Horoscope

Terrestrial coordinates

An astrological topic is always drawn up for a given place and a date. It is thus necessary to know the place and the exact moment of the event which one seeks to draw up the topic. It is not possible to draw up an astrological topic if one is unaware of the hour of the birth of the subject.

The place is not a priori a problem, it is enough that it is known with a margin of a hundred kilometers. Even in the case of a birth in a train where a boat, the position will be known with a sufficient precision if the hour of birth is itself well-known; and it would be vain to build a precise topic in the contrary case. The place being known, it is necessary to determine of them the geographical coordinates (longitude and latitude) with a precision about the degree.

The exact moment is more delicate to treat. (If necessary, it is necessary to translate the date in the Gregorian calendar.)

One leaves the officially recorded hour, or standard time .
the administrative place of birth determines the time zone and the mode of standard time applicable to the moment considered. According to the birthplace, one determines the Time zone, and the time mode (Summer-time or hour of winter) into force at the time of the birth.

One then calculates the hour GMT of the birth, in universal Time (YOU). It is this universal hour which is useful for astronomical calculations of the planetary positions.

For old topics, the hour can be given directly in local time (generally in Average Solar Time, but sometimes in Real solar time, the difference being that of the equation of time). In this case, it is necessary to calculate hour GMT starting from the difference between the meridian line considered and the meridian line of Greenwich.

Positions of the stars

Western astrology is founded on the position of the various bodies of the solar system, like on the position of a point of reference on the ground.

As the bodies in the solar system move almost all in same the plane the ecliptic, their position is measured compared to a cutting of this one in twelve sectors corresponding to the twelve signs zodiacaux, and counted starting from the vernal Point.

The stars whose positions are usually considered in traditional astrology are the Sun, the the Moon, Mercure, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Since their discovery, the astrologers also include there Uranus, Neptune and Pluton. Fault of association symbolic system, no asteroid is considered, neither no planetary moon (other that of the Earth), nor no transplutonian body.

By simplification of language, one speaks wrongly about " position planétaire" in astrology, although both luminaries are of course not Planet S: the Sun is our star, and the Moon our satellite.

To determine the planetary positions, it is enough to know absolute time, for example, the date in a well defined calendar and the hour in universal time.

One can find the positions of planets in éphémérides astronomical which in general provide them for a given date, either at midday, or generally at midnight (hour GMT). One calculates then by interpolation, positions for the time being GMT of the birth, by means of a simple rule of three.

Or then, one directly calculates (by computer) the position for the time being given by means of a mathematical model of the orbit, and starting from these data one calculates the positions relating to the ground. In general, one calculates these positions by solving the equations of Képler, but there exist methods which start from a unified model of the solar system. For the method by calculation, one will work starting from the Jour Julien which represents time in decimal form. When this method is used, one never should lose sight of the fact that the models used are approximations which are valid only on a given beach of time, and which beyond that, the error will become gradually increasingly high.

The astronomical planetary coordinates are obtained in the form of variation and from Right ascension, which must then be projected on the ecliptic , plan where circulate the planets and for which is represented the astrological topic. Planetary longitudes thus are obtained (the origin being taken compared to the vernal Point). In almost the whole of the astrological methods, the variations compared to the ecliptic (generally negligible, except for Pluto) are not taken into account.

Planetary longitudes (or right ascension) are generally given in degree, starting from the vernal Point. Until worms the end of the 19th century, the astronomical éphémérides gave the planetary positions in " sign more degrés" , while initially indicating in which sign of the zodiac the star was, then degrees and minutes of its position within the sign. This tradition is always followed in astrology, owing to the fact that the position zodiacale of planets receives an interpretation there. The passage from one form to another is done directly, at a rate of 30° per sign. These signs has only one historical relationship with the constellations of the same name; contrary to a tough legend, the Constellation S zodiacales were never used to measure the planetary positions, whether it is in astronomy or astrology.

; Other astronomical elements The stars are not always the only elements taken into account in the astrological topics.

