Western astrology

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Western astrology is the system of astrology most popular in Western countries. Western astrology is historically based on Ptolemy's Tetrabiblos (2nd century CE), which in turn was a continuation of Hellenistic and ultimately Babylonian traditions.

Contents

Western astrology is largely horoscopic, that is, it is a form of divination based on the construction of a horoscope for an exact moment, such as a person's birth as well as location (since time zones may or may not affect a person's birth chart), in which various cosmic bodies are said to have an influence. Astrology in western popular culture is often reduced to sun sign astrology, which considers only the individual's date of birth (i.e. the "position of the Sun" at that date).

Astrology is a pseudoscience and has consistently failed experimental and theoretical verification. [1] [2] [3]

Astrology was widely considered a respectable academic and scientific field before the Enlightenment, but modern research has found no consistent empirical basis to it. [4] [3]

Core principles

A central principle of astrology is integration within the cosmos. The individual, Earth, and its environment are viewed as a single organism, all parts of which are correlated with each other. [lower-alpha 1] Cycles of change that are observed in the heavens are therefore reflective (not causative) of similar cycles of change observed on earth and within the individual. [lower-alpha 2] This relationship is expressed in the Hermetic maxim "as above, so below; as below, so above", which postulates symmetry between the individual as a microcosm and the celestial environment as a macrocosm. [lower-alpha 3]

As opposed to Sidereal astrology, Western astrology evaluates a person's birth based on the alignments of the stars and planets from the perspective on earth instead of in space.

At the heart of astrology is the metaphysical principle that mathematical relationships express qualities or 'tones' of energy which manifest in numbers, visual angles, shapes and sounds – all connected within a pattern of proportion. An early example is Ptolemy, who wrote influential texts on all these topics. [7] Al-Kindi, in the 9th century, developed Ptolemy's ideas in De Aspectibus which explores many points of relevance to astrology and the use of planetary aspects. [8] [9]

The zodiac

The zodiac is the belt or band of constellations through which the Sun, Moon, and planets move on their journey across the sky. Astrologers noted these constellations and so attached a particular significance to them. Over time they developed the system of twelve signs of the zodiac, based on twelve of the constellations through which the sun passes throughout the year, those constellations that are "Enlightened by the mind". Most western astrologers use the tropical zodiac beginning with the sign of Aries at the Northern Hemisphere vernal equinox always on or around March 21 of each year. The Western Zodiac is drawn based on the Earth's relationship to fixed, designated positions in the sky, and the Earth's seasons. The Sidereal Zodiac is drawn based on the Earth's position in relation to the constellations, and follows their movements in the sky.

Due to a phenomenon called precession of the equinoxes (where the Earth's axis slowly rotates like a spinning top in a 25,700-year cycle), there is a slow shift in the correspondence between Earth's seasons (and calendar) and the constellations of the zodiac. Thus, the tropical zodiac corresponds with the position of the earth in relation to fixed positions in the sky (Western Astrology), while the sidereal zodiac is drawn based on the position in relation to the constellations (sidereal zodiac). [10]

The twelve signs

In modern Western astrology the signs of the zodiac are believed to represent twelve basic personality types or characteristic modes of expression. The twelve signs are divided into four elements fire, earth, air and water. Fire and air signs are considered masculine, while water and earth signs are considered feminine. [11] The twelve signs are also divided into three qualities, also called modalities, Cardinal, fixed and mutable. [12] [13]

