, an astologer for thirty-
five, and an ardent investigator of psychic matters for just as long.
He used to tell interesting stories of poltergeists and was even
successful in exorcism, occasionally in foreign tongues. His interest
in ghosts and other occult subjects was intense. He did sincerely
believe in an after life and spent much time reading and thinking about
this, leaving behind him the results of his researches in the shape of
seven boolkets in the Moray Series. His meticulously written NEW
STUDENTS OF SIDEREAL ASTROLOGY, published in SPICA, will help many
future generations to study this difficult subject. No man did more to
help individually anyone who came to him for advice.
May he enjoy his new investigations with the great men who I am sure
await him. The world has lost a truly remarkable personality.
RUPERT GLEADOW (data from inside of his book which he autographed;
and I suspect MER culminates rather than SUN): 22 NOV 1909, 11:55 am,
Leicester, England. Died October 30, 1974.
Bookcover bio: Rupert Gleadow was educated at Winchester and
Trinity College, Oxford, where having read Egyptology, Egyptian
hieroglyphics, Latin and classical Greek ('very useful in reading the
original sources'), he took a double first, first-class honors in both
classics and in Oriental languages. During World War II he was engaged
in secret work for the Foreign Office and Air Force Intelligence.
Among his books are Your Character in the Zodiac (on sidereal
astrology), The Origin of the Zodiac, Magic and Divination, The
Unclouded Eye, and Astrology in Everyday Life.
* * *

*************** DISCREPANCIES IN INTERPRETATION ****
[DISCREP] Discrepancies In Interpretation. Collection of Essays by
Cyril Fagan & Garth Allen between the observed character of a
constellation & the overlapping sign's skewed description of that
character, with the resulting mishmash. Especially good essays on the
Egyptian names & symbolism (Fagan's 3/56 "Solunars"), and the
artificial association of the Triplicity Elements (fire, air, earth, &
water) with the constellations (12/72 "Ye Gods & Little Fishes").

"Discrepancies" in interpretation results mainly from the
contradictions between the original symbolism of the sidereal or star
constellations and the overlapping/precessing 'signs' which took their
meaning from the star constellations. Generally, the astronomical
measurement of the spring equinox (i.e., intersection of ecliptic and
projected Earth equator) is considered the beginning of the tropical
zodiac and called the 'sign' Aries. But the equinox never was the
zodiac; it was a and is a seasonal marker moving against the backdrop
of constellations near the ecliptic; the signs now overlap the previous
named constellation some 83%, or nearly 25 days. The tropical zodiac
was a historical error. See file [TRP&SID] "Tropical vs. Sidereal
Measurement of the Zodiac" for clarification.

However, this collection hardly addresses all the issues. For
instance, the dubious usage of the Exaltations (Hypsomata) along with
the rulerships in developing the interpretation of the constellations
needs to be addressed. Cyril Fagan's own very signficant astro-
archaeological discovery of the Exaltation's origins in 786 B.C.,
marking the heliacal appearances and disappearances (the hiding places)
of planets, in no way relates them to whole constellation
interpretation. That year, 786 B.C., marked an ancient commemoration
of outstanding and unique astronomical phenomena. But such placements
are not consistent as to either heliacal appearances or disappearances.
As well, such heliacal phenomena change yearly and the Exaltations were
unique 'only' to that year; the Exaltations of 786 B.C. were a local
and discrete phenomena. Thus the association of heliacal placements in
786 B.C. for the Exaltations of the outer planets seems groundless.
And yet, according to Garth Allen, the Exaltation degrees themselves
may have been areas which empirical evidence had already established as
associated with the Exaltation planets, and 786 B.C. most noteworthy as
a year when all the planets were present in those degrees either by
their appearances or disappearances. See index at end for Allen's dis
cussions in American Astrology on the Exaltations.

House interpretation has long been an insult to even mediocre
intelligence. In his 10/68 "Solunars," Fagan's classic takeoff on
schematism in House Delineation with [LILLIPUT] is too good to miss.
It illustrates quickly the glib procedure.

In his 8/59 Moray Series Introduction and in his Your Character in
the Zodiac, Gleadow's point on CARDINALITY, as derived from the
equinoctial and solstitial occurrence in constellations, should be
noted as invalidating "cardinal-fixed-mutable" interpretation of the
signs, which has been re-fried respectively as "spokes-hub-wheel"
interpretation of the constellations. The cardinality of the seasonal
markers now occurs in Pisces-Virgo and Gemini-Sagittarius. It's
triplicity 'schematism' no matter who suggests it. This thinking is
predicate upon the seasons defining the constellations. (This is
distinct from the 'cardinality' as indicated by Allen's APEX
demarcation in Capricorn-Cancer.)




* * * * *


"Many Things," A.A. 7/72
THAT BUGABOO
Comment: Yes, a goodly share of the doctrinal motifs about each
sign of the zodiac, as conceived in olden times according to preserved
ancient literature, remains more or less intact in most modern
delineative descriptions one is apt to read. But what has happened, as
the centuries rolled along, is quite easy to grasp when you sample the
typical astrological literature of each era in the interim. Nowadays
the average sign "reading" represents a blend of these changes with the
original ideas.
Examples of these blendings are almost endless. This subject has
been dealt with at the scholarly level many times, but a few random
examples here can demonstrate the historic process. "Fickleness in
love" is nowadays an entrenched Gemini idea, but in Roman times it was
TAURUS which was noted for romantic wantonness ("fickle their
loves...on the Bull's front sits wanton Cupid"). As time when on the
precession accumulated, so that [the sign now labeled Gemini gradually
came to overlap] the constellation of the celestial Bull, the
observable fact that Taureans tend to fall too easily in love, and then
go on to the next crush, was recorded as a typical Geminian weakness.
That is, the reading for the [sign] Gemini took on distinctly Taurus-
Venus overtones.

In modern times, in Occidental astrology, we run across continuous
association of sports, "the wide open places," frankness and
forthrightness, and so on, with the sign Sagittarius. Originally,
SAGITTARIUS ruled by Jupiter, was one of the most indoorsy, not
outdoorsy, signs, being the regent of the Establishment professions
(bankers, clergy, physicians, the aristocracy in general). Sportsmen,
hunters, crusaders, those who thrived in the open air and who caused
commotion by telling it like it is, were representative SCORPIOS.
Nowadays, Scorpio's traits have been blended with the original
Sagittarian motifs, and [the description of] Sagittarius' penchant for
worldly ambition and financial status has shifted to [the sign]
Capricorn [which now overlaps constellation Sagittarius], Capricorn
which has been transformed from a goatfish into a peak-scaling mountain
goat (another version of Olympian aspiration as la Sagittarius), and so
on....
The main source of confusion now, in the predicated use of what is
simply traditional symbol, is to invent "traits" that remain stuck in
the zodiacal zone bearing the name of the original symbol attached
thereto. In this case the shift of meanings is stymied, causing hybrid
readings and general blurriness of each [constellation's] key motifs.
The Scales as a symbol of "the scales of justice," for example, or
Cancer's supposed arachnid way of walking, or Taurus' money-orientation
(the Latin pecu meaning flock of sheep, money, property, the root of
such words as pecuniary and fee)....
* * *


"Many Things," A.A. 8/72
RIGHT SIGN, WRONG BULL
Comment: ...We agree wholeheartedly that the commonplace
representation of Taurus is usually far off the mark, owing to the fact
that the metaphorical bovine traits are carried much too far to be
realistic.
Centuries ago, what is nowadays ascribed to the [sign of] Bull
symbol was very clearly blamed on the [constellation] Ram, obstinacy
and all. Ancient writers invariably associated finances and the
business world with ARIES; TAURUS was value-oriented only in terms of
productiveness of the earth and compensation for diligent hard work.
Money as such was considered strictly Arien, as was also ambition for
personal acclaim, traceable to the exaltation of the Sun in
[constellation] Aries (as well as the pushiness of its patron planet
Mars).... Many of the standard keywords for Taurus, it is plain to the
unbiased observer, are a lot of bull.
* * *

Garth Allen, "Many Things," A.A. 8/64
...As a good example of the delineative butchery that has
accumulated in recent centuries is afforded by ... stereotyped dislike
of Pisces. For eons Pisces was the most blessed of all "signs," being
the only one which was ruled by a benefic planet (Jupiter) as well as
being accorded the exaltation of the other benefic (Venus). You can
make a complete circuit of the zodiac and spot hundreds of instances of
the "idea-shift" that has taken place with the passage of time. As
[the sign] Sagittarius encroached on the area of [constellation]
"Capricorn," Saturn's bailiwick has gradually come to signfiy
aspiration and affluence--Jupiter's Mount Olympus symbol was changed
into a mountain-climbing goat, andthe goat's horn became the Horn of
Plenty--even thought Saturn istelf is the planet of deprivation and
withdrawal. Compliant, Venus-ruled Taurus has progressively [been]
turned into the stubbornest blockhead going, while the other side of
the sky, the unloving Scorpion has oddly changed into what might be
called, euphemistically, the Temptress of the zodiac.
* * * *



Cyril Fagan "Solunars," A.A. 3/56
EGYPTIAN HOMOPHONES
Egyptian texts on astronomy and astrology, whether written in
hieroglyphics, hieratic or demotic, abound in the use of cryptograms to
indicate the zodiacal constellations, planets, their positions and
configurations, and to one not conversant with astrological symbolism
in its original form, they can be completely mystifying.
For example, Mercury was frequently represented by a band of string,
which was used to bind papyrus books. This symbol is quite
appropriate, seeing that books of all descriptions come under the
dominion of Mercury. Most astrologers incorrectly assume that the
well-known glyph for what is now the eighth constellation represents
d31 (djal) "a scorpion." It is, in fact, the demotic ideogram for d.t
(dja.t) "a cobra," and what is taken to be the point of the "sting" is
actually the cobra's head, which faces to the right, as Egyptian script
was usually read from right to left. The serpent was the Egyptian
symbol for storms and gales, which became prevalent when this
constellation rose at sunset.
But the majority of these cryptograms take the form of homophones; a
homophone being one of two or more ideograms showing entirely different
representations but having similar sound values. In short, a homophone
is merely a rebus on the original word. In some texts, for example,
Venus is represented by the numeral 9, usually depicted by nine dots
arranged in the form of a rectangle. Now the phonetics for 9 are psd
(pesedj), which also are those for "one that shines," namely the planet
Venus, but differently arranged. For another example, the phonetics
for "Twins" are snw (senu) which are the same as those for "brothers,"
while those for Pisces are tbty (tebety) which are also the phonetics
for "a pair of soles" and "a pair of sandals," which partly explain the
development of the association of the feet with this constellation.
Both the constellation Leo and the planet Mars were symbolized by
the ideogram of "a knife" which is probably due to the fact that Mars
rose in Leo at the time of the inauguration of the Harakhte (Mars) era,
September 15, 3030 B.C. The phonetics for a "knife" are ds (des) and
for a flamingo dsr (desher) and Harakhte (Mars) was frequently
represented by the device of a red flamingo. In sculpture the god
Harakhte is represented by the human-headed lion known as the Sphinx.
To the stargazer the constellation of Leo is noteworthy for its
conspicuous "sickle" formed by its leading stars, and to this day it is
symbolized by the device of a sickle, wrongly thought to be that of a
lion's tail. The Egyptian for "sickle" is m3 (ma) which happens to be
similar to the phonetics for "a lion," namely m3i (may), and so on for
probably euphemistic and calligraphic reasons the ideogram for a lion
was substituted for that of a sickle to identify this constellation.
In short, the symbol for a lion is merely a charade for that of a
sickle.
The absurdity, therefore, of attributing lion-like qualities to one
born under the "sickle" constellation is too obvious to stress. Yet no
small part of Ptolemaic astrology is based on nothing more tangible
than homophonic similarities. Incidentally, this fact is one of the
strongest arguments that astrology originated with the Egyptians and
not with the Babylonians. To erect an interpretative edifice on a
symbol, before the symbol's origin is known, is surely the height of
folly.
Degree Symbolism
This brings up the whole problem of the symbols attached to each
degree of the zodiac.... Symbols have been allotted to the zodiacal
degrees by a variety of methods, the most common being based on
unadulterated schematism, having no natural or astronomical content
whatsoever. In this method a zodiacal constellation or sign--it does
not matter which--is divided into a number of small divisions, each
subdivision being identified with a planet or a microzodiacal sign....
To make any claims to validity, such a system must be anchored to
the sidereal zodiac, for in terms of the tropical zodiac, it would be
quite meaningless. If it can be established that any degree of the
zodiac does emit a distinct and unique influence, then the influence
could only be due to a fixed star or group of fixed stars, both visible
and invisible, that lie as a backdrop to that degree. In itself a
zodiacal degree is a mere mathematical abstraction, and obviously can
emit no such influence whatsoever....
The symbolical degrees of antiquity were, for the most part, based
on the paranatellonta of the fixed stars, and several lists of the
latter, such as those of Aratus, Hyginus, Manilius and Firmicus, have
come down to us. These relate only to the rising degrees of the
zodiacs, and are only true for the geographical latitude for which they
were computed, and then only for a limited time because the rising and
setting of the stars are affected by precession, despite the fact that
their longitudes may be expressed in terms of the sidereal zodiac....
How did the astrologers of antiquity discover so correctly the
influences of the planets? How did they ascertain that Mercury was the
significator of words, penmanship, and accountancy, seeing that their
ephemerides of this planet were so defective, because of the proximity
to the Sun. How did they discover that Venus was the significator of
love, Mars of war, Jupiter of joy, and Saturn of sorrow. Was their
knowledge the fruit of many thousands of years of tedious empirical
research, or had they a more direct approach?
While we can afford to take Simplicius' statement in his commentary
of the De Caelo of Aristotle (that he head heard the Egyptians
possessed written observations of the stars extending over no less than
630,000 years, and that the Babylonians possessed them for 1,444,000
years) with a grain of salt, it is nevertheless true that a large
quantity of observation tablets with their omens were found in
Ashurbanipal's library at Nineveh and elsewhere. But there is nothing
in these Babylonian tablets which would lead us to believe that the
astrology of Manetho and Ptolemy, was derived from them.
Unfortunately, our knowledge of ancient Egyptian astrology is deduced
solely form the monuments and the few texts that have survived
destruction. Of the Heliopolian library nothing remains, and the
famous library of Alexandria, which was so severely damaged in 48 B.C.
when Julius Caeser was besieged in that city, was ruthlessly destroyed,
with all its precious contents, in 641 A.D.
* * * * * *



GARTH ALLEN "Odds & Ends" American Astrology May 1963
Here are some puzzlers of the Have You Ever Wondered Why? variety,
and if you can solve them you're undeniably an astrological whizz kid.
Have you ever wondered why Virgo is regularly called a "barren" sign in
the texts and almanacs, which turn right around and say Virgo
represents groceries, farm produce and the like?
They go even farther, then, by describing the Virgin's ancient
status as goddess of the harvest (Ceres) by virtue of the sign's
seasonal occurrence and the fact that she is forever pictured holding a
shock of wheat. Of course, they confuse the gap of geometric space now
called Virgo in the tropical zodiac with the constellated goddess of
mythology, and these are two quite different things. But where, in
either case, did the notion of Virgo's unproductiveness, her intrinsic
barrenness, originate? Horary texts even assign "small animals" and
domestic livestock to Virgo's list of rulerships.

Have you ever wondered why one of the signs said to be ruled by Mars
and pictured as a denizen of the driest of all habitats, namely
Scorpio, is classed as a water sign, of all things, or rather, of all
elements. And have you ever wondered why the one sign of the zodiac
whose symbol is water itself, Aquarius the Water-Bearer, is
blithefully listed as an air sign--although there are three other so-
called water signs, none of which use the symbol of water itself?
Bovine properties are forever being read into things Taurean, duality
into Gemini, balance into Libra, leonine attributes into Leo, fishiness
into Pisces, et cetera. But when it come to Aquarius, one notes a
marked avoidance of water allusions in the standard delineative
literature.
Or have you ever wondered why Libra, one of the two signs ruled by
Venus, the femalest of all deific females, is perennially written off
in the textbook lists as a "masculine" sign? And so it goes. There is
an inconsistency in much of astrological imagery that is both annoying
and charming, in its own way. It keeps the curious mind hopping and it
keeps the merely believing mind alibiing. There are simple solutions
to the aforementioned questions, and we wonder if our sharper readers
can see what the answers really are.

[See files ORIGINS1 and ORIGIN3a & 3b for the historical origin of the
names of constellations.]
* * *



"Many Things," A.A. 12/72
YE GODS AND LITTLE FISHES
Comment:...First of all, pay no heed to authors who talk familiarly
of planets yet to be discovered. A characteristic of such writers is
the weakness of their comprehension of the planets that do exist.
Second, planetary rulerships of signs are man-made contrivances
which aid and abet the process of astrological interpretation. As far
as universal principles go, there is no linkage between signs and
planets, so the existence of the twelve signs has really nothing to do
with the number of bodies to be counted as planets.
Finally, do not take the TRIPLICITY elements too literally--these
too are symbolic and not at all germane to concepts of the zodiac, as
proven by the fact that the fire-earth-air-water scheme was unheard of
throughout the eras during which astrology was developed. Following
Aristotelian cannons of thought, late Greco-Roman and medieval
astrologers formalized the idea--it wasn't known during the heyday of
the science, and not even Claudius Ptolemy knew about it.
Too-literal usage of the element symbology leads to misleading
thoughts about zodiacal natures. We read endless references to the
warm passions of the fire signs, the stolidity and materialism and
levity of the air-born, the emotionality and perspiration of water
natives. Astrological writers milk these allusion-rich symbols for all
their worth, but in doing so they often miss the entire point of the
symbolism.
If Renaissance astrologers had saddled the triplicities with the
fourfold set of sword-cup-wand-coin images instead of the elements,
nowadays we would read endless variations on the themes of the
sharpness of sword-sign personalities, the retentiveness of cup people,
the nimbleness of the wand-born, the business acumen of the coin
natives. Try club-spade-diamond-heart as another such scheme and you
could come up with a whole new Sun-sign doctrine. How about Matthew-
Mark-Luke-John? You'd then be reading about the affectionate nature of
the John signs, the political instincts of the Marks, the dramatic
propensities of the Lukes, and the keen intuitions of Matthew types.
And so on.
Ponder this and you'll see the folly of trying to argue about the
element assignments of the signs in terms of modern astrological
stereotypes. You are quite right that CAPRICORN archetypally is a
watery sign; originally the symbol was not a goat at all but a horned
fish of the Red Sea! AQUARIUS the Waterbearer, whose symbol is waves,
was and is a watery sign despite the singsong symmetry imposed on the
modern zodiac by the triplicity elements. Modern astrology is loaded
with ludicrous inconsistences, mainly because people tend to believe
most firmly in what they learned through popular, elementary,
literature, rather than good textbooks.
This is why you should smile at, rather than complain about, the
assignment of TAURUS the Bull as a feminine sign, for instance.
Infantile thinking requires symmetry, as is well known in psychology,
so no wonder the most simplistic approaches to astrology are
characterized by all manner of balanced designs which in the final
analysis amount to little that is truly practical knowledge...
* * *
* * * * *



NOTE: Schematism at its best worst. A takeoff on "Classic
Delineation" by a master. This one is not to be missed.
*
Cyril Fagan, "Solunars," 10/1968 A.A.
Effect of Lilliputo in the 12 Mundane Houses
*
Entering the realms of make-believe for the nonce, let us imagine
that by accident a new planet has been discovered. The word accident
is used advisedly because the new planet could not have been located by
mathematics, as were Neptune and Pluto, for it breaks all planetary
laws including Bode's. Discovered in the constellation Sagittarius,
because of its diminishing temperature, its mass is out of all
proportion to its diameter, so it is classified as a planetary dwarf,
the first of its kind. Being unable to find an appropriate classical
name for the new-comer, astronomers decided to abandon mythology and
called it Lilliputo after the tiny inhabitants of Jonathan Swift's
Gulliver's Travels--the Lilliputians.
Needless to say the astrological world was delighted by this
addition to the solar family and soon the leading lights of this select
band were vying with each other for the honor of being the first in
print with an article on the "effects of Lilliputo in the twelve
mundane houses."
Once the valence and group of a new chemical element is known, it is
possible for a chemist to identify, without experimental proof, all the
possible salts and other chemical combinations that that element will
enter into, and their chemical reactions. In much the same way,
leaders of popular astrology believe they can correctly envisage the
effects of any newly discovered planet in the twelve signs, or in the
twelve houses, 'once the mythological equivalent of the planet is
known' notwithstanding that such rapport may be purely guess work. So
an article on the HOUSE POSITIONS OF LILLIPUTO could take shape
something like this:
When in the First House the signature tends to be undersized but the
body is tough and innured to pain. The muscles are knotty and
unusually strong, the head is disproportionate and diminutive. In Leo,
Gemini, or Sagittarius, the frame will be medium-sized; but in Taurus,
Cancer, or Pisces, especially if configurated with the Moon the native
will be a pigmy.
In the Second House there will be an inclination to earn money by
the operation of slot machines or such. More successful in handling
and in collecting small coin than in the manipulation of bills of large
denomination.
A Third House position inclines the native to be narrow-minded and
petty. Much given to pacing the room. Eschewing lengthy
correspondence, they are addicted to communication by postcards. They
hoard microfilms of favorite books. Have numerous brethren who live in
the same house.
When in the Fourth House the native inclines to dwell on the side of
a cliff where he ultimately is buried. Avoiding marshy soil, he
prefers arid ground. He secretly buries his collection of precious
stones. Lives to a grand old age and rarely is a victim of violence.
The Sixth House placement of Lilliputo gives a dislike of read meat
and cooked foods so there is a partiality for nuts and small shellfish.
The native inclines to suffer from bladder trouble and muscular
rigidity. Often deaf and blind.
With a Seventh House position of Lilliputo, the marriage to a
sibling is accepted as a matter of course and is usually a routine,
prosaic affair.
Should Lilliputo in the Eighth House be afflicted by Mars, the native
will die from the venom of reptiles or from a poisoned spear. If
Saturn afflicts, then the native will be crushed by falling masonry and
the like. Otherwise, in a semiconscious condition, he will have a
lingering but painless demise.
In the Ninth House, travel to mountainous retreats and places of
scenic splendor is foreshadowed and so the necropolises of the world
are favored. The religious outlook will be austere. The native is
hard with a firm belief in the eye for an eye doctrine.
A Tenth House placement produces types who excel in jobs that call
for smallness of stature and slimness of girth such as jockeys or
steeplejacks. this individual also makes a fine janitor.
When placed in the Eleventh House, the native is anti-social but
some off-beat friends will be welcomed to the home.
A Twelfth House Lilliputo inclines to a danger from venomous
creatures in foreign lands. Lurking enemies await the dark to attack.
Aggrieved employees could pose a threat.

Of course, all this is mere nonsense and pure fantasy, but no more
so than the masses of similar type reading doled out month after month
in the astrological press, and in textbooks, for the benefit of the
credulous. As far as is known, no serious attempt has ever been made
to test the validity of such delineations by rigorous statistical
methods. And few astrologers have either the inclination or the
courage to face such a task. It could prove to be too revealing.
* * * *



From Rupert Gleadow's Foreword to ASTROLOGY MORAY SERIES, NO. 2:
"Wars In the Sidereal" by Brigadier R. C. Firebrace
10th August, 1959
One word of warning is however necessary: it is more than doubtful
whether we should speak of "cardinal constellations." The cardinal
signs were originally so called in the Latin translation of Ptolemy's
Tetrabiblos, but only because they were measured from the four turning-
points of the zodiac, the solstices and equinoxes. The cardinal
constellations, if there are any, should therefore now be Gemini,
Virgo, Satittarius and Pisces, and should remain so until the equinox
enters Aquarius.
*
*
*
From Rupert Gleadow's YOUR CHARACTER IN THE ZODIAC, 1968
(Cardinality, Sexism, Elements)
...Claudius Ptolemy of Pelusium was the writer who popularized the
tropical scheme of measuring the zodiac, and at the same time tried to
determine the characters of the signs by dividing them up in three new
ways. First he decided that the four signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and
Capricorn should be called 'cardinal' bacause they began from the
dardines' (Latin for hinges) of the zodiac, that is to say the
solstices and equinoxes; and these, he said, moved of their own motion.
The four that follow them he called 'fixed'; they are Taurus, Leo,
Scorpio and Aquarius, and have now been made to correspond to the four
evangelists by a mistaken attribution fo the Eagle to Scorpio. The
remaining four he called 'mutable.' Further, he derived the character
of Aries from its position next to the spring equinox, which means that
in the southern hemisphere Aries should have the influence of Libra,
and vice versa.
No one now takes this seriously, and of course it has nothing to do
with the constellations, but it almost suffices by itself to disprove
the influence of the tropical signs with their supposed beginning on
21st March. If there are any 'cardinal' constellations they must be
those in which the solstices and equinoxes actually fall at the present
time, namely Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces. The vernal
equinox will pass out of Pisces into Aquarius about A.D. 2360, when the
Aquarian Age will (if this line of argument is valid) really begin.
It was Ptolemy too who invented the notion that the signs should be
masculine and feminine alternately. This was useful for answering
questions, for instance if you put up a horoscope in order to ask
whether a thief was male or female; but it never had any other utility,
and in the constellations does not apply.


Ptotemy's third regular scheme (he had a mania for regularity) was
to allot the signs to the four elements in the regular order Fire,
Earth, Air, Water, beginning with Fire and Aries. Even Valens knew
better than that, for he gave Aries to Earth as well as Fire, and
Aquarius to Water as well as Air.
* * * * * * *



Garth Allen, "Many Things," 3/72 A.A.
The Best Laid Schemes...
The main basis for any kind of "rulership" scheme for the decanates
is that someone long ago once broke down the signs in this way--and his
system-building caprice has been copied faithfully ever since as gospel
truth, like so much of what is taken for granted in astrology. In
astrological literature one can find the signs schematically halved,
thirded, quartered, eighted, nined, tenthed, twelved, fifteened,
thirtied, ad nauseum, not to mention lunar-mansioned with quarters and
thirds of mansions.
Decanates are handy as descriptions of relative placement of a sign.
using subdivisions of signs for helping to narrow down an
interpretation or Sun-sign forecast, for instance, is a standard
practice in popularly-slanted astrology. Such usage of ten-degree
areas does not, however, by itself impute to those areas any secondary
set of rulerships.
The fact remains that statistical research does not reveal any basic
division of the signs into thirds; there are not significant ten-degree
'waves" running through data grouped naturally. There is no sound
evidence that, say, Taureans of the first 10 degrees of Taurus are any
Taurier than Taureans born in the middle or last 10 degree areas of
Taurus--and certainly second-decanate Taureans are not noticeably more
Virgoey, just as third-decanate Taureans are not observably more
Capricornish than two out of every three of their fellow signsmen.
Such beliefs are interesting, possibly even harmless mental
adventuring, but they are examples of what experienced astrological
scholars call "schematism" in our budding science. As an answer to
your question, then, we advise you to steer clear of adding to the
junkpile of schemes and rather focus your attention on matters which
will enhance your competence as a practical astrologer. Those who are
preoccupied with endless schemes and systems cannot delineate their way
out of a paper bag, let alone an actual horoscope. ...
* * * * *



Allen's comments on EXALTATIONS can be found in the following issues
of American Astrology (list below) in his article series, or otherwise
in the column "Many Things" as indicated. According to Garth Allen,
the Exaltation degrees themselves may have been areas which empirical
evidence had already established as associated with the Exaltation
planets, and 786 B.C., most noteworthy as a year when all the planets
were present in those degrees.


Mar 52: Truman, JUP & SUN angular.
Nov 55: (Many Things)-JUP.
SEP 56: Nepalese crown king, Moon, Sun, Jup, Mars; golfer Ben
Hogan's grip & TR JUP in CAN.
JAN 57: (Many Things) Open Forum - Hypsomata.
JAN 58: (Many Things) Launching of first Sputnik Oct 4, 57 -
URA in 16CAN (JUP's EX), JUP in 16VIR (MER's EX); Exaltations as
independent of their commemoration year in 786 B.C.
FEB 58: Russia's Sputnek, Oct 4, 1957, 8:00 AMEST (1:00PMGMT)
- URA in JUP's EX in CANCER, "ruled by the satelite that is
granddaddy of them all."
APR 58: JUP in 15CAN on 10th cusp.
JUN 59: Pop Songs & VEN in 27PIS; (see file J&V&N) AUG 59: Fagan's
fiducial 1 degree East of Spica.
JAN 60: MARS in CAP = Fighters statistically. Fighters vs.
Ballplayers.
DEC 60: CAPLunar with SAT in EX. degree of CAP.
DEC 62: Most Marian minded Pope (who proclaimed Mary's Assumption)
had reign coinciding with fullest flowering of Mariology - his VEN
in EX degree of PIS and Moon in 7 TAU.
JAN 63: VEN EX. in PISCES: Robert Joseph Parks - director of
Mariner Project who sent space probe to Venus = SUNPIS; PIS on MC
of Cape Canaveral at launching; SUN PIS: Bowditch Practical
Navigator, also Henry the Navigator, Americgo Vespucci.
DEC 63: SAT conjunct EX degree of MARS in CAP = cold weather the
world over; MARS conjunct Vindemiatrix in VIR = climate of vineyard
crisis;
FEB 64: SAT in CAP & NEP 21LIB (EX of SAT) = exposee of mortuary
business;
OCT 69: (Many Things) Cape Kennedy Takeoff of Moon Landing,
July 16, 1969, 13:32 UT; Armstrong & Glenn = CAN SUN
DEC 71: Nixon's China move - station of MARS 28CAP (rare!); also
Nixon's Moon 27CAP;
OCT 74: (Many Things) Statistical examination of Exaltations of 1,113
boxers in which degree frequencies were included: Births (above
expectation) around sidereal exaltation degree of MARS 27CAP (low
number of Sun's in opposite degree which would be fall of MARS).
* * * *

[TERMS] & [ETC]
[TERMS] Mini-excerpts including Fagan and Allen on "Terminology"--its
confusion and contradictions. This file is by no means comprehensive.
Getting an astronomical dictionary is recommended. Subjects:
Nonagesimal, Rapt Parallels, Paranatellonta (Parans), Sidereal
Time/Right Ascension, Vernal, Heliacal, Hypsomata, Ayanansha, Old Style
Calendar, Terminology, Horoscope, Sign-Constellation, Sidereal Time,
Foreground, Middleground & Background, Cardinality.


[ETC] Herein be miscellany --
including historican and mythologist Barbara Walker, Rupert Gleadow and
Fagan on Rulerships; the times of Sun and Moon cycles; Bode's Law
Revisited; on Polaris;
* * *


NONAGESIMAL: (10/53 A.A. Cyril Fagan) that degree which is the
zodiacal degree in dexter square aspect to the Horoscope (ecliptic
degree that is crossing the eastern horizon). For example, 27 LEO is
nonagesimal when the ASC is 27 SCO.
* * *


From "Many Things," 7/54 American Astrology
Question: What is meant by "Rapt Parallels" and how are they
figured?
Answer: RAPT PARALLELS are parallels created through the Diurnal
motion of the earth on its axis which is called "Rapt" motion.
Parallels as is commonly understood are measured in Declination
...distance (north or south) from the Celestial Equator, whereas "Rapt"
parallels are measured in elevation ...distance (north or south) from
the horizon.
* * *


PARANATELLONTA: (12/54 A.A. Cyril Fagan) "to rise alongside of"
For example, Sirius will rise at different times at different mundane
latitudes because of excessive ecliptic latitude.

Yogataras (principle fixed stars)
Nakshatras (Lunar Asterisms)

If 2 planets have the same ecliptic longitudes (as in ephemerides)
these are conjunct in "eclipto."
If 2 planets are the same Meridian longitude, these are conjunct in
Right Ascension, i.e. in "mundo."
And when 2 planets rise together or set together, i.e. have the same
oblique ascension or descension, these are also conjunct in "mundo." In
the case of oblique conjunction, the planets may have widely differing
ecliptic longitudes. [Problems in calculating, formula, etc.]
* * *


What PARANATELLONTA Means (9/1958 A.A. Cyril Fagan)
If two or more planets or fixed stars bodily rise or set
simultaneously, or come to the Midheaven or Nadir together, or if one
crosses any of the angular cusps while another is also crossing an
angle, then each is said to be the parantellonta of the other. These
paranatellontas constitute the most powerful configurations in
prognostic astronomy, and even a beginner should be able to see why
this should be so. Paranatellonta is a Greek word signifying "acting
simultaneously," but it is such a long and difficult-to-pronounce word,
let us hereafter abbreviate it to paran -- say "per-ran" for
convenience.
* * *


Garth Allen, "Many Things," American Astrology 7/59
...In the 61 years between the 1900 and 1960 sidereal Aries
ingresses, the right ascension of the Sun at the critical moments
advanced a total of 188 seconds. Any similar catalog of consecutive
solar returns or ingresses over a span of years will show this same
rate of roughly 3 seconds' increase per annum. Therefore, the right
ascension of one's Sun at RETURN cannot be the same as at birth.
As for the equating of SIDEREAL TIME to apparent RIGHT ASCENSION,
this is elementary astronomy, for at the moment a celestial object is
on the upper meridian,, its right ascension exactly coincides with the
sidereal time of the moment. Because a table of houses gives cusps,
calculated on the basis of the ecliptic, which represents 0d00'00"
latitude (i.e., no latitude at all), it naturally follows that the
apparent right ascension of any body without latitude will necessarily
have a tropical longitude identical with that of the Midheaven cusp.
This inevitability enables us to use Midheaven longitudes as a short
cut to obtaining the Sun's right ascension, since the Sun has no
appreciable latitude, thus eliminating the need for trigonometry in the
absence of ephemerides giving solar right ascensions. Reader[s]...
would do well to experiment with...data along these lines, as well as
bone up on definitions, especially the standard one which states that
sidereal time is the hour angle of the vernal equinoctial point. The
ephemeris column headed simply "Sidereal Time" for brevity's sake gives
the sidereal time at the instant of the zero hour (noon or midnight)
at the zero meridian (Greenwich), and not for any other moment or
place. The sidereal time for elsewhere and at other times can be
computed directly from it by a procedure familiar to all students. Any
accurately figured-out sidereal time gives the hour angle measured
westward from the meridian, of the vernal point. Hour angles are
therefore differences between right ascensions. When there is no
difference, the right ascension of a body is the same as the sidereal
time at this moment of no difference. For all practical purposes in a
noon ephemeris, that first column can be headed 'Right Ascension of the
Mean Sun," and in a midnight ephemeris, "Right Ascension of the Mean
Sun plus 12 Hours," as has been the case in official government-
published ephemerides for many years.
* * *



Cyril Fagan, "Many Things," 12/59 A.A.
Letter: July 11, 1959, Tangier, Morocco
The words VERNAL, HELIACAL and HYPSOMATA are well-known technical
astronomical and astrological terms, whose meanings have been explained
many times in the Solunar series. "Heliacal" does not mean "with the
Sun," but "before the Sun" (heliacal rising) and "after the Sun"
(heliacal setting). See American Astrology August, 1958, p. 35. When
a planet or a fixed star rises or sets precisely with the Sun, it is
referred to as its cosmic rising and cosmic setting respectively.
There does not appear to be any word in the English language
equivalent to the Sanskrit term AYANAMSA, which simply means the
distance, measured in degrees along the ecliptic, between the beginning
points of the ancient sidereal and the modern tropical zodiacs. These
two were in conjunction--that is, their positions exactly tallied--in
A.D. 220, when the ayanamsa was zero. But on January 1, 1960 they will
be 24d11' apart. This is, therefore, the ayanamsa for this date. The
sidereal longitude of the Sun, Moon, planets and fixed stars can be
immediately obtained by subtracting this amount from their tropical
longitudes for January 1, 1960.
Unfortunately the writer has not studied the Cro-Magnon cave
paintings, and is, therefore not in a position to give an opinion about
them. Virtually all the leading astronomers of the world credit the
Greek astronomer Hipparchus (139 B.C.) with the discovery of the
phenomenon of precession, and with the invention of the modern version
of the tropical zodiac. If precession was known during the end of the
Ice Age, it finds no mention in any of the modern authoritative
astronomical textbooks consulted by the writer.
Those who have diligently studied the Solunar article that appeared
in the June 1959 issue of this magazine, cannot escape from the
conviction that the zodiac was an Egyptian invention, holding true for
Egypt only, as it hieroglyphic script narrates the story of the rise
and fall of the river Nile. It informs us that harvesting took place
in February; the dreaded Khamsin blew in April, the great Inundation
took place in July and the land was turned into a vast sea in August.
This was perfectly true of Egypt during the late period, but could
it be held true of Cro-Magnon civilization, Babylonia or India? Is
there any country in the northern hemisphere, except Egypt, where
harvesting took place so early in the year as February? If not, then
surely the zodiac must have had its origin in the land of the Nile.
Consequently, if the "Cro-Magnon" cave paintings show the same zodiacal
ideograms, the zodiac must have been imported to Europe from Egypt; and
the paints must obviously be of late date; certainly not earlier than
the first millennium B.C., if indeed, as early as that.
For Egypt and Babylonia, the length of Sirius' heliacal year is
almost exactly the same as that of the Julian year (see J.K.
Fotheringham's "The Calendar," British Nautical Almanac, 1935), with
the result that Sirius rose heliacally on almost the same Julian date
for 4,000 years (see Zodiacs, Old and New, table X, p. 78) as follows:

HELIOPOLIS
B.C. 4000 July 16 (Julian)
B.C. 3000 July 16 (Julian)
B.C. 2000 July 17 (Julian)
B.C. 1000 July 17 (Julian)
A.D. 1 July 18 (Julian)

During all this period, while Sirius' sidereal longitude at Gemini
19d21' remained constant, it paranatellontic longitude--that is, the
longitude of the degree of the zodiac which rose simultaneously with
it, when it crossed the eastern horizon--kept altering according.
The Egyptians identified Hathor the "House of Horus" with Libra, the
diurnal house of Venus, just as they identified Ka "the Bull," with
Taurus, the nocturnal house of Venus (see American Astrology, July,
1958, pp 38-39).
* * *



American Astrology, "Many Things" 8/61
OLD STYLE CALENDAR vs NEW STYLE
Perhaps it would be possible for you to help me out in your "Many
Things" department. Recently I cast the horoscsope of a Russian
nobleman who told me his birth date was April 11, Old Style, or April
24, New Style, 1887, at 1:00 A.M. Now I have always heard that the
calendar correction for the 19th century is twelve days, not thirteen.
If this is so, then shouldn't the date be April 23rd instead of the
24th? The whole matter of new style and old style has given me a great
deal of trouble, not only with persons of Russian birth but with
historical dates as well. I wish therefore that you would publish a
table showing the correction ofr each centry and when that correction
became effective. For example, is the correction for the old style
date April 24, 1533 nine days or ten?

TO CHANGE THE OLD STYLE (O.S.) DATES INTO NEW STYLE (N.S.), ADD THE
FOLLOWING NUMBER OF DAYS;
CENTURY DAYS CENTURY DAYS
22nd 14 11th 6
21st 13 10th 5
20th 13 9th 4
19th 12 8th 4
18th 11 7th 3
17th 11 6th 2
16th 10 5th 1
15th 9 4th 1
14th 8 3rd 0
13th 7 2nd less than 1 day
12th 7 1st less than 1 day

Russia adopted the Gregorian calendar (N.S.) on February 14, 1918.
* * *


Cyril Fagan, "Solunars," American Astrology 4/62
TERMINOLOGY
...Let us digress for a moment to consider the question of
nomenclature for it is possible it may be in no small measure
responsible for much of the confusion. Originally the term "house"
meant what we now term a sign of the zodiac. Thus in the ancient and
medieval literature we read that "Aries is the diurnal house of Mars
and Scorpio is its nocturnal house." The word "house" was never
applied to the 8 or 12 divisions of the mundane sphere, which were
called places or spaces, but was reserved exclusively to mean what we
now call the sign of the zodiac.
Today we talk of Jupiter being in the sign of Leo, but how can a
planet be in a sign, which is but another name for a symbol? This,
surely is an abuse of the English language and of astrological
terminology. Again, today we refer to a birth chart as being a
horoscope; but in ancient times the word horoscope (horoscopus) meant
only "the degree of the zodiac rising at birth," namely the Ascendant.
It never meant the chart as a whole.
Again in modern times, those who have the Sun in the tropical Leo,
glibly say "they were born under Leo," but in antiquity to be born
under a sign of the zodiac meant either that it was on the Ascendant at
birth or more frequently that the Moon was in it--never the Sun. Thus
on the coins of the Emperor Augustus the symbol of Capricorn is found
engraved. He was born at sunrise when the Sun in Virgo was on the
Ascendant but the Moon was in Capricorn. The standards of the Emperor
Flavius bore the symbol of the Lion, but he was born at sunset when the
Sun was in Sagittarius and the Ascendant in Gemini, yet the Moon was in
Leo. The Emperor Hadrian informs us that he was born under Aquarius.
In his case, the Sun, Moon and Ascendant were all in the beginning of
Aquarius. To this day in India to be born under a sign of the zodiac
means either that it is on the Ascendant (Janma Lagna) or that the Moon
is in it (Janma Rasi). It never refers to the Sun sign.
Take the expression diurnal motion: in astronomy and astrology it
could mean one of two things: (a) It could refer to a planet or fixed
star's motion in the mundane sphere. Thus the time taken by the Sun
from sunrise to the following sunrise is its diurnal motion (diurnal
meaning, of course, daily). (b) It could mean the number of degrees of
the ecliptic a planet will traverse in the course of 24 mean solar
hours. Thus the Sun's mean diurnal motion is 0d 59' and the Moon's 13d
09'....In this article, the expression diurnal motion has reference to
the apparent rising, culmination, setting and anticulmination of the
celestial bodies in the mundane sphere and not to their motion in the
zodiac.
Again in our nautical almanacs and astrological ephemerides there is
a column headed Sidereal Time. This has nothing whatsoever to do with
the fixed stars as the name implies, but with measurements of time from
the vernal equinox. Hence its more correct name is equinoctial time,
which has wisely been adopted in Stahl's Solunar Ephemerides.
* * *







Cyril Fagan, "Many Things," AA, Apr 67
"The Word Horoscope"
It is not generally known that Horoscope is a Greek word which
literally means "an observation of the rising degree of the ecliptic"
and in the classical period was used by the Greeks and the Romans to
mean exclusively the Ascendant. The Greek word for a birth chart was
geniture and the Roman words were Thema Coeli (Theme of the Heavens).
For fuller information the reader is referred to Dr. Richard Garnett's
paper "On Some Misinterpretations of Greek Astrological Terms" which
appeared in the Classical Review July 1899. Dr. Garnett, who was the
Curator of the Printed Books in the British Museum, was regarded as one
of the foremost Greek scholars of his day.