Since the Middle Ages, it is in certain traditions to include the lunar nodes ascending and descendant (head and tail of the dragon), whose astronomical significance is clear since they control the return of the eclipses. Their period is 18,1 years.
more recently, of the astrologers introduced a " The moon noire" , which is the second hearth of the elliptic orbit of the Moon, and explore the taking into account of other astronomical points of the same type (black Sun,… Venusian Nœud,…).
Certaines schools makes appear moreover in the astrological topic of remarkable stars (the Pléiades, α Tauri (Aldebaran), β Orionis (Rigel), α Orionis (Bételgeuse), α Canis Majoris (Sirius), α Leonis (Régulus), α Virginis (Spica), α Bootis (Arcturus), α Scorpii (Antarès), α Lyrae (Véga), α Piscis Austrini (Fomalhaut)…). The stars are relatively fixed (with the Précession of the equinoxes near), but the taking into account height to the top of the ecliptic quickly becomes critical (Rigel is with 30° under the ecliptic, and Véga with 60° with the top…). This fashion is too recent so that the question is fully elucidated.

; Starts from fortune and other arithmetic points The Arab astrology of the Middle Ages made a very great use of " parts" , which was imported in the Western use with the Rebirth. These shares known as Arab go up in fact with an gréco-Egyptian use, they are already quoted by Ptolémée and Paul of Alexandria. The interested reader will find the definition of a score of " parts" in the thesis of Patrice Guinard. They were gradually given up by the use of Western astrology.

These " parts" are calculated according to the variation between two planets, and of the position of ascending or the medium of the sky. Certain calculations vary according to whether the topic is night or diurnal.

Only which still has certain notoriety is the " starts from fortune". It corresponds to (Ascending + the Moon - Sun): the difference between the Moon and Sun is counted from the Ascending one, it is (roughly) the position of the Moon at the time when the Sun rises.

In the same order of idea, certain astrologers take into account the " semi-point" of two stars, i.e. the average of the two positions.

The introduction of these arithmetic points seems largely due to research by the astrologers of a " key manquante" allowing to simplify the interpretation of the topic, replacing a too complex synthesis by the escape ahead in an analysis increasingly more detailed. As underlines it Guinard, " the multiplication of the significant points and the imaginary points of energy marks the failure of modern interpretation in its attempt to stick to the événementiel".

Domification

In addition to space cutting, exists the second terrestrial cutting, which determines starting from the point of reference on the ground, twelve sectors called " maisons" and numbered of I with XII. The basic elements are the plan of the horizon which given the ascending one (I) and by opposition the descendant (VII), as well as the plan determined by the meridian line of the place which determines the medium of the sky (X) and by opposition the bottom of the sky (IV). The eight remaining houses are divided into cutting out in three " parts; égales" each of the four quadrants defined by both basic plan. This cutting is however not defined in a univocal way and there exist several different methods to make it, most known in the French-speaking countries being the Placidus method. One can quote among the other methods: Campanus, Regiomontanus and Koch…

Astronomical data

The position of planets is only part of l" image of the ciel" at the time of the birth. The other part which must be given is the way in which this sky is seen particular place of the birth: which are the stars with the top or the lower part of the horizon, rising (not ascending) or to lie down (not descendant), or to culminate in the middle of the sky? To determine the positions of the houses (one calls that the domification), It is necessary to determine the terrestrial positioning of the birthplace compared to the space reference frame.

These elements are at the base of the domification.

the horizon of the birthplace cuts the ecliptic in two points, which are deferred on the sky chart. Starting from the point of intersection Is, not ascending (ACE), the stars are " levés" , with the top of the horizon. Starting from the point of intersection Western, or not descendant (DS), they are " couchés" , with the lower part of the horizon.
In the same way, the Méridien of the place cuts the ecliptic in two points. Southern part, the intersection is with the top of the horizon, and the stars which pass there have their culmination there: it is the Milieu of the Sky (MC). Northern side, the intersection is under the horizon, it is the Fond of the Sky (FC).

One can notice that these traditional definitions are only roughly valid beyond the Polar circle: according to the moment of the day, there can be an inversion, and the " melts of the ciel" finds itself then with the top of the horizon when the star does not have to sleep. The consequence of this phenomenon on astrological symbolism does not seem to be studied; it is true that the number of births concerned is rather weak.

Approaches historical

The definition of the houses rests on these four angular points , by adding to it a finer division of the ecliptic.