Western Astrology Table
Latin Name Gloss Symbol Unicode Character Approximate Sun Sign Dates Ecliptic Longitude
(aλ < b)
House Polarity Modality Triplicity Modern Ruler Classic Ruler Greek name Sanskrit name Sumero-Babylonian name [14]
Aries The Ram Aries symbol (fixed width).svg ♈︎March 21 – April 190° to 30°1PositiveCardinal Fire Mars Κριός (Krios)Meṣa (मेष)MUL LU.ḪUN.GA [15] "Agrarian Worker", Dumuzi
Taurus The Bull Taurus symbol (fixed width).svg ♉︎April 20 – May 2030° to 60°2NegativeFixed Earth Venus Ταῦρος (Tauros)Vṛṣabha (वृषभ)MULGU4.AN.NA "Divine Bull of Heaven"
Gemini The Twins Gemini symbol (fixed width).svg ♊︎May 21 – June 2060° to 90°3PositiveMutable Air Mercury Δίδυμοι (Didymoi)Mithuna (मिथुन)MULMAŠ.TAB.BA.GAL.GAL "Great Twins" (Castor & Pollux)
Cancer The Crab Cancer symbol (fixed width).svg ♋︎June 21 – July 2290° to 120°4NegativeCardinal Water Moon Καρκίνος (Karkinos)Karka (कर्क)MULAL.LUL "Crayfish"
Leo The Lion Leo symbol (fixed width).svg ♌︎July 23 – August 22120° to 150°5PositiveFixed Fire Sun Λέων (Leōn)Siṃha (सिंह)MULUR.GU.LA "Lion"
Virgo The Maiden Virgo symbol (fixed width).svg ♍︎August 23 – September 22150° to 180°6NegativeMutable Earth Mercury Παρθένος (Parthenos)Kanyā (कन्या)MULAB.SIN "The Furrow"* *"The goddess Shala's ear of grain"
Libra The Scales Libra symbol (fixed width).svg ♎︎September 23 – October 22180° to 210°7PositiveCardinal Air Venus Ζυγός (Zygos)Tulā (तुला)MULZIB.BA.AN.NA "Scales"
Scorpio The Scorpion Scorpius symbol (fixed width).svg ♏︎October 23 – November 21210° to 240°8NegativeFixed Water Pluto (or) Mars Σκoρπίος (Skorpios) [16] Vṛścika (वृश्चिक)MULGIR.TAB "Scorpion"
Sagittarius The Archer (Centaur) Sagittarius symbol (fixed width).svg ♐︎November 22 – December 21240° to 270°9PositiveMutable Fire Jupiter Τοξότης (Toxotēs)Dhanuṣa (धनुष)MUL PA.BIL.SAG , Nedu "soldier"
Capricorn The Goat Capricornus symbol (fixed width).svg ( Capricorn symbol (European, fixed width).svg )♑︎December 22 – January 19270° to 300°10NegativeCardinal Earth Saturn Αἰγόκερως (Aigokerōs)Makara (मकर)MULSUḪUR.MAŠ "Goat-Fish" of Enki
Aquarius The Water-bearer Aquarius symbol (fixed width).svg ♒︎January 20 – February 18300° to 330°11PositiveFixed Air Uranus Saturn Ὑδροχόος (Hydrokhoos)Kumbha (कुंभ)MULGU.LA "Great One", later "pitcher"
Pisces The Fish Pisces symbol (fixed width).svg ♓︎February 19 – March 20330° to 360°12NegativeMutable Water Neptune Jupiter Ἰχθύες (Ikhthyes)Mīna (मीन)MULSIM.MAḪ "Tail of the Swallow"; DU.NU.NU "fish-cord"

Zodiac sign for an individual depends on the placement of planets and the ascendant in that sign. If a person has nothing placed in a particular sign, that sign will play no active role in their personality. On the other hand, a person with, for example, both the sun and moon in Cancer, will strongly display the characteristics of that sign in their make up.