Cyril Fagan, "Solunars," A.A. 10/69
NOMENCLATURE
One of the problems besetting beginners in sidereal astrology is the
confusion and contradictions extant in astrological nomenclature extant
in astrological nomenclature and it is difficult to know just what can
be done to put this matter straight. To cite an example--in antiquity
a zodiacal sign meant a constellation but now the word sign in
astrology is held by tropicalists to mean a twelfth of a division of
the ecliptic circle, reckoned from the moving vernal point. In olden
times the zodiacal constellations were known as the houses of the
planets but not, alas, in tropical astrology the word house (spacial)
is held to be one-twelfth of a (time) division of the mundane sphere.
Astronomers and astro-chronologists refer to the Babylonian zodiac as
the "fixed signs" because it is not subject to precession but in
astrology the term "fixed signs" means the grave quadruplicity, namely
Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. In Hindu astrology, which is
sidereal, the 12 zodiacal constellations are termed signs while the 27
lunar mansions (nakshatras) are called constellations! No wonder
beginners feel confused.
To clear up some of this confusion, as sidereal astrologers let us
tentatively agree to restore the old name of signs to the
constellations and refer to the lunar mansions as asterisms with the
initial point of both in 0 Taurus 00'. Let us still continue to call
these signs as the houses of the planets. As to the mundane sphere it
should be spoken of in terms of time and not of space at all.
* * *



Research Dept. (G. Allen?) A.A. 1/72
Sidereal Time
Sidereal Time is measured equatorially, but the ecliptic does not
lie in the plane of the equator. For the interval of elapsed time,
therefore, the same arcs do not measure the same absolute distances,
just as on Earth one degree of longitude is 69 miles long at the
equator but considerably less at, say, the latitude of Hannibal. If
you have access to a celestial globe (though even a geographical globe
will serve the purpose), you'll quickly see the answer to your key
question.
As for Sidereal Time, this is the rate at which the earth rotates
with respect to the point of the vernal equinox, not with respect to
the Sun (the mean movement of which dovetails with Civil Time). Much
of the confusion students experience with this topic stems from wrong
labveling of the column in an ephemeris headed "Sidereal Time." The
figures in this column are, more correctly, the right ascension of the
Mean Sun, from which one is able to calculate the Sideral Time. The
Mean Sun travels the full circle of 24:00:00 during one tropical year.
* * * * *


4/72 "Many Things," A.A.
(Foreground, Middleground, Background)
The terms foreground, middleground and background are roughly
equivalent to the standard terms angular, succeedent, and cadent which
they often replace in order to prevent confusion. So many students,
owing to the faulty textbooks of the pat, think of the 1st house, for
instance, as extending from the ascending degree down to the 2nd-house
cusp, that they might mistake what area is meant if a writer simply
used the word "angular" without qualification. The ascending degree or
1st-house cusp is, however, the strongest point of a zone called the
1st house. As astrology's foremost authorities from Ptolemy to
Llewellyn George and later, have taught, any planet above the horizon
which is within orb of conjunction with the 1st house cusp is to be
read as a 1st-house occupant. Similarly, with other cusps. This is
because the cups are actually the focal points or centers of the house,
not their outside borders--in fact, the Greek word we translate to mean
"cusp" itself means "center."
Within the frame of reference of the prime vertical (the great East-
West circle engirdling the apparent celestial sphere at the place of
birth), the term foreground refers to the zone that lies 15 degrees
either way from the angular cusps of the Ascendant, Descendant,
Midheaven and Nadir. The smaller zones that lie within the orb of
conjunction with the cusp, say in the order of 5 or 7-1/2 degrees, are
collectively called "the immediate foreground." Naturally, the closer
to the cusp itself, the stronger and more immediate it is. The
middleground is the four 30 degree lunes centering on the 2nd, 5th,
8th, and llth house cusps. The background is made up of the zones
centering on the cadent cusps. The usage of these terms is mainly for
convenience in general description. Planetary influences are at their
peak in the centers of the foreground houses, weakest in the background
houses. The importance of this basic doctrine was generally lost sight
of in modern times when authors of books and articles felt it advisable
to give about the same number of words to each house in their list of
delineative paragraphs, unwittingly misleading students to assume that
each of the houses is equally important, which cannot possibly be the
case. Statistical studies that we and others have published in the
past reveal very clearly that this age-old tenet of the primacy of the
foreground house is astrology's key premise.
* * *



From Rupert Gleadow's Foreword to ASTROLOGY MORAY SERIES, NO. 2:
"Wars In the Sidereal" by Brigadier R. C. Firebrace
10th August, 1959
One word of warning is however necessary: it is more than doubtful
whether we should speak of "cardinal constellations." The cardinal
signs were originally so called in the Latin translation of Ptolemy's
Tetrabiblos, but only because they were measured from the four turning-
points of the zodiac, the solstices and equinoxes. The cardinal
constellations, if there are any, should therefore now be Gemini,
Virgo, Satittarius and Pisces, and should remain so until the equinox
enters Aquarius.
* * *


From Rupert Gleadow's YOUR CHARACTER IN THE ZODIAC, 1968
(Cardinality, Sexism, Elements)
...Claudius Ptolemy of Pelusium was the writer who popularized the
tropical scheme of measuring the zodiac, and at the same time tried to
determine the characters of the signs by dividing them up in three new
ways. First he decided that the four signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and
Capricorn should be called 'cardinal' bacause they began from the
dardines' (Latin for hinges) of the zodiac, that is to say the
solstices and equinoxes; and these, he said, moved of their own motion.
The four that follow them he called 'fixed'; they are Taurus, Leo,
Scorpio and Aquarius, and have now been made to correspond to the four
evangelists by a mistaken attribution fo the Eagle to Scorpio. The
remaining four he called 'mutable.' Further, he derived the character
of Aries from its position next to the spring equinox, which means that
in the southern hemisphere Aries should have the influence of Libra,
and vice versa.
No one now takes this seriously, and of course it has nothing to do
with the constellations, but it almost suffices by itself to disprove
the influence of the tropical signs with their supposed beginning on
21st March. If there are any 'cardinal' constellations they must be
those in which the solstices and equinoxes actually fall at the present
time, namely Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces. The vernal
equinox will pass out of Pisces into Aquarius about A.D. 2360, when the
Aquarian Age will (if this line of argument is valid) really begin.
It was Ptolemy too who invented the notion that the signs should be
masculine and feminine alternately. This was useful for answering
questions, for instance if you put up a horoscope in order to ask
whether a thief was male or female; but it never had any other utility,
and in the constellations does not apply.
....
Ptotemy's third regular scheme (he had a mania for regularity) was
to allot the signs to the four elements in the regular order Fire,
Earth, Air, Water, beginning with Fire and Aries. Even Valens knew
better than that, for he gave Aries to Earth as well as Fire, and
Aquarius to Water as well as Air.
* * * * * * *






[ETC] Here follows more miscellany: Sun & Moon Cycles, Bode's Law
revisited. Historian and mythologist Barbara Walker's excerpts on
Rulerships are moved above near Fagan's comments.
* * * * * * * * * * * *

Cyril Fagan, "Many Things," AA, 8/66
"Planetary Rulership"
(Referring to his October 1954 issue, pp 28-29) "The word ruler is,
however, not a happy choice. In Ptolemy's time it was believed that
the earth was the center of the universe, with the Sun, Moon, planets
and stars revolving round it. So it was natural to suppose that each
planet ruled the distant constellations. But in our modern Copernican
conception of the universe it is utterly preposterous to believe that
Mercury, relatively a mere speck of cosmic dust compared to the
magnitude of many of the fixed stars, could rule the constellation
Virgo which contains within its confines teeming billions of fixed
stars and other universes (i.e. spiral nebulae, galaxies). So when we
say that Mercury rules Virgo, we merely mean the influences of all the
fixed stars in the constellation Virgo, taken in the aggregate, accord
with those of the planet Mercury, and similarly for the other zodiacal
constellations and their planetary rulers..." an opinion, that is also
shared by the editor of Spica.
...When siderealists refer to the constellations they are not so
naive as to have in mind the Greco-Roman constellation figures, with
their unequal boundaries which have been adjusted so many times and
which adorn our modern star atlases. The zodiacal constellations of
the siderealists, each rigorously 30 degrees in extent, are those which
constituted the zodiac of Pyramidic Egypt, and which terminated with
the fixed star Menyet "The Peg" (Spica) in 29 Virgo 06'. This was the
original, and hence, authentic zodiac of antiquity. (vide--Zodiacs Old
and New and The History of the Zodiac by B.L. van der Waerden,
Sonderabdruk aus "Archiv fur Orientforschung" Baqnd XVI, Zweiter Teil).
* * *



From Rupert Gleadow's ORIGIN OF THE ZODIAC,
The TWelve Gods; Plato and Augustus. page 81 & 82.
....
But it is most important to distinguish Plato's spiritual attitude
to the zodiac from the more mechanical attitude of the average
astrologer. Plato had no use for the angry assumption which is
sometimes vented on the words: 'I did not ask to be born.' He was
convinced, on the contrary, that the soul chooses to descend, and even
if it chooses unwisely it is none the less responsible for its presence
here. Hence the 'followers of Zeus' are not those born under the
mechanical influence of a celestial sign or planet, but those who have
chosen to mansifest according to, or to be guided principally by, that
particular mode of the Creative Force which among the Greeks was called
Zeus. All the gods are part of god, but some express one aspect and
some another, and so do we ourselves.
Further, though Plato calls the planets 'visible gods', and
'animals', that is to say living powers, the rulers of the twelve signs
are not for him the planets, since they are specifcally started to be
invisible; they were the twelve principle manifestations of the
Creative Force which runs the universe.
So the twelve Gods of Plato are neither the planets nor the signs
of the zodiac. They are the Dodeka Theoi, the twelve Greek gods who
were pictured on the central milestone of Athens, from which all
distances were measured. And Plato is not the only one to tell us of
the Twelve Gods; the full list comes from Manilius.

Pallas rules the woolly Ram, and Venus guards the Bull,
Apollo has the handsome Twins, and Mercury the Crab,
Jove, with the Mother of the gods, himself is Leo's lord;
The Virgin with her Ear of Corn to Ceres falls; the Scales
To Vulcan's smithy; while to Mars the warlike Scorpion cleaves;
The Hunter's human part Diana rules, but what's of horse
Is ruled by Vesta, with the straitened stars of Capricorn;
Aquarius is Juno's sign, as opposite to Jove,
And Neptune owns the pair of Fish that in the heaven move.

This list of gods is arranged so far as possible in opposite pairs,
and is not inappropriate, except that Vest, who is Hestia the hearth-
goddess, has no particular connection with horse or goats. The
attribution of Cancer to Mercury, though it may shock modern
astrologers, comes from Egypt....
Pallas Athene, or in Latin Minerva, is perfectly suitable for Aries
which rulesthe head and is a warlike sign, since she sprang fully armed
from the head of Zeus. For the Ear of Corn, no ruler could be more
suitable than Demeter-Ceres. Diana as the huntress is obviously
correct for Sagittarius, and her brother Apollo, the spirit of music
and prophesy, rules the opposite sign. The many-breasted 'Diana of the
Ephesians' would equate with the Mother of the Gods and be placed in
Leo. Taurus and Scorpio have their usual rulers, and the Scales, as
the only manufactured object in the list, are naturally given to Vulcan
the craftsman. As for the Fishes, their allotment to Neptune ought to
be welcomed by astrologers, who have been trying for the past hundred
years to hand them over to the planet of that name!
* * * *



From Barbara Walker's
THE WOMAN'S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MYTHS AND SECRETS, p802:
As the planets ruled various divisions of heaven, so also they were
believed to rule various places on earth according to their qualities.
Under the SUN were "light places, the serene air, kings' palaces and
princes' courts, pulpits, theatres, thrones, and all kingly and
magnificent places." Under the MOON were "wildernesses, highways,
groves, woods, rocks, hills, mountains, forests, fountains, waters,
rivers, seas, seashores, ships, and granaries for corn." Under MARS
were "fiery and bloody places, furnaces, bakehouses, shambles, places
of execution, and places where there have been great battles fought and
slaughters made." Under MERCURY were "shops, schools, warehouses,
exchanges for merchants." Under JUPITER were "all privileged places,
consistories of noblemen, tribunals, chairs, places for exercise,
schools, and all beautiful and clean places, and those sprinkled with
divers odors." Under VENUS were "pleasant fountains, green meadows,
flourishing gardens, garnished beds, stews, the sea, the seashore,
baths, dancing places, and all places belonging to women." Under
SATURN were "all stinking places and dark, underground, religious, and
mournful places as church-yars, tombs, and house not inhabited by men;
and old tottering, obscure, dreadful houses; and solitary dens, caves,
and pits; and fish-ponds, standing pools, sewers. From Agrippa, 149-
50.
*********




From Meir H. Degani's ASTRONOMY MADE SIMPLE,
"Ocean Tides on Earth," page 138.

The surface of the ocean rises and falls at any given place at more
or less regular intervals. On an average, the period between two
successive high tides is 12 hours and 25.5 minutes--exactly one-half
the time it takes the moon to complete the circuit about the earth,
i.e., one-half of 24 hours and 51 minutes. This is no a coincidence:
the ocean tides are caused primarily by the moon's gravitational pull,
an effect to which the sun contributes.
The tides travel with the apparent motion of the moon, from the
eatern horizon toward the western horizon of the observer. Except for
lags due to secondary effects, high tide at any place on the earth
occurs when the moon is at the local meridian or at the anti-meridian.
The effect of the sun on tides is secondary to that of the moon--the
ratio of the tide-raising force of the sun is only about 7% that of the
moon-due to its much greater distance.
When the tide-raising forces of the moon and the sun coordinate, the
resulting tides are at a maximum--i.e., at new moon, when the two are
at the same side of the earth. MAXIMUM TIDES ARE KNOWN AS SPRING
TIDES. The other extreme is reached when the sun is at 90degrees to
the moon--the tides are then at MINIMUM, AND ARE KNOWN AS NEAP TIDES.
The moon's closeness also has an influence on the magnitude of the
tide. When the moon is at perigee, the tide-raising force is greater
than normal by some 20%

* * * TROPICAL YEAR/Solar Year: The time required by the sun to
complete one revolution in its apparent orbit with respect to the
equinoxes (the points of intersection between the ecliptic and the
equator). 365.2422 mean solar days. About 20 minutes shorter.
SIDEREAL YEAR: The time required by the sun to complete one revolution
with respect to the same star. 365.2564 mean solar days.
* * * * *



.... a couple of definitions on SUN and MOON cycles from DICTIONARY OF
ASTRONOMICAL TERMS by Ake Wallenquist:

There are several ways of measuring both the Sun's yearly and Moon's
monthly cycles depending on the point of origin. The SIDEREAL YEAR is
the sun's period of revolution with respect to the stars which
coincides with the earth's revolution in its orbit around the sun. The
sidereal year = 365.2564 mean solar days. (Then you have to look up
"mean" solar days.)
The TROPICAL YEAR is the year of the seasons; the time required by
the sun to complete one revolution with respect to the vernal equinox.
Because of the precession of the vernal equinox along the ecliptic in
the opposite direction of the sun's annual motion, the tropical year is
about 20 minutes shorter than the sidereal year and amounts to 365.2422
mean solar days.

The SIDEREAL MONTH is the moon's true period of revolution around
the earth, or the time required by the moon to complete one revolution
with respect to the stars. The sidereal month = 27.3217 days. Whereas
the SYNODIC MONTH is the period of time required by the moon to
complete all its phases, or the interval between two successive full
moons. The length of the synodic month is 29.5306 days.
Additionally there are other moon cycles: The DRACONIC MONTH or the
nodical month is the time required for the moon to complete one
revolution with respect to one of its nodes. The draconic month is
equal to 27.2122 days. The ANOMALISTIC MONTH which is the moon's
period in two successive passages of perigee (the point in the moon's
orbit nearest the earth), equal to 27.5546 days. There's also the
TROPICAL MONTH which is the time it takes the moon to return to the
same longitude, equal to 27.3216 days (only 7 seconds less than a
sidereal month). And, there's the CALENDAR MONTH, one of the 12
divisions of the Gregorian year, varying in length between 28 and 31
days.
* * * *


From Peter Tompkin's SECRETS OF THE GREAT PYRAMID (page 347):
"In astronomical calculations, there are employed two different
kinds of time, SOLAR time and SIDEREAL time. SOLAR time is our
ordinary time. Solar time assumes that the day is the interval between
two successive passages of the sun at the meridian. The length of the
day so defined varies greatly according to the seasons of the year; it
varies by more than 1/90. The reason for this variation is that the
speed of the earth along its orbit around the sun is not constant and
that the apparent motion of
the sun around the earth does not follow the line of the equator, but
of that of the ecliptic. Hence in ordinary life we reckon by mean
solar time, which is obtained by assuming that a fictitious sun moves
along the celestial equator at a speed equal to the average speed of
the sun along the ecliptic.
"Mean solar time is a highly artifical concept and we can use it
because we have mechanical clocks. The ancients calculated by sidereal
time, which they could measure by observing the apparent movement of
the vault of heaven. Sidereal time has the advantage of flowing
evenly. There are small variations due to the nutation of the earth
under the influence of the gravitational pull of the moon and the
planets; but these variations are too small to be relevant to the
calculations we are considering.

"A SIDEREAL DAY is the interval between two passages of a star at
the meridian. A sidereal day is shorter than a SOLAR day. If one
observes a star at the meridian today, that star will be again at the
meridian in less than a solar day. In other words, if one counts by
SOLAR time, the vault of heaven rotates about one degree more than a
full circle in a day. The difference between MEAN SOLAR TIME and
SIDEREAL TIME can be easily computed, because in a year the vault of
heaven makes exactly one more circle about the earth than the number of
circles made by the sun.

Hence the ancients could reckon:

Solar time 366
---------- = --- = 1.00273972
Sidereal time 365

or more precisely:

Solar time 366.25
----------- = ------ = 1.00273785
Sidereal time 365.25

"They did not need a formula more precise than the second one; today
we reckon by the ratio 1.00273791.

"The ancients simplified this complex matter by counting by the
spped of movement of a point at the equator. That speed was taken by
them as constant; the infinitesimal variations in speed of the rotation
of the earth on its axis are relevant only to some calculations of
modern astronomy."
* * * *





APPENDIX 1: BODE'S LAW REVISITED
Those who may have been excited to hear of Bode's law and disappointed
in its downfall years back may be heartened to hear of its restoration
in Mary Blagg's work. Gerald E. Tauber says, "The remarkable fact
about her law (and later modifications) is that it not only fits the
planets very well but also fits the different satellite systems.
Discrepancies still occur, but the question should be asked not why
these occur, but why the law holds as well as it does." From Gerald E.
Tauber's MAN AND THE COSMOS:
Chapter VI * The Discoveries
Section 4 * A Praiseworthy Relation Regarding Asteroids
and their implications for Bode's Law

"The different types and sizes of orbits seriously disrupted the
idea of an exploding planet being the cause for the asteroids. Suppose
that a shell describing an elliptic orbit suddenly explodes in midair.
Its center of mass continues to move exactly along the same orbit
traversed by the center of the shell before the explosion. Each
fragment would describe an orbit of its own, depending on its initual
velocity. Since these orbits are ellipses, each fragment would return
to its starting point, the place where the explosion occurred. Thus,
there should exist some common point through which all asteroids pass
sooner or later, if they originated from a planetary breakup. True
enough, the different orbits may have been perturbed from their
original positions by other planets (Jupiter and Mars) and by their
mutual interactions, but the effect would not be very large. Also--
this may be a bit of hindsight--the total mass of all the known
asteroids is only a fraction of the mass of the earth, hardly the
remnants of a major planet. Finally, it is completely unknown where
the enormous amount of energy would have come from necessary to break
up the unknown planet against its own gravitational field. It seems
more likely that the asteroids or minor planets originated together
with the other components of the solar system, leaving meteoroids to
result from their collisions or internal breakup.
"Where does all this leave the Titius-Bode law? It received its
first major setback with the discovery of Neptune. Both Adams and
Leverrier carried out their calculations assuming that the law was
valid, using major axes of 37.25 and 36.15 respectively. The predicted
value would be 4 + 2 x 192 = 4 + 384 = 388 compared with the actual one
of 300.7 (taking the Sun-Saturn distance as 100). But the law truly
broke down with the discovery of Pluto; the predicted distance was
almost twice the actual one. As early as 1787 Joahann Friedrich
Vikarius Wurm (1760-1833) had pointed out that a better fit could be
obtained if the two constants in the law were taken to be 3.87 (instead
of 4) and 2.93 (instead of 3). This, of course, destroys the simple
basis but also introduces some physical features. Wurm was of the
opinion that the law should also pertain, perhaps with different
constants, for the satellites of the various planets.
"In 1913 Mary Blagg used an empirical approach. After much trial
and error she found that a good fit could be obtained by using a
progression of 1.7275 (instead of 2) multiplied by a periodic function,
i.e., one that returns to the same value after some given period. The
remarkable fact about her law (and later modifications) is that it not
only fits the planets very well but also fits the different satellite
systems. Discrepancies still occur, but the question should be asked
not why these occur, but why the law holds as well as it does. Only
when we understand the origin and evolution of the solar system, will
we also know why the planets (and satellites) move in their present
orbits."


TITIUS-BODE LAW
Planet n* Titius Progression Actual Distance +
[ ] = to the power
Mercury 4 = 4 3.9
Venus 0 4 + 3 = 7 7.2
Earth 1 4 + 3 x 2[1] = 10 10.0
Mars 2 4 + 3 x 2[2] = 16 15.2
Ceres++ 3 4 + 3 x 2[3] = 28 27.7
Jupiter 4 4 + 3 x 2[4] = 52 52.0
Saturn 5 4 + 3 x 2[5] =100 95.5
Uranus ++ 6 4 + 3 x 2[6] =196 192.0
Neptune ++ 7 4 + 3 x 2[7] =388 300.7
Pluto ++ 8 4 + 3 x 2[8] =722 395.2

*The successive numbers assigned to the planets (including Ceres).
It is the number that determines the power of two in the Titius
progression: Distance = 4 + 3 x (2)n [here "n" is written "to the
power"]. For example, for Mars n = 2 so that its distance will be 4 +
3 x 2 x 2 = 16. Agreement is very good up to Uranus but breaks down
for Neptune and Pluto.
+All distances for the sake of convenience assume a sun-Earth
distance of 10.0. The figure 15.2 for Mars, for example, simply
indicates that compared with earth it is roughly one-half farther from
the sun, or three-halves the earth-Sun distance.
++Not yet discovered when the law as formulated.
______________________________________________________________________



BLAGG "LAW" FOR PLANETS
Planet n Calculated Distance Actual Distance
in A.U. ++ in A.U.
Mercury -2 0.387 0.387
Venus -1 0.723 0.723
Earth 0 1.000 1.000
Mars 1 1.524 1.524
Vesta } 2.361
Juno } ____ 2 2.67 2.670
Pallas} 2.767
Ceres } 2.767
Jupiter 3 5.200 5.203
Saturn 4 9.550 9.546
Uranus 5 19.23 19.20
Neptune 6 30.13 30.07
Pluto* 7 41.8 39.5

++The distances were calculated based on an empirical law that used
1.7275 instead of the factor 2 in the progression and the number n in
the exponent. As seen by comparison with the last column, agreement is
quite good.
*Pluto had not yet been discovered when the empirical relations was
proposed."
_______________________________________________________________________
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * *


The below is an "ascii art" attempt to diagram the positions
assumed by the Big Dipper in the early evening each season.


*
' . * *
* * ' . .* '
' : * . . * '
SUMMER * * SPRING
.
. * |
* v

' Pole
* . . * --> (*) <-- * . . *
Star '
'
^ .* |
* '
'
* *
* . * : .
* ' ' . * *
' AUTUMN * ' ' WINTER
* *




From Olcott & Mayall's FIELD BOOKS OF THE SKIES on URSA MAJOR, The
Great Bear (Face North).

Location: The first step in observational astronomy is the
location of the Pole Star, named from its position "Polaris," about
which, as a wheel about a hub, the heavens seem to turn because it
marks the place toward which the axis of the Earth points.... If you
do not know where North is, a compass will direct you. You should have
no difficulty in identifying the seven bright stars that form the well-
known "Big Dipper."
You will note that a line drawn through the two stars forming the
side of the "bowl" farthest from the "handle" of the dipper point
toward another bright star. This is Polaris.... (These could be
considered the "pointer" stars; arrows indicate they point at the Pole
Star)
The elevation of "height" of Polaris above the horizon is about
equal to the latitude of the observer. At the North Pole of the Earth,
latitude 90, Polaris would be directly overhead; at the equator,
latitude 0, it would be on the horizon. A moment's consideration will
show the simple reason for this. South of the equator, Polaris of
course cannot be seen; it never rises....
A Scale of Celestial Measurement: the pointer stars, the stars in
the bowl of the dipper farthest from the handle, are about 5 degrees
apart, and point to the Pole Star some 28.75 degrees distant (in the
last star of the Little Dipper, Ursa Minor). Across the top of the
bowl of the dipper, from pointer stars to where the handle begins, is
10 degrees.
...The entire figure of the Great Bear circles about the Pole once
in 24 hours. This is, of course, an apparent motion due to the
rotation of the earth. A line connecting the "Pointer Stars" with
Polaris may be regarded as the hour hand of a clock. With a little
practice the time of night can be ascertained to an approximate degree
by observing the position of this stellar hour hand.
In the early evening hours in the Spring, the "Dipper" will be seen
high in the northern sky above the Pole. In Summer, it is to the left
or west of Polaris. In the Fall look for it close to the horizon below
the Pole, and in the Winter it will be found to the right or east of
the Pole Star.
* * * *



From Olcott & Mayall's FIELD BOOKS OF THE SKIES APPENDIX XIII:
Perpetual Star Timepiece, Compass & Calendar

If you know the star pictures, and memorize the following rhyme,
you will ever have at hand for reference on clear nights, a reliable
timepiece, compass, and calendar.
The numbers above the star names indicate consecutively the months
of the year in which these respective objects rise about the first of
each month in the eastern sky. In additon to 1st magnitude stars that
rhyme refers to the head of Capricornus, the Sea Goat, the Great Square
of Pegasus, and Orion's Belt. All except Arcturus rise between 9 and
9:30 pm. Arcturus rises at 10 pm February 1st.
1
First Regulus gleams on the view,
2 3 4
Arcturus, Spica, Vega, blue.
5 6
Antares, and Altair,
7 8 9
The Goat's head, Square, and Fomalhaut,
10 11
Aldebaran, the Belt, a-glow,
12
Then Sirius most fair.

Eight months of the year are identified by the position of the Big
Dipper at 9pm. In April and May it is north of the zenith. During
July and August it is west of the north. In October and November it
lies close to the northern horizon and in July and February it is east
of north with the "Pointer Stars" highest. (see above).
* * * *

[TIME] Incorrect birthdata recording is a difficulty, compounded by
variations in time standards and boundaries, here and abroad. A
general reminder to do one's research. Skepticism regarding times must
be practiced. Plus excerpt on Old Style Calendars.
Do find D. C. Doane's TIME CHANGES IN THE USA, IN THE WORLD, IN
CANADA & MEXICO.
* * * *


TIME AND CIRCUMSTANCE

Technically, a chart/horoscope is done for a TIME AND PLACE.
There is NO way to tell from that chart if it is for an event, or an
animal, or a person's birth - or if that person is woman or man, genius
or idiot, saint or sinner, or from what culture or time - unless so
specified.

Perhaps the most difficult thing in casting a chart is GETTING
THE CORRECT TIME. Time standards and boundaries for recording data
vary from state to state and from time to time, and also from person to
person - that's the rub. And without meeting the person, it is very
difficult to tell the chart is descriptive, unless one should have a
very good character description and life events. This also depends on
the astrologer having a sense of character delineation, which may not
be his forte. One has to "trouble-shoot" each horoscope. The angles
are the most affected. Keep in mind that generally every 4 minutes
(for the MC-IC), the Earth moves one degree, and in 12 minutes moves 3
degrees, which is the limit of functional orb on the angles, i.e., the
sorth-nouth meridian and the horizon. The horizon (ASC-DES) does not
more at exactly the same speed as the MC-IC. Visually in celestial
space, 1/2 degree is about the span of the Full Moon, so 1 degree would
be the span of two full moons. In terrestial terms, 1 degree is about
60 miles of terrestial space (about 64 miles per degree at the
equator. Thus 3 degrees in a locational map would roughly equate with
about 180 miles. That's serious time and space which have implications
for interpretation and for transit studies.

Even if the time is correct in terms of the standard zone, some of
which in the U.S. have changed boundaries through the years, and
without the complication of DST or WT, still and yet TIMES are often
recorded to the nearest l5 minutes, not necessarily even to the nearest
5 minutes. Additionally, the delivery room clocks are not necessarily
accurate, nor the watch of whomever records the birth after the fact,
when they have time, if they remember even approximately.
Consequently, most birthtimes in standard time are at best plus or
minus l5 minutes of actual birthtime, providing the doctors really
think that "first breath" is important rather than the cutting of the
umbilical cord, which they don't. Getting the best descriptive
assessment of character within a margin of error, which will always be
there, takes time and work and study and perception and data research.
One must always question if the character described in a chart fits the
person rather than assuming the chart is correct.

Generally, the older the data, the more the time may have been
rounded. "O'clock" times should be particularly suspect as being
rounded off and mere guesses after the fact. So this can indicate more
than a 15 minute (3 degree) rule-of-thumb error. One can see why some
siderealists consider a wide orb of six degrees for planets near the
angles to allow for a margin of error in recording birthdata. The
concept of the foreground provides an even wider net.

Then, the Standard Time versus Daylight Savings and/or War Time
issue can give another hour off. The books show the laws that "were
supposed" to be in effect regarding Daylight Savings or War Time. They
do not show the human factor, i.e., which town within a state, or which
hospital in that town, or which nurse in that hospital, may have an
independent view as to which was real time, i.e., Savings Time vs.
Standard Time. Many considered DST as a plot of the government to take
away the farmer's time, and Arizona still does not accept DST altho
it's a national law. To further complicate the issue, within the
general time zones, some states have laws to record in Standard Time
even though Daylight Time is in effect, and it is not clear in some
reference books which states these are. So mentally consider another
hour's possible error for WT or DST times. As previously mentioned,
the boundaries of standard time zones have changed as well in some
states. Generally all birthtimes should be viewed with skepticism.

European countries also have changed time zone standards. And the
distinction between Permanent Summer Time and New Standard time is not
always clear. And there's also "Double Summer Time." As well, the
time advancement for Summer Time has been 40 minutes, rather than 60
minutes as in the U.S. All this has to be checked. The purpose here
in noting this is to bring about a general awareness of getting the
right time.

In foreign countries, one also should be aware of calendar changes
in countries using Old Style (Julian) dates after 1870. The New Style
(Gregorian) calendar replaced the Old Style in most countries long
before 1870, but some may still need conversion, such as Greece, China,
Japan, Russia, Bulgaria, Romania, Yugoslavia. Check time zone books
for tables on how to convert times.

So why bother? Because it's one's universal characteristics, which
are also enduringly and endearingly personal, that can be known.
* * * *




From American Astrology 8/61 - OLD STYLE CALENDAR:

Perhaps it would be possible for you to help me out in your "Many
Things" department. Recently I cast the horoscsope of a Russian
nobleman who told me his birth date was April 11, Old Style, or April
24, New Style, 1887, at 1:00 A.M. Now I have always heard that the
calendar correction for the 19th century is twelve days, not thirteen.
If this is so, then shouldn't the date be April 23rd instead of the
24th? The whole matter of new style and old style has given me a great
deal of trouble, not only with persons of Russian birth but with
historical dates as well. I wish therefore that you would publish a
table showing the correction ofr each centry and when that correction
became effective. For example, is the correction for the old style
date April 24, 1533 nine days or ten?

TO CHANGE THE OLD STYLE (O.S.) DATES INTO NEW STYLE (N.S.), ADD THE
FOLLOWING NUMBER OF DAYS;

CENTURY DAYS CENTURY DAYS
22nd 14 11th 6
21st 13 10th 5
20th 13 9th 4
19th 12 8th 4
18th 11 7th 3
17th 11 6th 2
16th 10 5th 1
15th 9 4th 1
14th 8 3rd 0
13th 7 2nd less than 1 day
12th 7 1st less than 1 day Russia adopted the
Gregorian calendar (N.S.) on February 14, 1918.

* * * *

[CONSTELL] "Sun Sign or Constellation?" A biographical approach to
understanding the constellations by Paul Albertsen. The author missed
the essence of Libra and Capricorn, but generally very good.
* * * *


SUN-SIGN OR CONSTELLATION? by Paul Albertsen
American Astrology 8/71
In trying to resolve the central confusion in modern astrology,
namely the controversy between sidereal and tropical systems, it is
instructive to approach the matter from a simple biographical
viewpoint. By assembling groups of people who share the same basic
character attributes and patterns either a sidereal or a tropical Sun
position?
For example, persons born in the last week of April or the first
two weeks of May have their Sun in the tropical sign Taurus but in the
SIDEREAL (OR STAR) CONSTELLATION ARIES. (Because the tropical zodiac
is currently some 24 degrees behind the sidereal, and the gap increases
one degree every 72 years.) Let's look then, at some prominent people
born at this time of year to see if most of them form a coherent
character pattern. In collect-ing examples of these particular
birthdates I was immediately struck by three outstanding names:
Cromwell, Marx and Freud. A formidable trio of leaders who dared to
leave the established way and take the forefront in breaking new paths.
And have we found here a path of our own? Do not these lives evoke
pioneer Aries rather than settled Taurus?
Oliver Cromwell instilled such fighting spirit into the
Protestant-Parliamentary troops he organized in the English Civil War
that they succeeded in destroying the power of the crown and sweeping
all opposition before them. Karl Marx and Sigmund Freud are both
eulogized as lone pathfinders who now have millions of followers. In
fact, have not these three movements--parliamentary democracy,
Communism and Freudian psychology--been the three greatest influences
on mass thinking in modern times? And here we have the three men who
played the most instrumental part in founding each movement. The
"founding father" role seems to have come naturally to each of them.
Let us summarize the situation with a quote from David Hume,
English philosopher also born when the Sun was shining in the starfield
of Aries. In his autobiography he mentions "a certains boldness of
temper which was not inclined to submit to any authority (in
philosophy) but led me to seek out some new medium by which truth might
be established." That boldness of temper was certainly shared by the
three initiators named above.
Finding a common link for the next position was not so easy. With
natal Sun in tropical Gemini, but in SIDEREAL TAURUS, are figures like
Yugoslavia's Tito, Germany's Wagner, America's Frank Lloyd Wright and
Rachel Carson... Then it was noticed that Rachel Carson's concern for
the environment (books: Silent Spring, The Sea Around Us) had much in
common with Wright's insistence that his buildings fit naturally into
their surroundings, blending with the scene rather than disrupting it.
He was also exceptional among great architects for the amount of
attention he devoted to the single-family house as opposed to large
public works.
From this emphasis on the immediate surroundings, the close-at-
hand, it was not much of an extension to notice that Wagner based his
major operatic cycle on native German mythology (The Ring of the
Nibelungen), and that Tito is preeminently a person who has fought to
secure his native land against foreign intervention. It is also
noticed that Wagner caused consternation in the musical world by
apparently abandoning formal musical structure and relying instead on
the sensual impact of the sound, and that some of his operas (e.g.,
Siegried) requires and audience to sit still for the better part of a
working day to hear them completely. Altogether there seems to be here
a decided emphasis on stability, on the physical and the familiar, an
"at-homeness" that fits Taurus splendidly, Gemini not at all. Let us
add just a word from Walt Whitman, who called himself "...a Kosmos/
fleshy, sensual, eating, drinking, and breeding...I loaf and invite my
soul." And although he had a well-developed mystical nature, it was of
a comfortable, assured sort--singularly different from Gemini, as will
appear next.
Our first two instances have favored the sidereal over the
tropical. This pattern holds well as we continue. Thus the Sun was in
the CONSTELLATION GEMINI (but the "sign" was Cancer) at the births of
Franz Kafka and Herman Hesse and both writers show us a central
Geminian concern: the quest for definiteness, for purpose. Kafka's
heroes (e.g., in The Trial and The Castle) are forever trying to get an
explanation for what's happen-ing, forever pursuing an elusive
rationale that keeps receding before them. At one point he wrote "Thus
the meaning of life becomes a search for the meaning of life." Hesse
too wrote of this quest, in a more overtly relig-ious mode (Journey to
the East, Siddhartha). The search seems to proceed along two principal
paths. One the one hand, the mainly mystical way as with Hesse. This
way also attracted Ruth Underhill, one of the world's best known
writers on the subject of mysticism. On the other hand the search may
stress definiteness, as was the case with Lord Kelvin, the fore-most
mathematician and physicist of his time, and Leibniz, one of the first
and greatest of modern mathematicians. It was these two poles of
mathe-matics and mysticism that Hesse envisioned being reconciled in
his last book, The Bead Game.
Now certainly not all Geminians are mathematicians or mystics.
But these are extreme developments. They appear more commonly as a
tendency to "put two and two together," to relate separate elements in
new structures of meaning. Thoreau is a good example in his detailed
observations of nature and the illuminating way he related these data
to human events. And motivating his observations was a constant
seeking for some real clarity behind the mask of amazing detail.
When we leave this workshop where meaningful combinations are
assembled or pursued, we plunge into the fluctuating waters of CANCER.
Now we're hunting a great white whale that hides somewhere in the deep,
in the uncer-tain expanse of ocean. But we're not chasing him for any
explanation or clarification of purpose. Ahab hunts Moby Dick because
"He tasks me!" The whale will not leave us alone. He haunts us, so to
speak. Or it may be a "human" figure, such as Robert Graves' White
Goddess, said to have been seen all over the world. But turn a third
time and both whale and goddess appear to be archetypes of the
collective unconscious. The originator of that term, psychologist Carl
G. Jung was not stranger to these numinous figures as he pursued his
depth psychology into the arcane waters of dreams and mythology, of
alchemy and psychic phenomena. Nor was this atmosphere of unseen
presences alien to Emily Bronte, authoress of Wuthering Heights, a tale
of mysterious emotions on the wild English moors. Add William Beebe,
who set new depth records for ocean diving, in his bathysphere, and the
indications seem quite clearly to favor a Cancer, rather than a Leo Sun
position. For the latter, we turn to--
Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle, Genghis Khan, Attila the Hun,
Tamerlane. Now where would the Sun be, if not in LEO? Not necessarily
at the births of these named, but in the birthcharts of E. R.
Burroughs, who created the famous king of the apes, and of Harold Lamb,
who wrote popular historical accounts of the legendary conquerors.
These authors may not have enjoyed the same sort of regal renown as the
heroes they admired. But the follow-ing two, in their own realm, did.
Goethe, after a passionate youth, settled down to produce world
classics in dramma and poetry (e.g., Faust).
He was hailed in his lifetime as King of European Literature, and young
writers made pilgrimage to his residence with an awe that many a
monarch might have envied. In philosophy the name of Hegel was without
a peer in 19th century Europe. Young students from all over the
continent flocked to his lectures and no dissenting voice was listened
to. (K.C-R's note: as well, Napoleon, King Louis 14th--The Sun King,
and Alexander the Great, world conquerors all were sidereal Leos.)
This steady sway changes in the next position VIRGO to something
quite different: a sort of orderly disintegration, an incessant
process of breaking things up and rearranging them, separating and
combining. Picasso became famous for painting figures with their
features broken up and rearranged in novel patterns. This activity of
forever turning things over, never satisfied that any view is final, is
well-exemplified in the fiction of William Faulkner (The Sound and the
Fury, The Bear) who never tells a story just one way, but continually
interrupts himself in mid-sentence for a long digression to analyze the
matter in alternte ways. In novel after novel he keeps going over the
same ground, dealing with much the same material, but always in a
slightly different perspective.
Mahatma Gandhi devoted his life to the steady disintegration of
British power in India. And he epitomized the Virgo function of
constant turnover in his devotion to the spinning wheel, that endless
recycling from which a single, continuous thread is extracted. Lastly,
John Locke, 17thy century English philosopher, set himself the task of
examining the process of thinking itself, the result being his Essay
Concerning Human Understanding. In a preface to the work he apologizes
for its length and repetitiveness, offering as excuse the suggestion
that matters must be turned over many times and looked at from many
sides to gain understanding.
We might well introduce LIBRA by comparing it to its Venusian
counter-part Taurus. Then it is immediately apparent that the "at-
homeness" of the latter is replaced by a new forward-moving urgency, as
Dylan Thomas well-expressed in the lines, "The force that through the
green fuse drives the flower/drives my green age." There is indeed a
strong affinity for the Venusian graces (John Keats: "A thing of beauty
is a joy forever.") but rather than a capacious Taurean enjoyment,
there is a striving that reminds us of Libra's opposite: truth-seeking
Aries (Keats: "Truth is beauty; beauty truth."). There is a
thoughtful disposition in Libra, and these various faces are
specifically portrayed by Auguste Rodin in two of his most famous
statues: The Kiss, depicting a man and woman in soft embrace, and a
more rugged figure titled The Thinker. Another master of graceful
sculpture was Benvenuto Cellini, who is as well-known for his
Renaissance life of wine-women-song as for his fine art. There was a
deal of turmoil in some of these lives (notably Thomas and Cellini) but
it was what we might term a turmoil of affinity, quite distinct from
the truculent opposition we encounter in the following position.
Sun in SIDEREAL SCORPIO, Martin Luther, one of the champion
antagonists of all time, stood on his inner resources against the
massive weight of the Church and almost single-handedly changed the
course of religion in Europe. Jonathan Swift ws a single voice in a
singular scorn of society, a master of satire and wielder of one of the
"most subtle and vitriolic pens that ever wrote English. And nearer to
the present day, Winston Churchill proved to be a heroically trenchant
foe, encouraging a whole nation to fight through "blood, sweat, and
tears" till their militarily stronger attacker was beaten back. The
source of Scorpio's basic unsurrendering strength is suggested by the
following two myth-makers (for a man who can make his own myths need
not be dependent on the public ones). John Milton wrote Paradise Lost
about the archetypal rebel Lucifer. And William Blake went still
further in private rebellion by creating a wholly original mythology,
perhaps not so difficult a task for a man who commonly saw angels.
Deriving their energy from deeply personal springs, the Scorpio native
can be extremely, and defiantly, self-reliant.
Turning now to SAGITTARIUS, consider Tolkien, author of The Hobbit
and The Trilogy of the Ring. For all that his heroes are said to be
home-loving creatures, this has little effect on the story itself,
which is one of distant adventure among exceedingly foreign peoples.
In fact the hero of the first book, the homey Hobbit himself, is seen
in the second book to have taken up steady residence among one of these
foreign peoples.
Another man fascinated by far-away foreigners was Rudyard Kipling.
And when we consider his life-long concern with the government of the
far-flung British Empire, we may perhaps have another thread on which
to string our Sagittarian examples: this combined concern with
government (i.e., regulating) and distance. It was demonstrated by the
astronomer Kepler who first discovered that the shape of planetary
obrits is elliptical and worked out the exact mathematical proportions
of the ellipses.
His achievement was later expanded by Isaac Newton, discoverer and
formulator of the laws of gravity that govern these planetary
movements. Now to turn our telescope around, as it were, we will find
there is a dis-tance in the other direction. Louis Pasteur saw through
his microscope the miniscule foreign bodies that control various
diseases. In a purely visual context, these bacteria are even farther
away than the planets, and the process of pasteurization is designed to
regulate their activity in milk. Returning to the first name, we note
that the entire purpose of the distant adventures in Tolkien's tales is
to govern, not conquer or destroy, the foreign forces of evil.
SIDEREAL CAPRICORN. This position is particularly favorable to
generals. Start listing the most outstanding U.S. Army commanders in
his-tory and you'll find that four of the first five or six had this
placement: Robert E Lee, "Stonewall" Jackson, William T. Sherman, and
Douglas MacArthur. These were all men of singular perseverence, of
determined drive toward solid and prominent achievement, who were
stopped by no adversity. Lee showed their tone when he wrote to his
son at West Point, "You must press forward in your studies. You must
be number one." And the young Thomas Jackson remarked after his first
battle that the only fear he had felt was "a strange sort of fear lest
I should not meet danger enough to make my conduct conspicuous." But
self-restraint was as characteristic of them as unswerving attack.
Sherman, finally successful as a general after a long series of
business failures, became the most sought-after presidential candidate
the nation had ever seen. But he knew his own mind on the subject and
consistently said "No," feeling that his ambitions had been achieved
and that further advance could only be ruinous. When his petitioners
continued to plague him with the offer year after year, he finally
announced, "If nominated I will not run. If elected I will not serve."
At last they believed him.
We see also in these men an instinct to drive right to the heart
of the enemy's force, as Sherman did in Georgia, as Lee and Jackson did
in The Wilderness, and as MacArthur did at Inchon, Korea. What could
be more appropriate to this Saturnian position than a regular-army
commander? (Editor's Note: I disagree)
To introduce SIDEREAL AQUARIANS, here are two renowned
astronomers, Copernicus and Galileo, and we notice at once that
movement is a keynote. They both gained fame for the revolutionary and
unpopular claim that the whole Earth is moving. Galileo retracted his
advocacy in face of threats from the Church, but his last words before
dying were, "Eppuor, si muove." (Nevertheless, it does move.) We note
that they emphasized the movement itself. This willingness and ability
to see things in ways shockingly at variance with the conventional view
(eccentric, as it were) showed in the work of the Frenchman, Renan, who
stirred up quite a controversy in the 19th century with his book The
Life of Jesus, in which he advanced the radical-humanitarian viewpoint
that Jesus was rather an outstanding human being than a divinity.
Not all Aquarians make revolutionary gestures, but the attitude
that makes their behavior potentially revolutionary can be seen even in
so mild-mannered a person as the poet W.H. Auden. His poetry is
directed toward general social issues and is notable for its detached,
impersonal tone, using very little imagery or colorful expression. It
seems to be this very detachment from intimate personal involvement
that leaves the Aquarian free to present the facts as he sees them,
nakedly, which may disturb those who feel the value of familiar
garments. The story traditionally told of George Washington, when he
is reported to have said, "I cannot tell a lie," may be historically
false but true to his Aquarian character of letting things stand
revealed, without customary disguise. The tenor of his life with its
impersonal devotion to principle in politics, clearly shows the
Aquarian hallmark of cool distance rather than Pisces more passionate
involvement.
On looking into SIDEREAL PISCES, we see many poets and artists,
often in characteristic inner torment amid an atmosphere of confusion.
Verlaine captured the mood nicely: "Il pleur dans mon coeur/comme il
pleur sur la ville." (The waters weep in my heart/as they rain on the
roofs.) His con-temporary, Van Gogh, also suffered an excess of
personal agitation, as can be seen in the stark vibrancy of his
paintings. But when inner currents begin to flow harmoniously, great
developments may occur. William Booth began the Salvation Army out of
sympathy for the lost and downtrodden. J. S. Bach blended the mighty
currents of the soul into a masterful confluence of sound. And the
missionary, St. Francis Xavier, showed the strength of his faith when
shipwrecked in the Indian Ocean. Drifting about on a raft, suffering
heat, hunger and thirst, he prayed to God to send him more pain.
And here we terminate our survey, which we hope has been, at best,
suggestive, if not persuasive to you.
* * *

[HORRIBLE] Dr. Pluto N. Mundo's "HorribleScope," a curmudgeon's takeoff
on one's sex life, based on attributes of the constellations (therefore
information!) & exaggerated to a verbal caricature. It may even have
food for thought as to the virtue-vice continuum implicit in each
planetary archetype. Through knowing the extreme, one (sometimes) can
intuit the mean -principle. So much from so little.
* * * * * * * * *


To confirm your worst fears regarding your Sun constellation, the
brilliant psychologist and logician Dr. Pluto N. Mundo, that
curmudgeon of the Star Constellation Zodiac himself, presents the -

HORRIBLE-SCOPE IN THE STAR CONSTELLATIONS

PISCES (Mar 14-Apr 13) You have a vivid imagination and sense of drama
and often think you are being followed by the CIA or FBI...or else you
are following them as a double agent. When you are off work, you tend
to see spirits, and so as an astral lover, you have no peer. In
general, you are an affable actor and like leading a double life as well
as an other-worldly life. The extraordinary emotion is your all!
Whether following your spiritual "Guides" or taking a Hitchhiker's Tour
of the Universe, traveling is your thing. Catch a falling star or a
flying saucer to Peru-that's the trip for you! The All is your All!
And the Act Must Go On! Dedicated to the glamorous, fantastic, and
deceptive, Pisces are incapable of fidelity and make good spies or car
sales-persons. In general, Pisces people are drunks, opium smokers,
writers, actors, psychics, and other creative types. You think reality
is a crutch for people who can't cope with drugs. You'd love living at
Disneyland.

