Ephemeris

The positions of the Astrological signs shown is referenced to an Ephemeris.

The majority of astrologers study tropical astrology, involving planetary positions referenced to the vernal (spring) equinox position along the ecliptic (the equinox being the center of Earth's rotational plane and Earth's orbital plane around the Sun).

An ephemeris is a mathematically precise listing of where the planetary bodies are located in the sky. Both astrologers and astronomers deem an accurate ephemeris very important.)

An ephemeris charts the movement of celestial bodies (planets, moons, etc.) and predicts their positions at a given time.

It tells you what planet is in what degree of the zodiac on what day; whether it is retrograde, stationary or direct; and most tell you the declination, or height above the celestial equator. Another section of the page is the aspectarian, which tells you what a planet is doing in terms of its aspects to other planets.

Zodiacal Positions

If you could observe the motion of the Sun against the stars for an entire year, it would appear to trace out a large circle in the sky that we call the "ecliptic". This circle also happens to be the plane of the Earth's orbit around the Sun. The zodiac is a thin band of the sky on either side of the ecliptic.

The Zodiac is a band around the sky about 18° wide, centered on the ecliptic, in which the Sun, Moon, and planets move.

The positions of the planets, etc. are described by where in the zodiac they lie. The zodiac is divided into 12 signs of 30 degrees each, and each degree contains 60 minutes. Hence a position like 4Vi40 means "4 degrees and 40 minutes of the sign Virgo". In general, a position is written "ddZZmm", where the 1 or 2 digit number dd is the degrees, ZZ is a two letter abbreviation for the zodiac sign (see below), and the last 2 digits mm are the minutes.

The zodiac position 0Ar00, also known as the "spring equinox" or "the first point of Aries", corresponds to the position of the Sun on the first day of spring (around March 20th or 21st).

As stated, the zodiac is divided into 12 signs, each 30 degrees long. The cycle of zodiac signs starts with Aries, which begins at the spot on the ecliptic where the Sun is on the first day of spring. These 30 degree sections of the sky are actually blocks of space, not time.

The motions of the other planets through the zodiac signs can be quite irregular, compared to the Sun's motion. On average, they range from the fast moving Moon (which spends about 2-1/2 days in each sign) to the slower Pluto (roughly 12 to 24 years in each sign).

Abbreviations for the Zodiac Signs

Ar = Aries = 0°
Ta = Taurus = 30°
Gm = Gemini = 60°
Cn = Cancer = 90°
Le = Leo = 120°
Vi = Virgo = 150°
Li = Libra = 180°
Sc = Scorpio = 210°
Sa = Sagittarius = 240°
Cp = Capricorn = 270°
Aq = Aquarius = 300°
Pi = Pisces = 330°

Critical Degrees and Emphasized Points of the Zodiac

At any given time, certain positions around the zodiac are particularly emphasized or powerful, hence they can affect us humans in a marked fashion. Some of these points of emphasis are temporary, retaining their power for weeks, months or years (depending upon the kind of astrological event that energized the point). Other points are more or less permanent, based on the cyclic nature of the zodiac or the positions of powerful bodies outside our solar system. These points can be collectively refered to as "critical degrees".

Current Transits

The most obvious reason for an emphasized point in the zodiac is the presence of a planet or other body at that position. These are generically called transits (as in "transitory", because the planets move). Because the various planets move at widely different speeds -- from 2 hours per degree for the Moon to many weeks for the slower moving bodies -- this kind of emphasis can be long or short-lived.

Lunations and Eclipses

The positions of new moons and full moons are critical points for the entire lunar month (the period of time from one new moon to the next), roughly a 29.5 day period.

A solar eclipse is a special kind of new moon where the Moon blocks out the light of the Sun. A lunar eclipse is a special full moon where the Moon hides in the Earth's shadow for a time. Both kinds of eclipses are like "super lunations" in effect, triggering extremely transformative energies where they impact you. Eclipse points are usually "critical" for longer periods as well, normally 6 to 12 months, though eclipse points can sometimes lie dormant for years and suddenly be kicked back into action by a passing planet. It's as though the zodiac has a "memory" and can keep track of important events like this.