Sun-sign astrology

Newspapers often print astrology columns which purport to provide guidance on what might occur in a day in relation to the sign of the zodiac that included the sun when the person was born. Astrologers refer to this as the "sun sign", but it is often commonly called the "star sign". These predictions are vague or general; so much so that even practicing astrologers consider them of little to no value on their own. [17] Experiments have shown that when people are shown a newspaper horoscope for their own sign along with a newspaper horoscope for a different sign, they judge them to be equally accurate on the average. [18] Other tests have been performed on complete, personalized horoscopes cast by professional astrologers, and have shown no correlation between the horoscope results and the person it was cast for. [19]

The planets

Robert Fludd's 16th-century illustration of man the microcosm within the universal macrocosm Vitruvian macrocosm.jpg
Robert Fludd's 16th-century illustration of man the microcosm within the universal macrocosm

In modern Western astrology the planets represent basic drives or impulses in the human psyche. These planets differ from the definition of a planet in astronomy in that the Sun, Moon, and recently, Pluto are all considered to be planets for the purposes of astrology. [20] Each planet is also said to be the ruler of one or two zodiac signs. The three outer planets (Uranus, Neptune, Pluto) have each been assigned rulership of a zodiac sign by astrologers. [21] Traditionally rulership of the signs was, according to Ptolemy, based on seasonal derivations and astronomical measurement, whereby the luminaries being the brightest planets were given rulership of the brightest months of the year and Saturn the coldest furthest classical planet was given to the coldest months of the year, with the other planets ruling the remaining signs as per astronomical measurement. It is noteworthy that the modern rulerships do not follow the same logic.

Classical planets

The astrological 'planets' are the seven heavenly bodies known to the ancients. The Sun and Moon, also known as 'the lights', are included as they were thought to act like the astronomical planets. Astrologers call inner planets Mercury, Venus and Mars, the 'personal planets', [22] as they represent the most immediate drives. The 'lights' symbolise respectively the existential and sensitive fundamentals of the individuality.

The following table summarizes the rulership by the seven classically known planets [23] of each of the twelve astrological signs, [24] together with their effects on world events, people and the earth itself as understood in the Middle Ages. [25]

Traditional planets with their rulership of signs and effects on people and the world
SymbolPlanet [23] Rules the sign [24] Effect on world events [25] Person's nature [25] Effect in life [25] Effect in earth [25]
Sun symbol (fixed width).svg Sun Leo Wisdom, generosity, 'sunny' disposition Good fortune Gold
Moon decrescent symbol (fixed width).svg Moon Cancer Wandering Travel, lunacy Silver
Mercury symbol (fixed width).svg Mercury Gemini and Virgo Action Changeability, eagerness, quickness, 'mercurial' temperament Rapid change Mercury (quicksilver)
Venus symbol (fixed width).svg Venus Libra and Taurus Fortunate events Beauty, amorousness Good luck Copper [lower-alpha 4]
Mars symbol (fixed width).svg Mars Aries, classically also Scorpio War Strength, endurance, 'martial' temperament Conflicts, misfortune Iron
Jupiter symbol (fixed width).svg Jupiter Sagittarius, classically also Pisces Good times, prosperity Cheerful, magnanimous, 'jovial' temperament Good fortune Tin
Saturn symbol (fixed width).svg Saturn Capricorn, classically also Aquarius Disastrous events Wisdom, stability, persistence, 'saturnine' temperament Accidents, disease, treachery, bad luck Lead

Modern modifications to the Ptolemaic system

Additional planets

These are the planets discovered in modern times, which have since been assigned meanings by Western astrologers. [21]

Planets discovered in modern times, with signs and effects
SymbolPlanetRepresentingRules the signClaimed effects on world eventsClaimed effects on people
Uranus symbol (fixed width).svg Uranus monogram (fixed width).svg Uranus (a) Platinum as a planetary metal; (b) monogram 'H' for planet's discoverer, William Herschel [26] Aquarius Innovation, technology [27] Sudden or disruptive change [28]
Neptune symbol (fixed width).svg Neptune Trident, weapon of sea-god Neptune [29] Pisces [30] Change of contemporary musical tasteConfusion, sensitivity [30]
Pluto symbol (large orb, fixed width).svg Pluto monogram (fixed width).svg ⬆️ Pluto (a) Pluto's bident; (b) PL monogram for astronomer Percival Lowell who predicted a planet beyond

Neptune; [31]

c)