ARIES (Apr 14-May 14) You are the independent type and hold most people
in contempt. You are quick tempered, impatient, scornful of advice,
blunt and abrupt. You like to do things your own way; your arrogance is
disgusting. You thinks there's only your way and the wrong way to do
things. You are continually at odds with anyone who does not support
your narrow ideals. You are flash-in-the-pan lover (fast to fizzle out)
and nobody will go to bed with you twice. You set yourself up for
shallow, sexual encounters wherein you claim conquest. You should
become a photographer so you will have some way to remember all the one-
nighters. Besides being rotten in bed, you lack other social graces.
Naturally you are in the vanguard of any new movement since you can't
make it in polite society. You are not very nice. Hence, you make a
great Capitalist. Politics is your favorite game and Machiavelli is
your spiritual leader.

TAURUS (May 15-June 14) You are congenial, serious, a natural environ-
mentalist, and thick in the neck. Respecting "the Natural" means that
at Christmas, you won't even "Kill a Tree for Jesus!" You're the
only one worrying about the ozone layer. Because you "loaf and invite
your soul," you are sensuous, oversexed, and eat too much. You even
cook. "Good friends and good food" summarizes your philosophy. But
family values are your favorite thing, and you come from and reproduce
large families. Obviously you are a lover and main contributor to the
population explosion. Worse than a Communist, you might even be a
worshipper of Nature and the Great Mother. All this 'groundedness in
mind and skyclad body' stuff is just a cover-up for a mother complex and
incestuous impulses. You have too many close relatives.

GEMINI (June 15-Jly 15) You are a quick and intelligent thinker. You
approach life like a game. And creating computer games is your most
lucrative occupation. You are shrewd in business and cannot be trusted,
but you will achieve the pinnacle of success because of your total lack
of ethics. Geminis are inclined to try to get too much for too little
because they are clever enough to do so; this means you are cheap as
well as a thief and pervert. Jack of all trades, the nimble, the quick!
You would do well as a Talk Show or TV Game Host. Just tapdancing your
way through life! But people like you because you are bisexual and have
no sticky emotional ties to either sex. People also tend to think you
are a swinger because you are entertaining and musically talented. You
have a sense of playfulness and youth and never grow up, so people
overlook your Peter Pan Complex. Hence, you best represent the American
Way of Life, and the Pepsi Generation.

CANCER (July 16-Aug 16) You are sympathetic and understanding to
people's problems. Therefore you make a good follower. People think
you are a sucker and a soft touch. You have a lively imagination and
respond well to TV commercials and soap operas, on which you are as
dependent as if they were your family or welfare check. You think you
know what people like, but you have no discrimination in lovers and will
make do with any bum with magnetic appeal. You collect all kinds of
junk as your artistic taste runs to knickknacks, and gingerbread,
rococo, over-ornamentation. At best, Cancers have the personality of
fuller brush salesmen or politicians. All for the gratification of the
moment! You do well running your mouth, but your brains and your thighs
are full of putty, and you are lazy and fat.

LEO (Aug 17-Spt 16) You consider Yourself a Born Leader. Others think
You are a pushy, ego-tripper. Because You are so full of Yourself, You
have what it takes to survive a Presidential Campaign. You tend to be a
liberal, right-wing Republican Baptist, a supporter of God, Motherhood
at any cost, Virginity, U.S. Military Expansion, and Absolute Monarchy.
You decorate Your home with pictures of Yourself and read books on the
Rich & Famous. You think driving a Big, Expensive car makes You
Important, and You think any job You have is a Career. Since You
believe any flattery, You definitely accept all compliments graciously
and can thus be easily prevailed upon. You love Titles and Status
Symbols and show great generosity to menials who You require around You
to witness to Your Superiority. You don't notice how bad Your lover is
in bed if he or she has Expensive Taste and looks good. Leos are known
as very self-confident, competent, Braggarts and Bores.

VIRGO (Spt 17-Oct 16) You are the logical type and hate disorder. You
own too many dictionaries, health and reference books. You hang
pictures straight and do your income tax expertly. This knit-picking is
sickening to your friends of whom you have very few. Before the
improbable event of your having an affair, you organize your underwear,
calculate extra laundry costs, and expect health certificates from
prospective lovers. You are unemotional and sometimes fall asleep while
making love if you aren't planning your next week's schedule. Daily
routine is your favorite mania. However, Virgos make good ashtray
cleaners, budget planners, librarians, sanitation inspectors, and
professional virgins. You think if you make a list, you know what
you're doing. You wash your hands too much. Lady MacBeth is your God
Mother.


LIBRA (Oct 17-Nov 15) You are the artistic type, get along with people
too well, and therefore are judged to have a difficult time with
reality. Since Libras are absent-minded compromisers, people tend to
think them devious because nobody believes in unselfishness. You prefer
politeness, appeasement and reconciliation to standing up for yourself.
Luckily, congeniality is not hereditary. Your stylistic sense of True
Colors makes you an excellent decorator. Good thing, because you have
no true grit. But chances for employment and monetary gains are
excellent anywhere you can be a professional "Yes-sayer." Since you are
a hopeless Romantic and hardly ever meet a person you don't like, most
Libras die of venereal disease.

SCORPIO (Nov 16-Dec 15) Though straight-forward and energetic, Scorpios
are also argumentative, fiesty, uncouth and like offending people.
Scorpio men are macho-chauvinists, have smelly armpits, and think sex is
all muscle and calisthenics. The Wham Bam approach. Scorpio women are
tomboys and make good lady wrestlers. You are all accident-prone and
love bragging about your scars. In general, Scorpios like dirt, mud-
slinging, and other acts of passion. Only snakes would think Scorpios
are charming. For you, 'working it out' & 'going for the burn' in
exercise, love, or war is a good way of life. You don't know when to
give up. You believe that 'God loves a Grunt' and that 'getting down &
dirty' is next to godliness. Your next-best idea of heaven is the
Olympics. The Jock mentality is the only one you've got, and you are
successful in athletic pursuits where bad temper and argument is
rewarded. Most Scorpios are murdered by other Scorpios--and should be.
You do terrible things to small animals.

SAGITTARIUS (Dec 16-Jan 13) You are optimistic and have a reckless
tendency to rely on luck since you lack talent. You tend to think
positive and so get more out of life than you deserve. You prefer to
see 'half-empty' as 'half-full." You believe that too much of a good
thing is wonderful, and that God will provide that for you. The
majority of Sagittarians are status-seekers, snobs, religious fanatics,
and other kinds of gamblers. You really do think it matters what other
people think of you. You are houseproud and undersexed and a Bible-
toter. Your only love affairs will be Platonic. Your personal mantra
is "Every day in every way, I'm getting better and better!" This does
not apply to your nightlife. Because of your incessant goodness, you
drive your spouses to drink and into extra-marital affairs. You will
die devoutly living the good life and traveling as a distinguished
Yuppie.

CAPRICORN (Jan 14-Feb 11) You are conservative and afraid of taking
risks. You are skeptical in all matters but believe in work like a
religion. You are so responsible, you feel guilty if you have fun. You
take 'Dull' to new lows. You think functional practicality is the only
consideration, and have no capacity for emotional rapport. You really
can live on bread alone. Capricorns are miserly, anal-retentive, live
in unfurnished gothic rooms, and eat from generic-labeled tin cans.
Surviving an economic depression is your favorite thing; you framed your
first dollar. There has never been a Capricorn of any importance. You
have no sex drive and don't even masturbate (saves energy!). You are a
rotten conversationalist and would tend to make good only as a vivi-
sectionist or mortician. Morbidity becomes you.




AQUARIUS (Feb 12-Mar 13) You have an inventive mind, are inclined to be
progressive and opportunistic, and like to do your own thing. You
obviously smoke too much dope. Because you are organized enough to just
go about getting things done, people think you are offbeat, cool,
and non-committal. You tend to volunteer for things like the first
space flight to the Moon. You are tolerant of others, support communal
living and love-ins rather than war, are offhand about paying your
debts, and are therefore obviously an anarchist. You don't care who you
sleep with as long as there is variety. Otherwise, Aquarians make good
social welfare workers-that is, when they are not traveling the globe
living off whoever will take them in. Since you don't care how you
look--plaids with stripes and no two socks alike--people think you are
stupid and lazy. You believe in the universality of all people. Hence,
you are a threat to the status quo.
* * * *

[PLANETS] Adaptation and condensation of several sidereal
delineations. Excellent Standard Stuff. Sources and names
unavailable.
* * * *


DEFINITIONS OF THE PLANETS & LIGHTS:
IN TRANSIT CHARTS, IN LOCATION, AND/OR IN THE NATAL

First and foremost, always keep in mind that the planets are never
literally a person, place, or thing. They do not "rule" anything. And
they are 'not' other people in your chart. As always in such writeups,
the sentence structure when referring to any planet tends often to seem
to "equate" the planet and the quality or condition referred to.
Beware. The planets signify and symbolize archetypal characteristics,
energies, and conditions. There is no way to tell from a chart if it
is of a person, animal or event. Given that it is of a person, there
is no way to tell from the chart if the person is male or female,
genius or idiot, saint or sinner. But the outstanding qualities of any
of those may be known.

THE SUN much like the Moon, draws and focuses attention upon you,
but it brings more emphasis to your all-around individuality, your own
"personhood" and productivity, and your basic values. It might
precipitate questions from others such as: "What are your abilities,
talents, potentials?" People will want to know just where you are
headed and how you plan to get there. You can increase your status in
the world by bringing others to review your current or past
accomplishments. You too will be reviewing your status, becoming more
aware of how you stack up in the eyes of those in a position to
influence your affairs. In general, a feeling of increased importance,
and a greater sense of purpose may be experienced. This can indicate
possible glories or potential successes if supported by other transits
such as an angular Jupiter. The Sun dominates elements of pride and
ego gratification, the need for recognition, & the fires of ambition,
fame, fortune or importance in the world.
If self-esteem is low, the SUN generally revives it, as your
appreciation of yourself and the good qualities you possess become
important. Because of you are centered in your own purposes, you can
come over now as the "boss" or the master of current situations or
circumstances. You tend to impress people in general, and thus your
ego gets a warming massage and personal status or regard is uplifted.
The transit of New or Full MOON over the SUN can overstress the
physical or emotional system, sometimes indicating a drop in overall
vitality for the duration of the transit. This can be aggravated by a
tendency to concentrate energy on personal matters meant to gratify
your ego. But a basic self-interest manifests concerning your
potential, what satisfies you and what does not. This can make you
feel you are a power to be reckoned with, to be placated--a bit of a
potentate in your own field of interest.


THE MOON angular accentuates the power of your emotions, memories,
intuitions, prejudices, sentiments, passions and sensations. You may
find yourself ardent over fanatical whims and dreams, or going
overboard on cherished projects. When the Moon is angular, refrain
from swinging wildly from the heights of euphoria to the depths of
despair, as this lunar angularity can whip up buried feelings and
sensitivities. In general, the motion of nature and life, the
perceptions and sense within yourself and the tidal or cyclic movement
of existence is deeply felt. For some, this brings an acute awareness
of the emotional interactions between you and another. Eager to
sympathize, easily wounded, responsive to overtures, you tend to filter
down any and all situations onto a personal and emotional level. You
are impressionable and susceptible to others' opinions, subject to more
or less wild mood fluctuations, setting your sails according to every
prevailing wind. And as the late Cyril Fagan indicated, Sun-Moon
contacts present opportunities for amorous attractions to manifest
because of one's heightened emotional receptivity.
Publicity, or public opinion, and feeling loom larger than usual
with the MOON. You may feel the importance and impact of your peers,
or society rules and regulations upon you at this time. Your position
or status can be subject to changing opinions of others and you may
experience alterations or transitions in your occupation or in your
community standing. Since there is a more emotional element to your
actions and especially reactions, impulse or reaction to others plays a
greater role in your moves or decisions. As your 'openness' assails
you & you become thin-skinned, there can be a strong urge to surrender
to the moods of the moment.
THE MOON indicates a restless astmosphere in domestic relations at
home and office with wide fluctuations of mood. You can experience an
increased desire and taste for variety. Thus, alteration in decor, the
rearrangement of furniture, or other changes around the house may be
instigated by you, as impulsive decisions and emotionalism prevail.
Current fads capture your attention, and can be accompanied by
emotionally based resolutions to follow some new trend, but staying
power may be lacking. You tend to be more vulnerable than usual to
appeals to your sympathy or generosity. On the whole, relations with
those at home or at work on daily basis are especially emotional and
sensitive.


MERCURY: Mental activity, your ability to focus thought, observe,
assess, learn, perceive, concentrate or memorize are featured or called
into play. Much exchange of information and a general air of busyness
is manifest, even quick changes in atmosphere, comings and goings. You
could find yourself bringing work home from the office, engaging in
extensive homework for school projects, signing or studying official
papers and reports. Messages and phone calls can be prevalent and take
up much of your time. Whenever Mercury is angular, details tend to
demand more attention, as well as letter writing, conversation, study
and news. You may find relatives coming to visit or neighbors
temporarily assuming a larger role in your affairs. A burst of
activity often accompanies Mercury. Clean-up work, details, news,
written material and the spoken word come to your immediate attention.
Efficiency on the job or in creative expression is stimulated. Arri-
vals, departures and other transportation matters assume importance.
MERCURY usually means a heavy volume of correspondence--letters
coming and going, packages, and a myriad of details to be attend to.
Mercury's aspects are particularly important in determining the type of
communications you can expect. If with Uranus, unexpected calls or
startling news. With Pluto, it also can mean shocking or amazing news,
while with Jupiter, it may indicate uplifting news. Mercury with Venus
can inspire musical or artistic interest, or focus attention on
language and social communication that have to do with friends or
romance. Mercury with Saturn may require dutiful response to some
serious matter or unpleasant news, or at least tiresome business such
as form letters. Mercury with Mars can show communications hassles, as
business tensions or everyday frictions can increase and become wearing
on the nerves. Mercury with the Sun touches on news affecting status,
ego, and so on. Mercury with Neptune or Moon increases emotionalism
and the impact of feeling in news, letters and conversations. With
Neptune, Mercury can set off misapprehensions that have little
foundation. Don't sign contracts or papers under this, though. Only
creative or aesthetic projects with non-material goals are "favored."


VENUS: 'Your peace is my peace' appears to best express the desire
for oneness with others that manifests when touched by Venus. One
tends to be attracted at this time to activities which require harmony,
rhythm, beauty and refined conduct. Relaxation, enjoyment and
tranquility are emphasized. Venus is essentially tolerant, lax and
lenient implying that you will take the line of least resistance.
and just let things ride. Conciliatory action such as extending the
olive branch can accentuate any basic tendency for compassion,
tolerance and mercy. Forgiveness is apt to be exhibited. And so Venus
can ease circumstances, relieve pressures and smooth your relations
with the world; likewise in your daily environment, with Venus there
is a harmonizing, quieting, tenderizing influence promoting peaceful or
cooperative conditions. Your home may become restful, tranquil and a
thoroughly enjoyable place in which to pass your leisure time.
Familial and on-the-job frictions should subside, at least somewhat,
while this influence is in effect. Even if traveling under this
influence, you feel more or less at home, no matter how exotic your
surroundings.
Gains in material possessions as an external expression in addition
to gain in status or esteem are also possible. You could find ways and
means for improving the beauty of your home or office. Gardening and
the addition of some lovely new plants, for instance, or other
incidental items to your home may also feature importantly. Under
Venus, one tends to be "in the mood" for love, with the desire to
express affection for a person, place, or thing. Feelings of affection
and benevolence often coincide with offerings of money and gifts and
other tokens of affection.
Generally, romance and friendships brighten, and prospects for
future seem more optimistic because Venus accentuates tender, gentle,
sentimental and esthetic feelings; so there may be a strong inclination
to seek our the joys of social life, dances, parties, or any activity
that centers around person-to-person contact. Invitations to formal
occasions (weddings, graduations, etc.) may be received and accepted
happily. So friendship and romantic opportunities are always possible
with an angular Venus, and social contacts are likely foremost, though
nothing is fated. There is a possibility that your peers, or society
at large, may express affection for you and approval of your
accomplishments, or you may just experience a general feeling of being
accepted and part of the group. You will probably feel content with
your status. Hence, VENUS is a helpful influence for parties,
celebrations and entertainment as Venus angular often brings the desire
for activities which give enjoyment. You may find the general
atmosphere more or less festive. Even when something goes sour in the
proceedings, you tend to sweeten things by unobtrusively smoothing over
troubled waters.


With MARS, you seize the initiative. Energy is up and a search for
adventure ensues. You are brash, rash, and rush in where angels fear
to tread. You are ready to participate in the life around you, and you
have an eagle eye out for your own interests. Any provocation you
offer may be returned in kind, so do be careful what you do and say.
You are intolerant of other's foibles. Emotionally you can be high
strung, irritable, testy. Something or someone may really set you off,
as it were, since you are laboring under the stress of a short temper
and feel the need to let off steam. Exercise, movement and flexing
your muscles both figuratively and literally in constructive ways is
called for. Take action on previously planned projects, sports, or any
activity that gets you moving, but be careful not to burn yourself out.
Caution with tools or machinery is needed as tenseness or nervousness
can make you careless at just the wrong moment.
With MARS, your reaction to affairs can get irritating and perhaps
a bit explosive. Great physical activity is indicated, expressed in
housecleaning, furniture moving, painting, extensive home repairs, and
other heavy household jobs. Relations with parents or a spouse can be
quite tense. The emphasis is on commotion, tumult, and nervous energy
looking for an outlet. Guard against outbursts of impatience, temper
and emotional agitation. Because Martian mishaps are usually the
result of "too much, too fast" on the part of the individual concerned,
try to slow yourself down in order to avoid them. Mars can precipitate
clashes that could lead to break-ups or temporary separations, brought
about in the heat of anger rather than through considered reasoning.
It can however bring to the surface matters that need to be faced
before they can be cleared up.
MARS is a combative influence; there is an element of attack to be
considered. You may feel the domination of someone in your life trying
to take control of your direction, your career. Mars angular usually
foretells a "rough ride;" you could get it or give it; you could be
called on the carpet by authority figures and really get chewed out or
chew someone out. Another usual form of Martian expression is through
possible attacks from germs, e.g., virus, cold, fever, etc., or even
pests from the insect world. Mars often manages to get your adrenalin
flowing in a big way. Mars calls for action, excitement, aggression,
and you are usually presented with circumstance to fill the bill, or
you present the reaction and change the circumstance.


Any angular position of JUPITER injects a feeling for the lighter
side of life, encouraging enjoyment in the here and now and hope for
the future. Jupiter tends to ease your general circumstance into more
palatable channels and usually represents opportunities of all kinds.
If Jupiter is also near the natal angles, or the natal Sun, as well as
return angles, you may experience once-in-a-lifetime elevations of
influence, prestige and status. In general, your position in your own
eyes and in the eyes of your peers is upgraded. If changes of
residence are made under this Jupiter position you are likely to
improve your conditions and move into better circumstances than you
left behind. This is an excellent influence for outpourings of
concern, interest and acts of kindness directed toward you or from you.
You may increase your material possessions because of such actions by
others. The overall Jupiter influence indicates a feeling of
prosperity or some kind of gain, help, success or relief from burdens.
JUPITER can indicate opulent or progressive conditions in your
philosophy, home or family life. Under Jupiter, you can advance and
improve close relationships. An element of celebration or the impulse
to rejoice may be relevant. Jupiter angular by location or transit
frequently indicates increases in your material assets in some way,
adding to your possessions, indicating optimism and a feeling of
hopeful expectation. If VENUS aspects JUPITER, the receipt or giving
of expensive items or gifts may follow. Jupiter enlivens the
atmosphere and conditions around you, and your home or backyard may
become the center for happy occasions that upgrade your status in the
local community. You may feel like thinking of positive new beginnings
that lay the groundwork for future material growth and expansion.
Raises, praises, and promotions sometimes occur with this placement.
You, your home or family life can experience welcome breath of optimism
and high spirits.
With JUPITER you experience a lift in spirits, feelings of luck,
jubilation, of having a good time, and of being of value to yourself
and others. You mood radiates with expectations, enthusiasm, hope and
confidence as everything seems to go your way. This is a time when you
are apt to be rewarded for past favors or services rendered. You are
given a boost in self-esteem as business, social, friendship or
financial interests take on new vitality. Cares and responsibilities
seem to fall from your shoulders as you don the garb of humor,
geniality and good cheer and good will to all. If you can keep from
feeling too relaxed to do anything because everything is coming up
roses and already going your way, this is a fine time to go out and
actively promote your interests. This is your best of all times in
the best of all worlds.


SATURN: Physical, emotional, intellectual inertia can manifest.
You become acutely aware of the passing of time. The spotlight seems
to be on your sense of inferiority, and you become sensitive to your
own limits: your faults, mistakes, and weaknesses--and assume that
everyone else sees them, too. As your vulnerability and morality seem
to be hanging out, at least to yourself if not to the rest of the
world, it is not the best time to apply for a job or ask for favors.
The positive emphasis, although it's hard to focus on such, is on
the cultivation of such qualities as self-control, discipline,
responsibility, sobriety, autonomy, and self-sufficiency. Saturn gives
a feeling of being on entirely on your own with the necessity to work
to carry out ambitions and practical objectives. You may feel you are
on the short side of the bargain unless you are experienced in the ways
of the world and spirit. With Saturn activated, questions about your
limits on all levels are raised. What is your physical and material
security and protection? Is your body and mind healthy? What are your
financial weakness and strengths? What is your spiritual status? All
difficult questions, but Saturn plays the investigator, cross-examining
you in every way.
SATURN may spur you into stronger desires for increasing your self-
sufficiency and security. Your standing in the world or your
reputation can come under severe scrutiny at this time. You can become
acutely conscious or sensitive about your current status in life and
the lack of fulfillment in your expectations. This may signify a
period when you take stock of where you now are and where you actually
want to be. You may feel a necessary tightening of the purse strings
cramps your style. Saturn angular puts a strain on your pocketbook,
piling up the expenses, increasing debts or, at the very least, making
your usual payments temporarily a heavier burden than normal. A
slowdown in business, office or domestic affairs is usually more
noticeable, as Saturn often places limits on one's normal cash flow and
everything else.
SATURN tends to stress duty, self-sacrifice, restrictions or
disciplinary action with the concomitant feelings of constraint or
being "put upon" by fate. You could imitate these conditions yourself
through a self-imposed isolation, retreat or fast. This can be
extremely boring placement indicating time on your hands, yet without
the feeling of freedom to do with it as you please. It can emphasize a
sense of solitude in the world or the feelings of deprivation. You may
need to resist the temptation to worry and fret as Saturn can be a
great initiator of negative emotions.
But transits of SATURN tend to bring awareness of deadwood in your
life, or outmoded or otherwise undesirable situations. In many cases,
a curtain of sorts is brought down in some phase of your life. Saturn
can indicate feelings of restriction, even of depression over any ruts
you've allowed yourself to fall into. It may add an element of sadness
or moroseness to your daily activities, with your mundane affairs
becoming stultifying, stagnant, or far too humdrum for your taste.
Demands on your time, the passing away of old customs, habits, people
can occur. Saturn can bring self-sacrifice, self-discipline, duty or
the necessity of coming to terms with circumstances over which you have
no control. Boredom, worry and a sense of isolation are common.


URANUS: You experience a sense of uniqueness, and express creative
action or ideas. Attention is focused on your inventiveness,
originality, and any singular abilities or contributions you have to
make. Sudden inspiration may occur to you, or strange, unusual, "far
out" ideas occupy your mind and impinge on your concentration. A inner
need to express you uniqueness builds up and can break loose to make
you appear undisciplined and uncontrollable. In a sense, you come
alive with a new independence. A chance to travel may present itself
just when your own wanderlust and restlessness hit hardest. Contacts
with unusual subjects or strangers attract your interest and may offer
new delights--or you may discover amazing personal, mental or psycho-
logical breakthroughs. Especially interesting dreams can also occur.
Whenever URANUS hits an angle, it freshens your outlook, calls for
new perspectives, and creates ideas for ways of breaking up the status
quo. Uranus does not take to the tried and true; on the contrary, it
embraces the possibilities inherent in each passing moment. It can
help you take the pigeon-holing and categorizing out of your life, and
instill a new openness to life's uncertainties. To those who are
somewhat habit-bound, this can be disturbing, but disturbing or not,
the changes experienced with Uranus can be expected to promote a new
awareness of the impermanency of nature and the infinite possibilities
of your own individuality.
URANUS likes to work on us like a bolt out of the blue, to shake us
up a bit and renew our sense of excitement in life. Its placement may
mean a complete change in environment, such as an opportunity for
travel or a residential move. You tend to be "up," ready for something
interesting to happen if you have to make it happen yourself. If
Uranus is sumultaneously transiting the natal Sun or angles, it accents
and personally intensifies its power to rip up your usual patterns of
activity and introduces, for the nonce, circumstances in which your
life definitely take on added zest and totally new dimensions. With
Uranus, unexpected visitors, surprising developments, or even changes
of residence can occur; change is in the air and it hits you right in
your sanctum santorum, so be prepared for most anything!
The element of surprise, shock, and the unforeseen must always be
counted upon when URANUS comes to an angle. Nervous tension,
stimulation and high awareness occur. In general, it breaks up
tiresome routine, and kicks tedium in the seat of the pants! Uranus
will definitely relieve boredom and maybe even shake you up a little,
at least temporarily. All this tends to be unsettling, of course, and
you have to be on your toes to meet the challenge of changing
circumstance.


NEPTUNE: You tend to drift, sitting by the water counting every
star, as your time is occupied with weaving dreams, ideas and images
that never were. Searching for the key to paradise, you look in
mysterious places for answers to mysterious questions. The dim past,
the far-away future, weird happenings are subjects designed to raise
good bumps--all these crowd your mind. Emotionally, you can be
extremely vulnerable, easily swayed, overjoyed, depressed, embarrassed
and melodramatic. There is a need to emotionalize and internalize the
world which can only be done by wearing rose-colored glasses and
avoiding practical realities. The real world assumes a low profile for
you. If you find yourself weeping suddenly, chalk it up to Neptunian
emotionality, and let it go at that. Fervent feelings, extreme
tension, nerves and various emotional states that can range from the
blues to the heights of spiritual exaltation are often engendered by
this planet of extremes. On the positive side, Neptune can increase
one's dramatic ability and creative imagination as well as psychism,
clairvoyance or visionary experience. At the very least, you may find
retreat in a good novel.
NEPTUNE can stir up the emotional atmosphere in your home. Should
you have a larger than usual number of people coming and going,
visiting for a long period of time, using your house for a base of
operations so to speak, you can find yourself succumbing to great
nervous strain. Demands are made on you to smooth over others'
problems, to sympathize and render emotional support and to, in effect,
be all things to all people in the family circle. On the other side of
the coin, a strong desire to be alone, to ponder the mysteries of the
universe, as it were, may come upon you making relations with those who
would intrude upon your privacy more stressful. There is always a
possibility of some health problems and dependence which can confine
some to their homes during a Neptune transit or location. Should
Neptune be in aspect with Saturn, any physical health problems could be
complicated by depression or anxiety at not being able to handle your
usual chores and duties. In this case, self-recrimination may be the
unhappy result. Insecurity and unjustified fearfulness may be diffi-
cult to overcome without the emotional support of other close family
members.
The home or office area may become overripe with sensitivity where
you feel you have to walk on egg shells to avoid emotional complica-
tions and outbursts. This is not a good time to move into or buy a new
home. Hidden clauses, poor plumbing, or other unnoticeable trouble
spots may not be detected until it is too late and you're already
signed on the dotted line. Your dreams and fantasies may be played
upon to your detriment, so try to keep your feet on the ground and your
head as far away from the clouds as possible during this period. If an
artistic or spiritual person, you can glean much from Neptune in the
form of increased studies in your special field of interest. However,
if you allow yourself to become too absorbed by your mental pursuits,
you can leave other important duties undone.
NEPTUNE can bring strange and subtle pressure to bear with both
emotional and psychological overtones that can work upon your sense of
well-being in terms of worldly status. It may indicate the possibility
of a humbling experience concerning prestige or community standing or
strange worries, tensions and fears about what people think about you.
It can bring you inklings of unrest about your position in the eyes of
acquaintances, friends, society at large, etc., as Neptune angular can
making you feel "like a fool" for any number of reasons, and it tends
to feed off your reputation, using your life, position or status as a
basis for speculation. Officials, bosses, and those in authority may
not be dealing with you very decisively now--sort of letting things
ride with no clear signals to let you know where you stand. Don't
expect promotions, as Neptune's transit usually doesn't bring them, and
if it does it may be all glamour and no substance. Rumors are rift
with Neptune. You can get "sucked in" to unprofitable ventures or
schemes. Watch out for glorified hucksters or conditions that may make
you ripe for a royal "scam" or just plain hoodwinking as any angular
position of Neptune can indicate deception. This is not a time for you
to "show your stuff" to the world. If you do, you tend to wind up
feeling a bit inept and ineffectual as your energy is now turned
inward. In other words, you are not operating at peak efficiency in
the external world. The natural tendency is for you to retire from the
world, depending on the power of fantasy or faith to get you by.
Neptune is for the inner world.


PLUTO: There is vitality in your determination to get what you
want and to go where you want to go. Your goals become clearer and
your resolve to meet them stronger than ever. A change in address or a
turnabout in domestic relations can occur most abruptly. You may
"choose" to cut loose from formerly restrictive ties and associations
and close out affiliations that no longer "cut the mustard." A
startling revelation may set you back on your heels, or you may set
others back. A variety of odd circumstances can assault your domestic
peace and quiet. The basic effect is of transient bombshells leveling
your current state of normalcy, and with this, you may find yourself
frequently wondering, "What's next?" Important matters tend to come to
a head. There is often a feeling of finality when this influence is in
effect. Many people come to sudden decisions which can affect their
futures in an important way.
The element of shock and surprise can not be overestimated where
PLUTO's position is concerned. Pluto tends to introduce the antisocial
or the elements of the "ugly truth" into your life when it is on an
angle, so be prepared for some unpleasant or shocking facts about to be
revealed as such a time. Whether such shocks are pleasant or not seems
to depend on Pluto's aspects to other planets in natal and return
charts. Pluto's effect is often on the order of "shock therapy."
Examples of this type of influence are the discovery of snakes in your
plumbing, a hive of bees converging around your car or clinging to your
front door, a wasp's nest on your roof or other unnatural, but natural,
anomalies that can strike home with sudden force and stunning vitality.
PLUTO often shows a very basic change in your affairs, and you'll
look back and realize that Pluto has initiated a real life drama into
your private world. Pluto makes its own rules, and it can bring about
big changes in environment, rearrangements in your normal circle of
friends and perhaps indicate a new job or a different attitude toward
bosses and superiors or everyone. Pluto tends to make you aware of
realities, usually with a striking force that reaches you in a totally
personal way. Pluto is the great revealer, bringing all kinds of
strange, even alien, and perhaps unwanted emotions and situations out
into the open. It brings you face-to-face with the eternal verities
and invites you to take a long, hard look at life. Pluto gives you a
feeling of the power of personal action being taken out of your hands
and put into those of "fate" or a higher power.
With PLUTO, your concepts of time, space and the universe are
subject to sudden revision. Incredible opportunities or experiences
can appear offering a totally different perspective for living your
life. You are totally transfixed with what happens around you under
Pluto. Pluto tends to expose a raw nerve, to unmask or uncover that
which you would often rather not deal with . In some area of your
life, this is the time when you lay your cards on the table. The
intensity of expression required by Pluto necessitates some kind of
drastic or dramatic reactions within the personality, so precipitous
actions or words can come out. This is your moment of decision, or so
you feel, and you must make a stand, whether for defense or offense.
The materials for a personal renaissance, a transformation, a new
lease on life are definitely here with PLUT0's transit. For this, you
may feel you have cast yourself into the role of outlaw or rebel.
Pluto doesn't play by the book and when you are strongly under the
influence of this transit, you don't either. You stand on the
threshold of time and existence alone, and find yourself singled out,
sensitive to the consequences of your actions and to the turnings of
fate. You can appear to others as anti-social, or unwilling to
cooperate, dogmatic, unbending, or fanatical, as you seem to be
marching to the beat of a different drummer. This influence is
responsible for the internal force to overcome, the will to power,
and feats of an almost supernatural nature.
* * *

[J&V&N] Gems by Garth Allen on JUPITER & VENUS & NEPTUNE. For more of
his excellent delineation, do find his booklet, Taking The Kid Gloves
Off Astrology, Clancy Publications, Inc. Tucson, Arizona, 1955, 1956,
1975
* * *


From Garth Allen's "Your Corner," American Astrology 6/1959

TOUCHES OF VENUS...

One of those little coincidences that evoke a "Well, whaddya know!"
was the sudden shoot to the top of the best selling list by a
phonograph record called Venus. The song zoomed from apparently out of
nowhere to be Number One on "Your Hit parade: the third week of its
popularity. On the music industry's scoreboard of standings Frankie
Avalon's serenade to "Venus, goddess of love...." under the Chancellor
label, ranked 14th on the top-twenty list of record sales during the
week ending February 28th this year. The following week Venus was in
6th place, on her way to the top of the heap by March 14th. Weekend
newspapers all carried reports about the success story of this love
song, with headlines varying on the theme of the N.Y. World Telegram's
"Frankie Avalon Makes 'Venus' a Queen."
And why shouldn't Venus be made a queen the week her planetary
namesake was on her throne in the heavens--the 27th degree of the
constellation Pisces? The planet Venus entered sidereal Pisces, her
classical starfield of exaltation, on February 19th, when the recording
Venus just happened to be put on the market. At the rate of about one
decanate per eight days, Venus reached her traditional "throne degree"
on March 12th, coincidental with the song's deserved publicity. It is
the sort of minor incident in the passing parade of events in the world
around us that makes an astrological student pause to ponder the
question of the literalness of planetary symbolism on the 'collective
unconscious mind: or what some call mass psychology. There are always
unanswerables, among them in this connection the question of whether
the song could have become so big a hit so fast, had it been released
and plugged by disc jockeys during some other time of the year, when
Venus was not in any kind of essential dignity.

On An Art Kick
A personal experience under this same most recent enthronement of
Venus in the sky put yours truly in a very Venussy mood, though it was
not until the day after the binge had consummated itself that I
realized I had personally reacted to her sidereal coronation. On the
way home from work Wednesday evening, March 11th, during the Moon's
occultation of Venus, I was attracted to a gift-shop window which
displayed attractive plaster-of-Paris miniature reproductions of
familiar Greek, Michelangelo and Rodin sculpture. Most prominent
figure in the display: a 20-inch Venus de Milo, resplendent as an
alabaster hen mothering her brood of Davids and Dianes, Apollos and
assorted nymphs.
Completely unaware at the time that I was ripe for this sort of
thing, since the Venus occultation was square my natal Jupiter and
Jupiter currently was closely opposing my natal Venus, on arriving home
I couldn't get over the compulsion to rid my living room of the bric-a-
brac, antique plates and ceramic figurines that cluttered the
knickknack shelves, coffee table and television top. Venus would be
a superb solitary piece, there on the TV, and The Thinker (in fact,
anything) would surely be a big improvement over the yawning polka-dot
rhinoceros some well-meaning relative had foisted upon me one yuletide!
There was also a stuffed baby alligator which had overstayed his
welcome as a conversation piece. Into a carton and the closet the junk
went, like a Dali version of Pandora's box. I was on an art kick. The
living room was stripped of everything save furniture, memories of a
day touring Forest Lawn's sculptural paradise keeping me enthused. If
I could minimize the show of callipygian and mammiferous wonders among
my selections, so as not to offend the priggier of infrequent visitors,
I could tastefully adorn my quarters with objets de'art having a white
marble look at white chalk prices.
The next day when Venus was exactly on her heavenly throne, that
precious 27th degree of Pisces, I made my first purchases. The new
look at home was an instant success; the statuary became the only
decorative items in sight and I've been reveling psychologically in the
restful pleasantness of the change.

"Dollatry"
Having a penchant for the depth-psychology approach to appreciation
of astrological approach to appreciation of astrological experience, it
intrigued me that the gift-shop lady was unashamedly saying emotive
good-byes to the statues as she packed them gently in shredded-paper
nests. The Thinker she called "Darling: and the pillared bust was her
"Hermes, Baby!" Venus was merely "Doll" but was given a head-to-base
optical hug reminiscent of a little girl's instinctive affection for
her Raggedy Ann. A mild case of neurosis born of thwarted maternal
instinct, I decided on the spot in the usual oversimplified manner of
an amateur psychoanalyst.
But look who was talking! Before two days had passed, my household
additions had become quite personalized in their effect, almost to the
point where I was helloing and goodnighting them as though they were
friendly entities, pets or, yes, sibling substitutes. Animal pets are
taboo in my apartment building and the statuary readily filled the
vacuum I had unconsciously sensed; until only recently I had been an
inveterate pet owner. The lady in the shop, to whom the art wares had
become sentimentally intimate company during the hours of dull
business, was no nuttier than I--we were both reacting normally to the
stirrings of the Venusian ergie in our subconscious minds, stirrings
that were prompted by the presence of truly Venusian stimuli.

The Babying Urge
It seems that a large share of our "Your Powwow Corner" material is
in the nature of addenda and theme-expansions to my "Kid Gloves" series
on depth planetary symbolism run in these pages a couple or so years
back. This recent self-realization, that I was really "buying dolls"
and committing unconscious idol-worship of a sort as an aftermath, has
helped to clarify my own theory regarding Venus in the psyche.
Statistics have shown that the event of parturition, that is, child-
bearing, is primarily a Venus matter. Carry this a step farther, or
rather deeper, and we see that 'babying" in the everyday sense of
doting is equally of and through Venusian influence. Oohing tenderly
over an infant is hardly different than awing fondly over a puppy.
Even that word puppy is something to conjure with as a Venusian,
for in actuality it means "child substitute." That's why childless
adults are more apt to be animal lovers and pet owners than others, and
why an adopted dog or cat becomes virtually "like one of the family"
in most happy households, nearly on a par with the human children
themselves. In fact, etymology finds a direct common denominator
between the three words puppy, doll and child. Latin puppis is a doll
and pupus is child, from whence such words as the English puppet
(animated doll), German Puppe (doll), Dutch pop (doll) and French le
poupard (literally, babe in arms) are derived. It is certainly the
shortest of steps to find the psychological link with beautiful statues
of human forms. This urge to magically imbue infant-substitutes with
life is just another form taken by the planetary ergie in our souls
which goes ga-ga over Lassie's television litter of puppies or relishes
pictures of human babies. The Pygmalion and Pinnochio stories are key
Venusian myths, as inferred in "Kid Gloves." Office lore in the slick-
magazine field has it that the two cover themes with most sales appeal
are pictures of infants or winsome animals. Surely there is no need to
suspect having lost a few of your marbles if some piece of sculpture or
painting seems to take on an intimate living quality which you inwardly
sense as one facet of your capacity to love. You are responding whole-
somely and creatively to the Venusian ergie in your psychic make-up.
It is no accident, incidentally, that the commonest word in America
for children is "kids," and that affectionate nicknames for love
partners draw habitually upon the same motif (kitten, lamb, chick,
duckie, or just plain "baby"). Now as for idolatry or eye-dollatry
(Latin idolum and Greek eidolon, meaning image, form, apparition), one
can easily see why religious idols such as of Catholic saints, or
Buddhist incense burners, totem carving and voodoo icons, have such
magnetic impact on the people to whom they bear significance. All of
these psychological devices originate from the same ergie of the soul
that in astrology is symbolized by the planet Venus. Rites are of
Jupiter or Neptune inspiration, but the special emotional charge one
has toward an object of veneration is of Venus. If it is dear, a thing
is of the planet of love, If it is attractive, it is of the planet of
beauty. If it is companionable, it is of the planet of friendship.