Big Aspects and Planetary Cycles

Just as the Sun and Moon combine to create the lunation cycles, any pair of planets will determine a cycle of aspects (or angular connections) that stretch from one conjunction to the next. Each of these aspects will create new critical points based on where the planets are when the aspect is exact. The points remain critical during the time the aspect is still in orb, which can be anywhere from hours to years. Fast moving planets rarely create aspects that are important enough to have more than a brief influence. The slow moving planets (from Jupiter on out) create aspects that often take months or years to build to a climax and dissipate, making these critical points much stronger and long-lasting. Further, due to these planets' frequent retrograde (reverse) motions, these aspects often repeat 3 or more times, which "drags out" the influence and intensifies its effects over a long period of time. These contacts are sometimes referred to as "big aspects", because their slow rise and fall has such an effect on us, compared to the fast moving planets.

Retrograde Cycles

All planets except the Sun and Moon occasionally stop their normal forward (direct) motion around the zodiac and go into reverse (retrograde) motion for a time. When the planet is shifting from forward to reverse (or vice versa), it stands still for a time at one zodiacal position. This standing still time (called a station) seems to "burn in" the planet's energy into that zodiacal position, creating a new critical degree. Both the retrograde station (when the planet goes into reverse) and the direct station (when it resumes forward motion) are critical until the next retrograde cycle begins.

Any zodiac position between the two stations will be visited by the planet repeatedly (3 or even 5 times), so all these in between degrees are emphasized (though not to the same level as the stations themselves).

Permanent Critical Degrees

Equinox and Solstice Points

Foremost among these permanent critical degrees are 0 degrees of the signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. The Sun crosses these points on the first days of spring, summer, fall and winter, respectively. Since life on planet Earth is tied to the seasons and our yearly cycles, these points are intimately connected with our lives at a basic biological level. Any planet that crosses 0Ar00, 0Cn00, 0Li00 or 0Cp00 will also unleash powerful Earth energies. These 4 points are sometimes called cardinal points or quarter points.

Avatar Points

Halfway between the equinox and solstice points are another group of critical degrees in the signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. The points 15Ta00, 15Le00, 15Sc00 and 15Aq00 are collectively known as Avatar Points. They are considered to be degrees where important spiritual influences enter the Earth plane and our lives. Planets moving across these Avatar Points will trigger the release of these influences.

Beginnings and Endings of Zodiac Signs

Just as the zodiac as a whole is a cycle, each zodiac sign by itself is also a cycle. The beginnings and endings of cycles are always important, so 0 degrees and 29 degrees of each sign are critical degrees. 0 degrees represents new beginnings or unfoldings of the energy and effects related to that sign. 29 degrees represents our efforts to complete or perfect our handling of that sign's energies.

Semi-Permanent Critical Degrees

Astrologers are becoming increasingly curious about the influences of bodies outside our own solar system. These bodies do not orbit around the Sun like planets do, so they pretty much stay put in the zodiac. However, due to a slow wobble of the Earth's north and south poles (known technically as "precession of the equinoxes"), all these bodies move at a snail's pace around the zodiac (in the direct/forward direction). It takes about 72 years for one of these bodies to move from one degree to the next, about 26000 years for a complete rotation, so the critical position shifts slowly around the zodiac.

The most commonly used of these points is the Galactic Center (GC), the central point of our own Milky Way galaxy. Just as the planets all revolve in orbit around the Sun, the Sun and our entire solar system revolve around the Galactic Center (about 200 to 250 million years per orbit) in the company of the billions of other stars in our galaxy. Just as the Sun is the "center" of a birthchart, representing the person himself, the GC is a symbol of a kind of "super-self" level -- very high spiritual energies indeed!