Represents an upward arrow, which indicates liberation from form in Esoteric Astrology

Scorpio Demolition of old, bad political systemsTransformation, [32] fate, death

Sidereal and tropical astrology

There are two camps of thought among western astrologers about the "starting point", 0 degrees Aries, in the zodiac. Sidereal astrology uses a fixed starting point in the background of stars, while tropical astrology, used by the majority of Western astrologers, chooses as a starting point the position of the Sun against the background of stars at the Northern hemisphere vernal equinox (i.e. when the Sun position against the heavens crosses over from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere) each year. The consequence of the Tropical approach is that when we say the Sun or a planet is in a certain zodiac sign, observation of it in the sky will show that it does not lie within that constellation at all. [33]

As the Earth spins on its axis, it "wobbles" like a top, causing the vernal equinox to move gradually backwards against the star background, (a phenomenon known as the Precession of the equinoxes) at a rate of about 30 degrees (one Zodiacal sign length) every 2,160 years. Thus the two zodiacs would be aligned only once every 26,000 years. They were aligned about 2,000 years ago when the zodiac was originally established.

This phenomenon gives us the conceptual basis for the Age of Aquarius, whose "dawning" coincides with the movement of the vernal equinox across the cusp from Pisces to Aquarius in the star background.

The moon's nodes

Also important in astrology are the moon's nodes. [34] The nodes are where the moon's path crosses the ecliptic. The North, or Ascending Node marks the place where the moon crosses from South to North (or ascends), while the South, or Descending Node marks where the moon crosses from North to South (or descends). While Lunar nodes are not considered by Western astrologers to be as important a factor as each of the planets, they are thought to mark sensitive areas that are worth taking into account.

Essential dignity

In astrology, "essential dignity" is the strength of a planet or point's zodiac position, judged only by its position by sign and degree, what the pre-eminent 17th-century astrologer William Lilly called "the strength, fortitude or debility of the Planets [or] significators." [35] In other words, essential dignity seeks to view the strengths of a planet or point as though it were isolated from other factors in the sky of the natal chart. Traditionally, there are five dignities: domicile and detriment, exaltation and fall, triplicity, terms, and face. However, the later two have diminished in usage. A planet's domicile is the zodiac sign over which it has rulership.

The horoscope

Western astrology is based mainly upon the construction of a horoscope, which is a map or chart of the heavens at a particular moment. The moment chosen is the beginning of the existence of the subject of the horoscope, as it is believed that the subject will carry with it the pattern of the heavens from that moment throughout its life. The most common form of horoscope is the natal chart based on the moment of a person's birth; though in theory a horoscope can be drawn up for the beginning of anything, from a business enterprise to the foundation of a nation state.

The Thema Mundi Thema Mundi.svg
The Thema Mundi

Interpretation

In Western horoscopic astrology the interpretation of a horoscope is governed by:

Some astrologers also use the position of various mathematical points, such as the Arabic parts.

Various techniques are used, with different degrees of complexity, to provide what astrologers claim are forecasts or predictive statements about the future, as well as to analyse past and current events. These include transits, progressions, and primary directions. Different branches of astrology, such as horary and electional astrology, have their own specific sets of techniques.

The primary angles

There are four primary angles in the horoscope (though the cusps of the houses are often included as important angles by some astrologers).

The ascendant is generally considered the most important and personalized angle in the horoscope by the vast majority of astrologers. It signifies a person's awakening consciousness, in the same way that the Sun's appearance on the eastern horizon signifies the dawn of a new day. [36] Due to the fact that the ascendant is specific to a particular time and place, it signifies the individual environment and conditioning that a person receives during their upbringing, and also the circumstances of their childhood. For this reason, the ascendant is also concerned with how a person has learned to present themself to the world, especially in public and in impersonal situations. [37]

The opposite point to the ascendant in the west is the descendant, which denotes how a person reacts in their relationships with others. It also show the kind of person we are likely to be attracted to, and our ability to form romantic attachments. In most house systems the descendant lies on the cusp of the 7th house of the horoscope.