The "Mother Bit"
Yet other items for this addendum to the Venus chapter of "Kind
Gloves" are contributed by no less surprising a source than Madison
Avenue. It took the probing of advertising specialists versed in
psychology to unearth this remarkable parallel: A cake is the chief
birthday symbol, and cake-baking is the most pleasurable chore in the
average woman's homemaking existence, because they sub-consciously
represent what is called "pregnancy activity." Women shoppers, it was
found, instinctively spurned the cake mixes on the market which
required only the adding of water, choosing instead the mixes to which
they have to add eggs and milk and otherwise fuss over. The ad
agencies and mix manufacturers wanted to know why, and the "depth
detectives" soon came up with the solution, having noted that an
extensive folklore had always associated female functions with the
production of goodies, in jokes, fairy tales and endless superstitions.
There is more to turning children into gingerbread and gingerbread
into children than just a bedtime story. An old-wives-tale test of
failure to conceive was to bake a cake to see if it fell or not; one of
the many superstitions surrounding the subject of menstruation is that
cake-falling is a sign of that time of the month. Another old bridal
tradition holds that a young wife cannot become pregnant until she
learns to bake a cake successfully first, and so on. The actual
process of cake-making, from the original beating of the mixture of
eggs (procreation symbols themselves), milk (maternal symbol),
shortening and other ingredients, to the steady rise of the loaf in the
oven (ovum chamber?) until ready for removal, is a psychic enactment of
the whole coitus-to-cradle saga. The decorating of the cake (its
layette, figuratively) and then its proud presentation to the family
are high points of the drama. "Sweet!" is no doubt the commonest
adjective in people's baby-admiring vocabularies, while the threat to
eat it up is probably the most endearing thing a new mother can say to
her darling creation.
It is plain to the astrologer that parturition is a Venusian
matter. Similarly, gardening, which is also classed by analysts as a
symbolic "pregnancy activity" notably popular among those past the age
or opportunity of reproduction. The planting and growing of living
things with loving care, and then to either eat or proudly display the
results, fill a psychological need that has its roots in the
procreative urge. So you see that there is a whole world of rich,
purposeful information to be explored in the fusing of astrology with
the deeper psychologies. There is so much more to understanding Venus'
function in our lives than can be appreciated by superficial
application of the keywords love, Art and Beauty, or merely consigning
that planet to rulership of things social and romantic. There is an
easy-to-comprehend, fundamental reason for the odd, at the time,
"mother bit" staged so sincerely by the lady who sold me the statues
and why their addition to my home environment took on such personal,
symbolically parental overtones in my own feelings about them.



* * *
























From Garth Allen's "Your Corner," American Astrology 12/59

REST YE MERRY!

Every Christmas season the press runs the familiar but never
tiresome stories repeating the possible origins for the legend of Santa
Claus, why we decorate trees, the nature of the original Star of the
Magi, and so forth. We all love the Yes Virginia editorial, the richly
melodious carols, the fables of littlest angels and urchins in
cathedrals, and a memory-jogging recitation of reindeer names. Even on
the most inclement days the dreariness of the sky and coldness of the
street are forgotten when the very air carries the smell, the nostalgic
feel of Christmas.
During the last half of December our parent luminary, Old Sol, is
forging his majestic way across the densest starfields of the sky--the
heart of our galaxy--in the constellation of Sagittarius, the zodiacal
regency of Jupiter. Mankind has responded to this seasonal passage by
creating the happiest holy day of them all, to be celebrated while this
Jupiterlike influence is at its crest in the world. The Christmas
spirit of the so-called Christian world is contagious and is now found
to infect whole societies and nations not classed as seekers of Those
Pearly Gates. Whether the Yuletide spirit is expressed through the
days of the Festival of Lights in the gala gift sales of a Shinto-owned
department store, or as the anniversary of the birth in Bethlehem, the
heart-warming influences of this period pervade the world and make
people show their better sides.
The "depth astrology" of this holiday season is usually overlooked
in the endless explanations we read of the evolution of Christmas
symbols. The passage of the Sun through the core of our universe--
its heart or, in truth, the womb of creation--is part and parcel of the
Christmas story itself, for it is no accident that mankind
instinctively named the galaxy just that--the Via Galactea, the Milky
Way, the Cosmic Nursing Mother.
You students of mythology, of anthropology and of occultism--any or
all--already appreciate the true meaning underlying the fact that the
Madonna figure has come, over the years, to monopolize the symbiology
of the original Christmas drama. It stems from the mystery of the
White Goddess about which much has been written in recent years, by
even Christian scholars bothered by the evolution of Mariology, by
growth of emphasis on adoration of biblical personage so secondary in
importance, originally, that the epistle-writing apostles never
referred to her. This is understandable in the light of the
patriarchal nature of the religion from which Christianity sprang to be
adopted by matriarchal civilizations. Robert Graves' monumental work
The White Goddess leaves no room for doubt about the etiology of
mother-symbol worship which explains many a seeming contradiction.
Even the words "merry" and "gala" in connection with religious
festivals in Western civilization have origins in the Madonna cult.
And after all is said and written, it all goes back to astrological
origins, to the ascendancy of the M-initialed constellation of the
Virgin at Midnight when the Savior-representing Sun is nestled against
the Breast of all creation, the Milky Way.
The modern development of the Santa Claus is also of unusual
interest because it represents a mass-psychological rejection of the
original image given us of a dwarflike St. Nick in the famous poem.
Christendom took the poem to its heart, but closed its collective ears
to the description of the imp-sized visitor and his eight tiny
reindeer. We couldn't leave the team alone either, and now there are
nine reindeer with Rudolph in the lead. All this expansive tampering
with tradition is certainly typical of Jupiter-bias! Nowadays Santa is
depicted as of generous proportions, with a rotundity of tummy and
jollity of facial features that are more in keeping with the Jupiter
stereotype than the original version.
This is a good example of how the collective human psyche responds
unconsciously to astrological pressures. There is no such thing as a
really "accidental" formation of a symbol which becomes accepted, even
if the symbol arises from what is considered an unlikely, unrelated
source. The seasonally-appearing accounts of where Santa actually
originated have unfortunately failed to take account of depth
psychology. A legend doesn't just grow from out of nowhere; it
develops within the minds and hearts of human beings and reflects
"archetypes."
The Santa Claus symbol probably arises from the same archetype
which gave rise to the legend of Prester John, a kind of Christian
Dalai Lama who was believed in the Middle ages to have his temple, his
Vatican as it were, high in the snowy mountains north of India. In
fact, it is believed that the Church in the West sent delegations to
the Oriental papacy, and Himalayan rosaries and other artifacts are
said to be proof of his one-time existence. This is all fascinating
since there is still so little difference between present-day Tibetan
religious organization and medieval Christianity. The Guru legend, in
which the Holy Teacher is characteristically to be sought out in the
snowy regions "of the North," has roots in the same archetype. The
idea of North-ness, rather than the literal geography of it all, is the
key to understanding the archetype. The Egyptians are claimed to have
used a semicircle with a tilted flagpole on it, to symbolize both
heaven and North. And in our times and climes, the personification of
goodness is none other than Santa Claus, just as white-bearded as the
fabulous Prester John, whose headquarters are also in the snowy regions
of the north--the North Pole itself.

* * *


Garth Allen, "Your Corner" - A.A. 11/59
Symbol Diving [NEPTUNE]
What planet rules skindiving? This question was thrown us by a lass
who lives on Florida strand where she has fallen in love with this
increasingly popular sport. Skindiving's adherents are now numbered in
the millions and yet, she rightly complains, she's never read a line in
any astrological magazine about it. Well, honey, you have to be a
little patient with our profession because-to-dateness has never been
our strong point.
Athletic activity as such is primarily Mars sponsored because that
planet has rulership over muscular exercise and the expenditures of
energy. But a specialized form of that expenditure, such as skin-
diving, would necessarily have a more specific planetary regency.
Racing as a sport, as also any athletic effort where speed is of the
essence, is principally under the wings of Mercury, the planetary god
of speed and courage. Then there are the status-seekers' sports which
definitely come more under Jupiter than any other planet, examples
being horsemanship, golf, boating and similar activities which (a) have
come to represent class superiority and (b) typically buy or hire
something or someone to do the really hard part, whether animal, caddy,
or Evinrude. These snob sports are not really sports at all and should
be called recreations.
As for skindiving, there are unique elements to consider. Its great
appeal is traceable in part to the other-worldness of the diver's
surroundings. Too much exposure results in the euphoria called
"rapture of the deep." which alone tells us what planet is the key. We
recall one leading newsmagazine's analysis of the chief reason for the
popularity of television's Sea Hunt--something to the effect that the
viewer is transported into an eerie but beautiful other world which
strikes a chord in the deep subconscious mind. The explanation for the
instinctive, almost hypnotic, attraction is not as far-fetched as it
might seem. One has to look beneath the surface of things to
understand the thralldom a diver feels beneath the surface of the
water. All life originated in the sea and all warmblooded animals,
including human beings, under-go a re-enactment of this feeling of
being water-borne, of being "rocked in the cradle of the deep," during
the gestation period. The unconscious memory of the blissful, detached
existence of intrauterine life has been held by prominent depth
psychologists to be the key to may of man's behaviorisms. For a brush-
up on depth symbolism, dig back to page 31 of your February 1956 issue
of this magazine; you'll find there is a lot more to the seemingly
superficial things in life than you dreamed. [see Garth Allen's Taking
the Kid Gloves Off Astrology - on Neptune]
Two of childhood's commonest fantasies are flying like a bird and
swimming underwater without breathing difficulty. These both have
roots in the unconscious longing for a restoration of paradisiacal
existence where the only restriction is the limit of one's powers of
imagination. In short, what we are driving as is the obvious Neptune
rulership of the motive, if not of the sport itself, of skindiving. To
a great degree the paraphernalia of the sport has made fulfillment of
this childhood yearning possible, a whish half-way come true.
Having been a beach resident for many years, with the seashore
virtually my front yard, I have hundreds of times slipped into the
ocean during the darkness of night for a pre-bedtime frolic, completely
alone save for "the sea around me." Not primarily to swim, but to
wallow physically and revel spiritually in mergence with what Whitman
profoundly called "my mother, the sea." Within myself I know this
exultation to be Neptune-insured. The effect is particularly
heightened to the point of psychical transfigurations should the water
be blanketed by a thick fog. Then the vestiges of ordinary existence
disappear and one is without reference points around, above or below
....and one feels himself the repository of the evolution of all life,
the archetype of everything that has or will every have form. One's
whole thinking processes change radically under such conditions.
This is way-out, real gone talk, as our young'uns might put it, but
perhaps there are a few readers who will get the general idea and sense
what is trying to be conveyed. I've often wanted to recommend
nocturnal ocean swimming in solitude and grabbed the opportunity to do
so, in some relevant context, when this question about skindiving was
raised. Everybody should try it at least once in a lifetime. Don't be
afraid of the dark, for on a moonless night the water boils with
phosphorescence and the merest flutter of your eyelids underwater sends
out cascades of luminous bubbles. It's a unique, rewarding experience
--Neptune's finest hour.
In summary, skindiving is Neptune's favorite sport and people who
cotton to this sort of thing would necessarily have a prominent natal
Neptune that is free of affliction by another malefic. An affliction
to Neptune is the earmark of a soul that is actually afraid of
spiritual discovery and cringes at the prospect of mergence with the
ocean of life and creation. Other likely features of a "born"
skindiver's horoscope would be a general impression of healthiness to
the whole layout of planets, with a robust Mars and Venus--love of
action and love of life--to make the prompting a reality.
* * *

Kay Cavender's PLANETARY WORDLIST

Planetary psychology is basic; it's like the 'green fuse' that
drives through the root, stem, and flower of astrology. Planetary
psychology also enters into the delineation of the star constellation
or Sidereal Zodiac which has been developed by reference to the
constellations' ruling and exalted planets. The maxim "Like planet,
like constellation" summarizes this, this of course does not apply to
the 'signs' of the Tropical or moving Zodiac.

If one describes himself or herself, or another, and listens to
others describe the same person, very often the same or similar words
may be used to describe one's most obvious characteristics or
qualities. Those qualities will often be indicated in astrology by the
angular planets or those planets strongly aspecting one's lights.

In this wordlist, there is an implied sense of understanding
'forest by counting trees'--that by noting the kinds of words,
one can come to a sense of category. Once that leap of insight
is made, one finds the categories are not precise. A category is a
generalization to express an idea and will not always fit all
particulars. While aware of similarities in descriptive words given to
several planets, I have tried to be true to a core meaning of each
planet insofar as that is possible. That is, of the nouns, adjectives
and phrases in the planetary wordlist, some words apply to more than
one planet (such as "shock" and/or "change" for both Uranus & Pluto)
but for different reasons because the archetypes each have distinct
motives. Uranus effects change because it looks at things in a unique
way; Pluto effects change because it sometimes represents a crisis
which necessitates choice. Shock often results from abrupt change, or
in Uranus' case, just from being startlingly different.
Similarly, both Mars & Pluto have striking force: Mars for the
sheer delight in exercising prowess, but Pluto for its Kamikaze intent
to finalize any goal without considering anything but its prime
directive. Straight ahead and damn the torpedoes! Pluto might be
thought to share 'withholding tension' with Saturn: Saturn's tendency
is to withhold to the extent of concretizing even dripping water into
stone, but Pluto's tendency of withholding, after it stockpiles enough
stones, is to catapult the whole stack onto you. And so some 'words'
may just meander a bit from one category to another--as words do
anyway. Customizing the list to suit one's own understanding is a good
exercise.
As another example, Venus & Moon are both empathetic, and Neptune
also shares that, but each have a different core meaning and are
empathetic for different reasons. Venus just 'likes' others, sees the
sameness of another to himself, and is kind, but it does not generally
share the distinct intuition of the Moon and Neptune. The Moon feels
others' feelings. Neptune, by its hypersensitivity, and/or by virtue
of being able to let go of self identity like a costume and take on
another's characteristics, i.e., to 'act' like another, learns how it
feels to walk in another's shoes.
Both Jupiter & Sun tend to status and promotions. The Sun
naturally likes to be the center of any activity, while Jupiter strives
for what is best and likes the prestige as recognition. Both Sun &
Jupiter may have the very best quality shoes, but Jupiter will
likely polish his more. These two are busy walking in their own shoes
and want them to be better than anyone else's. And so on.

The planetary archetypes, as types or kinds, are often expressed in
ways and activities which are in characteristic of themselves, as
Venusian picnics and/or Martian sports competitions. Of course, while
Mars will participate in a Venus activity, Mars will do it 'his way,'
and Venus likewise. Venus will gravitate more to food, fun,
festivities, while Mars will be flexing his muscles to get a game
going. As a point of self-definition, Venus' first move is to be in
sympatico, to be 'with' another, to identify with another because sees
likeness, and truly 'likes' self and others, whereas Mars will be
'against' another and view another person as distinct from self. At
the table, Venus might serve up the chocolate mousse pie, whereas Mars
might be chopping up meat as a butcher. Just hand him the knife.
Interestingly Mars turns up in horoscopes of surgeons which only
requires a more precise anatomical sense. Mars has the ability to
objectively deal with another as meat, and appropriately so if a
surgeon, as it would not do at all to sympathize when one should cut.

While each planet has its talents and its most likely expression,
it will still be itself in uncharacteristic expressions. As for gain
or loss, one might win or lose under Jupiter cheerfully, and one might
win or lose under Saturn with less grace and more practicality and
planning. As for accumulating wealth, Jupiter parades or emulates
wealth while aware of abundance and prestige; Saturn, aware of poverty,
stockpiles wealth out of fear of a long cold winter. Thus while both
Jupiter and Saturn are aware of financial status, their motives and
expression are generally different.

Within each core planetary meaning which is 'generally' expressed
most of the time, there will be the extremes of expression which will
to a lesser degree sometimes be expressed. Given that one knows a
horoscope for a particular 'time and place' is for a man or woman, in a
particular century, in a particular culture, astrology shows the
universal (general) qualities which can be known and can be applied to
understanding character and its potential. In the astrological study
of universals as expressed through character, i.e., one's personal
limits, is the great joy of expanding one's understanding beyond the
everyday personal limits. Just as one's everyday idiosyncracies
illustrate the universals, conversely, the universals are expressed
individually and enliven the everyday with significance. A continuum.
For this astrologer, it is not in the prediction of an event that
astrology shines, but in the delineation of character as expressed in
the event, which when seen in terms of universals, indicates that there
is meaning in the universe.

Regarding one expression of URANUS, an energy concerned with
universals itself: the tendency of URANUS to be evident in engineering
charts would not be as common for women (if in the U.S.) because of
cultural restraints on women's occupations. Nor for most folk in other
cultures. One has to go to character & see the quality of mind that is
inventive & unique or even quirky. For example, perhaps in an existing
hunter-gatherer cultures, a medicine-person with Uranus strongly
emphasized may discover new herbs or new ways of using herbs. And in
that everyday perception, one sees again the universal. A Saturnine
medicine person may depend on a learned tradition of herbal cures. A
Jupiter person may heal through inspiring faith. Although
understanding more of one's own or another's character is greatly
interesting and rewarding in itself, the accompanying concept of the
universal consciousness is a even larger gift.

One must keep in mind a distinction between the person and the
horoscope. Any horoscope is comprised of only the elements of a
particular TIME and SPACE. One cannot tell if that horoscope is for an
event--as a barn raising, a new company, or an animal's birth, or a
human's birth. And, GIVEN THAT IT IS FOR A HUMAN, NEITHER CAN ONE TELL
IF THAT PERSON IS MALE OR FEMALE, GENIUS OR IDIOT, SAINT OR SINNER.
The intent is in the person; the horoscope shows only the kinds of
archetypal talents that a person will use for accomplishing his or her
purposes. The person is not known; the archetype is. Nor can it be
known what will happen to a person with any certitude, just the
characteristic energy that a person will have at a particular time.

I do always emphasize that no archetype is good or bad in itself.
People have known before Shakespeare that the virtue or fault is in
ourselves, not in our stars. Within each planetary archetype of
qualites 'generally' expressed most of the time, there is the key to
the extremes of expression which will be, to a lesser degree,
expressed. In terms of Venus being the "yes-man" and Mars being the
"no-man," a Mars person will be more inclined to temper and physical
violence as an extreme because its province is physical prowess and
strength, and Venus will be more inclined to sensuality and dalliance
as an extreme because its province is congenial negotiation. On the
other hand, with a strong Venus one can kill sweetly with poisoned
chocolates, and you are just as dead as if with Saturn&Mars, another
chops you up into little pieces with a meat hatchet. The intent and
choice is in the person. The person's good or bad character, intent or
choice is not shown astrologically; the archetypal quality is.

Each archetype has in its virtue the seed of its vice, and likewise
in the vice the seed of its virtue; both virtue and vice, as we think
of them, are the expressions of a principle. For instance,
Michelangelo, (Sun in starfield PISCES for creative imagination) saw in
a block of stone the form of David and hewed it out. And yet, PIS/NEP
folk are often accused of seeing things that aren't there. An actor by
virtue of Neptune conveys a truth through illusion, and yet Neptunians
are accused of unreal feelings. PARADOX is a key here. If a talent is
strong, it will be more of an asset and more of a liability, both
simultaneously! Within each planetary expression, there is that
seeming vice-virtue continuum; it manifests as a PARADOXICAL expression
of the principle in each archetype. For instance, for MERCURY, a
youthful playfulness can also be expressed as gamesmanship; quick
intellect can be virtuoso trickery. VENUS' loving sociability can be
spineless compromising. The MOON's empathy and emotional support--
emotional dependence. MARS' bravery--brutality. JUPITER's choice of
the best positive outlook--selective snobbery. SATURN's conservatism--
blockage. URANUS' individuality & creativity--eccentricity &
nuttiness. NEPTUNE's ultra sensitivity--spacecase foolishness.
PLUTO's laser focus--fundamental radicalism.

To repeat a first and final philosophic point, one cannot remind
himself enough that no archetype is good or bad in itself, that humans
live in the whole spectrum at once. As a corollary to that premise,
I want to address the bugaboo of "prediction," which for many people
and astrologers defines whether an astrologer or astrology is valid.
All too many astrologers fall into the ego-trap of pitting their
ability as an astrologer on trying to "predict" events for folk which
are desired or not according to perceived 'goodness or badness.' Many
astrologers are psychic and, however impeded or aided by symbols
systems, can often sense situations for other folk. When they are
"wrong," does that disprove them as an astrologer? Yes, if that's the
limit of what they think astrology is. But that view does not allow
for choice and our ability to change events in our lives, which we do
daily, partially if we heed forewarnings, which are primarily our own
commonsense awareness of so simple a thing as applying brakes when we
see a "danger" sign on the highway.

One virtue of a prediction is in the option to change the predicted
outcome, thus seemingly invalidating the prediction. Dealing with our
own nature is not as easy as reading an external sign, oftentimes we
need the help of friends and counselers with perception. But in the
final summation, we each individually still have to become aware of the
implication of our actions and choose to accept that or to to change.
Accepting someone else's pronouncement on one's own life as a fact
accomplished without taking personal responsibility is also a choice;
that is, telling ourselves we have no choice is a choice, and an
irresponsible one.

In accord with the necessary general nature of the archetypes
because they are universals, and with a preferred focus on the inner
nature of a person or event, in a delineation it would be stupid to try
to predict/name the event as if that were already written. Events
depend on an individual's choice which can and does - cause, change,
prevent and/or affirm events. Such expectation for prediction
pressures an astrologer to be all-knowing and totally disregards
commonplace observation of people's ability to change their lives. So
following my philosophy, should this section be bare? What can be
known about future events? If a Mars Transit occurs (to one's lights
and/or natal or locational angles), is this a terrible indication of
aggressive energy resulting in anger or accidents? For an athlete, it
might be devoutly hoped and prayed for, and at the Olympics may result
in crowning glory. It is in an individual's use of Mars energy which
indicates whether he be trophy winner or trophy, hero or bully.

Whereas a Venus Transit, thought to be "benefic," may only result
in a nice time at the Olympics. Generally one can find if there will
be, figuratively speaking, cloudy, or stormy energy, or sunshine to
come. Given that, one can plan a picnic or sandbag one's psyche. But
to say a literal picnic is forthcoming under Venus is to misinterpret;
better to say that the genial Venusian feeling which finds expression
in picnics (or other parties and social connections) is forthcoming.
This is distinct from psychic attunement which picks up on another's
thoughts and plans regardless of astrology.

What can be calculated in time and space is the kind of energy
available to an individual at a particular time and space. To know
this is to enter into a positive and conscious personal witness and
living of archetypal energy. To place yourself in attunement with
universal energy is a very different focus. But this understanding,
wonderful as it is, requires that an astrologer direct a "client" in
the study of energies rather than telling him or her what will happen
or what he should do. Not many pay for a tutor, they want a reading as
to what 'will' happen to them. Re-education is necessary in all facets
of life. This is an unpopular view, of course, but a necessary one if
astrology is to be understood at all. We should cultivate at least the
minimum respect which does not demand that the Mystery of the universe
conform to our understanding of it. This is Celestial, Stardust Stuff
that we are all made of--afterall.
******************


____________________________________________________________________
----------------------------------------------------------------------


PLANETARY KEY WORD LIST
Compiled by Kay Cavender


Note: Compiled with strong emphasis on the writings of Cyril Fagan,
the Founder of Western Sidereal Astrology, and his contemporaries Garth
Allen and Rupert Gleadow.


SUN: [Religious expression: Monotheism, 'Heliolatry']
Identity, 'I Am' consciousness, character, integrity, presence,
autonomy, ego, personhood, centeredness, spirit, heart, vital
principle, nucleus, volition, acts of self, values, purpose,
achievement, pride, self-reliance, self-esteem, self-possession,
self-assurance, self-actualization,
Further described as or expressed in: clarity of outlook,
confidence, leadership or authority, dominance, self-interest, self-
assertion, self-aggrandizement, showmanship; a quest for supremacy or
recognition or honor & fame, or for glory & renown; goal-oriented,
imperious, ego-centered, yet can be genuine & authentic. These are
precisely the qualities required in a leader, knowing what to do
without thinking about it or questioning oneself.
Negative expression (or failure of virtue /or exaggeration of
virtue): egocentric, selfish, bombastic, pretentious, insensitive to
others, unsympathetic, opinionated. Hubris. These all can result from
excessive self confidence. Angular sun folk do not tend to be very
self-critical or analytic, unless other aspects so indicate.

PARADOX: centeredness vs. selfishness & egotism.
Slang Readout: an ego-tripper, has it together, naturally
gravitates front & center stage, lord & master stuff, full of himself,
glory-hound,



MOON [Religious expression: Polytheism, Pantheism]
(Moon/Yin - Sun/Yang polarity of self) If this analogy is
accepted, one must remember that the Earth and Moon are almost a double
planet as they move about a mutual center, that the Moon is the pulse
of the Earth, and that the Earth shares the Yin quality of the Moon in
distinction from the Sun.
Feelings, emotions, psyche, soul, memory, habits, intuition,
senses, sensations, sensuality, sensitivity, subconscious behavior or
associations or mannerisms, idiosyncracies, subjective processes,
sensitivity as gut instincts, psychism, perception of emotional
motivation, moods, responses or involuntary action, reactions (rather
than actions), responsiveness, tastes, sensual desires, appetites,
Further described as: impressionable, empathetic, cuddling or
caressing impulses, compliant, identification with others, "other"-
oriented as opposed to self-oriented, says "we or you" rather than "I,"
personal approach, emotional interactions, susceptible, easygoing,
signified by desire, mediumism, a "touch-feel" orientation, reflective,
self-conscious, self-aware, fluctuating or changing moods - because the
Moon is attuned to moods which change. The Moon and Neptune are the
two most intuitive and psychic forces.
Negative expression: lack of objectivity, easily influenced,
moody, weight gain, keyed to & influenced by other's opinions &
feelings (also a virtue in another light), lives on gossip,
PARADOX: unselfish deference for & responsiveness to other people
vs. emotional dependence and self-indulgence.
Slang Readout: likes to be one of the gang, the common touch,
touchy-feely, folksy, organic, natural,



MERCURY: [Agnosticism, Eclecticism, more Philosophic than religious]
Mental Activity: logic, reason, objective thinking; the ability to
handle symbols, to focus thought, observe, assess, learn, perceive,
concentrate & memorize; thought communication as style or technique of
expression; intellect rather than intelligence, repertoire rather than
originality, words rather than concepts; particular, analytical,
logical, agnostic; adaptability, adroitness, dexterity, and handiness
of both mind & body. Mercury gives information and communication
experts.
Also described as: quick-witted, clever, sensible planning,
inquisitive, physical agility, quick physical movement (especially in
sports which require speed & flexibility), nimble in mind and body,
educability/mental organization, acquisitive (hence, shrewd in business
dealings), comprehending & coping with environment - hence, journeys,
conveyances, travel; youthful intentness and playfulness, Peter Pan
appeal, uses catch phrases or slang, sleight-of-hand (or mind)
performances, "in"-thinking, gaming, sporting, popular, variety-as-the-
spice-of-life, versatile, jack-of-all-trades, glib, chatty, charming,
sometimes irreverent, playful,
Expressed as: mental activity as in learning, reading, writing,
journalism, verbalization, speech, conversation, gesticulation,
grammatical manipulation & precision, social intercourse, calculation,
rationalization, debating, advertising gimmics, persuasion, business
affairs, messages & correspondence, exchange of information, busyness,
study, news, publishing & commercial procedures; anything of a
documentary nature, specification, diagrams, schematics, blueprints,
outlines, details; parliamentary procedures,
Negative expression: often excessive nervousness, smoking drinking
or alcoholism; twitchy, hypersensitive to pain, squirrelly,
superficial, fickle, seemingly without honor, selfish, manipulative,
immature, lacks emotional depth, finicky, cruel because of a strictly
mental bias,
PARADOX: mental/intellect vs. superficiality of thought without
emotional depth or empathy. While best at Creative Play as all Life's
a Game to the Mercurial-minded, such folk who view life primarily
mentally and without empathy can be cruel. The charming playfulness of
a cat toying with a mouse is not enjoyable to the mouse.
The Mercurial energy, as the 'young generation,' is particularly
apt at clever, slang expressions: in the know, snaps to it, trippy,
kicky, swinging, with it, pop, mod, in the swing, handling it, dealing!
awesome,--whatever is the current slang. (This list is old. Teenagers
should be consulted as to what's currently 'in.')



VENUS [Love]
Love. According to Fagan: "love" defined by Christ's words, "Men
will know you are my disciples if you love one another." According to
G. Allen, true religion (as opposed to Jupiterian hierarchies or
Neptunian cultism) - kindness, mercy, affinity, finesse, attraction,
appreciation, affection, acceptance, harmony, refinement, peacefulness,
comparisons, compromise, comfort, peace-loving, cooperation, affinity,
beauty, loveliness, simplicity, similarity, resemblance, congeniality,
graciousness, benevolence, an active sympathy as opposed to the empathy
of the Moon, tender, gentle, non-judgmental, sentimental,
Expressed as: sensuousness, pleasing sensations, charm, grace,
sweetness, politeness, loving, social, easy-going, friendships,
romance, intimacy, surrender, reverie, momentos, fondness, socially
expressed in the ceremony of marriage rather than the consummation,
relaxation, enjoyment tranquility, person-to-person contact, fond
names, pleasure, artistry, entertainment; persons with a strong Venus
are widely popular, everyone's "sweetheart." Venus, the Moon, and
Neptune each give a kind of relatedness to others because of lack of
focus on self.
Negative expression: narcissism, vain, lazy, indulgent, placid,
sentimental, avoids confrontations, compromising, gutless,
indiscriminate, asskissers. A Plutonian would say in criticism of a
Venusian that if you like everyone, you have no discrimination.
PARADOX: indiscriminate vs non-judgmental; self-indulgence &
compliance vs loving sociability.
Slang readout: mellow, the doves of the zodiac, the yes-sayers--
they have a good word for everyone, the smilers, the 'have-a-good-day'
sayers, the sweethearts, the Barbie dolls and nice guys, the glue of
society, the peacemakers,



MARS [Mythriaism, Olympics]
Sheer Energy! Courage, strength, valor, ardor, exertion, defiance,
competition, challenge, muscle, effort, stamina, zeal, aggression,
exertion; physical intelligence: phallus awareness, prowess, generative
power, adrenal glands & adrenalin, virility, precipitate action,
Expressed as: athletics, manual work, mechanical ability, sex as
lust or passion, lecherous, sexuality as opposed to sensuality,
impatient, dare-devilish, boisterous, outspoken, exulting in conflict,
combative, assertive, testy, short-tempered, argumentative, courageous,
headstrong, irritable, brash, rough, openhanded, vigorous, daring,
overhasty, rash, impulsive, immodest, bold, may excel in satire
(usually a literary attack as Twain & Swift as Scorpio Sun natives)
Negative expression: anger, recklessness, uncouth, crude & vulgar,
profane, profanity, untidy, predatory, sadistic, & spartan, cruel,
opportunistic, selfish, bully, defiant, hostile, uses more 4 lettered
words than any other planet, thinks dirty talk is a turn-on.
PARADOX: hero vs. bully; strength & courage vs. aggression &
anger; passion vs. lust;
Slang readout: feisty, hell-kicking, mucho macho Big Jock types,
(note many slang terms such as "heat" or "hot" for passion), puts all
its cards on the table, out front, a go-getter, "NO"-men, the hawks of
the zodiac, hammer & tongs approach, "Slam, bam, thank-you mam"
approach.




JUPITER [The Leap Unto Faith]
[Ecclesiastic Hierarchies, Orthodoxies]
Quality, improvement, good faith, good will, good cheer, piety,
increase, expansion, extension, hope for future, aspiration,
deification, abundance, status, prestige, reputation, (all these
particularly in a social context and/or government as in law or
ministry), orthodoxy, esteem, approval, excellence, the best, the good,
fairness & justice, the leap unto faith, musical & artistic
appreciation, fortune, title, ceremony, honors, prizes, plenty,
prosperity, the grand & the great, gain, help, success, opulence or
progressiveness. Like Leo, Satittarius/Jupiter is fond of pomp and
circumstance. Amulets, emblems, insignia, badges, diplomas, degrees,
uniforms, religious medallions, coats of arms, mascots, trophies,
birthstones, pedigrees, the silver platter, robes of royalty.
Described as: cheerfulness, hopeful expectation, confident
anticipation, optimism, outgoing, exuberant, lavishness, extravagant,
philanthropic, generous, enthusiastic, positive thinking, ritualistic,
aspiring, religious (faith, hope & charity), lucky, humor as jollity,
effusive, enobling, preserving, healing, protecting, high-minded, law-
abiding, respectable, conformist, orthodox, cultural, classical, &
socially distinguished, pronounced sense of right & wrong, celebration
and rejoicing, raises, praises, promotions,
Negative expression: In order to choose the best, one must
discriminate: status-seeking, discrimination, intolerance, judgmental,
exclusiveness, class-conscious, segregation, racial purity, pompous,
ostentatious, pride, hauteur, snobbery in contrast to justice &
aspiration; gambling (chance) in contrast to faith (order), utopian
complexes,
PARADOX: prejudiced, snobbish & judgemental vs. justice
Slang readout: high, lucky, feeling up, top of the world, tops,
upwardly mobile YUPPIES, do-gooders, Bible-totters,



SATURN [Middle Way, Stoicism, Traditionalist, Pragmatism]
Limits, contraction, crystalization, consolidation, framework,
construction, structure, substantiality, solidity, skeleton, pattern,
gravity, concentration, compression, seriousness, discipline, rigidity,
resistance; inertia, resolution, self-sufficiency, maturity,
responsibility, practicality, sternness, exactitude, guardedness,
restraint; Time, Karma, longevity; restriction, brevity, economy,
frugality, faith as perseverance, duty. Saturn loves history and
tradition.
Expressed as: self-denial, labor as value, work ethic oriented,
hard-working, frugal, conservative, self-preservation; law as rules,
taboos, regulations, boundaries, orderliness; science as academics,
formalized, sceptical, logical, controlled sense of loneliness or
nothingness; calm, cautious, persistent, long-suffering, severe,
pessimistic, reserved, monkish; A saving grace, Saturn's dry wit - one
liners in particular (as Ben Franklin's epigrams), often deadpan
attitude;
Negative expression: sense of inferiority, faults, mistakes, &
weakness, disappointment, melancholy, loneliness, discomfiture, regret,
stubbornness, obstinacy, jealousy, covetousness, suspicion, resentment,
depression, repression & anal-retentive, grim, brooding, slave driving,
miserly, greedy; fear, guilt, hate, malice, coldness, deformity,
grotesque, dark, funereal, morbid, penalizing, burdens, worry, lack,
want, deprivation, sacrifice, isolation or retreat, feelings of
restriction, constraint, sadness, moroseness, boredom, stagnation,
An essential PARADOX inherent in this vibration: emptiness vs.
form; a sense of one's limits - one's inferiority vs. maturity;
Slang: down, bummer, tight, straight, stingy, boils it down, being
put upon or put down, gets the short end of the stick, does it by the
book, hidebound, poverty complex, anal-retentive, Scrooged! Icabod
Crane types.

After Saturn which defines limits in a most physical sense, one
encounters the forces called Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, each of which
in their own way take one beyond physical limits.



URANUS: [Democractic, Progressive, Revolutionary, Universalist]
Change, Discovery (self & otherwise). Uniqueness. Individuality,
originality, distinctiveness, unusualness, invention, turnabout of old,
revolution, or conversion, escape from boredom, awakening, the
breakthrough, progress through shock, birth trauma, renewal, new,
modernization, renovation, innovation, improvisation, emancipation,
liberation, unexpected, suddenness, excitement, re-orientation,
experiment, science in the sense of discovery, cyclic motion, movement,
short-cuts, ingenuity, eccentricity, oddity,
Described as: colorful, electric, mentally creative, stimulating,
exciting, urge to be free, to move, to change, or to travel;
wanderlust, restlessness, impersonal, adventuresome, thrilling,
charismatic, unconventional, unexpected, incredible, surprising,
clownish, shocking, progressive, ultra-modern, rapid-thinking,
breakthroughs, in the vanguard, organizational ability of masses,
phenomenal, distinctiveness, futuristic, scintillating, break from
humdrum, onslaught of reality, existential (here and now), a pragmatic
sense of the relativeness of truth, ZEST, god's gift to mankind
complex; known for zany wit and quips, especially puns;
Expressed as: inventions as labor-saving devices, computers,
electricity, electronics,
Negative expression: irresponsible, wasteful, uncaring,
undependable, unpredictable, emergency, shock, deviation, erratic,
eccentric, disturbing, uncertainties, spasmodic, strange, unwillingness
to be pinned to a schedule, wayward, willful, outlandish, rebellious,
upsidedown way of seeing things,
Essential PARADOX: Individuality vs Universality (understands the
commonality of all people. Promotes civil rights while maintaining the
distinctiveness of each individual.) Freedom vs Responsibility.
Totally selfish, uncaring & irresponsible to others while maintaining
his own individual rights & the common good. Everyone's equal, but not
equal to Uranus who is so-o-o individual!
Slang Readout: zany, far out! flash! eureka! bolt out of the blue!
off the wall (Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, David Letterman), weird, the
wild card in the deck.



NEPTUNE [Mystic, Visionary, Nirvanism, Cultism]
(With Neptune, all categories break down & run together)
Creative Imagination. Intuition. Imagery, subtlety, mystery, idealism,
mysticism, visionary, looking beyond appearances, otherworldly,
psychism, humility, clairvoyance, ecstasy, bliss, illusion, delusion,
imitation; oftentimes has a Photographic Memory and can recall the most
extreme complexities, intricacies, and subtleties; schemes, scams,
ignominious, plots, pseudonyms, intrigues, confidences, elusiveness,
vapor, veiled, fancy, daydream, indefinable, fantasy, fascination,
absorption, involvement, drama, theatrical, excitable, pretense,
fiction, Land of the Fairy, exaggeration, humility, resignation,
fervent feelings, nervous tension; the perception that there are no
separate selves but One Self - ability to identify with almost anyone
else, hence no boundaries, & yet compassion & empathy through
imagination; ability to blend with the universe; chameleon
changeability, wide-tuning frequency, acting ability (can become what
they can imagine), excels at disguise & mimicry, merging of identities,
parasite motif, spiritism, wears an effulgent aura & totes a halo;
impressionism & lyricism, & mysticism, visions & visitations, hypnosis,
narcosis, complexes;
Described as: [Common symbols according to G. Allen: sea,
Madonna, silver cord, clouds, sleep] mysterious, transcendental,
merging of identities, visions & visitations, intoxication, the River
Lethe, Shangri-la ideologies, niavity, puzzlement, wistful,
hypersensitivity of supersensitivity, vulnerability, humility,
stagestruck or stagefright, emotional agitation, apprehension, anxiety,
panic & mass hysteria, paroxysms of desire, insecurity & fearfulness,
nebulous, obscure, mysterious, transcendental, cloudy, parasite motif,
Negative expression: mental fog, haze, confusion, vagueness,
compulsion, bondage, gullibility, complexes, escapism - through drugs
or alcohol, or fantasy; lack of self-definition, victimization,
despair, resignation, thralldom, vampirization, inadequacy, frantic
need to be revved up, humiliation, embarrassment, apprehension,
anxiety, makes excuses or lies, cannot tell fantasy from reality or
fact from fiction, etc. self-effacing, bohemian, paranoia, drugs,
withdrawal, defeatism, frustration, melodramatic, foolishness, naivety,
inadequacy & self-consciousness, feels drained, or futile, any extreme
& unreal emotion. This adds up to total impracticality and
unreliablity. These result from having no self-definity, which is also
Neptune's great asset, which allows it great compassion in being able
to totally relinquish self and merge with another.
Essential PARADOX: non-self vs transcendental unity (the ability
to loose self and identify with anyone or anything else); confusion vs
insight, delusion vs vision; Fantasy vs faith; totally impractical
because Neptune can so identify with another that he forgets self to
the exclusion of any discrimination, thus aiding his own victimization.
Neptune is for the inner world.
Slang Readout: floating, spaced out, space case, head in clouds,
chameleons, copy-cats, naval gazing, nirvana complex, the guilties,



PLUTO [Extra-Terrestrial vs Autocracy]
[Paradox, Beyond categories, Beyond one's ken, Beyond Beyond!]