Originally, the four angular sectors seem to be divided each one into two parts, which led to a total of eight houses. Enough quickly, a division in twelve parts spread, each quadrant being thus divided into three zones: the zone where the star has just crossed the angular point, a median zone, and the zone where the star prepares to cross the following angular point. The limits between these zones are not clearly defined, and the methods to calculate them vary.

The " definition; classique" corresponds to that of the " heures" antiques, where the day and the night each one was divided into six hours equal, but where the night and diurnal hours were not of the same duration. The disadvantage of this definition is that the duration of the hours varies brutally in the passing of the horizon, which does not have a particular justification. Other definitions were proposed, for example to divide space ranging between meridian plan and plane horizon by four intermediate plans separated from 30°, which leads to a more regular domification.

It will be noticed that in all the cases, these definitions do not change anything with the positions angular points (ascending, medium of the sky, descendant and bottom of the sky). Moreover, they modify only rather marginally the position of the intermediate houses, as long as the latitudes of birth remain weak, which explain why the large majority of the astrologers is hardly worried method of domification retained by the table that it uses.

The Position of the Houses in the Topic

The tables of the houses use a new measurement: the sidereal Time. If midday (local time) corresponds to the moment or the Sun passes to the meridian line of the place, in sidereal Temps it is midday when the vernal Point passes to the meridian line of the place. As this measurement of time is given compared to a reference frame (relatively) fixes, it is also a measure of location on the celestial sphere, therefore movement of stars (from where its name).

In one day, the ground is represented under the same angle compared to the sun, but as it moved around that Ci, it is not any more under the same angle compared to stars. So the sidereal day is about 4 minutes shorter than the solar day and the sidereal hour is 10 seconds shorter than the hour. One can of course calculate sidereal time, directly as from the Julien day, but if the éphémérides are used, it is enough to take sidereal time indicated, to add the hour (as from midday or of midnight according to the éphémérides) and to withdraw 10 seconds to it per hour added. (This is a sufficient approximation).

Sidereal time thus makes it possible to define the position of the houses compared to the ecliptic , which is independent of the position of the Sun. On the other hand, the positioning of the Sun in the houses corresponds per hour in the classical sense of the term (first hour = to raise Sun).

Then, one chooses the type of domification (see higher) and one determines the position of the houses starting from this two information (the latitude and sidereal time), either by calculation, or by means of tables.

For badly elucidated reasons, the astrologers number the twelve houses in opposite direction of the time direction. Thus, the Sun with its rising enters in house XII, then passes by the XI, and arriving in X is on the point of culminating. It exceeds the medium of the sky to enter house IX, and so on. The descendant is in extreme cases between houses VII and VI; and the bottom of the sky enters houses IV and III.

The houses are angular sectors, and what gives the tables are the limits between these sectors. By convention, the " point I" house; is the Ascending one, and the " point X" house; is the medium of the sky, the other houses being given with the endorsement. In their race day laborer, the stars thus touch the point of a house at the time when they leave there.

Astrological Aspects

The aspect , as defines it Kepler, is the remarkable angle formed by the emanated rays of two planets and meeting with the ground. Classically, the old ones recognized five aspects which they indicated by distinguishing marks:

the conjunction , where the angle formed by two planets is null.
the opposition , where the angle is of 180°.
the trigonal trine or , which is the third of a circle or 120°.
the squares or square , or quadrat , where the angle equalizes 90°.
the sextile , with an angle of 60°.

One adds today to it the semione (30°), the semi-square (semi-quadrat or semi-squares, of 45°), and the sesqui-square (135°). Moreover, certain astrological studies explore the effects of the quintile (or pentacle) simple (72°) or double (144°), as well as two intermediate angles (36°, 108°).

The first and the second signs (conjunction and opposition) as well as the fourth (today squaring) are still employed in the calendars, to mark the phases of the moon.

The remarkable angles are only very seldom exact, and the astrologers consider that the effect of the aspects extends on a zone surrounding the exact aspect, all the more large zone as the aspect is simple (and important). This zone of influence which precedes and follows the exact angular point calls the sphere aspect. The astrologers classically count a sphere of 10° for the conjunction, 8° for the opposition and the trigonal one, 6 for the square, 4 for the sextile, 1 or 2 for the minor aspects. These values are not unanimously fixed, and the common opinion seems to be rather than the influence of the aspect decrease gradually with the distance, the sphere being only the interval for which the effects are " clearly diminués".