The opposite point to the midheaven is known as the imum coeli. For astrologers the nadir or IC traditionally indicates the circumstances at the beginning and end of a person's life, their parents and the parental home, and their own domestic life. In quadrant house systems it lies on the cusp of the 4th house of the horoscope.

The houses

The horoscope is divided by astrologers into 12 portions called the houses. The houses of the horoscope are interpreted as being 12 different spheres of life or activity. There are various ways of calculating the houses in the horoscope or birth chart. However, there is no dispute about their meanings, and the 12 houses [38]

Many modern astrologers assume that the houses relate to their corresponding signs, i.e. that the first house has a natural affinity with the first sign, Aries, and so on.

Aspects

The aspects are the angles the planets make to each other in the horoscope, and also to the ascendant, midheaven, descendant and nadir. The aspects are measured by the angular distance along the ecliptic in degrees and minutes of celestial longitude between two points, as viewed from the earth. [39] They indicate focal points in the horoscope where the energies involved are given extra emphasis. The more exact the angle, the more powerful the aspect, although an allowance of a few degrees each side of the aspect called an orb is allowed for interpretation. The following are the aspects in order of importance: [40] [41]

Astrology and science

The majority of professional astrologers rely on performing astrology-based personality tests and making relevant predictions about the remunerator's future. [42] Those who continue to have faith in astrology have been characterised as doing so "in spite of the fact that there is no verified scientific basis for their beliefs, and indeed that there is strong evidence to the contrary". [43] [44] [45]

Astrology has not demonstrated its effectiveness in controlled studies and has no scientific validity, [42] :85 [46] and as such, is regarded as pseudoscience. [1] [2] [lower-alpha 5] There is no proposed mechanism of action by which the positions and motions of stars and planets could affect people and events on Earth that does not contradict well understood, basic aspects of biology and physics. [48] [lower-alpha 6]

Where astrology has made falsifiable predictions, it has been falsified. [51] The most famous test was headed by Shawn Carlson and included a committee of scientists and a committee of astrologers. It led to the conclusion that natal astrology performed no better than chance. [52]

See also

Notes

  1. "the entire universe is alive in mutual concord of its elements and is driven by the pulse of reason, since a single spirit dwells in all its parts and, speeding through all things, nourishes it like a living creature". [5]
  2. Al-Kindi (9th century) is clarifying this point where he says in his text On the Stellar Rays, ch.4: "... we say that one thing acts with its elemental rays on another, but according to the exquisite truth it does not act but only the celestial harmony acts".
  3. "The doctrine of the Pythagoreans was a combination of science and mysticism... Like Anaximenes they viewed the Universe as one integrated, living organism, surrounded by Divine Air (or more literally 'Breath'), which permeates and animates the whole cosmos and filters through to individual creatures... By partaking of the core essence of the Universe, the individual is said to act as a microcosm in which all the laws in the macrocosm of the Universe are at work". [6]
  4. Lewis notes that Venus was associated with the island of Cyprus, the classical source of copper.
  5. "To optimise the chances of finding even remote relationships between date of birth and individual differences in personality and intelligence we further applied two different strategies. The first one was based on the common chronological concept of time (e.g. month of birth and season of birth). The second strategy was based on the (pseudo-scientific) concept of astrology (e.g. Sun Signs, The Elements, and astrological gender), as discussed in the book Astrology: Science or superstition? by Eysenck and Nias (1982)." [47]
  6. "About three-fourths of Americans hold at least one pseudoscientific belief; i.e., they believed in at least 1 of the 10 survey items[29]" ... "Those 10 items were extrasensory perception (ESP), that houses can be haunted, ghosts/that spirits of dead people can come back in certain places/situations, telepathy/communication between minds without using traditional senses, clairvoyance/the power of the mind to know the past and predict the future, astrology/that the position of the stars and planets can affect people's lives, that people can communicate mentally with someone who has died, witches, reincarnation/the rebirth of the soul in a new body after death, and channeling/allowing a "spirit-being" to temporarily assume control of a body". [49] [50]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zodiac</span> Area of the sky divided into twelve signs