Pluto is like a laser, whatever it aspects, it brings into extreme
focus and intensifies and exaggerates that energy. Keywords have to do
with choice; confrontation with the eternal Now and Thou, Mystery of
Being; genesis, the mystery of conception, the inexplicable,
miraculous, Protean, birth and death, the most intensely personal and
intimate of forces and the most inexplicable, a singling-out motif
(whereas, according to Allen, Neptune stands for mass awareness, and
humanity at large); a defier of odds - Pluto simply does not recognize
impossibility and so accomplishes the impossible; an isolator of one in
a million; makes it's own rules, the will to power, internal force to
overcome, kamikaze thrust or purpose, DETACHMENT, aloneness,
singularity, dogmatic, autocratic, dictatorial, drastic, independent,
austere, forbidding, bizarre, genius, one-on-one focus, ability to
symbolize, significator of paradox & irony, amusement at incongruity,
integration/disintegration, radical self-reconfiguration (if your left
hand offends, cut it off), the revealer or exposer.
Described as: a bad mixer, the ultimate outsider, rebellious,
anti-social, judgmental, critical, confrontational, lone-wolf,
detached, shy, reserved, diffident, remote, inscrutable, iconoclast,
misanthropic, aloof, wishes to avoid the "rest of the fools"; self-
taught, disdain for law, distaste of protocol & ceremony, cynical, all-
or-nothing extremist, fanatical, unbending, autocratic - a rule unto
one's self, arrogant, prideful, uncooperative, no circumlocution, goes
straight to the point, no compromise, (straight ahead and damn the
torpedoes!), nothing hesitant or spurious in decisions, nirvana now!
swift & conclusive decisions (whose reverse side is secrecy, evasion--
an essential paradox); establishes dramatic precedents, drive,
manipulation (personal & political), Machiavellian, Count Dracula
appearance-partings, abrupt, mad, ALIEN,

Further expressed as: Crisis, firsts, miracles (or coincidences),
Fate; freakish, impossible UNcommunicable experience - thus secrecy;
the incredible, awe inspiring, from faith healing to uncanny rescue
beyond all hope, feats of an almost supernatural nature, "dark horse"
winners, coups to coronations, freak accidents, encounters of the 3rd
kind, life's wages, cosmic consciousness, face-to-face with self,
endings and beginnings, absolute judgement (if your right hand offends
you, cut it off!); bottom-line summations, the ugly truth, coercion,
finalities, final judgments as in crossing the River Styx, feeling at
the mercy of forces beyond mortal ken, standing on brink of eternity,
temporary detachment from phenomenal world, & yet perspective and
judgement of that world; separation, dismissal, retirement, departure,
quitting, farewells, loss or death of loved one, losses, silence,
isolation, solitude,
According to G. Allen: completely amoral - found in charts of
saints or murderers, fusion of action & response, choosing & being
chosen (confrontation with God), I-Thou experience (Buber) and ensuing
dialogue & spiritual wrestling match with God. "Why God is this?"
questioning, resurrection theme, transformation, renaissance, Easter
Saga - "that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die";
standing on threshold of time and existence alone, fated.... Thus,
categories of positive vs negative expression are blown apart with the
intensity of this energy. The mythology of the Threshold, Gateway, and
Guardian are even named by Charon, Lethe, & Pluto as the edge of our
known world.
Netative Expression: the mal-contents, extremists, radicals,
disaffected & judgemental, the crazies, the mad the denied, the rebels
with or without a cause, the alienated, the alien. Perceived as
outside of the rules.
ESSENTIAL PARADOX: Pluto would seem to be the prime significator
of Paradox itself at best, and that which is indefinable in general.
It's essence is that it often exbodies extreme opposites at once.
Rules do not apply to that which is Alien. Forthright Decision versus
Secrecy; CONFRONTATION versus DETACHMENT; Revealer versus Evader
(revelation cannot be explained or given); Judgement versus non-
judgment (For instance, a central problem of the Christian ethic: to
not throw pearls before swine requires judgement of neighbors as swine,
while at the same time not judging--except by "righteous" judgment);
Slang readout: calls it like it is (i.e. judges), put up or shut
up! bottom line! Straight ahead & damn the torpedoes; puts all eggs
in one basket, Kamikaze drive, whole hog-or-none attitude, ONE WAY!
MY WAY! extremist, trail by fire, getting at the one kernel of truth
from out a granary, right on! gives the shaft! cuts loose! off in no
man's land! a Phoenix trip!
* * * *

Zodiacal and Extra-Zodiacal
FIXED STARS IN THE SIDEREAL ZODIAC
- With Colors -

Compiled by Kay Cavender



Cyril Fagan's Lists in OMEGA EPHEMERIS
Cyril Fagan's SYMBOLISM OF THE STAR CONSTELLATIONS
Vivian Robsons' FIXED STARS & CONSTELLATIONS IN ASTROLOGY
Neil F. Michelson's AMERICAN SIDEREAL EPHEMERIS
Richard Hinckley Allen's STAR NAMES THEIR LORE AND MEANING
SKYGLOBE (Apparent) Magnitudes Epoch 2000

[1st Magnitude Stars in caps; brightest = lowest number]

For delineating stars in astrology, color--the scientific basis
of categorizing stars--is also the primary key to their psychological
impact. Because color is implicit in our everyday visual perception and
experience of the world, the general meaning of color is universal.
That is, color is involved in the very nature of our being, though not
overtly shown, expressed, or realized.
The below Star List includes <1> the colors of stars given by R. H.
Allen, <2> the spectral type according to the Harvard Classification,
<3> the apparent magnitude (or brightness), <4> the Greek alphabet star
designation within its constellation, and <5> the ecliptic longitude &
latitude position in the Sidereal or Star Constellation Zodiac. This
list is a short version, duplicated in the file STARNAMES with
mythological names and titles.
Color is linked to emotion in our language and thought. We respond
to colors psychologically--many people have felt blue, or been in the
pink, turned green, blacked out, and seen red. Although there are
psychological guidelines for color meaning in general, we intuitively
know that a change in the shade of a color also changes its meaning.
Fresh, invigorating spring green is not the rich, harmonizing, and
comforting green of summer. The green of nature is not the green of
envy. The vital, invigorating red of blood is not the red of anger.
The inspirational blue of the sky is not the blue of depression.
Because many intuitively understand and agree on color meaning in
general, then individual association, experience, and study make color
interpretation even richer.
Color affects us profoundly on several levels. Studies on light
and color indicate we respond to colors not only psychologically, but
physiologically as well--our eyes respond differently to different
colors as to different light conditions. Although many intuitively know
that we respond on an emotional level to color and that color can help
us feel better, researchers have pursued the effect of color on healing
in clinical settings. Books on color are available from different
viewpoints and disciplines. However, it is a premise of both scientists
and astrologers, however differently or similarly defined, that light is
a force which makes life possible. In origin, color is a vibratory form
of the chemical and electromagnetic potency of stars. Light and color
affect our very life processes which manifest in our psychology. Light
comes to us first from our own star, the Sun, and then from other stars.
It is this astrologer's strong conviction that to get a feeling for
a star's color, one must locate and look at the star, outside at night.
Because the colors of stars are perceived in the light spectrum as
lighted color rather than as pigments, one's sense of their colors is
first felt deeper than any conscious meaning, which can then be
identified by a study of color. Despite reports in astrological
literature of evil stars, our certain experience of stars is of their
beauty. Since all stars do not have solar systems which support life,
it may be that the strobing, variable energy of some are too intense to
support life as we know it. But rather than lugubrious imaginings of
energy inimical to life, let the stars' easily seen lighted beauty and
pure color be our first inspiration. "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in
our stars that we err, but in ourselves." No one has said that more
succinctly than Shakespeare. For millennia the stars have been lighted
beacons evoking our human response to their beauty, drawing us out of
the dark night of ourselves to connect with the universe. This is a
wonder if not a truth. This approach certainly includes other
perspectives, and specifically the scientific one.
The section MORE APPENDICES at the end has a smattering of select
ideas on the related vibratory frequencies of Color, Sound, & Chemical
Elements. For stars whose essence is light, it is essential to
distinguish between color relationships in the light spectrum with
primaries of RED, GREEN and VIOLET, and those more familiar color
relationships for mixing pigments with primaries of Red, Yellow and
Blue. As light spectrum primaries, Red and Violet represent the two
extremes of the light spectrum, and Green represents the middle of the
light spectrum.
Scientifically, color is the very basis for classifying and
understanding stars in terms of their physical properties. When white
light is passed through a prism, it is spread into a rainbow of colors
called the spectrum of light with color waves of different lengths.
In a spectroscope, different forms of matter give different kinds of
light, and each form of matter has a spectrum as individual as a
fingerprint. Studies of the behavior of atoms and light show that each
type of atom when heated will give off a characteristic glow consisting
of a blend of specific colors. These colors (or wave-lengths) of
emitted light are uniquely different for each element. In a similar
way, astronomers learn about the chemical make-up of stars and galaxies,
the light of which consists of many color wave-lengths blended together.
By using a prism to spread out the spectrum to study the colors present,
they can tell which elements make up the objects from which the light
came. A star's color is also related to its age, brilliancy and size.
In the Harvard Classification of the astronomical SPECTRAL TYPE or
class of stars, alphabet letters "O B A F G K M R N S" are used to
represent the main 10 distinct classes identified from their spectrum
and based on the characteristic lines and bands of chemical elements.
To aid one's memory of the spectral types, the mnemonic "Oh, Be A Fine
Girl Kiss Me Right Now, Sweetheart" can be used. The difference among
the the classes is one of temperature, which decreases from the hottest-
-the O stars with photospheres at 100,000 degrees F., to the coolest--
the N stars with photospheres at 5,000 degrees F. These are broad
categories, many stars fall in between, and each class is subdivided
into ten subsections with a numerical system or a system by letters of
the alphabet, such as O1, B5, Ma, etc. Additional classes include type
W for Wolf-Rayet stars at the blue end of the spectrum. Classes R and S
have low-temperature, very red stars. Our Sun is classed G2 (an
intermediate star of yellow color) with a photosphere temperature of
10,800 degrees F. Some authorities differ in the sub-classification of
stars.

SPECTRAL
TYPE PHOTOSPHERE TEMP. COLOR
O 100,000 deg. F. Hottest blue stars
B 45,000 " Hot blue stars
A 20,000 " White stars
F 13,000 " White to yellowish stars
G 11,000 " Yellow stars (Giant & dwarf division)
K 9,000 " Pale orange-red
M 6,000 " Orange or dull red
N 5,000 " Coolest red

Examples of the above spectral types are as follows: O - Orion's
Sword, B - Spica, Rigel, Regulus; A - Altair, Sirius Wega; F - Canopus,
Procyon, Polaris; G - Sun & Capella; K - Aldebaran, Arcturus, Pollux;
M - Betelgeuse, Antares, Mira; N - none for the naked eye.
When stars are very far away they are fainter and there is less
sensation of color. Other than distance as an obvious factor,
ultimately a star's color depends on its temperature (as do factors such
as chemistry, mass, and age). The temperature controls brightness, and
brightness is also a factor in allowing a clear color distinction. For
example, an A star is 100 times brighter than a G star, and a G star is
100 times brighter than an M star. Additionally, when visually singled
out, a star's color is subjective since it is experienced individually.
R. H. Allen's description of star colors differs in some instances from
other astronomers' color assessments.
A star's magnitude (brightness) will vary through the centuries,
but if a star is variable, its listed magnitude will vary considerably
in a shorter period. APPARENT MAGNITUDES are given in the list below.
The brightest stars have the lowest listed magnitude: Sirius (-1.5
magnitude) is the brightest star in the heavens. A star's magnitude is
2.5 times brighter than the preceding, higher number.
Astronomically rather than the visual color of the star, a numerical
measure called 'color equivalent' is used. The 'color index' is the
most common color equivalent, the difference between a star's
photographic and visual (photovisual) magnitudes. On photographic
plates, blue-white stars appear brighter than red stars, whereas in
visual magnitudes (viewed with the eye), the opposite is true.
To understand the considerable complexities of stars' interior
compositions including many other factors such as--chemistry, mass,
size, density, dimension, age, distance, motions in space, rotation,
radiation, development, evolution, etc., one should of course study star
classification. There is not only tremendous variety between stars, but
also a hierarchy of stars. Twin stars are a common occurrence. At
least one star in two belongs to a binary system, and binaries are of
several types. Many stars have more than two components and are triple
or multiple stars, and so on. Additionally there are complex systems of
galaxies which also have a hierarchy.
For ease in identification, the below list includes the most famous
ancient stars in order in the Sidereal Zodiac. Another great help is
shareware SKYGLOBE, an on-line planetarium showing the celestial sphere
anytime, anywhere.

***********************************************************************

(continued)

"Ideas are like stars. You cannot succeed in touching
them with your hands, but like the seafaring man on the
desert of waters, you choose them for your guide and
by following them, reach your destiny." Carl Schurtz


The GREEK ALPHABET was used to identify stars within a constellation.
The brightest was called alpha, the next brightest--beta, etc: Alpha,
Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, Eta, Theta, Iota, Kappa, Lambda, Mu,
Nu, Xi, Omicron, Pi, Rho, Sigma, Tau, Upsilon, Phi, Chi, Psi, Omega.

[The famous PLEIADES* Cluster of about 3000 stars includes: Fl.17
Electra 4TAU41 4n11; Fl.16 Celaeno 4TAU42 4n21; Fl.19 Taygeta 4TAU50
4n31; Fl.20 Maia 4TAU57 4n23; Fl.23 Merope 4TAU58 3n57; Asterope
(Sterope 1&2--Fl.21 & 22) 5TAU00 4n34; and Alcyone 5TAU15 4n03.]


NAME CLASS/MAG CONSTELLATION ECL-LONG ECL-LAT
**** ********* ************* ******** *******

--(near Cassiopeia's Foot at B3 3.4 epsilon CASS 00TAU02 47n32
the foundation of her Throne; near Milky Way's equator)
Algol (binary/variable, white B8 2.9 beta PERseus 01TAU26 22n26
with faint orange companion; 1st eclipsing binary star
discovered; With pi [A2 4.6], rho [MS 3.7], & omega [4.8],
beta was a separate constellation--the Medusa's Head)
--unnamed (Misam?) G8 4.0 kappa PERseus 02TAU57 26n04
--unnamed (Miram?, double, K4 3.9 eta PERseus 03TAU58 37n28
yellow-white & smalt blue; Perseid meteors of
Aug. 12, radiate N.E. of eta)
Beid (clear white) F1 4.1 omicr1 ERIdanus 04TAU42 27s27

Alcyone* (quadruple, bluish- B7 3.0 eta TAU/Pleiade 05TAU15 4n03
white; brightest of the Pleiades in Taurus)
Theemin (1 of 7) KO 3.9 upsilon2 ERI 05TAU19 51s49
Errai (yellow; pole star) K1 3.4 gamma CEPHeus 05TAU22 64n40
Keid (triple/orange & sky-blue) KO 4.5 omicron2 ERI 05TAU27 28s25
Atik (double) B1 3.8 omicron PERseus 06TAU55 12n11
[NOTE: Skyglobe incorrectly has zeta for Atik]
MIRFAK(elbow) /Algenib(side); F5 1.9 alpha PERseus 07TAU20 30n07
(creamy yellow supergiant)

Menkib O7 4.0 xi PERseus 10TAU14 14n56
Sceptrum K4 4.0 53 Eridanus 10TAU32 36s00
Hyadum I/Prima Hyadum (yellow) G9 3.9 gamma TAUrus 11TAU04 5s44
HYADES: an open cluster of 200 stars, see alpha
theta1 theta2 gamma delta & epsilon.
NOTE: Skyglobe uses standard "Hya" = for Hydra
{Water Snake}, not the Hyades in Taurus.
Hyadum II G8 3.9 delta1,2,3 TAU 12TAU08 3s58
--in Hyades (double; yellow) FO 3.6 theta2 TAUrus 13TAU13 5s45
Ain (or Northern Eye) G8 3.6 epsilon TAUrus 13TAU44 2s34

ALDEBARAN (variable, binary; KM 0.9 alpha TAUrus 15TAU03 5s28
pale rose giant, with 11.2 mag. orange dwarf companion)
--(on Lion's Skin or Shield) F8 3.3 pi3 ORIon 17TAU11 15s33

Cursa (topaz yellow) A3 2.9 beta ERIdanus 20TAU33 27s51
--(near Orion's R. Foot) B2 4.3 lambda ERI 20TAU ? 31s ?
--(on Auriga's heel) K3 2.9 iota AURiga 21TAU54 10n27
RIGEL(double, bluish & yellow- B8 1.0 beta ORIon 22TAU06 31s08
white; 7th apparent brightest & 1st most luminous)
Haedus (eclipsing binary; KB 3.9 zeta AURiga 23TAU53 18n12
variable, hot blue B star & orange giant)
Haedus II B3 3.3 eta AURiga 24TAU43 18n16
Al Maaz (eclipsing binary, A8 3-4 epsilonB AUR 24TAU ? 23n ?
supergiant A8 with invisible infared companion;
near Milky Way Center)
Nihal (double to multiple, G2 3.0 beta LEPus 24TAU56 43s54
deep yellow & blue)
BELLATRIX (pale yellow /var.) B2 1.6 gamma ORIon 26TAU13 16s49
Arneb (double/pale yellow, FO 2.7 alpha LEPus 26TAU38 41s03
gray; near Milky Way Equator; the constellation
Lepus was the Egyptian Boat of Osiris)
CAPELLA (spectroscopic binary; GG 0.1 alpha AURiga 27TAU07 22n52
yellowish-white giant)
Phact B8 2.8 alpha COLumba 27TAU26 57s23
Mintaka~(triple /brilliant O9 2.5 delta ORIon 27TAU37 23s34
white & pale violet; near Celestial Equator)
EL NATH (dble./brilliant white B7 1.7 beta TAUrus 27TAU50 5n23
giant & pale gray; Bull's N. Horn; also gamma AURiga)
--(Bright One of the Sword; O9 2.9 iota ORIon 28TAU16 29s11
triple & nebulous /white, pale blue & grape red)
--Trapezium (quadruple, pale N 4.6 theta2 ORIon 28TAU22 28s41
white; in Sword Scabbard or Dagger, near center of M42
Great Nebula--60'x66' of arc, & near M43 Orion Nebula;
Note: Saiph or `Ensis' is for eta ORIon--a triple, &
others in the Sword of Orion)
ALNILAM~ (bright white; BO 1.7 epsilon ORIon 28TAU44 24s31
Equatorial)
Meissa(dble./pale white,orange) O8 3.7 lambda ORIon 28TAU58 13s22
Crab Nebula/Tycho's Star nebula M1 TAUrus 29TAU21 1s17
(remnant of 1054 AD supernova, strong source of radio
waves & x-rays, contains a pulsar; near zeta TAU)
ALNITAK~(triple/topaz yellow, BO 1.8 zeta ORIon 29TAU57 25s18
yellow, light purple & gray; Equatorial)

[~3 BELT STARS IN ORION: point south & east to Sirius
and north & west past Aldebaran to the Pleiades]
Al Hecka (Bull's South Horn) B2 3.0 zeta TAUrus 00GEM03 2s12
Saiph (on right leg) BO 2.2 kappa ORIon 01GEM39 33s05
Wazn K1 3.2 beta COLumba 01GEM41 59s10
POLARIS (binary/ topaz yellow F8 2.0 alpha URSA MIN 03GEM50 66n06
supergiant & pale white variable; the Celestial North
Pole Star; its elevation above the horizon is equal to
the latitude of the observer; sigma OCTANS [5.8] is
nearest Celestial South Pole.
BETELGEUSE (bright orange, M2 0.1 alpha ORIon 04GEM01 16s02
erratically variable supergiant, 400x diameter of our Sun)
Menkalinan (binary, yellow) A2 1.9 beta AURiga 05GEM10 21n30

NOTE: SUMMER SOLSTICE (epoch 2000, R.A. 6h) is 5GEM16,
followed by NGC 2158 @ R.A. 6h 07m, & M35 (cluster of 500 -
600 stars) @ R.A. 6h 08m, both within about 20minutes N.
latitude from Ecliptic. Both also conjunct Solar Antapex.]

Yildun (greenish) AO 4.4 delta URSA MIN 06GEM28 69n59

[ANTAPEX OF SUN'S WAY, The Sun's Quit] 07GEM24 53s26

Tejat Prior/Propus (binary, M3 3.7 eta GEMini 08GEM42 0s53
variable; Uranus discovered near eta (nearer Gemini #1) on
3-13-1781 & was thought a star on 9-25-1756 near phi AQU)
Tejat Posterior/Dirah M3 3.2 mu GEMini 10GEM34 0s49
(double, crocus yellow & blue)
Murzim (white giant) B1 2.0 beta CANIS MAJ 12GEM27 41s16
Furid (light orange) B5 3.1 zeta CANIS MAJ 12GEM39 53s22
ALHENA (brilliant white) A1 1.9 gamma GEMini 14GEM22 6s45

Mebsuta (double /brilliant G8 3.2 epsilon GEMini 15GEM12 2n04
white & cerulean blue)
Al Zirr F5 3.4 xi GEMini 16GEM29 12n54
SIRIUS (binary /brilliant A1 -1.5 alpha CANIS MAJ 19GEM21 39s37
white & yellow; 1st brightest star; companion star "Pup"
is lst white dwarf discovered; EGYTPIAN "X" formed by
Procyon & Betelgeuse, with Sirius at the center of the X,
and Naos & Phact)

CANOPUS (cream-white FO -0.5 alpha CARina 20GEM14 75s50
supergiant; 2nd brightest)
Mekbuda (var.dble/ pale topaz) GO 3.9 zeta GEMini 20GEM15 2s03
Wasat (binary/ pale white & A8 3.5 delta GEMini 23GEM47 0s11
purple; 2-18-1930 Pluto photographed near delta
& 3-13-1930 Pluto's discovery announced)
Propus KO 3.9 iota GEMini 24GEM12 5n45
Mirza or Isis B8 4.1 gamma CANIS MAJ 24GEM52 37s59

CASTOR (triplet /bright green- AA 1.6 alpha GEMini 25GEM30 10n05
white; actually a Septuplet--each of 2 stars is a whirling
twin, with another twin in orbit around the 4 at the center)
ADHARA (double/ blue-white B1 1.5 epsil CANIS MAJ 26GEM02 51s22
giant & orange)
Gomeisa (white) B8 3.1 beta CANIS MIN 27GEM33 13s29
Muscida (double) G1 3.5 omicr URSA MAJ 28GEM16 40n14
POLLUX (yellow-orange giant) KO 1.1 beta GEMini 28GEM29 6n41
WEZEN (yellowish supergiant) G3 1.9 delta CANIS MAJ 28GEM40 48s28

PROCYON (binary/ yellow-white F5 0.4 alpha CANIS MIN 01CAN03 16s02
& yellow; equidistant from & forms TRIANGLE with
Betelgeuse & Sirius; forms right-angled Triangle with
Pollux & Betelgeuse)
Aludra (pale red) B5 2.4 eta CANIS MAJor 04CAN38 50s36
Tegmine (quadruple/ yellow, 5.6 zeta CANcer 06CAN30 2s18
orange, yellowish-changing)
Talitha (binary/ topaz yellow A5 3.1 iota URSA MAJor 08CAN04 29n34
& purple; kappa is about 2 degrees south)
Al Tarf K4 3.8 beta CANcer 09CAN31 10s18

Asmidiske (name incorrect; G6 3.5 xi PUPPIS/ARGUS 11CAN18 44s56
No.* above Stern in Aplustre)
Praesepe/Beehive Nebula C - M44 /NGC 2632 12CAN29 1n34
(90' of arc; about 150 stars)
Asellus Bor. (straw color) AO 4.7 gamma CANcer 12CAN48 3n12
Asellus Aust. (straw) KO 4.2 delta CANcer 13CAN59 0n05
Aslesha (triple; F8 3.5 epsilon HYDra 17CAN36 12s ?
Hydra's Head = delta [AO 4.2], epsion, rho [AO 4.4],
zeta [KO 3.3], eta & sigma [nose];
Curve in neck or Knot = tau1,2 & iota [KO 4.2] & A;
Ribs from kappa to beta HYD with beta Crateris)
Kochab (reddish-orange K4 2.2 beta URSA MINor 18CAN34 72n58
sub-giant; pole star)
Acubens (dble./white & red) FO 4.3 alpha CANcer 18CAN54 5s05

DUBHE (binary/ yellow & blue- KO 1.9 alpha URSA MAJ 20CAN27 49n41
white; original 7 = alpha beta gamma delta epsilon eta zeta)
--*(Lion's Nose; double/ KO 4.6 kappa LEO 21CAN ? 10n ?
yellow & blue)
Alterf* (red) K5 4.5 lambda LEO 23CAN07 7n54
Naos O5 2.3 zeta PUP/ARGUS 23CAN49 58s20
Merak/Mirak (greenish white) A1 2.4 beta URSA MAJ 24CAN42 45n08
Tania borealis A2 3.5 lambda URSA MAJ 24CAN49 29n52

Algenubi* (yellow) GOp 3.1 epsilon LEO 25CAN58 9n43
Tania australis MO 3.2 mu URSA MAJOR 26CAN30 28n59
Rasalas* (orange) K3 4.1 mu LEO 26CAN42 12n21
Pherkad A2 3.1 gamma URSA MIN 26CAN52 75n14
Subra F3 3.8 omicron LEO 29CAN30 3s45

[* The SICKLE OF LEO (Coptic title--the Forehead): kappa
(Al Minliar al Asad--Nose) not included by R.H. Allen or
Robson; lambda Alterf; epsilon Al Genubi; mu Rasalas; zeta
Adhafera; gamma Algieba; eta Al Jabhah; alpha Regulus.]

Alphard (orange giant) K3 2.0 alpha HYDra 02LEO33 22s23
--(SPECTRAL GEM/ Suhail of Oap 1.9 gamma2 VELa 02LEO37 64s28
the Oath; triple/white, greenish-white & purple; the
only conspicuous Wolf-Reyat type of a continuous
spectrum crossed with bright lines)
Adhafera/Alseraph* (multiple, FO 3.6 zeta LEO 02LEO50 11n52
with 3 companion stars)
--(unnamed) 5.2 nu LEO 02-03LEO ? 0n ?
Al Jabhah* AO 3.6 eta LEO 03LEO10 4n52
Algieba* (binary, golden- KO 2.3 gamma LEO 04LEO51 8n49
orange giant & yellow-green companion)
REGULUS* (triple/ bluish white B7 1.4 alpha LEO 05LEO06 0n28
& orange companion which itself has a companion)
Phecda (topaz yellow) AO 2.5 gamma URSA MAJ 05LEO43 47n09
Praecipua (3 companions - K2 3.9 omicron LEO MIN 06LEO09 24n55
pale grey, reddish, violet)
Megrez (pale yellow) A3 3.4 delta URSA MAJ 06LEO24 51n38
El Kophrah (red) K1 3.8 chi URSA MAJOR 08LEO56 41n32

--(unnamed) BOp 3.9 rho LEO 11LEO ? 0n ?
Alula borealis (double /orange K3 3.7 nu URSA MAJOR 11LEO55 26n09
& cerulean blue)
Alula australis (binary) GO 3.9 xi URSA MAJOR 12LEO37 24n44
Thuban (pale yellow; pole star) AO 3.5 alpha DRAco 12LEO43 66n21
ALIOTH (binary, white) AO 1.8 epsilon URSA MA 14LEO11 54n19
Al Suhail (RHA = unnamed) KA 2.2 lambda VELA/ARG 16LEO27 55s51
Zosma (triple/ pale yellow, A2 2.6 delta LEO 16LEO35 14n20
blue & yellow)
Chorton/Chertan A4 3.4 theta LEO 18LEO41 9n40
--(unnamed) FO 4.7 chi LEO 19LEO ? 1n ?

Mirak/Mizar (dble./brilliant A2 2.2 zeta URSA MAJor 20LEO57 56n23
white & pale emerald; a double-double whose 2nd component
is also a spectroscopic binary; visual binary with Alcor;
1st discovered as visual binary and as spectroscopic binary)
Alcor (silvery white) A1 4.0 80 URSA MAJor 21LEO08 56n32
Chara GO 4.3 beta CANES VEN 22LEO58 40n32
--(unnamed) AO 4.1 sigma LEO 24LEO05? 1n28?

Denebola (blue) A4 2.2 beta LEO 26LEO53 12n16
AVOIR KB 1.7 epsilon CARina 28LEO25 72s41
Alkes (orange) K1 4.2 alpha CRAter 28LEO57 22s44
--(Fl.12, double, near gamma 4.8 12 COMA BEREni 29LEO15 25n28
in Coma Cluster of 10,000 galaxies which marks the Tuft in
Lion's Tail; Fl.15--gamma [orange or amber, KO 4.6] perhaps
named Tuft; early Egyptians called the Coma Cluster `Many
Stars'; the Virgin's Distaff, Thread & Woof; Rose Wreath)
Cor Caroli (visual binary, AO 2.9 alpha CANES VEN 29LEO50 40n07
both yellow-white; on Southern Hound's colar)

[DIAMOND OF VIRGO formed of 2 triangles: an equilateral with
Denebola, Arcturus, & Spica, united at its base with a triangle
between Denebola, Arcturus & Cor Caroli (alpha Canes Venatici)]

Copula (M51 Whirlpool Nebula) 8.1 CANES VENatici 00VIR24 50n55
Labrum KO 3.8 delta CRAter 01VIR57 17s34
ALKAID/Benatnasch (blue white) B3 1.9 eta URSA MAJor 02VIR11 54n23
Zavijava (pale yellow; F8 3.8 beta VIRgo 02VIR25 0n42
Equatorial)
Markeb B3 2.6 kappa VEL/ARGO 04VIR10 63s43

GALACTIC APEX, M87, a giant elliptical galaxy, 06VIR19? 14n49?
closely marks center of Virgo Supercluster of 2500
galaxies; M87 = R.A. 12h 31m, Dec. 12n23, epoch 2000.

NORTH GALACTIC POLE of our Milky Way Galaxy- 06VIR38'01" 29n48'48"
data from Garth Allen 8/1959 & Fagan's Primer; located
mid-way between gamma & beta Coma Berenices near Fl. 31;
South G. P. once in Cetus, now in about 3-4 degrees
N.W of alpha in modern Sculptor.

Nodus I (1st Knot of 4) B5 3.1 zeta DRAco 08VIR39 84n45
Zaniah AO 4.0 eta VIRgo 09VIR47 2n04
Al Dafirah/ Fl.15 (orange) GO 4.3 beta COMA BERE 10VIR10 32n27
Aspidiske/Turais/Scutulum FO 2.3 iota CARina/ARG 10VIR36 67s06
(pale yellow; Carina [Keel] is a division of ARGO NAVIS)
Diadem F4 4.5 alpha COMA BERE 14VIR13 22n58

[FIELD OF THE NEBULAE: over 300 nebulae lie in a rude square
of Leo's Denebola and Virgo's epsilon, beta and gamma]

Vindemiatrix--the Beautiful or GG 3.0 epsilon VIRgo 15VIR12 16n12
Good Boy; (bright yellow; anciently of 1st magnitude)
Porrima/Caphir (bin., yellow- FF 2.9 gamma VIRgo 15VIR24 2n47
white with white dwarf companion; Equatorial)
Gienah B8 2.8 gamma CORvus 16VIR00 14s39
Auva (golden yellow) M3 3.7 delta VIRgo 16VIR44 08n36
Minkar K3 3.2 epsilon CORVUS 16VIR56 19s40
Alchiba (orange) F2 4.2 alpha CORvus 17VIR31 21s44
Algorab (double/ pale yellow AO 3.1 delta CORvus 18VIR43 12s12
& red-purple)

Merga (hardly visible) F4 5.8 Fl.38 BOOtes 20VIR43 57n52
Kraz G4 2.8 beta CORvus 22VIR38 18s02
Seginus A7 3.0 gamma BOOtes 22VIR56 49n32

Muphrid (pale yellow) GO 2.8 eta BOOtes 24VIR33 28n05
--(perhaps Heze or Greek Hebe; A2 3.4 zeta VIRgo 27VIR09 09n16
near Celestial Equator)
Foramen (reddish; eruptive P 1-7.4 eta CARina 27VIR25 58s55
variable at the heart of Key Nebula NGC 3372; part of
ARGO NAVIS; Lockyer's Oannes or Ea's Star; from
1835-45 eta outshone every star but Sirius)
SPICA (binary/ brilliant B2 1.0 alpha VIRgo 29VIR06 2s03
flushed white)
ARCTURUS (golden yellow giant) K2 0.0 alpha BOOtes 29VIR30 30n44
Nekkar (golden yellow) G5 3.6 beta BOOTES 29VIR31 54n08

Izar (binary/ yellow & bluish) KO 2.7 epsilon BOOTES 03LIB22 40n37
MIAPLACIDUS AO 1.8 beta CARina 07LIB15 72s14
Princeps (dble, pale yellow & G4 3.5 delta BOOtes 08LIB24 48n59
blue)
Alkalurops (ternary/ flushed A7 4.5 mu1 BOOtes 08LIB27 53n25
white, the other two greenish white)
Syrma F5 4.2 iota VIRgo 09LIB03 7n13

--(perhaps Ceginus) G5 5.4 phi BOOtes 10LIB22 57n12
GACRUX (var./clear orange M4 1.6 gamma CRUx 12LIB00 47s50
giant; CRUx or Southern CROSS once part of the Centaur)
Khambalia A2 4.6 lambda VIRgo 12LIB12 0n29
Nusakan A8 3.7 beta CORONA BOR 14LIB23 46n03

MIMOSA (variable, yellowish B1 1.3 beta CRUx 16LIB55 48s38
white sub-giant)
ACRUX (triple/ white B1 0.9 alpha CRUx 17LIB08 52s52
supergiant; near Milky Way Equator)
Alphecca/Gemma (eclipsing AO 2.3 alpha CORonaBOR 17LIB33 44n19
binary, blue-white)
Menkent (double, variable/ G9 2.3 theta CENtaurus 17LIB34 22s04
red & bluish)

Kiffa Aust./Zubenelgenubi/ A3 2.9 alpha1&2 LIBra 20LIB21 0n20
South Scale Tray (double /pale yellow & gray)
--(variable/ white) A1 5.4 delta LIBra 20LIB33 08n41
Zubenhakrabi K5 5.3 nu LIBra 23LIB22 1n11
Kiffa Bor./North Scale Tray/ B8 2.7 beta LIBra 24LIB38 8n31
Zubeneschamali (pale emerald; once brighter than Antares)

Unukalhai (pale yellow; in K2 2.8 alpha SERpens 27LIB20 25n31
SERpens Caput; near Celestial Equator)
--(Aratos' Wild Beast) B2 2.9 alpha Lupus 28LIB40 30s02
AGENA/Hadar (binary/ blue- B3 0.6 beta CENtaurus 29LIB04 44s08
white giant & yellow; near Milky Way Equator;
alpha & beta are Pointers to Southern Crux or
Cross which was once part of CENtaurus)

Marfik (double/ light yellow G4 5.3 kappa HERcules 00SCO59 37n12
& pale garnet)
--unnamed, perhaps Zubenelgubi KO 4.0 gamma LIBra 01SCO24 4n23
RIGIL KENTAURUS/Bungula GK 0.0 alpha CENtaurus 04SCO46 42s36
(triple/ a visual binary--white & yellow with companion
called "Proxima"; near Milky Way Equator; closest star
at 4.3 light years away; "
Kornephoros (pale yellow) G8 2.8 beta HERcules 06SCO22 42n42
Cujam (double) AZ 4.5 omega HERcules 06SCO51 35n10
Yed Prior (deep yellow) M1 3.0 delta OPHiuchus 07SCO34 17n15
Dschubba/Isidus BO 2.5 delta SCOrpio 07SCO50 1s59
Acrab/(Graffius (triple, pale B1 2.9 beta1 SCOrpio 08SCO27 1n00
white, bluish, & lilac; omega1 [B2 4.1] & omega2 [GO 4.6]
follow in less than 1/2d of longitude "on" the Ecliptic)
Yed Posterior (red) G8 3.3 epsil OPHiuchus 08SCO47 16n26
Jabbah (quadruple) B2 4.3 nu SCOrpio 09SCO55 1n37
Marfik (binary /yellowish- A1 3.8 lambda OPH 10SCO52 23n33
white & smalt blue)
Han O9 2.7 zeta OPHiuchus 14SCO29 11n23

ANTARES (binary/ fiery red MB 1.2 alpha SCOrpio 15SCO01 4s34
supergiant & emerald green) Note: Al Niyat, the Praecordia
or the "Outworks of the Heart" = sigma [dbl./ white & blue,
B1 3.1] & tau [BO 2.9], about 13SCO 5s & 17SCO 7s; after
sigma is M4 Globular Cluster, about 1.5d W. of Antares)
Rastaban (yellow) G2 3.0 beta DRAco 17SCO14 75n16
--(near left knee) BO 2.7 zeta OPHiuchus 17SCO ? 10n ?

Sarin (dble./ green, purple) A3 3.2 delta HERcules 20SCO02 47n41
Ras Algethi (bin./var./orange- M5 3.5 alpha HERcules 21SCO23 38n22
red supergiant & yellow giant companion appears green)
Graffius (xi is also called K5 3.8 zeta2 SCOrpio 22SCO30 19s38
Graffius; 3rd Joint of Tail near Milky Way Equator;
Tail = epsilon mu zeta eta theta iota kappa)
Sabik (pale yellow) A2 2.6 eta OPHiuchus 23SCO14 7n12

Masym (deep yellow) K4 4.5 lambda HER 25SCO10 26n06
ATRIA K5 1.8 alpha TRI AUST 26SCO10 46s09
Rasalhague (sapphire) A5 2.1 alpha OPHiuchus 27SCO42 35n50
[NGC 6369, between #44 & #51 OPH, just after theta OPH
is conjunct the Ecliptic & marks ancient lunar station.]
Lesath B3 2.8 upsilon SCOrpio 29SCO16 14s01
SHAULA (spectroscopic binary; B2 1.6 lambda SCOrpio 29SCO51 13s47
blue-white)
Grumium/Genam (yellow) F8 3.9 xi DRAco 00SAG01 80n17
--(Flame on the Altar w/ beta) B3p 3.0 alpha ARA 00SAG12 26s36
Cebalrai (yellow) K1 2.9 beta OPHiuchus 00SAG36 27n56
Sargas (double/red & greenish; FO 2.0 theta SCOrpio 00SAG52 19s38
5th Joint in Tail)
Aculeus (Galactic Cluster 26') C 5.3 M6 Open /SCO 01SAG01 8s50

GALACTIC CENTER SAGITTARIUS 02SAG06'21" 5s36'27"
The Milky Way Galaxy Equator forms a 60d 33m angle with
the Ecliptic (see Fagan, 5/1959 "Solunars"); since this
is a center, there is no opposite point.

Eltanin (Orange) K5 2.4 gamma DRAco 02SAG54 74n55
Acumen (Galactic Cluster 50') C 3.2 M7 Open SCO 04SAG01 11s22
Sinistra KO 3.5 nu OPHiuchus 05SAG10 13n39

Galactic Equator/Ecliptic Crossings SAGITTARIUS 05SAG16 0n00
(and oppositely in 05GEM16 0n00)

[NOTE: for epoch 2000, WINTER SOLSTICE (18 R.A.) is 05SAG16,
followed within two degrees by: M20 Trifid @ R.A.
18h 03m; M8 Lagoon @ R.A. 18h 05m; & M21 Open @
R.A. 18h 06m, all within 3d N. of Ecliptic]

Spiculum (likely an average N 6.0 SAGittarius 06SAG20 0n53
of M20, M8 & M21; M8 Lagoon Nebula 90'x40' of arc;
M20 Trifid Nebula 29'x27'; M21 Galactic Cluster 12')
Al Nasl (yellow; teapot's KO 3.1 gamma SAG 06SAG31 6s49
spout, and/or arrow, points to Galactic Center)

APEX OF THE SUN'S WAY, or Solar Apex 07SAG24'07" 53n26'01"
apprx 18 hr. R.A., 30n Declination; near nu HERcules
[FO 4.5], R.A. 17h 58m, Dec. 30n11 of epoch 1971;
Solar Antapex or the Sun's Quit is 7GEM24 53s26)

Polis (triple/ mu1 = 8.5, B8 4.0 mu1&2 SAG 08SAG28 2n21
9.5, & 10 magnitude; mu2 = 5.8 magnitude)
Kaus Media (double/ orange- K2 2.8 delta SAG 09SAG51 6s28
yellow & bluish)
KAUS AUSTRALIS (double/ orange B9 1.9 epsilon SAG 10SAG21 11s03
& bluish)
Kaus Borealis (yellow; M28 K1 2.9 lambda SAG 11SAG35 2s08
Globular Cluster above lambda within 2d S. of Ecliptic)
Facies (Globular Cluster 17') C 5.9 M22 SAG 13SAG35 0s43
Nunki/Pelagus B3 2.0 sigma SAG 17SAG39 3s27
Ascella (binary) A4 2.7 zeta SAG 18SAG54 7s11
Manubrium G8 3.9 omicron SAG 20SAG14 0n52
WEGA (pale sapphire; 4th A1 0.0 alpha LYRa 20SAG35 61n44
brightest; pole star about BC 12,500 when VIR-PIS and
GEM-SAG carried the colures of the seasons)

[Epsilon LYRA--a double double--one binary revolves around the
other: epsilon1--yellow & ruddy, and epsilon2--both white, A5 4.5]

Alya (binary, variable/ pale A5 4.5 theta SERpens 21SAG01 26n52
yellow & gold yellow; in SERpens Cauda)
Arkab1 prior B8 4.3 beta SAG 21SAG02 22s09
Arkab2 posterior B8 4.5 beta SAG 21SAG06 22s29
Albaldah F3 3.0 pi SAGittarius 21SAG30 1n27
Rukbat B9 4.1 alpha SAG 21SAG53 18s44
Sheliak (binary, var./ very BB 3.4 beta LYRa 24SAG09 55n59
white; M57 Ring Nebula is 1/3 from beta to gamma LYRA)
Deneb (binary, green) B9 3.0 zeta AQuila 25SAG04 36n11
Sulaphat (binary,bright yellow) B9 3.3 gamma LYRa 27SAG11 55n01
--(in Antinous; Equatorial) A5 3.4 delta AQuila 28SAG54 24n49
Peacock B3 2.1 alpha PAVO 29SAG05 36s16

Terebellum (1of4 in SAG's tail) G5 4.8 omega SAG 01CAP05 5s25
--(in Antinous; yellow, var.) GOp 3-4 eta AQuila 05CAP42 21n32
Tarazed (pale orange) K2 2.8 gamma AQuila 06CAP12 31n14
Sham (dble., W. in Arrowshaft) F8 4.4 alpha SAGGita 06CAP20 38n47
Albireo (binary, topaz yellow K1 3.2 beta1 CYGnus 06CAP31 48n58
giant & sapphire blue companion)
ALTAIR (dbl., yellow-white) A7 0.8 alpha AQuila 07CAP02 29n18
Alshain (pale orange) G8 3.9 beta AQuila 07CAP41 26n39
[NOTE: Skyglobe Error--iota SAG at about
28SAG & 20d south is misnamed Alshain]
Giedi1/Algedi (double/ yellow) G5 4.6 alpha1 CAP 09CAP02 6n59
Giedi2/Algedi (triple/ pale G5 3.8 alpha2 CAP 09CAP07 6n55
yellow, ash & lilac)
Dabih (each double/ orange- FB 3.3 beta1&2 CAP 09CAP18 4n35
yellow & sky blue)
Al Shat AO 4.8 nu CAPricorn 09CAP42 6n34
Oculus (dble./yellow, bluish) B8 5.2 pi CAPricorn 09CAP58 0n54
Bos (dble./ yellow, purple) F1 5.0 rho CAPricorn 10CAP25 1n12
Albali A1 3.8 epsilon AQU 16CAP59 8n04
Armus A4 4.9 eta CAPricorn 18CAP01 2s59
Dorsum AO 4.2 theta CAP 19CAP05 0s36

AL NA'IR (on body of Crane; B5 1.8 alpha GRUS 21CAP10 32s54
CRANE was once PISCES AUSTRALIS along with alpha, beta
[M3 2.2], delta [M4 4.3], theta [F5 4.3], iota [KO 4.1],
& lambda [K2 4.6] GRUS; alpha GRUS was the Bright One
of the Fishes Tail; beta on Crane's left wing was the
Rear One At End of Fishes Tail; gamma on Crane's eye was
The Tail of the Fish)
Rotanev (triple/ greenish, F3 3.7 beta DELphinus 21CAP36 31n55
dusky, purplish; a & b titles are `Nicolaus Venator' reversed)
Sualocin (pale yellow) B8 3.9 alpha DEL 22CAP39 33n02

Castra B5 4.7 epsilon CAP 25CAP27 4s58
Nashira F2 3.8 gamma CAPricorn 27CAP03 2s33
Kitalpha FA 4.1 alpha EQUuleus 28CAP23 20n07
Sadalsuud (pale yellow) GO 3.0 beta AQUarius 28CAP39 8n37
Deneb Algedi (with gamma = A5 3.0 delta CAPricorn 28CAP48 2s36
Two Bending Stars in flexure of tail; lambda & mu = extreme
Tail End; NEPtune discovered 5d East of delta on 9-23-1846)

Sadr (near Milky Way Equator) F8 2.3 gamma CYGnus 00AQU06 57n07
Gienah (yellow) KO 2.6 epsilon GYGnus 03AQU01 49n25
Enif(triple/yellow,violet,blue) K2 2.5 epsilon PEGasus 07AQU08 22n07
Ancha G6 4.3 theta AQUarius 08AQU32 2n42
Sadalmelik (pale yellow; G1 3.2 alpha AQU 09AQU01 11n04
Equatorial)
FOMALHAUT (reddish) A2 1.2 alpha PIS.AUST. 09AQU07 21s08

DENEB ADIGE (brilliant white A2 1.3 alpha CYGnus 10AQU36 59n54
supergiant; a POLE star; near Milky Way Equator)
Sadachbia* (greenish, on inner AO 4.0 *gamma AQUarius 11AQU59 8n14
edge, westernmost in Y of URN; Equatorial)
Biham A2 3.7 theta PEGasus 12AQU05 16n20
Skat/Scheat (part of `the A2 3.5 delta AQUarius 14AQU08 8s11
Stream' leading to Fomalhaut in the Southern Fish; near
the Delta Aquarids Meteors of 27-29 July)
Seat* (in Y of the URN; Seat B1p 4.6 *pi AQUarius 14AQU ? 8n ?
= pitha or jar of the god; Equatorial; see Jar-bearer Nabu)
--(*in center of Y of the URN, F2 4.4 *zeta2 AQUarius 14AQU09 8n47
binary /very white & white; Equatorial;
the URN was once a separate asterism)
Situla/Urna (individually so K1 5.3 kappa AQUarius 14AQU41 4n06
named; not part of the Y of Urn, but at southern edge)
--(*in Y of URN, easternmost; B8 4.1 *eta AQU 14AQU ? n ?
Equatorial)
The Water, Outpouring (red; MO 3.8 lambda AQU 16AQU50 1s ?
1st of `the STREAM' from the URN--once a separate
constellation of lambda, phi, chi, psi1,2,3, omega1,2,
& others; or 1st of 2 Streams, one leading to Eridanus,
and one to Fomalhaut--Mouth of Southern Fish)
ACHERNAR (bluish-white) B9 0.5 alpha ERIdanus 20AQU34 59s23
Ankaa G5 2.2 alpha PHOenix 20AQU46 40s38
Homam (light yellow) BA 3.6 zeta PEGasus 21AQU25 17n40
--(part of the Stream, MO 4.4 phi AQUarius 22AQU ? 1s ?
south of Homam; near Ecliptic)
--(Western Fish's Mouth; B5p 4.6 beta PISces 22AQU ? 9n ?
CIRCLE OF PISCES in Western Fish: gamma [KO 3.8],
kappa [4.9], theta [G5 4.4], lambda [A5 4.6],
iota [F8 4.3]; omega {below} marks tail near SVP)
Markab~ (white) B9 2.6 alpha PEGasus 28AQU45 19n24
Sadal Bari (for lambda & mu) G6 3.7 mu PEGasus 29AQU39 29n23

[~The GREAT SQUARE OF PEGASUS, a naked eye stellar landmark:
alpha PEGasus Markab; beta PEGasus Scheat; gamma PEGasus Algenib;
and delta PEGasus which is also alpha ANDromeda Alpheratz.]

