Declination in astrology refers to the angular distance of a planet or celestial body north or south of
the celestial equator. The celestial equator is essentially the Earth's equator projected into space.
Unlike celestial longitude, which measures position along the ecliptic (the Sun's apparent path),
declination measures the vertical distance from this fundamental plane
.
Here's a breakdown of declination and its significance in astrology:
•
Measurement and Relationship to the Ecliptic and Equator
◦
The ecliptic, or the Sun's apparent path, is tilted to the equator by approximately 23°26’
. This tilt is due to the Earth's rotational axis being inclined relative to its orbit around the Sun
.
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Therefore, the Sun's declination ranges from +23°26’ (north) to -23°26’ (south)
.
◦
The Sun has 0° declination when it is at 0° Aries (vernal equinox) and 0° Libra (autumnal equinox)
. It reaches its extreme north declination at 0° Cancer (summer solstice) and extreme south
declination at 0° Capricorn (winter solstice)
.
◦
Other celestial bodies, whose orbits are not precisely on the ecliptic plane, can have declinations of
up to about ±26°, with Mars, Mercury, and the Moon occasionally reaching 27°, and Venus rarely
attaining 28°
. Having both bodies with a declination of more than 23°26’ is rare
.
◦
Astrology software often provides declinations and right ascensions of celestial bodies, and these
values can also be calculated
.
•
Declination vs. Celestial Latitude
◦
While declination measures the distance at right angles to the equator, celestial latitude measures
the vertical dimension at right angles to the ecliptic
.
◦
The use of declination (pertaining to the equator) as a vertical measure, while longitude (pertaining
to the ecliptic) is a horizontal measure, might seem inconsistent, but parallels and contraparallels
are connected to the zodiacal signs
.
◦
In practice, celestial latitude is generally not directly represented in the horoscope and is applied
interpretively on a case-by-case basis, for example, as an aid to physical description
. Traditionally, a planet with north latitude was preferred as it was considered to have greater
visibility and strength
.
•
Parallels and Contraparallels
◦
Two bodies are in parallel if their declinations are the same (e.g., both +10°)
.
◦
Two bodies are in contraparallel if they are in opposite declinations but the same degree (e.g., one
+10° and the other -10°)
.
◦
These aspects are formed by declination, not longitude
.
◦
Interpretatively, parallels are considered similar to a conjunction, and contraparallels to an
opposition
.
◦
This connection arises because if two bodies are in the same zodiacal sign, they will approximately
have the same declination and be roughly in parallel
. Similarly, if they are in opposite signs, they will have opposite declinations and be roughly in
contraparallel
.
◦
However, bodies in parallel or contraparallel do not have to be in the same or opposite signs; they
can also be equidistant from 0° Cancer or 0° Capricorn (solstice points), which relates them to the
concept of antiscia (reflective shadows)
.
◦
The strength of these aspects depends on the longitudinal change required for one body to reach the
other's declination within an orb
.
•
Astrological Significance and Applications
◦
Indicating Strength and Visibility: A planet's declination can influence its visibility and apparent
height in the sky. Greater north latitude traditionally indicated a planet rising higher and appearing
brighter, thus increasing its influence, while south latitude decreased it
.
◦
Physical Description: Declination can be used in natal charts to describe physical traits. A planet
with significant north declination might indicate a taller and broader person, while significant
south declination could suggest a shorter and leaner build
.
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Astrological Research: Declinations are seen as valuable in predictive astrology, and interest in their
use has been increasing
. Some astrologers, like Robert Hand, have explored their meaning in planetary pictures
.
◦
Connection to Zodiacal Signs: The very basis of the zodiacal signs is in declination, as 0° Aries and
0° Libra are defined by the ecliptic crossing the equator (0° declination)
. The twelve signs can be seen as subdivisions of the angles between the means and extremes of
declination
.
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Timing Techniques: In Primary Directions, especially conjunctions and oppositions with latitude,
can yield "correct and often striking results"
. They are metaphorically understood as planets being on the same horizon or opposite sides.
Calculating declination is a part of advanced directional computations, such as for Oblique
Ascension. It's used in conjunction with "rising times" and "oblique ascension" for predictive
methods
.
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Lunar Movement: The Moon's declination varies throughout its cycle, with specific "steps" and
"winds" indicating its movement northwards or southwards relative to the ecliptic
.
◦
Fixed Stars: Declination is also used in relation to fixed stars to determine their influence. For
example, Algol's influence can be considered through its Right Ascension converted to longitude
without latitude, or more accurately through its R.A. and Declination
.
◦
Planetary Pictures: Some schools of astrology use declination as a component of "planetary
pictures," which are complex angular relationships
.
In summary, declination provides a different dimension of planetary position than longitude,
offering insights into parallels, contraparallels, physical characteristics, and playing a role in
advanced predictive techniques, even if it's not as widely used in modern astrology as longitudinal
aspects
.