The zodiac is a belt-shaped region of the sky that extends approximately 8° north and south of the ecliptic, which is the apparent path of the Sun across the celestial sphere over the course of the year. The orbital paths of the Moon and major planets are within the belt of the zodiac.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Horoscope</span> Astrological chart or diagram

A horoscope is an astrological chart or diagram representing the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, astrological aspects and sensitive angles at the time of an event, such as the moment of a person's birth. The word horoscope is derived from the Greek words ōra and scopos meaning "time" and "observer". It is claimed by proponents of astrology that a horoscope can be used as a method of divination regarding events relating to the point in time it represents, and it forms the basis of the horoscopic traditions of astrology, although practices surrounding astrology have been recognized as pseudoscientific since the 18th century. Horoscope columns are often featured in print and online newspapers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">House (astrology)</span> Division of the horoscope into 12 sectors

Most horoscopic traditions of astrology systems divide the horoscope into a number of houses whose positions depend on time and location rather than on date. In Hindu astrological tradition these are known as Bhāvas. The houses of the horoscope represent different fields of experience wherein the energies of the signs and planets operate—described in terms of physical surroundings as well as personal life experiences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Astrological aspect</span> Angle the planets make to each other in the horoscope

In astrology, an aspect is an angle that planets make to each other in the horoscope; as well as to the Ascendant, Midheaven, Descendant, Lower Midheaven, and other points of astrological interest. As viewed from Earth, aspects are measured by the angular distance in degrees and minutes of ecliptic longitude between two points. According to astrological tradition, they indicate the timing of transitions and developmental changes in the lives of people and affairs relative to the Earth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hindu astrology</span> Indian form of astrology

Hindu astrology, also called Indian astrology, or Jyotisha ; from jyót "light, heavenly body", and more recently Vedic astrology, is the traditional Hindu system of astrology. It is one of the six auxiliary disciplines in Hinduism that is connected with the study of the Vedas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ascendant</span> Ascending sign in astrology

The ascendant or rising sign is the astrological sign on the eastern horizon when the person was born. It signifies a person's physical appearance, and awakening consciousness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sidereal and tropical astrology</span> Forms of Astrology

In astrology, sidereal and tropical are terms that refer to two different systems of ecliptic coordinates used to divide the ecliptic into twelve "signs". Each sign is divided into 30 degrees, making a total of 360 degrees. The terms sidereal and tropical may also refer to two different definitions of a year, applied in sidereal solar calendars or tropical solar calendars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Astrological sign</span> Twelve 30° sectors of the ecliptic, as defined by Western astrology

In Western astrology, astrological signs are the twelve 30-degree sectors that make up Earth's 360-degree orbit around the Sun. The signs enumerate from the first day of spring, known as the First Point of Aries, which is the vernal equinox. The astrological signs are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. The Western zodiac originated in Babylonian astrology, and was later influenced by the Hellenistic culture. Each sign was named after a constellation the sun annually moved through while crossing the sky. This observation is emphasized in the simplified and popular sun sign astrology. Over the centuries, Western astrology's zodiacal divisions have shifted out of alignment with the constellations they were named after by axial precession of the Earth while Hindu astrology measurements correct for this shifting. Astrology was developed in Chinese and Tibetan cultures as well but these astrologies are not based upon the zodiac but deal with the whole sky.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Astrological age</span> Time period in ancient historical and astrological theories of time

An astrological age is a time period which, according to astrology, parallels major changes in the development of human society, culture, history, and politics. There are twelve astrological ages corresponding to the twelve zodiacal signs in western astrology. One cycle of the twelve astrological ages is called a Great Year, comprising 25,772 solar years, at the end of which another cycle begins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Natal astrology</span> Form of astrology based on time of birth