Also commonly used is a point called the Super Galactic Center (SGC). Our Milky Way galaxy belongs to a small group of galaxies (called the Local Group) that all orbit around a common center of gravity, the SGC. This is also considered a highly spiritual center, although the details of its influence are rather sketchy.

The Sun In The Twelve Signs

The Sun's position in the zodiac is very important, and most agree it deserves first consideration. It's the core of the individual; the overriding nature and will. This is the influence that describes the "you" that is trying to be in this lifetime. This is your "awake" side, your consciousness and outer-directed individuality. Thus, the Sun is the most important single indicator, fueling the total personality. The nature of your Sun sign is your true colors that you display to the world day in and day out.

Aries

The Sun is in this first sign of the zodiac from March 21 to April 20 each year. The symbol for Aries is the Ram, because of the headlong, direct, and assertive nature of the sign. The sign is also symbolized by seeds shooting out of the ground in the springtime, suggesting a time and spirit of renewal. In Aries, the Sun is highly action oriented.

Taurus

Taurus is the second sign of the zodiac, and the Sun resides in this sign from 21 April until 20 May each year. The symbol of Taurus is the Bull. As a Taurus, you are likely to be very patient, a hard worker, and one of those people who constantly puts forth much sustained effort. There is a certain reluctance in the Taurus nature to try anything new or different. You don't take many chances, and you believe in sticking with the familiar and comfortable. There is not much adventure in your soul, and it is probably fair to label you a conservative individual.

Gemini

The Sun is in this third sign of the zodiac from 21 May until 21 June each year. The symbol for Gemini is the Twins. In Gemini the Sun is active, restless and changeable. You like plenty of variety in your everyday activities, in your friends, and even in your diet. Your interests are many and diverse--almost anything will attract your attention if only for a brief time. Truly, this is the sign of the jack-of-all-trades.

Cancer

The Sun is in this fourth sign of the zodiac from 22 June until 22 July each year. The symbol for Cancer is the Crab, with its protective shell. People with this Sun sign are sometimes also called "Moon Children," because the Moon is the ruler of the sign. In Cancer the Sun is receptive and moody. You are a very sensitive person who is easily influenced by your environment. You are likely to be exceedingly protective of your feelings, as well as the feelings of those to whom you are close. Emotions are strong in your nature.

Leo

Leo is the fifth sign of the zodiac. The Sun is in this sign from 23 July until 22 August each year. The symbol for Leo is the Lion, and most Leo natives display many of regal traits of the king of beasts. In Leo, the Sun is magnetic, forceful, and dominate. You possess a good nature that is very generous, allowing you to attract many friends and followers. You can easily become a natural leader because of your demeanor and because you are ambitious, determined, and highly industrious.

Virgo

Virgo is the sixth sign of the zodiac, and the Sun is in this sign from 23 August until 22 September each year. The symbol for Virgo is the Virgin, denoting the puritanical demeanor usually common to those of this sign. In Virgo the Sun is orderly and thoughtful. With the Sun in Virgo you are predisposed to be hardworking, conscientious, and well-organized.

Libra

The Sun is in this seventh sign of the zodiac, from September 23 until October 22 each year. The symbol for Libra is the Scales. In Libra the Sun is tolerant, affectionate, and well balanced. You are a courteous and agreeable person who is considerate of other people's feelings. You have a personal charisma attracting friends. Functioning well when working in harmony with other people, you are an excellent team player. You like being on the winning team.

Scorpio

The Sun resides in this eighth sign of the zodiac from 23 October until 22 November each year. The symbol for Scorpio is the Scorpion. Like the other water signs, this sign is very sensitive and emotional. With Scorpio, unlike the water signs Cancer and Pisces, the emotions remain under rigid control. They may not even be apparent to those who are very close to you. When your emotions do erupt, they do so very violently, often with a strong burst of sarcasm and vindictiveness.