Matar (double) G2 3.1 eta PEGasus 00PIS59 35n06
Azelfafage (near M.W. Equator) B3 4.8 pi1 CYGnus 03PIS33 58n52
Scheat~(var., red giant) M2 2.6 beta PEGasus 04PIS37 31n09

SYNETIC VERNAL POINT Epoch 1/1/2000, at the same 05PIS16 00n00
time--fall equinox 5VIR16, winter solstice 5SAG16, & summer
solstice 5GEM16, which are now the CARDINAL constellations.

--(Tail of Western Fish) F5 4.0 omega PISces 05PIS32 6n32
Kerb A6 4.6 tau PEGasus 06PIS19 25n34
Deneb Kaitos/Difda (yellow- K0 2.0 beta CETus 07PIS51 20s46
orange giant)
Algenib~ (dble.,/bluish-white) B2 2.9 gamma PEGasus 14PIS25 12n36
Garnet Star/Erakis (triple, M2 4-5 mu CEPheus 14PIS58 64n11
deep garnet to orange supergiant; irregularly variable)
Alderamin (white; a POLE star) A7 2.6 alpha CEPheus 18PIS03 68n55
Alpheratz~ (binary/ bluish B8 2.1 alpha ANDromeda 19PIS34 25n41
white giant & purplish, same as........delta PEGasus)
Nodus II/Altais (Deep yellow; KO 3.2 delta DRAco 22PIS26 82n53
2nd Knot of Dragon)

Revati (CORD; dble/yellow & orge) 5.6 zeta PISces 25PIS08 0s13
Baten Kaitos (topaz yellow) KO 3.9 zeta CETus 27PIS13 20s20
Acamar (double) A2 3.4 theta ERIDanus 28PIS32 53s45
Al Kurhah (binary/ both blue) FG 4.6 xi CEPheus 29PIS29 65n45

Al Pherg (CORD or Vessel of G3 3.7 eta PISces 02ARI05 5n23
the Fish; double)
Vertex (the Great Andromeda N 4.8 M31 ANDromeda 02ARI59 33n24
Nebula, 160'x40' of arc, near nu ANDromeda)
Kaitain/AlRescha (CORD or A2 3.9 alpha PISces 04ARI38 9s04
Knot; binary/ pale green & blue)
Mirach (CORD; dbl./ red giant) MO 2.4 beta ANDromeda 05ARI40 25n56
Mira/Wonderful Star (binary M6 3.0 omicron CETus 06ARI47 15s58
& variable/ flushed yellow to deep garnet supergiant
with white dwarf companion)
Angetenar (yellow) KO 4.8 tau2 ERIdanus 07ARI54 35s31
Mesartim (dble/ white & gray) AO 4.8 gamma ARIes 08ARI27 7n09
Sharatan (pearly white) A5 2.7 beta ARIes 09ARI14 8n29

Caph (creamy white) F2 2.4 beta CASsiopeia 10ARI20 51n14
Alfirk (double/ white & blue) B2 3.3 beta CEPHeus 10ARI49 71n09
Apin/Caput Trianguli (yellow) F2 3.6 alpha TRIangulu 12ARI07 16n48
Hamal (yellow-orange giant) K2 2.0 alpha ARIes 12ARI55 9n58
Schedar (multiple, maybe var./ KO 2.5 alpha CAS 13ARI03 46n37
orange giant, yellowish & bluish companions)
Adhil (s.e. of phi, in the G9 5.0 xi ANDromeda 13ARI08 33n49
`Train of the Garment' towards gamma Almach--near the
radiant point of the Andromedids II--the Bielid meteors
of Nov., which leave `trains' of reddish-yellow sparks;
Syrma--iota VIRGO in 09LIB03 is also located in the
`Train of the Garment')
Azha (pale yellow) K2 4.0 eta ERIdanus 14ARI01 24s32
Kaffal Jidhmah (double/ pale AF 3.6 gamma CETus 14ARI42 11s59
yellow & blue; near Celestial Equator)

Alchird (binary) F9 3.6 eta CASsiopeia 15ARI31 47n00
Zibal A3 4.9 zeta ERIdanus 19ARI06 25s55
Cih (binary/ irreg.var./white) BO var. gamma CAS 19ARI12 48n48
Almach (triple, variable/ K2 2.3 gamma ANDdrome 19ARI29 27n48
orange giant, emerald, blue)
Menkar (bright orange; M2 2.8 alpha CETus 19ARI35 12s35
Equatorial)

Ruchbah/Rukbah A5 2.8 delta CAS 23ARI11 46n26
Botein K2 4.5 delta ARIes 26ARI07 1n49
Rana Secunda/Difda KO 3.7 delta ERIdanus 26ARI08 28s40
Zaurak MO 3.2 gamma ERIdanus 29ARI08 33s12
Capulus (NGC869 Galactic Cluster; 4.4 33 vi PERseus 29ARI27 40n22
chi and h mark the double cluster NGC 869 & 884--the
Sword Hand of Perseus, or Arab--the Wrist of, i.e.,
next to, the Pleiades; iota, g, phi, & upsilon mark
the Outstretched Sword)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

(continued)

The Song Of The Stars
We are the stars which sing,
We sing with our light;
We are the birds of fire,
We fly over the sky.
Our light is a voice;
We make a road for spirits,
For the spirits to pass over.
... from an Algonquin poem


**********************************************************************

METEORIC SHOWERS (from Cyril Fagan's 3/1956 "Solunars"):

Andromedids Best Visibility AUG 1 15ARI57 30n11
Perseids AUG 12 7TAU24 37n51
Orionids OCT 19 4GEM04 8s25
Geminids DEC 12 25GEM41 10n07
Leonids NOV 17 2LEO17 9n51
Quadrantids JAN 3 26VIR25 65n11
Lyrids APR 21 7SAG32 56n28
Herculids APR 21 11SAG29 48n23

************************************************************************
************************************************************************


MISCELLANEOUS:

This starlist includes CORRECTIONS of name errors in sidereal sources,
most due to confusion from Arabic titles. (Robson's tropical longitudes
for January 1, 1920 are herein corrected to the Sidereal Zodiac with
S.V.P. of 6 degrees 22' for that epoch.)
*Robson does not distinguish the names and positions of Al TARF Beta
Cancer (9CAN31 1s18) and ALTERF Lambda Leo (23CAN08 7n54).
*Fagan mispelled Lambda Leo's title which, according to R.H. Allen's
Star Names--Their Lore and Meaning, should be ALTERF.
*Stars ALHECKA (Zeta Taurus 0GEM02 2s12) and AL HAKAH (Lambda Orion
MEISSA 28TAU57) have similar name confusion and therefore location
confusion. AL HAKAH is also the name for the #3 Arabic Manzil and both
star and manzil mean "a white spot."
*Kappa Aquarius is SITULA, whereas Fagan incorrectly listed Zeta
Aquarius.
*Both Michelson's American Sidereal Ephemeris and Omega's Sidereal
Ephemerides, as well as Stahl's Ephemerides, incorrectly copied the
above errors.
*Omega incorrectly lists the longitude of SCHEAT beta Pegasus; it
should be 4PIS37 31n09.
*The computer planetarium Skyglobe, DOS Version 3.6, has name errors:
ALSHAIN is the name given to Beta Aquila, whereas Skyglobe incorrectly
has it for Iota Sagittarius which is east of Alpha RUKBAT (21SAG53
18s44) and Beta 1&2 ARKAB & URKAB (21SAG02 22s09).
*ATIK is the name of Omicron Perseus, whereas Skyglobe incorrectly
shows Zeta Perseus.
*MIRAK is zeta Ursa Major 20LEO57 57n23 whereas Skyglobe has Mizar.
*********************************


The following are the apparently brightest stars: Sirius, Canopus,
Alpha Centauri, Arcturus, Wega, Capella, Rigel, Procyon, Achemar,
Betelgeuse, Beta Centauri.

The brightest radio star is CASSIOPEIA A, a cloud of gas; the second
brightest radio star is CYGNUS A, two colluding galaxies; the third
brightest radio star is the CRAB NEBULA near zeta Tauri, at the tip of
the lower horn of Taurus. Other noteworthy radio stars coincide with
MESSIER 87, a galaxy near the center of the Virgo Supercluster of
galaxies, and with MESSIER 31, the great spiral of the Andromeda Galaxy.
Hundreds of others have not been identified. A faint radio glow follows
the Milky Way, but shines in the center of the galaxy in Sagittarius.
The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and the two Magellanic Clouds are visible to
the naked eye.

It was announced on TV news early in 1999 that there are an
estimated 125 billion galaxies in the universe. On April 15, 1999 it
was announced that upsilon Andromeda has 2 or 3 planets.

**********************************************************************
**********************************************************************


A P P E N D I C E S:

* STAR DELINEATION
* ZODIACAL & EXTRA-ZODIACAL STARS
* AGES & THE 25,920 YEAR PRECESSION CYCLE, THE GREAT YEAR
* THE ORDER OF THE DRAGON--THE ECLIPTIC PLANE & POLE
* DRACO, the DRAGON'S STARS, FROM HEAD TO TAIL


STAR DELINEATION
The astrological practice, ascribed to Ptolemy in the 2nd century
AD, of defining stars by reference to the planets in our solar system
does not take into consideration the difference between stars and
planets. Time to update! Stars (and our Sun is a star) are immense
globes of incandescent gases, radiating light and heat. Some stars (not
a majority) have their own solar systems of planets, dark bodies
revolving around them at great distances, which planets shine only by
reflected light. The color of a star generated by its heat and light is
not analogous with and the reflected light of a planet. Although it
might seem apt to astrologers who are used to thinking in terms of
planetary definitions, the comparison of planets unique to our solar
system to describe the meaning of another star is not valid, either by
meaning or color. In brief, the basic concept of Ptolemy's delineation
of stars is obviously spurious. Furthermore, there is reason to doubt
that Ptolemy wrote the astrological work ascribed to him. Even one
hundred years ago, R.H. Allen's Star Names (p218) says that Ptolemy (2nd
century AD) did not make original observations and likely copied his
star catalogue from that of Hipparchos (2nd century BC), whose catalogue
is now lost.
A star is distinct depending on many factors such as temperature,
mass, age, etc., and could be of an entirely different class than our
Sun, and may not even have planets. Even "if" the star were in a class
comparable to ours, and even "if" it were to have planets, which for us
now is very hard to determine scientifically, it may not be similar
enough to have the same number of planets which would give a very
different harmonic resonance. Given the near impossible odds of finding
such a star with the same number of planets as ours, the planets'
harmonics and relationships within their solar system still do not
define the star. It is quite opposite. The planets are a function of
the heat, size, age, etc., of the star and the accidents of the cosmos.
While apples and oranges are examples of items `not' comparable, both
are at least fruit; stars and planets are not at all in any way
comparable.
See APPENDIX on Color, Sound, & Elements at the end of this file.
**********************************


ZODIACAL AND EXTRA-ZODIACAL STARS
A particular NOTE follows on ZODIACAL STARS (near the ecliptic
plane) and planetary `conjunctions' and 'oppositions': these are the
two significant aspects to consider, in both longitude and latitude.
The reason is because only these two aspects involve alignments between
3 celestial bodies. With conjunctions--the star, light-or-planet, and
Earth are aligned, and similarly with oppositions--the star, Earth,
and light-or-planet are aligned.
Generally most of the planets' latitudes are between that of the Sun
and Moon. The Sun is always 0 degrees latitude because the ecliptic
plane is that between the Earth and Sun; and the Moon's latitude is 5
degrees 8' 43" either north or south ecliptic latitude. However, it has
traditionally been Mercury which defined the width of the ecliptic plane
as its ecliptic latitude may reach about 7 degrees 0' 13" north or
south, thereby giving a zodiacal belt of 14 degrees. And so Mercury's
latitude gives the limit of the planetary conjunctions with zodiacal
stars--about SEVEN DEGREES NORTH and/or SOUTH ECLIPTIC LATITUDE. Pluto
is the exception (extreme on many levels of definition) as its north or
south latitude will vary up to 17 degrees 8' 35", and so stars that
Pluto may conjunct must be looked at separately. A yellow pen will pop
out the zodiacal stars (within 7 degrees latitude) on the starlist.

A rule-of-thumb ORB between planets and/or lights (the Sun & Moon)
is about 2 to 2.5 degrees. For instance, Garth Allen stated as a matter
of experience that if an event were to be indicated by an aspect, it
usually happened in about 2 degrees and less. Likewise, about 2 to 2.5
degrees ORB (in both ecliptic longitude and ecliptic latitude) from the
sun, moon or planet's conjunction or opposition with a star is a
reasonable consideration. The specific radius of a 2-1/2 degree orb
(that is, on both or all sides of the star's position) was cited by
Cyril Fagan, as measured when the Sun passed over the Crab Nebula--a
very strong radio source--whose intensity diminished accordingly as the
Sun conjuncted it more exactly.
However, that orb still bears qualification: the 2.5 degree orb may
well be the largest functional orb as limited to conjunctions between
our Sun (a star) and other stars. Conjunctions between a 'planet' and
other stars is better considered with much a smaller orb. For accuracy
in timing events, astrologers must work with less than 15 minutes (1/4
degree). Planets within this solar system are in a constantly moving
dynamic relationship with each other, but have a very different
relationship to the fixed stars. In my opinion, any aspect to fixed
stars other than a conjunction (and secondarily the opposition) is not
valid because a star acts, by analogy, like a spotlight. The star
illuminates, "colors," and gives extra power to that with which it is
directly aligned. A planet squaring a star, for example, does not align
with that star's light. Nor does any other aspect.
Consider that the width or diameter of the sphere of both Sun and
Moon is 1/2 degree, and then it can be seen that 2 degrees orb (or four
moons) is liberal. For example, if the Moon and a star had the same
exact ecliptic longitude, but the Moon was 1 degree north latitude and
the star was 7 degrees south latitude, the Moon could not conjunct that
star because it would be 8 degrees away. Eight degrees is 16 full moons
strung together! This is similar to the terrestrial example of San
Francisco and Seattle which are both about 122 degrees longitude;
however, because of their differing latitudes, they are not in the same
place. This is a common-sense application of measure.

A particular NOTE on EXTRA-ZODIACAL STARS in reference to their
ANGULARITY (while remembering that planetary conjunctions are impossible
with Extra-Zodiacal stars). When stars have latitude several degrees
off the ecliptic, they do not rise, set or culminate on the MUNDANE
ANGLES at the same time as their ecliptic longitude degree. The
positions of Extra-zodiacal stars must be individually calculated in
regard to the mundane angles. [The 4 `mundane angles'--2 on the Horizon
and and 2 on the Meridian--are created by the crossing of the ecliptic
plane with the eastern horizon for the Ascendant and with the western
horizon for the Descendant; and by the crossing of the ecliptic plane
with the Meridian circle in the south for the Midheaven (Medium Coeli,
or upper degree of culmination), and by the crossing of the ecliptic
plane with the Meridian circle in the north below the horizon for the
I.C., the lower culmination.]
In actuality, this also applies to some Zodiacal stars since a star
of 6 to 7 degrees latitude (north or south) is out of a strict orb of
the mundane angle. The further stars are from the ecliptic plane, the
more disparity in their ecliptic longitudes and the less likely they are
to occur bodily "ON" the mundane angles, that is, "on" -- as conjunct,
but not any other aspect "to" the mundane angles. This is true in both
Tropical and Sidereal measurement of the zodiac! Yet and still, as a
rule of thumb, because the mundane angles change so rapidly--about 1
degree every 4 minutes, astrologers often allow about 5 degrees orb on
the mundane angles to allow for common inaccuracies in recording birth
time. But this orb does not apply in the event that the time is known.
Some stars in the southern hemisphere will not even be seen in the
northern skies above the horizon. A star with extreme southern
declination of, for example, 60 degrees could vary even more than 60
degrees between its ecliptic position and its mundane rising position in
some latitudes. Shareware planetarium SKYGLOBE allows one to view both
hemispheres from a variety of latitudes; this program which graphically
shows the celestial positions is worth 10,000 definitions. By combining
SKYGLOBE with a star list of the longitude and latitude positions in the
zodiacal constellations, one can see that extreme extra-zodiacal stars
may rise when an entirely different constellation is on an angle.

At first I thought to include in this star list only the brightest
zodiacal stars of 1st and 2nd magnitudes which have been seen from
ancient times. But then the bright Extra-zodiacal stars called me
irresistably. Even though like the proverbial crow, I like to feather
my nest with all the shiniest objects, the smaller stars of ancient
repute also had intriguing luster. Identifying the stars above has led
me to a more comprehensive view of how the Egyptians anciently used and
understood the stars as a link with the cosmos. In such listing, I
found myself closer to the proverbial Phoenix' nest rather than the
crow's, and discovered the Goddess Maat of Justice, Order, and Truth who
weighs one's heart with her Ostrich Plume and reveals the meaning behind
her measure. (See forthcoming duplicate starlist called STARNAMES with
names and titles instead of colors.) Although limited as a list must
be, this STAR COLORS LIST is offered as an incentive and aid for others
to study with more ease, especially with the shareware planetarium
SKYGLOBE, which is much recommended for help in locating the stars.
**************************************


AGES AND THE 25,920 YEAR PRECESSION CYCLE
Since this is THE AGE OF PISCES as astronomically indicated by the
occurrence of the spring equinox in the constellation Pisces, this star
list could well begin with Pisces (the Fagan/Allen Synetic Vernal Point
is 05 PISCES 15' 49.1" for epoch 2000). However, in ancient cultures,
TAURUS was universally acclaimed as the beginning of and/or the cosmic
leader of the zodiacal constellations; likewise this star list in the
framework of the Sidereal (star constellation) Zodiac begins with
TAURUS.

PRECESSION CYCLE: Astronomical texts (and books such as Rand
McNalley's Concise Atlas of the Universe) give standard definitions of
the counterclockwise motion of the Precession cycle--generally reckoned
as 25,920 years, with 72 years to move 1 degree backward along the
ecliptic, and 2160 years to move backward through one of the 12
zodiacal constellations of 30 degrees. According to closer, modern
calculations, precession's backward rate annually is 50.274" of arc,
somewhat less than 1/60th of a degree; giving 71.6 years to move
backward one degree, 2148 years to move backward through a
constellation, and 25,776 years for a whole cycle. However, the rate
is not constant over millennia, nor is the circle perfect, being
subject to permutation due to the earth's axial wobble.
The precession "circle" is about 47 degrees in diameter; it shows
the shift in position of the North Celestial Pole around the pole of
the ecliptic located in Draco. (47 degrees is twice 23.44 degrees
which is the axial tilt of the earth's pole to the ecliptic plane).
The North Celestial Pole (of the Equatorial System) is now near Polaris
in Ursa Minor (Lesser Bear or Little Dipper). Later, the pole will
enter the constellation of Cepheus, then to near gamma Cepheus about
4500 AD, and near alpha Cepheus about 7500 AD; continuing through
Dephinus and into Cygnus about the year 10,000 AD, and near to delta
Cygnus about 11,300 AD. About 13,500 AD, a point near the bright star
Wega (alpha Lyra) will be near the north pole, as it was about BC
12,600, over 14,000 years ago.
Some bright, circumpolar stars such as Wega would have a continued
function on a colure, as Wega did about BC 9500, and similarly, other
pole stars which are closely circumpolar may mark a colure, and hence a
season. The constellation Hercules carried the pole stars for several
millennia after Wega. Then, Iota Draco marked the pole about BC 4500.
In Egyptian times, about BC 2700, the pole was near alpha Draco or
Thuban. These can be easily traced with SKYGLOBE by moving forward
(press the `U' key) or backward (`shift+U') one millennia at a time.
Both Robson's THE FIXED STARS & CONSTELLATIONS IN ASTROLOGY
(p184-5) and R.H. Allen's STAR NAMES (p458) give some of the chief
stars of the northern hemisphere which successively mark the North
Celestial Pole's position in the precession cycle (below). The South
Celestial Pole describes an analogous precession circle through the
stars of the southern celestial sphere. Astronomy texts often list the
same.

alpha URSA MINOR (Lesser Bear), our Polaris
gamma, pi, zeta, nu & alpha CEPHEUS (The King, Mate of Cassiopeia)
alpha & delta CYGNUS (Swan)
alpha LYRA (Lyre); [SKYGLOBE shows 13 Lyra as the pole star,
and alpha Wega as the brightest star nearby]
iota and tau HERCULES (Kneeling One)
theta, iota & alpha DRACO (Dragon)
beta URSA MINOR (Lesser Bear or Little Dipper)
kappa DRACO (Dragon)
and then back to alpha URSA MINOR, our Polaris

While the north and south poles inscribe circles in the north and south
Celestial Sphere, the spring equinox (the intersection of the Celestial
Equator with the Ecliptic) precesses (or moves backwards) through the
constellations. Cyril Fagan's Astrological Origins gives these dates
for the last three ages in terms of the original zodiac of star
constellations: Age of Taurus B.C 4152-BC 1955; Age of Aries BC 1955 -
221 AD; Age of Pisces 221 AD -2376 AD.
* * *

For a detailed explanation of the beginning place or "First Time"
(about BC 10,450) in the 25,920 year Precessional Cycle, refer to
Graham Hancock and Robert Bauval's best seller, THE MESSAGE OF THE
SPHINX [see also Hancock's Fingerprints of the Gods and Heaven's
Mirror]. The constellation Orion (the Egyptian Osiris) has three Belt
Stars whose altitude at their highest and lowest southern culminations
were seen and measured at a specific city in Egypt, and some believe
their positions were calculated for the whole precessional cycle.
(This process can also be measured in declination and demonstrated on
SKYGLOBE.) According to Bauval's discovery, the position of these
three stars is mirrored on the ground by the 3 pyramids, including the
Great Pyramid, with the Sphinx mirroring Leo rising, the constellation
which then carried the spring equinox. Hancock and Beauval's book
indicates that Alnilam in Orion's Belt, which corresponds to the Great
Pyramid, specifically was a marker of the whole Precession Cycle for
the ancient Egyptians; and Alnilam was at its lowest point about BC
10,500. Alnilam marked the southern meridian and solstice position
about BC 10,500, and would have culminated South 'with Taurus' when Leo
rose in the east and carried the spring equinox sun.
Likewise the Horns of Taurus (beta and zeta which are near the
Milky Way equator) located north of or above Orion, zodically marked
the meridian and solstice position in BC 10,500. It was here
mythologically that Osiris began his cosmic journey across the Milky
Way--the celestial Nile. Since the flooding of the Nile was the life
of Egypt and occurred at the solstice, Orion/Osiris, and Taurus as
zodiacal marker, were primary and prototypic markers. Thus, the
ancient reputation of Taurus as the zodiacal leader has a foundation in
an astronomical process, the 25,920 year cycle! That's the (very) long
view. For the shorter historic view, the scholars de Santillana and
von Dechend speak eloquently in Hamlet's Mill in the chapter "The
Galaxy": "Once the Precession had been discovered, the Milky Way took
on a new and decisive significance. For it was not only the most
spectacular band of heaven, it was also a reference point from which
the Precession could be imagined to have taken its start. This would
have been when the vernal equinoctial sun left its position in Gemini
in the Milky Way." The bookcover describes their thesis: "Drawing on
scientific data, historical and literary sources, the authors argue
that our myths are the remains of a preliterate astronomy, an exacting
science whose power and accuracy were suppressed and then forgotten by
an emergent Greco-Roman world view."
Hancock popularizes the idea that the precessional cycle is the
original context from which each constellation takes its meaning. His
descriptions of precession are masterful. Also the popularity of
Hancock's work revitalizes interest in previous scholars' work. Two
other scholars of the 20th century, whose works are readily available,
have previously concluded that anciently the whole precession cycle was
understood and calculated--see Giorgio de Santillana & Hertha Von
Dechend's HAMLET'S MILL, and especially the specialist in the history
of measurement and quantitative science--L.C. Stecchini's "The
Relation of Ancient Measures To The Great Pyramid" in P. Thompkins'
SECRETS OF THE GREAT PYRAMID.
As the elegant scholar R.H. Allen detailed in STAR NAMES-THEIR LORE
AND MEANING (published 1899 and still a classic), before precession
brought the spring equinox to the zodiacal constellation Taurus about
BC 4152, Taurus was universally acclaimed to be the leader of the
celestial host. Allen's STAR LORE, (p19) says, "Many have maintained
that Egypt was the first to give shapes and names to the star-groups;
Dupuis, perhaps inspired by Macrobius of our 5h century, tracing the
present solar zodiac to that country, and placing its date 13,000 years
anterior to our era when the flow of the Nile with its consequent
harvests, and the seasons, coincided with the positions of the separate
figures and the characters assigned to them. In this he has been
followed by others even to our day."
Although Hancock does not give specific information on the degree
location of primary marking stars in the ancient and original Sidereal
Zodiac, his research has profound implications for enlarging the
understanding of the Sidereal Zodiac, particularly in that he finds in
Egypt the prototype of astronomic measure and wisdom. Hancock deserves
acclaim for presenting the concept and drawings of the prototypic
beginning: the precessional cycle beginning in 10,500 BC with the
solsticial colure entering the end of zodiacal Taurus and culminating
South with Alnilam in Orion also culminating, while Leo--the carrier of
the spring equinox-rises east at the spring equinox. This ultimate
beginning features the Horns of Taurus (beta and zeta) nearly holding
the equator of the Milky Way is seen to run up directly South into the
heavens. The Milky Way is the celestial and sacred river of all rivers.
In the story of the Egyptian Osiris/Orion who mythologically embodies
the Precession Cycle, Taurus marked that prototypic astronomical event
in the zodiac/ecliptic plane in the First Time.
******************************************


THE ORDER OF THE DRAGON: THE ECLIPTIC PLANE & POLE
THE NORTH POLE OF ECLIPTIC PLANE is fixed in DRACO The Dragon
halfway between zeta NODUS I and delta NODUS II, and within 7' of the
nebula N.G.C. 6543. The pole of the ecliptic plane is the pole from
which the Sidereal Zodiac is calculated and a "must know" position for
siderealists. The pole of the ecliptic plane is also the axis of the
PRECESSIONAL CYCLE of 25,920 years, the immutable pole in the center of
the turning wheel of ages--the circle of pole stars. Likewise, the
ecliptic plane, measured from the earth's orbit which forms the
backbone of the zodiac, does not vary significantly over millennia in
reference to the fixed stars (although it too ultimately varies). The
Dragon is astronomically the Guardian of the Axis of Heaven, as
mythologically it is the Guardian of the Garden of Hesperides with its
"tree" of golden apples. The Dragon was "Custos Hesperidum, the
Watcher over the golden fruit; this fruit and the tree bearing it being
themselves stellar emblems..." (Allen's Star Names, p204).
Presently, epoch 2000, the equinoctial and solstitial colures
(reckoned from the Earth's rotational pole in the Equatorial System)
cross near Polaris, the North Star, the celestial marker of the Earth's
pole. In any age the colures will cross at whatever star marks the
north pole. The COLURES are two great circles at right angles to each
other on the celestial sphere running through the two equinoxes and the
two solstices and each through the north and south pole. Because the
poles change with precession, and thus also so do the equinoxes and
solstices, the colures must also change (at the rate of one degree
every 71.6 years). Additionally at this time but for a few centuries
only, the solstitial colure runs between Draco's stars--the FIRST and
SECOND NODES or KNOTS, near the central axis of all the celestial
sphere, the North Pole of the Ecliptic Plane. That would mark this as
a pivotal time.

THE SOUTH POLE OF THE ECLIPTIC PLANE is in DORADO (known as the
Goldfish, Flying Fish, Swordfish) near the head. In R.H. Allen's STAR
NAMES, page 202, according to Caesius, Dorado gave its name to the
south pole of the ecliptic as 'Polis Doradinalis.'

30 DORADUS (LOOP NEBULA): The smaller Magellanic Cloud (Nubecula
Minor, diameter 216'x216' of arc*) is in the constellation Toucan, and
the large Magellanic Cloud (Nubecula Major, diameter 432'x432' or 7
degrees of arc*) is mostly in Dorado; both are seen with the unaided
eye. Harlow Shapley's GALAXIES written nearly 40 years ago has a
startling description of the nebula which still conveys wonder:

"The most conspicuous of the gaseous nebulae of the Magellanic
Clouds, and in fact one of the two or three most spectacular
objects of its kind known anywhere in the sidereal world, is the
LOOP NEBULA in the Large Cloud, which bears the constellation
designation 30 DORADUS....The distance to the large Magellanic
Cloud is approximately 160,000 light-years (nearly a quintillion
miles), and the linear diameter of the widely extended Loop Nebula
is therefore astonishingly great. Let us compare it with the large
nebula in Orion--a show object in our own Galaxy, about 1500 light-
years distant. Both are visible to the naked eye....But the Orion
Nebula is, in actual dimensions and in output of radiation, a pygmy
compared with 30 DORADUS. If the Loop Nebula were placed in the
position of the Orion Nebula, it would fill the whole constellation
of Orion, and the radiation from it and its involved supergiant
stars would be strong enough to cast easily visible shadows on the
earth. There is nothing like it in our own galactic system, as far
as we can discover; but far away in some other galaxies we have
found comparable supergiant gaseous nebulae."

30 Doradus could claim to be the nucleus of the system. In the
center of 30 Doradus is a cluster of more than 100 supergiant stars,
approximately 200 light-years in diameter, and about 400 times as
bright as the great globular cluster in Hercules.
A light-year, the distance traveled by light in one year, is equal
to 5,880,000,000,000 miles, according to Rand McNalley's CONCISE ATLAS
OF THE UNIVERSE.

To restate the above: The COLURES are great circles on the
celestial sphere which run through the equinoxes and solstices, and are
reckoned from the pole of the Earth's rotation in the Equatorial
System. The SOLSTITIAL COLURE now occurs very close to the Ecliptic
Pole in Draco: it is parallel near to Draco's gamma Eltanin and xi
Grumium in the Dragon's Head and continues parallel near also to phi
and chi in the loop. To locate the Ecliptic Pole another way, a line
drawn between Draco's stars called the Nodes or Knots would bisect the
solstitial colure near the Ecliptic Pole. The shareware planetarium
SKYGLOBE is recommended to view this. There's a certain kind of high
in that.
Delta Draco ('NODUS SECUNDUS' or Altais) marks the second of 4
knots in the Dragon. Zeta Draco or NODUS I marks the radiant point of
the meteor streams of January 19th & March 28th. There are several
meteoric showers that radiate from Draco, one remarkable one occurring
about June 28th. With the meteoric showers emanating from Draco, it is
easy to see why the great serpent, a universal symbol and likely
another representation of Draco, might be thought 'plumed.' Thus the
Plumed Serpent is a fitting symbol for those who anciently understood
the astronomical secrets of time and precession, as Draco, cosmically
plumed by meteoric showers, holds in its Knotted Coils the still point
of our solar system, the pole of the ecliptic plane. This pole was
sometimes the mythological Tree of Life. At the end of the age of
Taurus, in order to define the Age of Aries, the voyage of the Argonaut
seeking the Golden Fleece handing on the World Tree, became the key
Greek mythology for that age.
Mythological and metaphysical thinkers have pointed out the "Dragon
or Serpent" energy is not only represented by the Moon's crossing above
and below the ecliptic plane (the Dragon's Head and Tail), but also by
the Moon circling about the Earth while the Earth circles the Sun, thus
forming a spiral within a spiral, as ultimately the Sun rushes through
space and spirals around the center of our Galaxy. For those dedicated
to Spiral Energy, there may be significance in the supposition that
along with an interest in mythological meaning of dragons in just the
last decade, the Solstitial Colure crossing near the pole of the
Sidereal Zodiac also brings with it a quickening awareness of the
cosmos as part of our immediate environment. This latter realization
might be thought due to the re-discovery of the original star
constellation zodiac of the Egyptians and Babylonians, the Sidereal
Zodiac, by Cyril Fagan as popularized in his 17 year essay series
called "Solunars" published in American Astrology Magazine.

Draco itself is an ancient and large constellation, but was
anciently even larger. From STAR NAMES, page 206: "Draco extends over
twelve hours of right ascension, and contains 130 naked-eye components
according to Argelander; 220 according to Heis; but both of these
authorities extend the tail of the figure, far beyond its star lambda,
to a 4th magnitude under the jaws of Camelopardalis,--much farther than
is frequently seen on the maps." Other maps have shown it connected to
Ursa Major (Big Dipper).
From STAR NAMES, page 205: ..."Draco's stars...were much observed
in early Egypt, although differently figured that as with us. Some of
them were a part of the HIPPOPOTAMUS, or of its variant the CROCODILE,
and thus shown on the planisphere of Denderah and the walls of the
Ramesseum at Thebes. As such, Delitzsch says that it was Hes-mut,
perhaps meaning the Raging Mother. An object resembling a ploughshare
held in the creature's paws has fancifully been said to have given name
to the adjacent Plough.
"The hieroglyph for this Hippopotamus was used for the heavens in
general, while the constellation is supposed to have been a symbol of
ISIS, Hathor, Athor, or Athyr, the Egyptian Venus; and Lockyer asserts
that the myth of Horus which deals with the Hor-she-shu, an almost
prehistoric people even in Egyptian records, makes undoubted reference
to stars here;"
****************************************************


DRACO, THE DRAGON'S STARS, FROM HEAD TO TAIL:
ECLIP. ECLIP.
NAME CLASS/MAGNITUDE LONG. LAT.
CONSTELLATION

Eltanin (Dragon's Head; orange; K5 2.4 gamma DRAco 02SAG54 74n55
in Right eye; connected with discovery of laws of
aberration of light in 1729; as Egyptian Isis or
Taurt Isis, it once marked the head of the Egyptian
Hippopotamus)
Rastaben (Yellow; Dragon's G2 3.0 beta DRAco 17SCO14 75n16
Head; in Dragon's Eye; the Draconids, meteors of Oct 9
which are circumpolar, radiate midway between beta and nu,
providing Draco's fiery gaze or perhaps "plumes", & occur
only when their parent comet 21P/Giacobini Zinner returns
to perihelion. Because Draco is circumpolar, it used to
be thought that meteors occurring nearby scattered poison
over the whole world. Draco is coiled and KNOTTED around
the Ecliptic Pole.)
Arrakis (triple, brilliant white; F6 5.1 mu DRAco 00SCO01 76n13
on nose or tongue; Dancer = common circumpolar title)
Kuma (double, both white A8 5.0 nu1 DRAco 15SCO36 78n08
on Dragon's Mouth)
Grumium/Genam (Yellow; F8 3.9 xi DRAco 00SAG01 80n17
on under-jaw or darted tongue; thought to be the radiant
point of Draconid Meteors of late May, providing Draco's
fiery breath or perhaps "plumes" for this Sky Serpent;
the 1st Knot of 17 century maps--as McNalley's Atlas of
the Universe p138--looks as if occurring between xi and
omicron, either could represent it.)
--(double, orange-emerald) 5th omicron DRAco - -

NODUS II/ Altais (2nd Knot as KO 3.2 delta DRAco 22PIS26 82n53
RHA lists it. Deep Yellow. About halfway between delta
& zeta, within 7' of NGC 6543 at R.A. 17h58' Dec. 66n37',
is the NORTH ECLIPTIC POLE, the heart of the Egyptian
constellation Hypopotamus in the Denderah Zodiac, and
the center of the Precessional Cycle of 25,920 years.
The South Ecliptic Pole is between epsilon and nu Dorado.
Dorado is called the "Gold"fish.)

--(near Nodus II) A2 4.6 pi DRAco - -
--(near sigma & epsilon) KO 4.7 rho DRAco - -
Alsafi (n.e. from delta) 4.8 sigma DRAco - -
Tyl KO 3.9 epsil DRAco 07ARI58 79n29
--(close to upsilon) KO 4.6 tau DRAco - -
--(unnamed) 4.9 upsilon DRAco - -
--(close to phi) F8 3.6 chi DRAco - -
--(double) AOp 4.1 phi DRAco - -
Dziban2 (dble, white & yellow) 5.5 psi2 DRACO - -
Dziban1 F5 4.8 psi1 DRAco 19GEM04 84n11
--(unnamed) 4.9 omega DRAco - -

NODUS I (1st Knot of four B5 3.1 zeta DRAco 08VIR39 84n45
convolutions in the Dragon, as RHA lists it. (On 17th
century maps in Rand McNalley's Atlas of the Universe,
it is near the 3rd Knot, a more reasonaable sequence to
the modern eye, with the 1st Knot closer to the Head.)
About halfway between delta & zeta, within 7' of NGC 6543
at R.A. 17h58' Dec. 66n37', is the NORTH ECLIPTIC POLE,
the heart of the Egyptian constellation Hypopotamus in the
Denderah Zodiac, and the center of the Precessional Cycle
of 25,920 years.)

--(double, deep yellow & bluish; G5 2.9 *eta DRAco (see NOTE below)
epoch 2000--RA 16h 23m, DECl 61n30)
--(pole star) F8 4.1 theta DRAco - -
Edasich (pole star; this K2 3.4 iota DRAco 10VIR13 71n05
appears near the 4th Knot on 17th century maps;
Quadrantids, meteors of Jan. 1-5, radiate about 10d
south of iota, midway to Nekkar Bootes; these meteors
fancifully provide extensive "plumes" or even wings).

Thuban (pale yellow; name for AO 3.5 alpha DRAco 12LEO43 66n21
whole constellation--Dragon; Life or Judge of Heaven--
POLE star title, near pole in BC 2750; anciently of
2nd mag.)
--(unnamed) B5p 3.8 kappa DRAco - -
Giausar (Orange; in Dragon's MO 4.1 lambda DRAco 15CAN36 57n14
Tail; Persian--the Poison Place)
S1551 --listed by Skyglobe at 4.5 S1551 DRAco - -
the Tail End of Draco--likely this is the end shown on
older maps, but now is under the jaw of the modern
Camelopardalis formed in 1614. Another version in a 17th
century map in Rand McNalley's The Atlas of the Universe
shows the Tail End extending to the back of Ursa Minor,
our Little Dipper.
[Near the end of Draco's Tail on old maps: Skyglobe's
S2102, magnitude 5.3, near the Horn of the Camel; and S7522,
magnitude 5.0, near the Head of the Camel.]
**************************

NOTE on *ETA DRACO: From Archaeoastronomy in Pre-Columbian
America (Editor A.F. Aveni), M. P. Hatch's "An Astronomical Calendar
in a Portion of the Madrid Codex": (p286)"...the serpent positions
correlate exactly with the path of the constellation Draco as it would
have appeared in the evening sky at regular intervals as the year
progressed."
(p289) "Seeing that this text correlated so perfectly with the
path of Draco, it seemed improbable, even perhaps unbelievable, that
this constellation, composed of faint and inconspicuous stars, could
have had any sigificance for the Maya. However a check with P.V.
Neugebauer's Star Tables (1912) supplied the answer: the star ETA
DRACONIS had an absolutely unique characteristic in that for 2400 years
it alone among all the stars of the sky had a virtually unchanging
right ascension, a trait due to its particular relationship to the pole
of the ecliptic. During the millennia between 1800 BC and AD 500, a
time certainly encompassing the development of the Maya calendar, the
annual date of its meridian transit varied throughout by less than one
day.... Compare this with 75 days for Alpha Ursae Majoris, a star with
about the same declination. Such a trait would have made it an
excellent calendar star, for it would have provided an accurate measure
of the sidereal year for a long period of time, serving as a yardstick
for comparison not only between the solar and sidereal year, but also
for the precessional lag apparent in other stars. I have argued
elsewhere (Hatch 1971) that there is some evidence that early
Mesoamericans were observing midnight meridian transits for calendrical
purposes. Such a practice would have been consistent with the
conceptual framework of an obsession with the four cardinal directions
possessed by native Mesoamericans of that time."

***********************************************************************
***********************************************************************
***********************************************************************



M O R E A P P E N D I C E S:

Included herein -- a smattering of ideas on the related vibratory
frequencies of COLOR, SOUND and CHEMICAL ELEMENTS, with reference also
to Bode's Law and planetary orbits, and especially to Dinshah
Ghadiali's work on the LIGHT SPECTRUM COLORS whose primaries are Red,
Green & Violet. These excerpts suggest key ideas to pursue, just
sparkling teasers from the referenced books. As Mark Burstein says in
"Color and Music" in THE RAINBOW BOOK:

"Through the wonders of modern physics and chemistry we are ever
more conscious of the musical laws on which the very foundations of the
physical universe are based. The "smallest orbs," the atoms, we are
discovering, can best be described as a tuned system which has the
'harmonic rasonance and integrity of a plucked string.' It is these
musical properties which emit visible light, the foundation of the
science of spectroscopy, whereby we can deduce the chemical composition
of distant STARS by their light.
"In chemistry, the law of octaves, in which most chemical elements
tend to repeat essential characteristics at every eighth element (like
the musical scale), serves as much of the basis for the periodic table
of the elements, and therefore for modern chemistry."
* * * * * *


A BRIEF OUTLINE OF COLOR PSYCHOLOGY:
In this culture, the light spectrum is conceived of as having seven
bands: the warm colors are red, orange, & yellow; green is the
balancing color; and the cool colors are blue, indigo & violet. Color
has important visual, psychological and physiological effects.
Extraverted people may prefer the warm colors, and introverted the
cool. Red for the active, orange for the friendly, yellow for the
high-minded, blue-green for the fastidious.
RED - stimulates, excites, and gives a sense of power, a will to
win, (respiration rate and heartbeat speed up). Outgoing activity--
vital and impulsive. Red gets your attention, puts you on alert!
ORANGE - a combination of yellow and red, it has both physical
energy and mental qualities. The color of ideas and mental concepts,
it enlivens the emotions and creates a general sense of well-being and
cheerfulness.

YELLOW - a light and cheerful color, optimal environment for
thinking and for studying. A motor stimulant. Good psychologically
for despondent and melancholy conditions. It suggests joy, gaiety and
merriment, and hope & activity. The color of intellect and perception.
GREEN - the midway color of the spectrum is often associated with
nature, health and balance. It is emotionally soothing & can bring
harmony to an overworked nervous system. The color of energy, youth,
growth, fertility, hope and new life. Astringent. Self preserving.
BLUE - calming & relaxing, allowing balance and self regulation.
Cooling, soothing. The color of truth, devotion, loyalty, sincerity,
and sweetness.
INDIGO - Quieting. Promotes passivity, tranquility, unification,
contentment (peace plus gratification). United & secure with depth &
fullness. This color preference can indicate a tendency to be sensitve
& easily hurt.
VIOLET - a mixture of red & blue, it represents 'identification,'
perhaps mystic union, at least sensitive intimacy between subject and
object, or enchantment (with a somewhat unreal or wish-fullfillment
quality). Can be intimate, erotic, blending, or can be intuitive with
sensitive understanding.
*********************************************************************



NEW LIGHT ON THERAPEUTIC ENERGIES, Compiled and summarized by
Mark L. Gallert, M.D., M.SC., James Clarke & Co. Ltd., London 1966.

