Introduction
A horoscope is simply a chart ,showing a certain position of the planets and zodiacal signs relative to each other and the earth. The constellations remain in the same position one to another, and are therefore called “fixed stars,” but the earth and other planets constantly change. They do not return to the same relative position until after about twenty-six thousand years. Thus every scientifically calculated horoscope is absolutely individual and shows a stellar influence different from That exerted in any other life commenced at a different time. Because of the revolution of the earth upon its axis a new degree of the zodiac rises every four minutes and thus even the horoscopes of twins may differ considerably.
Geographically, the earth is divided by two imaginary sets of circles.One circle runs east and west, halfway between the North and South Poles . Other circles called Parallels of Latitude, are imagined running parallel to the Equator, and their use is to measure the distance of any place North or South of the Equator.Thus, by Latitude we obtain the location of a certain place north or south of the Equator.By longitude we designate its position east or west of Greenwich.Latitude is the principal factor in locating the signs of the zodiac by means of “Tables of Houses,” which apply to all places in a certain degree of latitude. These tables are as nearly unchangeable as the fixed stars to which they apply; they remain the same from year to year, at least the change is so small as to be unappreciable in a lifetime.Longitude is the prime factor in all calculations connected with the movable planets. To calculate their places at the time of a person’s birth it is necessary to have an astronomical almanac for the year of birth. This is called an ephemeris because it records the ephemeral or momentary position of the planets as seen from the observatory at Greenwich each day at noon.
A solar Day is the period of time it takes the Sun to move from any certain meridian of longitude till it returns to the same meridian the next day. Owing to the variable motion of the earth in its orbit, and the obliquity of the ecliptic, the Sun’s path, the solar days are not all of equal length, but as the purposes of social and civil life require a uniform division an average is struck of all solar days in a year, and this is called a Mean Solar Day. It commences at midnight when the Sun is at the nadir. Clocks are regulated to show its beginning and end, also its equal divisions into twenty-four hours. There is thus a difference between sun-time and clock-time.From the time when the Sun is nearest to the earth (perihelion) December 24th,to the time when it is farthest from the earth (aphelion) June 21st, clock-time is in advance of sun-time. From June 21st to December 24th, the Sun is in advance of
the clock, the greatest difference being 16 minutes in the beginning of November.When the unequal motion of the earth in its orbit and the obliquity of the ecliptic act together, the difference between sun-time and clock-time is greatest; but four times a year, April 15th, June 15th, September 1st and December 24th, they agree.
A Sidereal Day is the time which elapses between a fixed star’s leaving a certain degree of longitude until it returns to it the following day. This is the exact time of one complete revolution of the earth upon its axis; it is the only absolutely uniform motion observed in the heavens, having undergone no change since the earliest observations on record.Owing to the motion of the earth in its orbit about the Sun a Solar Day is longer than a Sidereal Day, for as the Sun moves farther to the east during the time of the earth’s daily rotation on its axis, the earth must turn further upon its axis before a certain meridian comes in line with the Sun. The solar day is therefore about four minutes longer than the sidereal day, but owing to the variable motion of the earth in its orbit and the obliquity of the ecliptic previously mentioned, this difference also varies each day.It is necessary to convert the time shown by clocks to True Local Time, for that is the time used to calculate the horoscope.
Astrology deals with planetary angles and their observed effect upon mankind; in order to determine these angles and tabulate observations, the fixed stars along the Sun’s path have been divided into groups or constellations, and the heavens,as viewed from the birthplace of a child have been divided into houses.The signs influence certain parts of the body; houses govern conditions of life.Like any other circle, the zodiac is divided into 360 degrees, each of the twelve signs is therefore 30 degrees.