Moreover, for certain astrologers, the influence of the aspect must be evaluated dynamically, the aspect being all the more influential as it will have lasted longer. In this school of thought, the influence of the aspect will be maximum a little after its exact point, and the aspects formed by a planet retrogresses will be regarded as reinforced.

In their relative displacements, the stars always pass by exact intermediate aspects, but the extreme aspects only are seldom reached. To have a Screening (true conjunction) or an opposition, indeed, it is necessary not only that longitudes coincide on the zodiac, but also that the variations are granted. Thus there is twice per month of full moons and the new moons, but the eclipses are much rarer. However, the eclipse S as such only are seldom calculated by the astrologers, and associated symbolism seems obscure.

The Sky chart

Once all these data obtained, one defers them on a sky chart of which there exist many models.

The traditional representations privileged the domification and registered the astrological topic in a square cut out in twelve sectors.

Nowadays, the most current representation in Western astrology seems to be to trace a double circle representing the degrees of the zodiac. This bottom of chart can be graduated with the manner of a rapporteur, and pre-printed. One defers outside the band zodiacale planets and the domification, and the aspects are traced in the interior circle.

One can represent the topic classically by positioning the signs so that the ascending one is systematically on the left and the medium of the sky to the top (what can be perceived like more convivial). At the beginning of the 20th century, Paul Choisnard launched the formula putting the vernal point systematically on the left (what makes it possible to simplify the comparisons of topics and the statistical evaluations).

Then one locates the notable aspects which one will represent by lines of different colors on the central part of the chart.

Can then begin interpretation.

Predictive Techniques

Transits

The transits , which study the relation between the topic of birth and the state of the sky on a given date. From the dynamic point of view, the transit or passage of one or more planets on the positions of the stars at the time of the birth can be interpreted like a temporary expression of certain characteristics of the topic of birth, this one being regarded as a potential which is expressed throughout the existence. One will speak for example about a Jupiter transit on the Moon located at ascending, supposed to activate the role of this one in the configuration of the topic of birth.

Progressions

Also called secondary directions, the progressions claim to determine the evolution of a person year after year, while being based on the idea symbolic system according to which " one year equalizes a jour". To take a concrete example, if the astrologer wishes to examine the evolution of a 30 year old person, it will calculate a topic corresponding to the birth date plus 30 days. The astrologer studies the evolution of the life of a person via the solar revolutions, càd which it recomputes a topic at the date birthday of the individual, it compares it with the native topic (that calculated with its birth date which represents once reflected the situation of the individual in the middle of his life) Ainsi for such year, it interprets notable elements which will occur during the year: meet, birth, professional evolution, removal etc…

The Relational Horoscope: The Comparison of Topics

Beyond the topic of personality, the astrologer is also interested to compare two topics. Among the principal cases:

the Synastries , which study the relations between the topics of birth of two people to determine their (in) compatibilities of character.

Composite

In these two cases, one will examine mainly, the aspects between the stars of the two topics and the positions of the stars of a topic in the houses of the other.

Synastrie

Synastrie describes what one or the other person tests for the other, it describes chemistry between two people in terms of their effect one on the autre.
When we analyze the synastrie of a relation, we say " Your Venus is over my Mars. You stimulate my Mars and you obtain a Martian reaction of my share while I stimulate your Venus and causes a Venusian reaction in you. This is why we test certain feelings one for the autre."

The Composite

The composite topic rests on the concept which the relation itself becomes a third élément.
Two people create a third entity between elles.
The chart of the composite is as an energy field which affects the two people and watch certain aspects of each one of them all in their imposing his clean dynamique.
When we analyze a composite, we do not analyze what two people stimulate one at the other or feel one for the other. We interpret the energy which they generate between elles.
The composite is like a child, a third entity which carries the genetic prints of his/her parents but who combines them differently and which exists independently of one or other. As the composite has the same characteristics that a horoscope of birth, we must approach interpretation of it more or less in the same way.

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