Gallert's essay "Chromo-Therapy" (Energies of Selected Frequencies
of Visible Light) is an excellent summation of Dinshah P. Ghadiali's
work in his SPECTRO-CHROME METRY ENCYCLOPAEDIA in three volumes.
Chromo-Therapy is a system of healing involving a philosophy, a
science, and a technique for application--healing by beams of colored
light directed toward the body.

[Colonel Dinshah P. Ghadiali was born in Bombay, India, November
28, 1873. He was conversant in 8 oriental and 8 occidental
languages, with degrees in medicine and electrical engineering. He
first came to America in 1896 and met Thomas Edison and Nicholas
Testla. His credits include: M.S-C. (Honorary), M.D., M.E., D.C.,
Ph.D., LL.D., N.D., D.Opt., D.F.S., D.H.T., D.M.T., D.S.T., etc.
Ex-Commander, New York Police Reserve Air Service; Fellow and Ex-
vice-President, Allied Medical Associations of America; Member,
American Association of Orificial Surgeons; Member, American
Association for Medico-Physical Research; Member and Ex-Vice-
President, National Association of Drugless Practitioners;
Academician and Life Member, Maryland Academy of Sciences; Life-
Member, American Anti-vivisection Society; Member Anti-Vaccination
League of London; President, Scientific Order of SpectroChrome
Metrists; President, Spectro-Chrome Institute.]

In a synopsis of Ghadiali's hypotheses of Chromo-Therapy, Gallert
says, "Colors represent chemical potencies in higher octaves of
vibration." Gallert describes Ghadiali's relation between colors and
chemicals, and the advantages of applying color vibration of chemicals
rather than the drugs themselves. According to Ghadiali, basically for
each organ and system of the body there is a particular color that
stimulates and another color that inhibits the action of that organ or
system. Following are excerpts from Gallert's presentation of
Ghadiali's rare books which introduce some of his concepts:


CHAPTER 1: Colors represent chemical potencies in vibratory form.
In the 7-band spectrum of light are: red, orange, yellow, green, blue,
indigo, & violet. To these 7 colors, Ghadiala adds 5 more in this
order to make TWELVE: RED, ORANGE, YELLOW, LEMON, GREEN, TURQUOISE,
BLUE, INDIGO, VIOLET, PURPLE, MAGENTA, & SCARLET.

"Light is a vibratory radiation--visible light represents the
oscillatory band corresponding to the 49th octave of vibration. Each
succeeding higher octave has twice the vibratory rate per second as its
predecessor--thus starting with two vibrations per second as the first
vibratory octave, we go up the scale, 4, 8, 16, 32 vibrations per
second until we come to the 49th doubling which gives the figure of
562,936,846,221,312 vibrations per second and comes very near the
center of the visible light band. It is the vibration of a certain
shade of GREEN.
"The difference between the different colors of visible light lie in
their vibration rate; RED, the color with the lowest vibratory rate,
having as oscillation of 436 trillion times per second, while VIOLET,
the color with the highest vibratory rate, has an oscillation of 731
trillion times per second.
"We have seen that each element (and it is from elements that all
compounds and chemical are made) has its own characteristic place in
the spectrum of light. The spectrum is the sequence of colors, often
spread out over a wide area by instruments for closer visual
observation. The difference between one point on the visible spectrum
and another point on the spectrum, is solely a difference in the
vibratory rate or frequence of vibrations per second. The difference
between different colors is likewise solely a matter of vibratory rate.
The different elements produce different colors when disintegrated,
which is another way of saying that each element, mental or chemical
has its own vibratory rate and the color produced is represenative of
that vibratory rate. All visible colors have a vibratory rate in the
range of 436 to 731 trillion oscillations per second. All elements
likewise have spectral lines within that range."


VOLUME I of Ghadiali's Encyclopedia, p 386, gives the oscillation
frequency of attuned color waves (trillion) per second.

Red 436,803,079,680,000
Orange 473,695,231,680,000 (red & yellow)
Yellow 510,587,383,680,000
Lemon 547,479,535,680,000 (yellow & green)
Green 584,371,687,680,000
Turquoise 621,263,839,680,000 (green & blue)
Blue 658,155,991,680,000
Indigo 695,048,143,680,000 (blue & violet
Violet 731,940,295,680,000

Purple 621,263,839,680,000 reverse of Turquoise (violet & yellow)
Magenta 584,371,687,680,000 reverse of Green (red & violet)
Scarlet 547,479,535,680,000 reverse of Lemon (red & blue)


GREEN
-0-
. | .
Lemon o . | . o Turquoise
. | .
YELLOW -O . . . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . O- BLUE
. . | . .
. . | . .
Orange o . | . o Indigo
. . | . .
. . | . .
RED -0 . . . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . 0- VIOLET
. | .
Scarlet o . | . o Purple
. | .
-0-
MAGENTA

In Appendix I to "Chromo-Therapy," Gallart gives Ghadiali's
Correlation between Colors and Elements. Following is only a few of
the 'predominant' elements for each color. I.E., this list is not
complete.

RED - cadmium, `hydrogen';
ORANGE - aluminum, `calcium', `copper', selenium, silicon;
YELLOW -`carbon', magnesium, `sodium', tin;
LEMON - `gold', `iodine', `iron', phosphorus, `silver', `sulphur';
GREEN - `chlorine', `nitrogen';
TURQUOISE - `fluorine', `mercury', `nickel', `zinc';
BLUE - `oxygen';
INDIGO-`bismuth', lead;
VIOLET - `cobalt';
SCARLET - `manganese';
MAGENTA - `potassium';
PURPLE - `bromine'.


CHAPTER 2: The Basic Colors of Metabolism
"It is well known to biologists, doctors, etc. that the human pro-
cess of metabolism is a balance between the two processes of Anabolism
and Catabolism. To define these terms, anabolism is the building
process by which energy is produced, tissues created and maintained,
damage to cells from accident or disease is repaired, etc., while
catabolism is the opposite process which is necessary to keep growth
from running wild, and to eliminate waste products from the body.
"In degenerative diseases, anabolism is weak and catabolism has the
upper hand, which means that tissue repair is inadequate and organs
therefore degenerate.
"In toxic disease, catabolism is deficient, with the result that
toxic or waste substances pile up in the body and poison the entire
system.
"In cancer and other tumorous conditions, anabolism is excessive and
catabolism low, so that the growth principle gets out of hand.
"Good health can be maintained only if a proper balance is kept
between the two processes of anabolism and catabolism, which together
represent metabolism.
"Ghadiali terms the two opposite processes as construction and
destruction. In the human body, it is found that red is the color of
construction and activates the liver. Similarly, violet is the color
of destruction and activates the spleen."

"The central or balancing color of the spectrum of visible light is
GREEN. In the solar spectrum there are three colors on each side of
green. Is it not interesting that green is the color which activates
or encourages the activity of the pituitary gland...which has long been
known to be the controlling or master gland which regulates the action
of all other glands in the body, and through those other glands, the
action of every part of the body. It is particularly appropriate,
then, that green, the central color of the visible spectrum, is the ray
which fosters blance in the body between the opposing actions of the
liver and the spleen, between anabolism and catabolism, and that this
is accomplished through the medium of the pituitary gland.
"From the foregoing it will be understood that RED, GREEN and VIOLET
are the primary colors in chromo-therapy. Contrary to popular belief,
they are also the primary colors of visible light! Red, Yellow and
Blue are the primary colors when working with pigments, but light rays
follow different laws from those that apply to the mixing of pigments."


CHAPTER 3: Additional Properties of the Primary Colors
"RED - stimulates the sensory nerves; of benefit in the deficient
action of any of the 5 senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste & touch).
"GREEN - carries the chemical potency of chlorine, a disinfectant &
germicide, & is the germicidal and purifying color. The color
equivalent of nitrogen, the largest component of proteins, which build
muscles and other cell tissues in the body. Balancing in physical and
emotional processes. Calming when used on the head.
"VIOLET - splenic stimulat, a motor nerve depressant & a lymphatic
depressant, therefore calming in emotional excesses, irritability, and
in excessive hunger."


CHAPTER 4: Use of Colors for Injection, Extraction & Balancing of
Vibratory Energies (with reference to the cool and warm sides of the
spectrum)
"Affinity in chemistry refers to attraction. In chromo-therapy,
affinity waves have opposite attributes or qualites, hence they seek
one another to combine or neutralize. Just as hydrogen and oxygen have
an attraction for one another and rush towards combination (on the
application of a spark) to produce water, 'so do the attuned color
waves absorb affinity waves wherever they be found in the body, and
convert them into netrality.'
"The AFFINITY PAIRS, that is, the waves having the opposite
attributes are: red and blue; orange and indigo; yellow and violet;
lemon and turquoise; scarlet and purple."

However, both GREEN AND MAGENTA are balancing and have the same
numerical vibratory rate, but have the opposite direction of rotation,
and have different effects. From Chapter 16: "How can two colors be
different and at the same time have the same vibratory rate: The
answer is that the vibatory rate is not the only factor of color, just
as the numbers of atoms are not the only factors in the construction of
molecules. Kerosene and attar of roses both have the same chemical
formula--C4 B4. Coal and diamonds have the same formula of consituent
atoms, but what a difference! In matter, the difference lies in the
way in which the atoms are assembled together. The atoms assembled in
different sequences produce different results. The same atoms
assembled in different sequences produce different results. With
light, the difference lies in the direction of rotation with respect to
the plane of polarized light. Magenta has the opposite direction of
rotation from green."


Appendix II: Red, Green & Violet--the Primary colors of Light
"l. The visible spectrum at the high frequency end, starts not at
Blue but with Violet. Green is the middle color in the visible
sequence of Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Red.
"2. If green light was the product of yellow and blue and therefore a
secondary color, then green could not continue to exist when yellow and
blue have disappeared. Turn a prism so that all seven colors are seen,
then gradually revolve the prism--yellow and blue disappear and only
red, green and violet are left. Any further rotation eliminates all
color until the full spectrum again re-appears.
"3. If yellow light was a primary color, it could not be a product
of other colors. But red and green lights projected from two lanterns
on a screen, merge into yellow.
"4. Similarly, violet and green slides produce blue when the beams
merge on a screen, showing that blue cannot be a primary color.
"5. In a darkened room, look through a prism at an electric bulb
with a rheostat in the circuit. Start with no current--as rheostat is
turned, red appears first; with more light, green becomes visible; with
still more light, violet makes it appearance, and with additional
light, all seven colors show."


CHAPTER 5: The Secondary Colors (YELLOW, BLUE, MAGENTA)
The three secondary colors are each half-way between a pair of
primary colors, as halfway between the vibratory rate of red and green
is YELLOW; halfway between green & violet is BLUE; halfway between red
& violet is MAGENTA.

MAGENTA has the same vibratory rate as green. See CHAPTER 16: The
Secret of Magenta. It energizes the adrenal glands, the heart action,
and the sex mechanism. Gallert quotes Ghadiali who states, "Green,
through the head, forms the North pole of the human body; the magenta,
through the genitals and allied sex mechanism, forms the South pole of
the human body....This refers...to the fact that the endocrines, or
internal secretion products from glandular structure, operate in unison
and as one mechanism, and not separately as many would believe. Thus,
the functions of both green and magenta go hand in hand--same as the
poles of the magnet which can never be isolated being dual in
manifestation."


CHAPTER 6: Properties of YELLOW.
"...activates the moter nerves and is therefore the energy generator
for muscles....is of aid in energizing the alimentary tract and in
improving digestions when latter is sluggish....It also stimulates the
flow of bile and has an anthelmintic action (antagonistic to parasites
or worms)."


CHAPTER 7: Properties of BLUE
"Blue is one of the most useful of the colour rays, due to its
action previously described in combating inflammation and fever, and in
the aid for healing burns caused by an excess of heat energy. Blue
also helps to relieve pain, allay itching, and, through carrying the
potency or vibratory correspondence of oxygen, it acts as a builder of
vitality. It has a calming and soothing influence, and while not as
sedative in effect as indigo, it still can have a marked effect in
aiding some individuals to overcome insomnia."


CHAPTER 8: The Tertiary Colors (ORANGE, LEMON, TURQUOISE, INDIGO,
SCARLET, & PURPLE)
******************************************************************



THE RAINBOW BOOK, edited by R. Lanier Graham. A collection of
essays and illustrations devoted to rainbows in particular & spectral
sequences in general. Vintage Books, New York 1979.

The following excerpts are all from essays in THE RAINBOW BOOK and
are presented for their own interest, but also for comparison to
Dinshah Ghadiali's work referenced above. Particularly of note are
some of the listed vibratory similarities between COLOR AND SOUND.
Also included is a reference to Bode's Law's on the orbital relations
of the planets. "His formula is remarkably similar to the formula for
the frequency of successive octaves of the musical tone, G."


Chapter 4: The Music of the Spheres
"Harmony and Harmonics" by Evans G. Valens

page 113:
"A string cannot vibrate except in integral parts: as one whole, as
two halves, as three thirds, etc. Thus we have further confirmation of
Pythagoras' assertion that musical intervals are based upon ratios
among simple whole numbers...."
"What Pythagoras had to say about the relation between pitch and
the length of a string applies not only to music but to all forms of
wave motion, including light and radio waves.
"Visible light occupies approximately one octave in the long
keyboard of the electromagnetc spectrum, the range fo wavelengths
between 760 millimicrons (red) and 385 millimicrons (violet).
Physicist Hermann von Helmholtz amused himself by comparing the colors
of this octave directly with notes of the diatonic scale:

G ultraviolet
F, F# violet
E indigo blue
D# cyanogen blue
D greenish blue
C# green
C yellow
A# orange-red
G#, A red
G infrared

"Pythagoras would have been pleased--smugly pleased, perhaps--to
know that his basic musical ratios reflect a common periodic pattern in
nature. But he certainly would have been saddened to know that his
musical scale, as modified by Archytas, is not after all precisely the
scale to which our pianos are tuned today.
"The scale of Pythagoras and Archytas worked beautifully, but only
in the key in which a particular instrument was tuned. Do-re-mi played
in the key signature of G (G-A-B) did not sound quite the same
intervals as did do-re-mi in the key of C (C-D-E).
"So today we have an "equally tempered" scale in which the ratio
between each pair of semitones (B to C, or C to C#, for example) is
identical. This is the scale invented by Andreas Werckmeister in 1691,
an octave of twelve semitones. The frequency of each semi-tone is the
twelfth root of two times as great as that of the one below--the same
ration as that of the distances between any two successive pairs of
frets on a guitar."
********************************************


from THE RAINBOW BOOK
"COLOR AND MUSIC" The Search for the Spectral Song
Section I by Mark Burstein (Rael)

pages 114, 115:
"The visible spectrum occupies nearly an octave of the
electromagnetic spectrum and like all electromagnetic phenomena such
as electricity, radio, and television, requires no material medium
for transmission. The vibrations move at the speed of light. As the
'pitch' (frequency) of the vibration increases in the band from 430 to
760 trillion cycles per second, we observe a change of hue from red to
violet. Below and beyond these, frequencies are invisible to us."

"As in the electromagnetic spectrum, where infrared and ultraviolet
energies frame the visible just beyond our direct perception, so in
sound sub- and ultra- sonics are useful in science. In the octaves
just below the lowest note on a piano are vibrations harmonizing with
the alpha, beta, and theta wave cycles of brain activity.
"There are other striking similarities, As waves, both are capable
of reflection, diffration, refraction, and interference. The purely
physical phenomena of intensity, frequency and wave form are related to
the psychological ones of loudness, pitch and timber in music;
intensity, hue and shade in color.....
"Interestingly enough, these concepts are almost directly opposite
in color and music. Adjacent and opposite colors on the circle of hues
blend well, where in music adjacent and opposite (the Tritone) notes
are the most dissonant. Of course, these terms in both cases indicate
combinations that are pleasant or unpleasant within our culture, and,
as such, have changed much in the course of history.
"The fact that the visible spectrum occupies the same range as the
musical interval of the (minor) seventh suggests that we compare the
musical octave (that is the scale of notes) with the visible one (the
spectrum). That there are seven (diatonic) notes and seven colors is
suggestive, although it seems to have been based on a preconceived
analogy in the mind of Sir Isaac Newton. Through other cultures and
periods of history, humanity has had three, five and six colored
rainbows, and five, six and twelve note scales. The number seven has
always had extraordinary numerological significance to the Western
world, from the Egyptian-Pythagorean mysteries, through the alchemists
and astrologers, to astronomy and nuclear physics (atomic shells) in
today's world. Newton, it seems evident from his diaries and OPTICKS,
was anxious to fit his newly-discovered spectrum into the seven-toned
musical modes then (as now) in vogue."

"It should always be remembered, however, that in both cases there
are infinite gradations, infinite intervals, for artists and musicians
to choose those more pleasing and useful in their work."

page 116:
"Through the wonders of modern physics and chemistry we are ever
more conscious of the musical laws on which the very foundations of the
physical universe are based. The "smallest orbs," the atoms, we are
discovering, can best be described as a tuned system which has the
'harmonic rasonance and integrity of a plucked string.' It is these
musical properties which emit visible light, the foundation of the
science of spectroscopy, whereby we can deduce the chemical composition
of distant stars by their light.
"In chemistry, the law of octaves, in which most chemical elements
tend to repeat essential characteristics at every eighth element (like
the musical scale), serves as much of the basis for the periodic table
of the elements, and therefore for modern chemistry."

page 121:
"Attempts to relate color and music in too literal a manner have
generally met with failure, and it is only by drawing attention to the
common inner properties of motion, rhythm, harmony, atmosphere, and
feeling that we bing to touch on areas of the soul in which their
harmony is based not on superficial resemblance, but rather in truth
upon an underlying unity."

page 125, FOOTNOTE 3:
1. "There appears to be no single one-to-one relationship between
color and music.
2. "The response seems almost always to be a pattern response to
the total stimulus, rather than a summation of response to parts."

"The chart [below, on Frequency Relationships] compares the
frequencies of light with an octave of music just above middle C.
The frequencies of light waves have been taken down forty octaves by
successive division by 2. It is saying that an exact octave harmonic
of G, for example, would vibrate in the range of red light. However,
this is at best an analogy for in reality a string produces NO such
harmonic and its energy, even if it did, would not be electromagnetic."

{In order to compare the color values, 'metaphorically' then, in
Dinshah Ghadiali's SPECTRO-CHROME-METRY (Chromo-Therapy) work more
easily, Ghadiali's colors from preceding section have been added to
the below chart.}


FREQUENCY RELATIONSHIPS (in cps, cycles per second)
{GHADIALI} FREQUENCY
{trillion/cps} DOWN 40 FREQUENCY
FREQUENCY COLOR OCTAVES (Chromatic) NOTE
(x 10 to 12th power)
430 very dark red 391.3 392 G
{436.8 RED} 440 dark red 400.4
450 dark red 409.5
460 darkish red 418.6 415 G#
{473.7 ORANGE} 470 Red 427.7
480 red-orange 436.8 440 A
490 orangish-red 445.9
500 redish-orange 455.0
{510.6 YELLOW} 510 light orange 464.1 466 A#
520 Yellow 473.2
530 greenish yellow 482.3
540 yellow green 491.4 494 B
{547.5* LEMON} 550 yellow green 500.5
{562.9 Center} 560 light Green 509.6
570 Green 518.7
{584.4* GREEN} 580 Green 527.8 523 C
590 Green 536.9
600 bluish green 546.0
610 blue green 555.1 553 C#
{621.3*TURQUOISE} 620 Sky Blue 564.1
630 bluish indigo 573.2
640 Indigo 582.3
650 Indigo 591.4 587 D
{658.1 BLUE} 660 Indigo 600.5
670 indigo violet 609.6
680 indigo violet 618.7 622 D#
690 light violet 627.8
{695.0 INDIGO} 700 Violet 636.9
710 Violet 646.0
720 dark violet 655.1 659 E
{731.9 VIOLET} 730 dark violet 664.2
740 dark violet 673.3
750 very dark violet 682.4
698 F

{*Reversed: }
{621.3 PURPLE }
{584.4 MAGENTA}
{547.5 SCARLET}

*******************


page 127:
From Harvard Dictionary of Music: ..."A different interpretation of
cosmic harmony was given by Johannes Kepler (1571-1630), who found that
the aphelions and perihelions of the six planets (moving around the Sun
in elliptical orbits) are in the same ratios as the basic musical
intervals: 4/5 (major third) for Saturn; 5/6 (minor third) for
Jupiter; 2/3 (fifth) for Mars; 15/16 (half-tone) for the earth; 24/25
(diesis) for Venus; 5/12 (octave plus minor third) for Mercury.
***************************************

[BASICS] Composite Talents: Summarizing Angles & Aspects &
Constellations, Kay Cavender. Condensed information on what's
essential for judging a chart and how to sum it up. What are the
general principles in any chart? Does our astrological orientation
equal our astronomical orientation? And finally, what are our basic
philosophic values which shape our interpretation of life and charts?
Our convictions as to how the universe is shaped can help or prevent us
from benefiting from any method for searching for realities.
* * * *


BASICS: COMPOSITE TALENTS:
SUMMARIZING ANGLES & ASPECTS & CONSTELLATIONS
Kay Cavender

A good, basic framework for understanding a nativity in the Star
Constellation Zodiac (as distinct from the "signs") is as follows:
A> Aspects to the lights (Sun & Moon); B> Angular planets/lights &
their aspects. C> Constellations of lights & ASC. Within that frame-
work, I began looking for indicators of intellect [a 'how-fancy-is-
your-Mercury?' question] and noticed the multiple ways Mercury is
emphasized in those who specialize in mental activity. That search
broadened to other talents. Currently the concept of different
learning styles is filtering through to public awareness. Just one
book, educator T. Armstrong's IN THEIR OWN WAY defines at least 7
learning styles, a valuable way of understanding other talents than
mentation, and a rich research field for comparison to astrological
talents.
When a person has an outstanding quality (talent, or characteristic)
it is astrologically indicated MORE THAN ONCE by planetary and/or
constellation archetypes. Again, this is within the basic STAR
CONSTELLATION framework, and with 15 DEGREE (ecliptic plane) ASPECTS to
the lights, and with planets/lights "ON" (not to) the mundane angles.
The angles (ASC=East, MC=South, DSC=West, & IC=North) are 'derived'
from the Earth's daily 24 hour rotation in relation to the Sun, as
Sunrise, Noon, Sunset, & Midnight.
Let me also note that each archetype has in its virtue the seed of
its vice, both the expressions of its principle; and likewise in the
vice the seed of its virtue. For instance, Michelangelo, (Sun in
starfield PISCES for creative imagination) saw in a block of stone the
form of David and hewed it out. And yet, PIS/NEP folk are often
accused of seeing things that aren't there. An actor by virtue of NEP
conveys a truth thru illusion, and yet NEP is accused of unreal
feelings. The paradox is the key here. If a talent is strong, it will
be more of an asset and more of a liability, both simultaneously.
Within each planetary expression, there is that vice-virtue continuum.
For instance, for MERCURY, a youthful playfulness can also used as
games-manship; quick intellect can be virtuoso trickery. VENUS' loving
sociability can be spineless compromising. The MOON'S empathy &
emotional support - emotional dependence. MARS' bravery - brutality.
JUPITER'S positive outlook - selective snobbery. SATURN'S conservatism
- blockage. URANUS' individuality & creativity - eccentricity &
nuttiness. NEPTUNE'S sensitivity - spacecase foolishness. PLUTO'S
laser focus - fundamentist radicalism. "Virtue itself turns vice,
being misapplied; And vice sometime's by action dignified" -
(Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet.)


These following little lists for tallying composites are additional
to the traditional concept of the similarity between the planets'
dignities (i.e., rulerships) and the constellations. The rulership-
constellation connection is consistent ONLY in the original star
constellation zodiac and is the basis for the lists. In other words,
the correspondences between planet & "sign" do not work in the tropical
signs because of the signs' displacement or precession from the
original constellations. Hence the Sidereal Zodiac provides a
consistent symbolism that allows for immediate and obvious
interpretation.
Follows is TALLY LIST for drawing it all together. Do not think
however that 3 or 4 points of emphasis for one talent is more important
than 2 points. It depends on what is tallied. I submit these for
noting special emphasis of a talent, not as a "rating" because of the
number of points. This LIST is valuable in focusing on a chart's
strongest qualities, and for comparison of similarities between charts.
Mainly, these little lists and notes give keys for synthesis, and are
significant not only for what is included, but also for what is
excluded.


COMPOSITE TALENTS LIST:
TALLYING UP ANGLES, ASPECTS & CONSTELLATIONS

SUN MOON PLANETS
Sun ASC (esp in *LEO) Moon ASC(esp in *CAN) Pluto ASC(esp in*ARI)
Sun Angular Moon Angular Pluto Angular
Moon-Sun Aspect Pluto with Light/s
Sun LEO Moon CAN ARI Sun
LEO ASC CAN ASC ARI ASC
Sun conj T.P./C.Q.D.** Moon conj T.P./C.Q.D** ***
*the constellation of its dignity
**Turning Points / Cross-Quarter Days (see SEASONS)
***Moon Constellation omitted deliberately!

SUN CONSTELLATION: (Example: Scorpio)
Sun' strongest aspect is to its constn ruler (SCO Sun to Mars)
Sun's constn ruler angular (Mars Angular)
Moon's strongest aspect to Sun's constn ruler (Moon to Mars)
ASC in same constn (very potent if Sun ASC) (SCO Sun & ASC)
Moon in same constn (SCO Sun & Moon)

MOON CONSTELLATION: (Example: Pisces)
Moon's strongest aspect is to its constn ruler (PIS Moon to Nep)
Moon's constn ruler angular (Nep Angular)
Sun's strongest aspect to Moon's constn ruler (Sun to Nep)
ASC in same constn (PIS Moon & ASC)
Sun in same constn (PIS Moon & Sun)

ASC CONSTELLATION: (Ex: Aquarius)
Ruler Angular (especially ascending) (Uranus Angular)
Sun in same constn (AQU Sun & ASC)
Moon in same constn (AQU Moon & ASC)
Asc ruler aspects Sun (Sun to Uranus)
Asc ruler aspects Moon (Moon to Uranus)

* * *


ANGULAR PLANET/S:
Aspecting planets modify angular planets, and aspecting lights
modify & intensify angular planet/s.
ANGULAR LIGHT/S: Likewise, if the light is angular, its strongest
aspected planet is also significant. If light is ascending as
constellation ruler, then it is very significant.

SPECIAL NOTE ON LIGHTS: When the lights aspect each other strongly,
they are more intensified and will aspect the same planets (note
that the MOON is the energy MOST featured in Sun-Moon aspects).
Also lights are more potent "ON" the Angles (ASC-DSC, MC-IC,
generated by the 24 hour day).


See file [4SPHERES] for discussion of 3 astronomical systems (Ecliptic,
Equatorial & Horizon) used in astrology. Therein see HORIZON System
for discussion of Rapt Parallels.
HONORABLE MENTION #1: "Rapt Parallels," or bodies in Parallel Altitude
have the effect of a strong conjunction; especially if one or both
Lights are involved. Also Elevation, the distance up from the
Horizon (ASC-DES), has been considered important & bears watching.

HONORABLE MENTION #2: The idea of the Ruler of the Ascendant as key to
a nativity has ancient roots. I have found "aspects" to the Ruler
of Ascendant sometimes helpful as a point of emphasis.

HONORABLE MENTION #3: The "Crossings" of lights and/or planets in the
latitude (Declination) of birth, as indicated in ASTRO CARTO GRAPHY
maps, I find are a part of natal potential, a kind of secondary
angularity, according to location on Earth.

CUSPS: Think of CUSPS as CENTERS, not boundaries. The angles of the
DAY represent the centers of Watches/Houses. South/Noon/MC &
North/Midnight/IC are peak times of a day cycle, not beginnings.
Although East/Dawn/ASC & West/Dusk/DSC on the horizon do seem mark
points of simultaneous balance & change, they are still the midpoints
of their respective part of the day. Similarly the aspects of the
Synodic MOON PHASE, such as conjunction(new), opposition(full) &
square(quarters), etc., are the "midpoints" or centers of a phase, not
the beginning or ending. A full Moon is maximum light and the dark/new
Moon is maximum dark; both are peak times of a cycle; a full moon does
not "begin" its fullness at its peak. Similar to the horizon angles,
the quarter Moons are pivotal points of balance & change. Again, the
SEASONAL points, the Solstices (MIDsummer's Day & MIDwinter's Day) and
the Equinoxes (points of "equal" days & nights) are the MIDPOINTS of
the seasons not the beginnings and can be thought of as a kind of cusp.
Much confusion in understanding cycles will clear up if the above is
taken into consideration. Or, think of the DAY, MONTH and YEAR as
cycles, whose significant seasonal markers are "midway" in each
quarter. Look to the Cross-Quarter Days as the beginnings of each
season as they were anciently regarded. See below SEASONS.

ANGLES: Earth's daily 24 hour rotation creates the angles/directions:
sunrise/East=ASC; noon/South=MC; sunset/West=DSC; & midnight/North=IC.
1> If a light is angular, its strongest planet is also significant. As
noted, either light ASC as constellation ruler is significant, but also
note that each light is distinct from the other. 2> Conversely, if a
planet is angular & strongly aspects either (or both lights), that
light becomes also significant. ANGULARITY is in most cases more
potent than ecliptic aspects. It would seem that Einstein's insistence
on everything being relative to the observer is borne out by viewing
our relation to the universe from the focus of the earth's horizon
where we are. Anciently "horoscope" meant the degree of zodiac rising
on eastern horizon.

The angles of day (see astronomical Horizon System and Equatorial
System in file [4SHPERES]) are distinct from ecliptic longitude aspects
of Sun & Moon (see Ecliptic System). This is an absolutely crucial
point in distinguishing angles and aspects. Astrologically, one must
have reference to at least three astronomical systems: Ecliptic
(longitude & latitude); Equatorial (Declination & RAMC); and Horizon
(Altitude & Azimuth). I do NOT find that "aspects to" the angles are
significant. A planet must be bodily present (conjunct) ON the horizon
and/or culminating south or north to be potent. For instance, if the
Sun is sextile the horizon (ASC or DSC) from under the horizon in the
north, there will still be NO light. (Note: conjunct or rather
'parallel' Declinations in the Equatorial System, especially to Sun &
Moon, are significant in the latitude in which they occur.)

Note: Different rules apply to each of the Earth's Angles/Directions--
MC-IC vs. ASC-DSC: consider stars CULMINATING (MC-IC) south and north
with the lights and planets in reference to "only" longitude [see
Horizon & Equatorial Systems]. Such vertical "alignment" of any stars,
planets, or lights in RAMC on the Meridian circle has honorable mention
from ancient times. In reference to the HORIZON, rising/ascending
and/or setting/descending stars parallel with the lights or planets
would seem to be very significant. (See Horizon System)

ASPECTS: Generally on any map, two coordinates (E-W rotation, and N-S
midway to pole) are needed to locate an object in space. However, 15
DEGREE ARC ASPECTS in ecliptic longitude (without latitude) are
generally significant because of the immense (solar system) plane
involved. (Obviously, ecliptic latitude indicates the exactness of an
ecliptic longitude aspect, and there are significant exceptions. See
file [4SPHERES] for reference to the astronomical systems.) One of the
most basic keys to judging which quality is strongest in a chart
lies in understanding aspects in relation to orbs. What are the
strongest and weakest aspects? What is effective orb? Given that,
is a conjunction(the strongest aspect) of a light&planet of 3 degrees
orb weaker that an exact semi-square(the weakest aspect) of and 0
degrees orb? What is the cutting point?
The strongest aspects are the conjunction, opposition and square.
These strongest aspects diminish in intensity in 15 degree arcs down to
45 degrees (halfway between conjunction and waxing square; and halfway
between waning square and conjunction), and down to 135 degrees
(halfway between waxing square and opposition; and halfway opposition
and waning square).
The other half of the problem is to understand effective orb in
relation to 15 degree aspects. With a maximum orb of about 3 degrees,
a system called the Quindecimus (meaning "15") Orb-Aspect System for
measuring optimum intensity of combined ORB and ASPECT is a very good
rule-of-thumb method. See [ORB-ASPECT] file. The QUINDECIMUS ORB-
ASPECT System takes into consideration that effective orb is actually
closer to 2-1/2 degrees but allows 3 degrees orb as a drag-net. (This
system is for measuring aspects in ecliptic longitude, not angles.
Often more degrees are allowed for orb on the angles to allow for
inaccurate recording of birth times as the angles change degrees
approximately every 4 minutes.)

MOON PHASE (MOON-EARTH-SUN ASPECTS) The monthly synodic/lunation cycle
of 29 1/2 days (please note: it's 29.5 days, not 27 or 28 days) is
emphasized when the lights closely aspect each other (especially in
terms of close 15 degree arcs). The strongest MOON phases are new
(conjunction), full (opposition), and quarters (square). Hence, when
the lights closely aspect each other, a special intensity of MOON is
indicated, and the lights are likely to aspect the same planets. Note
also when potent Moon-Sun aspects conjunct the Seasonal points, there
is more intensity.

SEASONS (EARTH-SUN CYCLE) Consider the seasons include 8 Hinges of the
Year: the TURNING POINTS of the 2 equinoxes & 2 solstices to be sure,
but also the 4 Cross-Quarter Days. When either light (in natals or
cycle charts) is conjunct any Turning Point, the quality of that light
is significantly "highlighted." The Turning Points are a kind of
"SEASONAL ANGULARITY" derived from the Earth's orbit around the Sun
yearly (365 1/4 days); these are located by the SVP (Synetic Vernal
Point), currently* 5 deg PISCES 19' for the spring equinox, with same
degree in Gemini, Virgo, & Sagittarius for respectively the summer
solstice, fall equinox, and winter solstice. (*currently = date of
notes.)
To get the Cross-Quarter Days, one can add 45 degrees to Equinoxes
& Solstices: currently, that gives 20 deg 19' of Aries-Libra and
Cancer-Capricorn. [Perhaps because of precession, the Cross-Quarter
Days are recorded as celebrated 40 days after the solstices and
equinoxes and would thus be 15 deg 19' in above constellations. See
Barry Fell's AMERICA B.C. for most interesting findings on ancient
celebrations.] Please note that these are special points of emphasis
during the "year" (an Earth-Sun revolution), and constitute the unique
astrological significance of the seasons.
Even though the spring equinox is erroneously considered the
beginning of the signs, the signs have NOTHING to do with the
constellations from which they took their names. The seasons,
which are pinned to the equinoxes & solstices, take place within the
framework of the constellations, and the seasons precess backwards
through the constellations. Ancient observances such as Beltane(once
May Eve), Lammas(once August Eve), Samhain(once November's Eve), &
Candlemas(once February Eve) were the Cross-Quarter Days. [In Barbara
Walker's Women's Rituals, the chapter on "Seasonal Rituals - The Eight
Hinges of the Year" gives the very best description of seasonal
meanings "for the northern hemisphere" that I have seen.]

In summary, all life on Earth exists within and because of 3 main
INTERLOCKING CYCLES: the day, the month, and the year. These are
represented respectively by the angles; the Moon-Sun phase
relationship; and the Earth's yearly orbit around the Sun with the 4
seasons' Turning Points (Equinoxes & Solstices) and the 4 Cross-Quarter
Days. Garth Allen's work with the APEX of the Sun's Way (Capricorn
Ingress) may well represent that point of connection between our Solar
System and the Galaxy. The above lists are derived from these three
cycles which occur within our solar system, which in turn exists within
the neighborhood of other stars and constellations, the framework for
understanding our relationship to the universe and ourselves.




STARS/CLUSTERS: See file on [ORB-ASPECT] for comment on orb on stars
close to ecliptic/zodiac. Ecliptic stars in conjunction (or
opposition) intensify the power of lights and planets, but within a
2-1/2 degree orb, in both ecliptic longitude and ecliptic latitude
(north and/or south of the ecliptic).
* * * *



Note: According to historian and language expert Rupert Gleadow
[Foreword 10th Aug 1959, Astrology Moray Series, No.2, "Wars In the
Sidereal," by Brigadier R.C. Firebrace], originally & anciently, the
occurrence of the equinoxes & solstices in whatever constellations
constituted the constellations' cardinality!!! Gleadow says, "It is
more than doubtful whether we should speak of 'cardinal
constellations.' The cardinal signs were originally so called in the
Latin translation of Ptolemy's Tetrabiblos, but only because they were
measured from the four turning-points of the zodiac, the solstices and
equinoxes. The cardinal constellations, if there are any, SHOULD
THEREFORE NOW BE GEMINI, VIRGO, SAGITTARIUS AND PISCES, and should
remain so until the equinox enters Aquarius." To summarize, since the
spring equinox now occurs about 5 degrees 19 minutes of PISCES, that
means that now the CARDINAL constellations are 5 degrees 19 minutes
VIR-PIS, GEM-SAG -- thus eroding the basis of Fagan's "hub, spokes &
rim" interpretation, which are but a rewarmed version of fixed,
cardinal & mutable designations respectively.
* * * * * * *


* * * *


A final and MOST BASIC philosophic point, one cannot emphasize
enough that no archetype is good or bad in itself. Venus can do you in
with arsenic in your best chocolates sweetly, and you are just as dead
as if Mars&Saturn chops you up into little pieces with a hatchet. Any
horoscope is comprised of the elements of time and space. One cannot
tell if that horoscope is for a barn raising, or any other event, an
animal's birth or a human's. GIVEN THAT IT IS FOR A HUMAN, NEITHER CAN
ONE TELL IF THAT PERSON IS MALE OR FEMALE, GENIUS OR IDIOT, SAINT OR
SINNER. The intent is in the person; the horoscope shows only those
talents that a person will use for accomplishing his or her purposes.
But given that you know it is for a man or woman in a particular
century, in a particular culture, there are universal (general)
qualities which can be known. And in this study of universals as
expressed through character is the great joy of expanding one's
understanding beyond the everyday personal limits. For instance, the
tendency of URANUS to be evident in engineering charts would not be as
common for women (if in the U.S.) because of cultural restraints on
womens' occupations. Nor for most folk in other cultures. One has to
go to character to see the quality of mind that is inventive & unique.
Perhaps in the existing hunter-gatherer cultures, a medicine-person
with Uranus strongly emphasized may discover new herbs or new ways of
using herbs. Though understanding more of one's and/or another's
character is greatly interesting and rewarding, the accompanying
concept of the universality of such qualities gifts one with the sense
of the continuity and universality of consciousness itself.
As a corollary to the above premise/s, let me address the bugaboo of
"prediction," which for many people and astrologers defines whether an
astrologer or astrology is valid. All too many astrologers fall into
the ego-trap of pinning their ability as an astrologer on trying to
"predict" events for folk. I simply find that many astrologers are
psychic and, however impeded or aided by symbol systems, can often
sense situations for other folk. When they are "wrong," does that
disprove them as an astrologer? Yes, if that's the limits of what they
think astrology is. But this view does not allow for choice and our
ability to change events in our lives which we do daily, particularly
if we heed forewarnings of any kind. So one best virtue of a dire
prediction may be in the impetus to change the predicted outcome, thus
seemingly invalidating the prediction. An astrologer who claims great
percentages in accurate predictions is a laughable liar who discredits
the study of astrology; he's not dealing with astrological archetypes
to begin with. A psychic reader, perhaps another matter.
In accord with my understanding of the general nature of the
archetypes and my preferred focus to understand the inner nature of a
person and/or event, it seems stupid to try to name the event as if
that were already written. Events to a large extent depend on an
individual's choice and/or reactions which can and does cause, change,
prevent and/or affirm events. Such expectation pressures an astrologer
to be all-knowing and totally disregards commonplace observation of
people's ability to change their lives.
So following my philosophy, should this section be bare? What can
be known about future events? If a Mars Transit occurs (to one's
lights and/or natal or locational angles), is this a terrible
indication of aggressive energy resulting in anger or accidents? For
an athlete, it might be devoutly hoped and prayed for, and at the
Olympics may result in crowning glory. It is in an individual's use of
Mars energy which indicates whether he be trophy winner or trophy, hero
or bully. Whereas a Venus Transit, thought to be "benefic," may only
result in a nice time at the Olympics. Generally one can find if there
will be, figuratively speaking, cloudy, or stormy energy, or sunshine
to come. Given that, one can plan a picnic or sandbag one's psyche.
But to say a literal picnic is forthcoming is to misinterpret; better
to say that "the genial Venusian feeling which finds expression in
picnics (or other parties and social connections) may be forthcoming."
What can be (miraculously revealed) calculated in time and space is
the kind of energy available to an individual at a particular time and
space. To know this is to enter into a positive and conscious personal
witness and living of archetypal energy. But this understanding,
wonderful as it is, requires that an astrologer direct a "client" in
the study of energies rather than telling him or her what will happen
or what he should do. Not many pay for a tutor, they want a reading.
Re-education is necessary in all facets of life. This is an unpopular
view, of course, but a necessary one if astrology is to be understood
at all. We should cultivate at least the minimum respect which does
not demand that the Mystery of the universe conform to our understand-
ing of it. This is Celestial, Stardust Stuff that we are all made of--
afterall.
* * * * * * *

[4SPHERES] Notes for Astrologers on the 4 Systems in Spherical
Astronomy (Horizon, Equatorial, Ecliptic, Galactic), by Kay Cavender.
One should be generally aware there are several astronomical systems
superimposed in a chart, and that it is important for interpretation to
understand and distinguish between the coordinates of three
astronomical systems used in astrology.
Before reading the notes, one can skip down to more (astrologer-
friendly) astronomical definitions from Jeff Mayo's THE ASTROLOGER'S
ASTRONOMICAL HANDBOOK included below - as the notes depend on
definitions.
See also Editor's Note appending Fagan's "Cosmic Division?" essay of
8/56 from [APEX] file, plus Garth Allen's "Planes, Not Points!" of
11/58, plus Fagan's "Origin of the Horoscope Form" of 12/61.
* * *



Astrology Notes Regarding
THE FOUR SYSTEMS IN SPHERICAL ASTRONOMY
Kay Cavender

A simplification: To put up an astrological chart: when you find
the longitude (zodiacal) placements of planets and lights (and their
aspects)--that's the Ecliptic System. When you calculate the angles
(ASC-DSC and MC-IC), and the planetary positions in relation to the
angles, that involves a combination of the Equatorial and Horizon
Systems in relation to the Ecliptic.
The Ecliptic (longitudinal) degrees of a planet alone will not
necessarily indicate if it is really "ON" the horizon (ASC-DSC) or "ON"
the meridian (MC-IC) - BECAUSE the Ecliptic longitude positions also
have latitude, and BECAUSE the Earth (and its Equatorial plane) is
tipped 23.5 degrees to the Ecliptic plane, and BECAUSE we live on
different latitudes (Horizon System). These three systems (Ecliptic,
Equatorial, Horizon) have to be coordinated.


ECLIPTIC SYSTEM (Ecliptic=Celestial Longitude & Latitude): Generally
on any map, one needs two coordinates--longituge & latitude--to locate
an object terrestrially or in space. On the "plane" of the ecliptic,
aspects recorded in Ecliptic Longitude only (without ecliptic latitude)
are generally significant because of the immensity of distance involved
(Earth's orbit/rotation around Sun). Such longitude aspects are not in
direct relation to a specific place on Earth (which would involve the
Horizon System), but only reference the whole Earth as a center from
which aspects are calculated. Of course, there are exceptions: for
instance, this is NOT the case with an ecliptic conjunction of
Sun&Pluto, when up to 17 degrees of distance in latitude can exist in
between, clearly destroying the concept of "conjunct." (see eclipse/
occultation) Obviously, Ecliptic Latitude indicates the exactness of
an Ecliptic Longitude aspect, particularly with conjunctions. However,
Ecliptic Latitude aspects by themselves, without reference to
longitude, are NOT important, i.e., they do not show in one's physical
structure or psychology, as do Ecliptic Longitude aspects with the Sun.