Natal astrology, also known as genethliac astrology or genethlialogy, is a system of astrology that claims to shed light on an individual’s personality or path in life based on constructing a horoscope or natal chart that includes the exact date, time, and location of an individual's birth. Natal astrology is found in the Indian, Chinese, Hellenistic and Western astrological traditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Exaltation (astrology)</span> Form of dignity for a planet

In astrology, exaltation is one of the five essential dignities of a planet. The exaltation is a place of awareness for the planet, whereas the fall is a position of weakness concerning the function of the planet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Essential dignity</span> Astrological concept

Essential dignity, in the context of an astrological horoscope or natal chart, refers to the relative “strength” or “weakness” of a planet based on its zodiac sign and specific degree. This strength or weakness is referred to as the planet’s essence—what the 17th-century astrologer William Lilly called "the strength, fortitude or debility of the Planets [or] significators."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Domicile (astrology)</span> Zodiac sign over which a planet rules

In astrology, a planet's domicile is the zodiacal sign over which it has rulership. This is a separate concept from the houses of the horoscope. A planetary ruler is given to each sign, over which the planet is said to have a more powerful influence when positioned therein. The ruling planet associated with a sign is also used as an implied focus of interpretation for the signs on house cusps in a chart. A planet is considered to be in domal dignity when it is positioned in the sign it rules. This is the strongest of the five essential dignities of a planet. Domicile is an archaic term in infrequent, specialist uses today; most astrologers use the simpler term "sign".

In astrology, accidental dignity occurs when a planet gains strength for any reason other than its zodiacal position. Accidental dignity should not be confused with essential dignity which is where a planet gains strength from its position in the zodiac. To understand the difference between accidental dignity and essential dignity, think of essential dignity as being relevant to the 'nature' of the planet and accidental dignity as relevant to how that planet 'finds itself', or its 'power to act'. As an example, in a horary question, the significator for a lost valuable ring may have good essential dignity, but may have little accidental dignity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angular house</span> Houses taking specific angles in the horoscope

In astrology, an angular house, or cardinal house, is one of four cardinal houses of the horoscope, which are the houses in which the angles of the chart are found. The angular houses of the horoscope are considered to be the most ardent, or forceful, and are considered to have the greatest impact in the chart. The influential 17th-century astrologer William Lilly states simply: "Planets in angles do more forcibly show their effects." Angular houses rule those critical things in our life, such as our appearance and how we behave, our family life, our married life or partnerships, and our career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stars in astrology</span> Stars in sidereal and tropical astrology

In astrology, certain stars are considered significant. Historically, all of the various heavenly bodies considered by astrologers were considered "stars", whether they were stars, planets, other stellar phenomena like novas and supernovas, or other solar system phenomena like comets and meteors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Astrological progression</span> Using the horoscope to predict the future

Astrological progressions are one of the main means used in Horoscopic astrology to forecast future trends and developments. As its name implies, astrological progression involves a method of progressing the Horoscope forward from the moment of the birth or beginning of the subject into the future, and is most usually done for the birth or natal chart of a particular individual.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heliocentric astrology</span> Form of astrology based on the heliocentric model

Heliocentric astrology is an approach to astrology centered around birth charts cast using the heliocentric model of the Solar System, positioning the Sun at the center. In contrast to geocentric astrology, which places Earth at the center, heliocentric astrology interprets planetary positions from the Sun's vantage point. While geocentric astrology considers elements like the ascendant, midheaven, houses, Sun, Moon, and planetary aspects, heliocentric astrology focuses primarily on planetary aspects and configurations. Astrologers often use this method in conjunction with geocentric astrology to access insights beyond the traditional framework.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Synoptical astrology</span> Dual approach to astrology using two methods

The theory of synoptical astrology was created by László Wladimir Orosz, Hungarian philosopher and astrologer.

References

  1. 1 2 Hansson, Sven Ove; Zalta, Edward N. "Science and Pseudo-Science". Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy . Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
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