Note: Do consider Ecliptic Latitude in reference to star aspects to
the lights (Sun & Moon) & planets: stars near the ecliptic plane, when
closely conjunct especially the Lights of our solar system, are thought
to INTENSIFY their qualities. Latitudes WITHIN 2 1/2 DEGREES ORB N & S
LAT, (& same E & W LONG) are significant for the Sun. These orbs
derived from astronomical measurement of blockage of radio stars'
frequencies as our Sun passed in front of same; hence conjunctions most
particularly & also oppositions (IF within 2-1/2 degress orb N or S
latitude) are the functional aspect/s. Because the Moon has about 5
degrees N & S latitude off the ecliptic (the plane between Earth &
Sun), one should consider the Moon's extra latitude in relation also to
higher stars. For stars, I use only those aspects which are in direct
"alignment" i.e., conjunction (& secondarily I sometimes also admit
'oppositions'), in terms of the Ecliptic System. Stars behind planets
strongly aspecting the lights may be considered if both are within 2-
1/2 degrees orb N & S latitude and E & W longitude.
Note: Different rules apply to the Earth's ANGLES/DIRECTIONS
because these are in a different measurement system [see Horizon &
Equatorial Systems]: consider stars CULMINATING (MC-IC) with the
lights and planets in reference to specifically "only" longitude at
MC/South-IC/North but in terms of R.A.M.C. Such vertical "alignment"
of any above (stars, planets, lights) in RAMC on the Meridian circle
has honorable mention from ancient times. Likewise, bodies in
horizontal alignment (parallel altitude) in reference to the horizon,
along with rising and/or setting stars are significant. (See below
Horizon System)

PARANATELLONTA: "to rise alongside of." (12/54 "Solunars," Cyril
Fagan) "For example, Sirius will rise at different times at different
mundane latitudes because of excessive ecliptic latitude. If 2 planets
have the same ecliptic longitudes (as in ephemerides), these are
conjunct in "eclipto." If 2 planets are the same Meridian longitude,
these are conjunct in Right Ascension, i.e. in "mundo." And when 2
planets rise together or set together, i.e., have the same oblique
ascension or descension, these are also conjunct in "mundo." In the
case of oblique conjunction, the planets may have widely differing
ecliptic longitudes."

What PARANATELLONTA Means: (9/58 "Solunars," Cyril Fagan)
"If two or more planets or fixed stars bodily rise or set
simultaneously, or come to the Midheaven or Nadir together, or if one
crosses any of the angular cusps while another is also crossing an
angle, then each is said to be the parantellonta of the other. These
paranatellontas constitute the most powerful configurations in
prognostic astronomy, and even a beginner should be able to see why
this should be so. Paranatellonta is a Greek word signifying "acting
simultaneously," but it is such a long and difficult-to-pronounce word,
let us hereafter abbreviate it to PARAN, say "per-ran" for
convenience."
* * *

EQUATORIAL SYSTEM (RAMC & Declination): Declination is the projection
of Earth's terrestrial "latitude" onto the celestial sphere using
Earth's equator as 0 degrees. If a planet, light (and/or star) is in
the same Declination (latitude) as natal or residence, then such is on
zenith(overhead) at that latitude (and hence on nadir in opposite
latitude) when culminating and is then a significant mundane aspect all
by itself - BECAUSE the earth turns under that Declination/latitude and
all bodies over that latitude affect that latitude. Bear in mind,
however, the limits of the 23 1/2 degree tip of the ecliptic plane "as
viewed/conceived" in reference to declination.

Note: Applying this to location: for those with favorable planets
at 20-21 deg N Declination, which is Honolulu's latitude, declination
is a BIG DEAL even with nothing angular, or without any "crossings" as
indicated in AstroCartoGraphy maps. One's planets as measured in
declination/latitude may partially explain why many love (or do not
love) Hawaii & Mexico as vacation spots. Because of the tilt of the
Earth's pole of 23.5 degrees in relation to the belt of the zodiac, the
planets fall within certain limited N & S latitudes. ACG Mapping
introductory literature on natals does not specifically mention this
(probably because most folk in U.S. live above those latitudes) -
although ACG does show the Declination of planets in reference to Earth
with a "0" on the lines (and J. Lewis does make mention of the latter
in reference to President's maps & policy).

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Even though the oscillating Earth's-pole-&-
equator is tipped about 23-1/2 degrees to the plane of the ecliptic,
the Equatorial longitude & latitude projections onto the "sphere" of
the heavens are shown as upright in most astronomical maps, and the
ecliptic is shown as tipped to equator even though the ecliptic plane
is constant. Thus the measurement, itself a remnant of the pre-
Copernican worldview, encapsulates that worldview of the Earth as
central/upright although astronomers now know the difference. Thus the
Equatorial projection makes it easier to assume that the fixed stars
move in reference to the equator which is assumed to be constant
because it is the basic, upright, longitudinal/latitudinal framework
through which the sky is viewed. This is an longstanding example of
projecting an image on the universe and expecting the universe to
conform to our view of it.

Note: Garth Allen & others say RAMC (see Equatorial System) is the
astronomers' delusion because it is measured from the precessing spring
equinox & has no relation to anything for true space age astronomy;
although of course an exaggeration, such statement has enough snap to
get one to differentiate between measurements. For space travel it is
not a meaningful measurement as it does not exist as a referential
position in space (ie., the seasons of the earth refer only to the
Earth). RAMC is the measure of Earth's 24 hour day (longitudinal
rotation) along the Earth's equator projected skyward, and RAMC does
not coincide with the Ecliptic Constellations except at the equator's &
ecliptic's crossing (the equinoxes). The equinoxes occur at the points
when the Sun rises due East & sets due West; in other words, in
spherical geometry the equinoxes mark the crossing of the Earth's
projected equator with the ecliptic (ecliptic = "apparent" path of the
Sun, which is actually the path of the Earth yearly around the Sun).
However, the Right Ascension of the lights and/or planets, when
compared to the RAMC of the culminating angles & when calculated with
Horizon coordinates, does indicate when a celestial body is angular on
MC or IC. Most critical to measure is Pluto, which because of its
extreme ecliptic latitude (up to 17 degrees) is generally not anywhere
near its ecliptic longitude. Measuring Pluto especially in terms of
spherical astronomy is complex mathematically because it involves these
overlapping astronomical systems of measurement.
* * *

HORIZON SYSTEM (Azimuth & Altitude): Because planets have Declination
(see Equatorial System) and Altitude, they are not necessarily bodily
or literally (i.e., "mundanely") on the Horizontal angles (ASC-DSC)
even though their ecliptic longitude is. Altitude (up or down from
horizon) is key to rising & setting planets. What's on the horizon is
0 degrees Altitude, therefore actually "mundanely" angular rather than
just ecliptically the same degree on the horizon (ASC-DSC). ASC =
ecliptic degree crossing the eastern horizon.
[***ALL DIRECTIONS ARE DERIVED FROM NORTH-SOUTH, found by dropping a
line straight down to horizon from North (pole) Star. The point here
is that directions come from Earth's rotation in relation to the
universe.]
Another significant corollary point: the distinction between what is
measured in the Ecliptic and Horizon Systems shows the absurdity and
impossibility of having aspects "to" the angles (aspects are measured
planet-to-planet on the Ecliptic). Planets must be BODILY "on" the
angles (their 'MUNDANE' position) to have a relationship to the angles.
Note: "Rapt Parallels" are measured in elevation from the horizon.
They are parallels created through the diurnal motion of the earth on
its axis which is called "Rapt" motion. These are called RAPT PARALLELS
to distinguish them from altitudes usually measured in Declination, the
distance north or south from the Celestial Equator. Planets which are
significantly up or down from the horizon in Rapt Parallel "Altitude"
of within about a degree have the effect of a very strong conjunction.
If either of the Lights are in Rapt Parallel with a planet, this is to
be considered along with aspects.
Also, bodies having the highest ELEVATION (altitude up from the
horizon), even though not near the MC, have been considered important
from ancient times and are worth watching, particularly if they should
aspect the lights.
* * *

GALACTIC SYSTEM: This system is not a factor in astrological charts.
It is the Plane of the Milky Way with Galactic Longitude & Latitude.
See Shapley. The CENTER (& thickest mass of stars) of our Milky Way
Galaxy is currently thought about 2SAG06 ecliptic longitude, 5S35'
ecliptic latitude. (See Neil Michelson, American Sidereal Ephemeris)
The spout in Sagittarius' "teapot" points to Galactic Center, about 5
degrees west of spout. About December 18 marks the day when the
"apparent" path of Sun in our solar system crosses closest to Galactic
Center (i.e., where the ecliptic plane intersects the thickest area of
its home Milky Way Galaxy).
* * * * *

Regarding the APEX OF THE SUN'S WAY (the direction in the heavens in
which Sun is traveling in the universe): using the solar Apex
coordinates based on research by Professors A. N. Vyssotsky and Peter
van de Kamp considered a discovery in the late 60's, Garth Allen
creatively attempted to envision and research the connection between
our solar system and the rest of the universe. At that time, Allen was
considering particularly with reference to the Capricorn Ingresses, and
although the historic divisions of the zodiac are not related
specifically to the solar APEX, his work with the Capricorn Ingress
within the sidereal constellations still stands. Allen's attempt to
find a astronomical ("sidereal") framework for the meaning of the 30
degree divisions of constellations needs yet and ever to be pursued.

Cyril Fagan had rediscovered the in ancient Egyptian astrology the
historical roots of the constellations. As a sidereal astrologer and
astronomer, Garth Allen attempted to find in the APEX of the Sun's Way
an astronomical explanation for the zodiacal divisions within the
physics of the universe itself. Allen considered that the first step
in observational astronomy is to establish the north pole and the
resultant north-south Meridian division of the celestial sphere. By
analogy, Allen found that the APEX (the direction the Sun is traveling
in the universe) gave a kind of pole/pointer, from which a meridian can
be drawn down to the ecliptic, as it can. His information then on the
Apex position, while now unsubstantiated, indicated a division at 0
degrees Capricorn and Cancer. The file [APEX] includes most of Allen's
published thinking on the solar Apex. Below is a detailed explanation
of his astronomical reasoning.

It is the Earth's angles, i.e., the ecliptic plane's crossing of the
horizon and North-South Meridian, which provides the focus, scope, and
framework for what impinges on our consciousness here. The angles are
defined as the foreground of consciousness, a kind of relativistic
notion that everything is relative to the observer, or the experiencer.
Thus, astrologically our personal and immediate perspective in the
universe is FROM THE DAILY ANGLES of the Earth in relation to our Sun;
our earthly life, our seasons, are dependent on the orientation of the
Earth and its pole.

Earth is our position of perception to which the heavens are
relative. We are here the perceivers. But also astronomically, the
direction in the heavens--the solar APEX--in which the Sun is traveling
is also the direction its planets are traveling. The solar APEX then
is a major factor of our relationship to the rest of the heavens. The
solar APEX, which divides the ecliptic plane through the heavens
analogously to the way the Earth's tilt and pole divides our day and
year, offered a plausible explanation for an astronomical basis for
connecting the constellations to the galaxy.

Cyril Fagan's Astrological Origins referred to the research of
Professors A. N. Vyssotsky and Peter van de Kamp investigations of the
solar Apex with its position as follows: R.A. 19h 00m 00s plus or
minus a miximum error of 6m, and Declination N. 36 degrees 00' plus or
minus a maximum error of 1 degree 30'. 1950.0 = mean obliquity of the
ecliptic 23d 26'45". Reducing these to their ecliptical coordinates
gives the Mean sidereal longitude as 29 degrees Sagittarius 32' - "less
than half a degree from the sidereal Tropic of Capricorn....In this
respect it should be noticed that the Sun's ingress into the
constellation Capricorn, termed by Garth Allen the Capsolar, and the
Moon's ingress therein, the Caplunar, constitute the most important
ingresses during the year."

To understand Allen's reasoning with regard to the above
information, consider this analogy: the pole of the Earth's spin, the
North-South Pole, points to the North Star Polaris, from which point a
line can be drawn vertically straight down to the horizon. Now see
that vertical wrapping all the way around the earth. This vertical
from the north pole star provides the first direction, the Prime
Meridian Circle (and/or plane) in astronomy, or the primary direction
North-South. This is the first step and most basic orientation for us
on Earth in establishing our orientation in space.
As an analogy, just so the APEX or the direction the Sun (and its
solar system) is seen to travel in the heavens can be conceived as a
kind of dynamic "pole" of the solar system. Similar to the line from
north pole star to Earth's horizon, when a line is drawn from the solar
Apex down to the ecliptic plane (between Sun & Earth), it appeared that
the Apex fell near 0 degrees of the star constellation Capricorn and to
the opposite degree, 0 degrees Cancer. This is a very compelling
astronomical analogy, and at that time, no astronomer had determined
precisely the equatorial coordinates of the solar Apex. Unfortunately
however, the information on the solar Apex positions from the research
of Professors A. N. Vyssotsky and Peter van de Kamp has not been
substantiated, and thus the above positions are not substantiated.

[On a different project, Garth Allen's early statistical studies
reported in his Profession And Birth Data validate such 30 degree
divisions of the star constellations into 12 sections, as opposed to
any other divisions. See below appended essay by Fagan on Allen's
statistical studies from file APEX].

Further as based on Allen's thinking: It is helpful to visualize
the Earth as divided into 12 orange sections (cut longitudinally) or
"lunes" as these sections would have an appearance similar to a
crescent lunar phase. And further, to visualize the Earth's projection
of longitude and latitude onto the apparent sphere of the heavens-in-
lunes. The orange core would be the pole of the Earth's axis about
which it turns, and would point now to Polaris, the North Pole Star,
the still place in the sky about which all stars turn. [This is the
way astronomers measure the sky--with the equatorial system and its
north pole overlaying the ecliptic plane, and it is true for a few
centuries. However, this fails to note that with precession the
celestial pole and equinoxes (as based on the Earth's north pole and
equatorial plane) change about 1 degree every 72 years (or 71.6 years)
in reference to the fixed stars. Also as to defining the
constellations, this fails to note that the ecliptic plane has its pole
oriented to the constellation Draco (halfway between the stars called
the First and Second Knots or Nodes). That is, because of astronomical
perspective, the poles of the constellations are not clearly relegated
to the constellation Draco, and are implied to be the poles of the
earth's wobbling equatorial plane.]
The astronomical "lunes" reflect an attempt to understand the
constellations in a larger context than being limited to a narrow band
near the ecliptic plane. Each 30 degree zodiacal "lune" section was
historically named for a star constellation near the ecliptic; i.e.,
the whole lune section of the heavens from north to south pole is named
for the 'zodiacal' constellation, or the constellation nearest the
ecliptic.
NOTE: Again, herein is a point of confusion: using the earth's pole
rather than the ecliptic or zodiacal pole to define the constellations.
That is, it is not merely the plane of the ecliptic that is being
divided, but the entire celestial sphere in terms of the Earth's
rotational relationship to the heavens. For Allen, "Radial movement in
space defines the zodiac." The Earth's radial movement is with respect
to and around its axis or pole. Again, this astronomical view, which
is correct only for a few centuries, is oriented in terms of the
equatorial system and its north pole which are subject to precession;
this astronomical view is without reference to the ecliptic or zodiacal
plane system and its north pole in Draco.
The primary historical and astronomical issue is how those lunes
were divided in the first place--where are the beginnings and ends of
the historical constellations? Graham Hancock's research (MESSAGE OF
THE SPHINX and FINGERPRINTS OF THE GODS) says that the ultimate measure
even overriding the zodiac was the whole precessional cycle of 25,920
years. Within this cycle, the Belt Stars in the constellation Orion
were one measure, and when at their lowest southern culmination,
indicated a kind of end/beginning of the cycle on the spring equinox of
10,450 B.C. At that time Leo of which the Sphinx was a prototype rose
due East where the Sphinx faced, and Taurus, which was located just
above Orion, culminated sourth. Orion was the Egyptian Osiris.
Mythologically and astronomically in terms of the zodiac (or the Path
of Ra), it was in Taurus that Osiris, the God-and-King, "began" his
celestial journey across the Heavenly Nile or the Milky Way, the
journey not only of the year, but of millennia.

* * * * *



Excerpts from:
Jeff Mayo's THE ASTROLOGER'S ASTRONOMICAL HANDBOOK,
(c) 1965 by author, L.N. Fowler & Co. Ltd., London

NOTE: The diagrams which illustrate the (astrologer-friendly)
astronomical definitions cannot be given in ascii format.


FORWARD

It is not enough for the would-be astrologer to learn that the
planets and signs are symbols, needing only to be interpreted in terms
of character traits or possible events as indicated in text-books and
handed down by tradition. Old and accepted theories need periodical
checking, revising, in light of fresh knowledge and deeper
understanding. And, above all, the student needs to be conversant with
the astronomical framework upon which the whole structure of his
astrological interpretation is based.
This volume is offered as an informative reference book and as a
guide towards a clearer understanding of the derivation and elements of
the basic factors which make up the astrological chart. Certain of the
contents may not seem to have a direct bearing on astrology, and yet
all that is within these pages should help to convey to the reader some
measure of wider understanding of the complex interplay of forces which
create and re-create the cosmic patterns, within which our own planet
is an exciting and essential feature.


THE GEOCENTRIC FRAMEWORK
1. THE BASIC FRAMEWORK

This book, like any other book, must have an apt starting-point, and
what better than to begin with the Earth we live on.
From our standpoint of Earth we look out at the rest of the
universe. The Sun and Moon, the planets, and even the faraway
constellations, 'appear' to revolve about us. Except, in a sense, for
the Moon this is not really what is happening. The Sun, and not the
Earth, is of course the common centre of gravity for all the planets in
the Solar System.
However, it is perfectly correct for the astrologer to symbolize the
Earth as a kind of axis round which the rest of the cosmic bodies
revolve, because the astrologer is concerned with the 'angular
relationship' of the Sun, Moon, and planets 'as seen from the Earth.'
Hence, the small circle in the centre of the astrological chart
symbolizes the Earth as the central point of reference.
The positions of the planets given in the ephemerides from which the
astrologer can calculate the planetary pattern as seen from the Earth
for any given moment, are the 'geocentric' measurements (Greek: ge,
Earth). If the Sun were the central point of reference the
measurements of the planets thereto would be termed 'heliocentric'
(Greek: helios, Sun).
To enable the astronomers to calculate the motions and angular
positions of the planets and other celestial bodies relative to the
Earth they need a basic framework and points of reference. This is our
next step, to understand the "geocentric framework" employed by the
astronomers, with particular emphasis on those circles and their points
of intersections used by astrologers.

The Celestial Sphere
When we look out at the stars it is easy to imagine they are points
of light speckling the inside of a spherical dome--the visible top half
of a whole sphere, the lower half being beneath the level of our feet--
and that we are at its centre. Thus, we speak of the 'Celestial
Sphere', and if you refer to Fig. 2 you will see a number of circles
contained within an outer circle. This latter we call 'the Meridian.'
Any circle, the plane (or level) of which passes through the centre
of the Earth, is a 'great' circle. Referring to Fig. 2 with the tiny
symbol of the Earth and its north-south axis at the centre of the
diagram, you should note that every circle shown is a great circle.
You may understand this more clearly if you think of any one circle not
as a hoop (which it might here resemble) but as a flat disc. We have
to distinguish between a 'great' circle and a 'small' circle. A small
circle is any circle the plane of which does not pass through the
centre of the Earth.
For example, the 'equator' is a great circle. Its plane intersects
the Earth's centre and is, therefore, equidistant from its north and
south poles. The equator corresponds to latitude 0 degrees. All other
parallels of latitude, which with the meridians of longitude are the
co-ordinates for measuring the position of any place on Earth, are
small circles.
The three GREAT circles of HORIZON, EQUATOR, and ECLIPTIC are the
main circles of reference for locating a planet's position relative to
any place on Earth. It is essential that the astrologer understand
their interrelationship and role in the geocentric framework.


2. THE HORIZON SYSTEM
The Horizon, Zenith, Nadir
The 'horizon' is the great circle shown in Fig. 3 which you can
trace by the four cardinal points from N to E to S to W and back to N.
This great circle is called the 'rational or true' horizon. Its poles,
the extremities of its axis which is perpendicular to its plane, are
the zenith (directly overhead for the observer) and the 'nadir'
(directly beneath the observer). A line drawn between zenith and nadir
would be in the direction in which gravity acts--as with a plumb-line.
When the great circle of the rational horizon is produced to meet
the heavens (i.e. extended beyond the sphere of the Earth) it is called
the 'celestial or sensible' horizon. The rational horizon is not to be
confused with the circular line formed by the apparent meeting of the
earth and the sky, which is a small circle, is called the 'visible or
apparent' horizon, and is parallel to the rational horizon.
The horizon for any specified place on Earth remains constant, just
as the zenith at right-angles to the horizon will be that imaginary
point constantly overhead the observer. But as the Earth continuously
rotates on its axis a different degree area of the ecliptic will rise
above the eastern horizon roughly every 4 minutes, and an average of
every 2 hours a new zodiacal sign will be on the Ascendant.
Thus, the intersection of the eastern horizon and the ecliptic
determines the sign and degree on the cusp of the 1st house (Ascendant)
of the birth-chart....

The Meridian, Prime Vertical
One of the systems of celestial co-ordinates used in astronomy for
determining the position of a star or planet is the 'Horizon System'
....[with] coordinates of 'altitude and azimuth'....However, if you
refer to Fig. 3 you will see the framework of reference circles used in
the Horizon system. These are the 'Horizon, the Meridian, and the
Prime Vertical.'
'The Meridian' is often referred to as the north-south great circle.
This is because it passes through the zenith and nadir (poles of the
horizon), the north and south poles of the equator, and the north and
south points of the horizon. This great circle is called 'the
Meridian' to distinguish it from all other meridian circles. The
Meridian is an integral part of each of the three systems of celestial
co-ordinates:

a) It is a 'vertical circle' in the Horizon System.
b) It is a 'meridian of right ascension' in the Equatorial System.
c) It is a 'meridian of longitude' in the Ecliptic System.

If we look again at Fig. 2 another reason for the distinction of
being termed 'the' Meridian becomes obvious: all other circles are
contained within its circle. Yet another significant point is that the
Sun crosses the Meridian at midday (i.e., when it is midday 'anywhere'
on Earth). At midday the ecliptic (sun's apparent path) intersects the
great circle of the Meridian, and this point of intersection is known
to astrologers as the 'Midheaven' (M.C., from Latin: Medium Coeli), or
degree of culmination.
The Prime Vertical, sometimes called the east-west great circle, is
a vertical circle passing through the zenith and nadir, and east and
west points of the horizon (Fig. 3). All other vertical circles
(called 'verticals') which also pass through the zenith and nadir,
unlike the Prime Vertical, do 'not' pass through the east and west
points of the horizon. Thus, all other verticals are referred to as
'secondaries' to the horizon. In passing through the east point of the
horizon it is the first, or 'prime' vertical. Its plane corresponds to
the points of intersection of the horizon and the equator.
The horizon, equator, and Prime Vertical (great circles linked by a
common factor, that of passing through E-W -- see Fig.2) can be spoken
of as secondaries to the Meridian--because the poles of the Meridian
are the east and west points of the horizon.
It is as well that the astrologer should understand the various
astronomical terms, so briefly we shall define 'altitude and azimuth,'
the two co-ordinates of the Horizon System. The position of a planet
when described by altitude is measure in degrees, minutes, and seconds
from the horizon up towards the zenith. It is the planet's angular
distance from the horizon, measured along a vertical. Azimuth is its
measurement along the horizon in degrees, minutes, and seconds
'westward' from where the Meridian cuts the south point of the horizon,
to the vertical containing the planet; or, expressed as the angle which
the vertical through the planet makes with the Meridian. Astronomers
speak of an object's (star, planet) 'zenith distance,' which is its
angular distance from the zenith downwards towards the horizon--the
complement of the planet's altitude.
'Polar Elevation' (Fig. 2) or 'polar altitude' is the height of the
pole above the horizon at a given place, and is equal to that place's
latitude or angular distance from the equator.


2. THE EQUATORIAL SYSTEM
The Equator, First Point of [the Sign] Aries
The 'terrestrial equator' is a great circle corresponding to the
Earth's largest circumference, midway between its north and south poles
around which the galaxies of stars appear to revolve.
The 'terrestrial poles' are the two points where the axis of
rotation meets the Earth's surface. The 'celestial poles' are the
terrestrial poles extended to infinity.
If we imagine the plane of the terrestrial equator projected beyond
the Earth, this 'extended" plane is called the 'celestial equator.' Why
should there be two names for what is, in effect, the same great
circle? Simply because the plane of the equator is used as a circle of
reference for fixing the position in the sky of a star or planet as
well as for locating the situation of any place on Earth.
The terrestrial equator is a great circle known as a 'parallel of
latitude' corresponding to latitude 0 degrees. On the terrestrial
sphere, parallels of latitude and 'meridians of longitude' are the
well-known co-ordinates used for finding a place on a map. New York,
for instance, is positioned on the parallel of latitude which is 40d
45' north of the great circle of the equator. But the parallel of
altitude on which New York lies is, like all other latitudes north or
south of the equator, a 'small' circle. Their planes do 'not' pass
through the centre of the Earth.
The astronomer, with reference to the circle of the celestial
equator, uses similar co-ordinates for fixing the position of a
heavenly body. These co-ordinates belong to the 'Equatorial System'
and are called 'parallels of declination' (which correspond exactly to
similar measurements in terrestrial latitude), and 'meridians of right
ascension.' A planet exactly on the plane of the equator has no
declination (0 degrees).
Measurement in degrees, minutes, and seconds of declination is in
the direction of either of its poles, according to whether a planet is
north or south of the zero point of the equator. Because the angular
measurement of declination corresponds exactly to that of terrestrial
latitude you must not confuse it with 'celestial latitude,' which is
the angular distance of a planet north or south of the ecliptic, and
refers to the Ecliptic System which will be dealt with presently.
For either terrestrial longitude or right ascension there is no
natural zero, so an arbitrary choice is made. The great circle passing
through the poles of the equator and the position of Greenwich
(England) is where measurement in terrestrial longitude begins. We
speak, for example, of New York being 74 degrees west, which means it
is situated 74 degrees west of the Greenwich meridian. The starting
point for measurement along the celestial equator in right ascension is
where the ecliptic and the equator intersect at the vernal equinox, and
is called the 'First Point of [the sign] Aries.'
There are two intersections of the ecliptic and equator, the second
being the First Point of libra, occurring at the autumnal equinox.
Both intersections are spoken of as the "Equinoctial Points.' The word
"equator" derives from its other name, the 'equinoctial,' because at
the equinoxes (Equinoctial Points) day and night are of equal length
(Latin: nox, night)....The Sun is then crossing from south to north of
the equator. The autumnal equinox...is when the Sun crosses the
equator again, this time from north to south.
The First Point of [the sign] Aries is very important in astronomy.
Just as the vernal equinox, with which it corresponds, is an important
phase of the year for those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere.
For then our spring begins. [This pertains to the Northern Hemisphere
only as the seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere.] In
ancient times the beginning of the year was reckoned for this moment
when the Sun crossed the equator and began rising higher each day in
the heavens. Due to 'Precession' the constellation (not zodiacal sign)
which lies behind the Sun at the vernal equinox changes gradually
through the centuries. However, the First Point of [the sign] Aries
retains its name, and for the [tropical] astrologer this is the moment
when the cycle of the twelve signs of the zodiac begins with 0 degrees
of the sign Aries. [The ancient and original Sidereal Zodiac is
derived from the fixed star constellations and its positions do not
change due to precession--which is a seasonal marker.]
The Equatorial System is defined by the 'direction of the Earth's
axis.' Why? Because due to the Earth's rotating motion the complete
circle of the ecliptic is brought into view of any part of the Earth's
surface within the approximate period of 24 hours. Although the Sun is
only exactly on that point of intersection of the equator and ecliptic
twice in one year (around 21st March and 23rd September), these
intersections of First Point of [sign] Aries and First Point of [sign]
Libra are reference points....The First Point of the [sign] Aries is a
point of reference since once in every 24 hours it will cross the
meridian of any place.
We have already seen how a planet's position by the Equatorial
System co-ordinate of declination is measured. How do we finally fix
the planet's location in the heavens by the other co-ordinate, 'right
ascension'? First, let us define right ascension.
We know there are two co-ordinates for locating the position of a
place on Earth, just as there are two co-ordinates for locating the
position of a planet in the heavens, relative to the Earth. The
former, terrestrial or geographical co-ordinates, are latitude and
longitude. The latter, celestial co-ordinates, are declination and
right ascension. Terrestrial latitude corresponds to declination: both
are measured north or south 'from' the equator. Terrestrial longitude
corresponds to right ascension: both are measure 'along' the equator.
The Meridian of Greenwich marks the beginning of measurement in
terrestrial longitude, in a westwards direction for 180 degrees, or in
an eastwards direction for 180 degrees. The First Point of [sign]
Aries might be thought of as the "Greenwich" of the celestial sphere,
for it is here that measurement in right ascension begins. But right
ascension is measured in one direction only: eastwards. It is
measurement taken in degrees, minutes, and seconds of arc, from 0
degrees through a full circle of 360 degrees; or in hours, minutes, and
seconds of time, from 0 hours through a whole cycle of 24 hours. 'Hour
angle' is a measurement westwards from the First Point of Aries, which
is discussed on page 42.
Thus right ascension can be defined as measurement eastwards along
the equator in degrees of arc, or in hours of time, from the First
Point of [the sign] Aries.
We have seen that the diurnal motion or rotation of the Earth on its
axis cause the Sun and planets to appear to go round the Earth from
'east to west,' whereas in reality they, like the Earth, move from
'west to east.' We see, therefore, that measurement in right ascension
is in that direction which the Earth rotates, eastwards. More
significantly, it is the direction in which the planets (including
Earth) revolve round the Sun. By the measurement in right ascension we
can each successive day determine the angular distance a planet is
'eastwards' from the First Point of Aries, as seen from our standpoint
of Earth. [The problem from an astronomical and astrological point,
however, is precession: since the Earth wobbles, its poles and equator
also wobble, and the equatorial plane shifts 1 degree every 71.6 years.
Thus the tropical zodiac's coordinates are always shifting relative to
the stars.]
The full circle of the equator equals 360 degrees of arc, or 24
hours in time, in terms of right ascension. When we speak of the Sun's
transit of 1 hour in right ascension (R.A.) corresponding to 15 degrees
of arc, we mean that due to the rotation of the Earth the Sun in 1 hour
appears to pass over an area of the Earth's surface equal to R.A. 15
degrees. This will, perhaps, be better understood if we think of 1
hour as 1/24th part of the 24-hour cycle of one day; coincident with 15
degrees of arc representing 1/24th part of a full circle of 360
degrees.
Thus, if 15 degrees of arc equals 1 hour (60 minutes) of time, 1
degree of arc will equal 4 minutes of time. Right ascension, remember,
corresponds to terrestrial longitude. It follows, therefore, that the
Sun will take roughly 4 minutes to pass over an arc of 1 degree of the
Earth's surface. Amsterdam in the Netherlands is 5 degrees east of the
Greenwich meridian. As the Sun appears to move from east to west,
sunrise in Amsterdam will occur 20 minutes (5 degrees x 4 minutes = 20
minutes) earlier than it will in London.
Although measurement in right ascension is not normally used by the
astrologer it is well that he should understand this term, since from
this co-ordinate the positions of the Sun, Moon, and planets are
converted into 'celestial longitude' as they appear in yearly
[tropical] ephemerides.


4. THE ECLIPTIC SYSTEM
The Ecliptic, the Zodiac
We speak of the 'ecliptic' being the apparent path of the Sun in the
heavens, the great circle the Sun appears to follow in its journey
round the Earth taking a year to complete one cycle. In reality it is
the Earth that orbits the Sun, the Sun being the Earth's centre of
gravity in common with the other planets in the Solar System.
It is not entirely true to say that the ecliptic is, therefore, an
'imaginary' great circle traced in the heavens, the plane of which
passes through he centre of the Earth. The ecliptic, as well as being
the actual path followed by the Earth, also corresponds very closely to
the plane of the orbits about the Sun traced by the other major
planets.
From the earliest records of man's study of the celestial sphere is
it is known that this apparent course of the Sun and planets in the sky
was recognized, and plotted against the background of the
constellations of "fixed stars"--so called because due to their immense
distances from the Earth they scarcely shift their positions relative
to the Earth over several centuries [even over several millennia], and
appear fixed in space. Certain patterns of grouped stars, or
constellations, "through which the Sun and planets move", were
associated by the earliest of priest-astrologers with mythological
figures significant to their primitive stellar religion. Thus, over
the centuries these very special constellations came to be known as the
Signs of the Zodiac. Zodiac is derived from the Greek zoon, meaning a
living thing. [The terms 'sign' and 'constellation' were used
interchangeably historically, but are now taken to distinguish between
two different ways of measuring the zodiac, respectively as the
tropical and sidereal zodiac.]
The 'zodiac' can be defined as a belt of the sky which as the
ecliptic as its centre. This belt is considered to extend about 8
degrees either side (north and south) of the ecliptic, a total of 16
degrees within which the Sun, Moon, and major planets always remain.
Pluto is the exception, its inclination tot he ecliptic reaching as
much as 17 degrees as measured in celestial latitude. [Other sources
may differ as to the extent of the zodiacal belt, classically Mercury's
latitude of about 7 degrees north and south was the measure, thus
giving a 14 degree belt. However that distinction is not a important
issue.]
The ecliptic is so called because 'eclipses' can only occur when the
Moon is in or very near to it. The Sun can never be away from the
ecliptic, since this is a great circle the plane of which passes
through the centre of the sun as well as through the centre of the
Earth.
As we have already said, the 'vernal equinox' is when the Sun's path
along the ecliptic crosses the equator from south to north. This
occurs around 21st March, and in the Northern Hemisphere is heralded as
the first day of spring. Each successive day the Sun by noon appears
higher in the heavens. This is because the angle of the Earth's
equator to the plane of the elliptic increases.
This angle is measured in 'declination,' and when the Sun has
reached its maximum declination north of the equator we say it is at
"declination 23-1/2 degrees north," which occurs in MID-summer in the
Northern Hemisphere, around 21st June. This tells us that the angle
between the plane of the equator and the plane of the ecliptic,
measured along a declination circle northwards from the equator, will
be 23-1/2 degrees. Or, put another way, the pole of the ecliptic is
about 23-1/2 degrees from the pole of the equator. The Sun's maximum
declination north marks the 'summer solstice.' It is then that increase
in declination is halted, the Sun, as it were, stands still (Latin:
sistere, to cause to stand still), and then declination starts to
decrease, until about 21st September the plane of the equator and the
plane of the ecliptic are as one. We say that the Sun has then
declination 0 degrees, zero, as it crosses from north to south of the
equator. This marks the 'autumnal equinox,' when day and night
throughout the world are again of equal length--as they were at the
vernal equinox.
As the Sun's declination southwards increases, so in the Northern
Hemisphere the Sun's maximum altitude at noon above the horizon gets
lower, until around 21st December the Sun reaches maximum declination
23-1/2 south, which marks the 'winter solstice.'
The 'Ecliptic System' is defined by the plane of the 'Earth's
orbit,' which fixes the position of the ecliptic. In simpler terms we
would say that the plane of the Earth's orbit round the Sun determines
where the ecliptic lies in relation to the Earth's equator. To plot
the position of a planet by this system we use the co-ordinates of
'celestial longitude' and 'celestial latitude.'
Celestial longitude [in the tropical zodiac framework] is that co-
ordinate of prime importance to astrologers. It is measurement in
degrees and minutes of arc eastwards from the First Point of [the sign]
Aries 'to the meridian of longitude which passes through both the
planet and the poles of the ecliptic. When, for example, we say that
Venus is in Aries 19 degrees we know that Venus is a distance of 19
degrees eastward from where the ecliptic intersects the equator. Note
that celestial longitude is measured in the same direction as right
ascension, i.e., eastward.
Celestial latitude is measurement in degrees and minutes north or
south of the ecliptic, though it is rarely applied by astrologers for
correcting a planet's position plotted by longitude. [However, it
should be.]
The diurnal motion of the Earth (rotation on its axis) does not
affect the co-ordinates of latitude and longitude. These refer to the
ecliptic (plane of Earth's orbit round the Sun).


9. STELLAR SYSTEMS AND GALAXIES
It is impossible for our human minds to comprehend the scale of the
universe in terms of its stellar population and the colossal distances
involved.
'Galaxies' are complex organizations of stars and interstellar
matter (dust and gas). There are perhaps ten thousand million galaxies
in the observable universe. Their size and structure vary
considerably, and an average galaxy may have a population of a thousand
million stars.
....
The astronomers speak of "aggregations of matter." The largest
known aggregations are 'clusters of galaxies.' Dense groups of stars
are star clusters.
'Nebulae' is the name for cloud-like aggregations of stellar matter,
usually referred to star-clusters so distant from our Earth that we see
them as mere blots or wisps of "cloud." What in effect may be a
pinpoint of light to the naked eye could be a remote galaxy containing
millions of stars!
'Stars' are self-luminous (as with our Sun) and are wholly gaseous,
unlike the planets, which are solid matter. There are stars known to
be 3,000 times the size of our own Sun.

The Galaxy
The galaxy is the galactic system to which the Sun and its system of
satellite (including, of course, the Earth), and most of the observable
'individual' stars, belong....It is now known to have a spiral
structure, and is flattened in shape (looked at edge-on it bulges in
the centre and tapers off at the extremities of its circumference).
It has been called the "Milky Way system" because of the encircling
hazy band of light called the Milky Way that can be seen with the naked
eye. This band is actually composed of stars, nebulae, and
interstellar dust.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *




EDITOR'S NOTE: Below essay from file [APEX] is appended for its review
of Allen's statistical work validating the 12 divisions of the zodiac.
* * *
Cyril Fagan, "Solunars," American Astrology 8/1956
COSMIC DIVISION?
Is the division of the zodiacal circle into twelve equal
constellations artificial--a mere schematic convenience--or is it
natural and cosmic in character? We are, of course, aware that the
zodiac was divided into twelve unequal constellations in the Graeco-
Roman star maps of the late period, and modified versions of these are
reproduced in modern star atlases. But the zodiac was always divided
into twelve equal constellations by the Babylonians and Egyptians as
abundantly testified by the numerous cuneiform and demotic texts that
have been preserved. In antiquity the year was lunar, and in a solar
year there are twelve lunar months with eleven days remaining over, and
it is generally held that the zodiac was duodenarly divided to
approximate the twelve months of the lunar year, and that such a
division was a mere schematic convenience having no intrinsic
astronomical or astrological basis.
The credit of scientifically establishing that the duodenary
division is, in fact truly cosmic in character, not mere schematism,
rests with Donald A. Bradley, who in his PROFESSION AND BIRTHDATE
statistically demonstrates such to be the case. In his review of
Bradley's book, Peter Roberts, himself an able statistician, remarks,

"Mr. Bradley...employs an interesting statistical technique to find
simultaneously whether there is a duodenary cycle of distribution among
the 360 degree length of the ecliptic and if this is so, the position
of the starting point for each 30 degree interval which gives rise to
the greatest disparity, with a chance distribution. The first part of
this test is tantamount to asking whether there are twelve signs: and
the answer is very satisfactorily in accord with astrological
tradition. It emerges that the arrangement of twelve 30 degree
intervals yields a better interpretation of the results, than say,
seve
n signs of 41.3/7 degrees or thirteen signs of 27.9/13 degrees.
This result is, I think, of tremendous importance. However confident
we may feel of the validity of traditional astrology, a carefully
conducted test of this character is most necessary and alone suffices
to disturb the less bigoted skeptics..."

Bradley, himself, writes of his results: "The implications are
startling; the 30 degree fundamental interval has successfully passed
the test of significance. One peak and one trough is in evidence, with
the peak itself far exceeding the .05 and .01 levels, approaching the
.00l mark with the trough dropping low beneath the necessary .05
line....The peak of influence found is the seventh degree of the
tropical signs! and...it is astonishing to say the least, that the
constellation center at 7d 58' of the tropical signs..."

So in this remarkable brochure, which should be in the hands of all
earnest students of astrology, Bradley not merely demonstrates that the
duodenary division of the zodiac is a fact in nature, but also that the
troughs of the distribution synchronize with the beginnings of the
ancient Babylonian constellations, while the peaks with their centers.
In short, Bradley is the first investigator, using scientifically
approved statistical methods, to demonstrate the verity of the Sidereal
zodiac.
* * * *


Garth Allen, "Perspectives In the Sidereal," 11/58 A.A.

PLANES, NOT POINTS!
The basic gimmick of the [astronomical] MECHANICS behind astrology
is so obvious, so continuously taken for granted, that most of us--
specialized researchers and general practitioners alike--tend to
mentally bypass it even when recognition of its importance would lead
to a seedy solution of many a technical problem. The gimmick is that
astrological influences work validly through 'planes' or in effect
lines on the surface of the celestial sphere, whereas we speak of them,
superficially conceive of them, and tabulate them in computing and
drawing charts, as though everything were a matter of 'points.'
For instance, a planet is a point on the celestial sphere but any
coordinate defining the position of that point is necessarily a sky-
wide plane. Or take the boundary lines of a zodiacal sign, say,
0d00'00" of Gemini. When we speak of such a "zero point" we seldom
stop to think that 0d00'00" of Gemini is a line that runs halfway
around the entire sky from the north pole of the ecliptic to its south
pole. Completing the great circle around the sky is the remaining 180
degree-long arc or line that defines 0d00'00" of Sagittarius. The
"beginnings" of Gemini-Sagittarius are a great-circle 'plane' exactly
halving the whole celestial sphere.
Then there are cusps from (from Latin for "point") of the houses.
In a drawn horoscope, at the end of each house spoke we place a
zodiacal sign with its longitude usually automatically thinking in
terms of this point in the zodiac as the cusp itself rather than 'on'
the cusp. Even the most accuracy-minded of us casually write and speak
of the Ascendant as though it were something essentially zodiacal
rather than a fixed plane tangentially eastward of a point on the
Earth's spherical surface. While it doesn't really matter for most
practical purposes, it is technically incorrect to say, "Her Ascendant
is Leo" when we should really be saying, "Leo is on her Ascendant."
Trivial distinctions in diction like this become tremendously important
when it comes to giving newer students an accurate visualization of
what is and why at an early stage of their astrological education.

What is a Conjunction?
The simplest demonstration of the PLANES-VERSUS-POINTS problem is to
think over what we are doing when we calculate a chart for the exact
moment two planets are in partile conjunction--that is, when the
ephemeris shows that their longitudes are identical to the degree,
minute, and second of arc. If the latitudes of the two planets are
even slightly different then the conjunction is not truly an exact
meeting of moving points in the sky. Take the time of New Moon, so
important to modern astrologers (and grunion, too as per below!). We
cast a chart for this time and Behold! the sun and Moon are found to be
in the same degree and minute of the zodiac. However, the Sun has no
latitude away from the ecliptic, whereas except for two fleeting
moments each month, the Moon always has latitude, sometimes being six
or seven degrees north or south of the ecliptic.
Our "conjunction" therefore is a conjunction of great-circle planes
running through the points represented by the centers of the lunar and
solar disks. Moreover, it is a meeting in only one coordinate, in
longitude, since the conjunction in right ascension will occur at a
different hour and minute. In fact, or conjunction is not even the
moment that the centers of the disks are closest to each other by a
straight line--this occurs at yet another hour and minute! Get this
all straight in your mind and you'll more readily understand why, under
certain vital circumstances, it is misleading to think of points in
other connection when you should be conceiving of astrological
mechanics in terms of planes.
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