Sagittarius

The Sun is positioned in this ninth sign of the zodiac from November 23 until December 23 each year. The symbol for Sagittarius is the Archer. In Sagittarius the Sun is idealistic and optimistic. Sagittarius is the sign that espouses such high principles as universal love and world peace. As this period of the year is associated with the spirit of giving and good cheer, the Sagittarius personality is recognized for its generosity and expansive demeanor.

Capricorn

The Sun is in this tenth sign of the zodiac from 23 December until 20 January every year. The symbol of Capricorn is the Goat. Capricorn is associated with the harshness of winter and its stark realities. In Capricorn, the Sun is strongly goal-directed and persistent. Ambitious, serious and dedicated to duty, life is difficult, but you are the type of person who will triumph and achieve success. Your aptitude to persevere, no matter how difficult the road, sets you apart from most of your peers.

Aquarius

The Sun resides in this eleventh sign of the zodiac from 21 January until 19 February every year. The symbol of Aquarius is the Water Bearer. In Aquarius the Sun is eccentric and original. You're apt to be a superb thinker, and your ideas are frequently advanced, no matter what field of profession you select. Often, your unique approaches to problem solving are viewed as too radical and unworkable, but you prefer to think of them as advanced and progressive instead.

Pisces

The Sun is in this last sign of the zodiac from 20 February until 20 March each year. The symbol for Pisces is the Fish. In Pisces, the Sun is sensitive and idealistic. You are "tuned in" to your environment, and aware of everything happening in your world, and to everyone around you. Pisces is the dream sign of the zodiac. You may be one of the true dreamers of the world, often getting caught up in impractical plans and ideas. You absorb the ideas and the mental outlook of those around you, for better or for worse.

The Moon In The Twelve Signs

The moon is your emotional life. It relates to immediate emotional responses. It's those reactions instilled by conditioning; the memory and learned habit patterns. The influence of the Moon is more subtle, for it relates to personality beneath the surface; your feelings and your subconscious self. It shows how you react to those around you based on the sum of your conditioned viewpoint and unguarded self-projection.

Aries

An Aries Moon produces subconscious reactions in your nature that are highly assertive. You respond to life as though it was an adventure. This Moon produces one who is open to new ideas and one who is highly self-motivated. You have a strong underlying drive for success that is associated with your emotional nature. With Moon in Aries you're enthusiastic and naïve, each day becomes a new adventure.

Taurus

A Taurus Moon emphasizes the material side of life, and emotions are centered on the comforts and possessions in life. You tend to be a collector and an accumulator of the things that, in your view, make up the "good life." With the Moon in Taurus, you want the best that life has to offer, and you find it difficult to settle for less.

Gemini

A Gemini Moon gives quick responses and the ability to learn rapidly. You're quite articulate and witty, with a tendency to feel with your mind. Using emotions of the bantam, lightweight variety; you're adaptable, and quite attracted to mental stimulation. The social sign of Gemini yields a happy and easy-going emotional personality. A trademark of Gemini is observation, as impressions seem to form quickly. With the Moon in Gemini, you are able to verbalize all sorts of observations with amazing speed.

Cancer

A Cancer Moon gives a strong drive for recognition and acceptance. You are highly sensitive and creative, if somewhat given to brooding and moodiness. The Cancer influence is often far too sensitive surroundings. This over-sensitive nature can be a positive or a negative; on the positive side, you are no doubt very intuitive; on the negative side, you are moody and subject to emotional upsets.

Leo

A Leo Moon produces an air of confidence and a desire to lead. Self-confident, cheerful and optimistic, your emotional outlook on life is positive and upbeat. In Leo, the emotions are carefree, gay, and often pleasure-seeking. The Moon has a natural association with the fourth house of the horoscope, or the home. Moon in Leo gives a natural creative flair to make the home a show place. The Moon in Leo tends to produce a loving and very devoted parent, boss, or ruler, but it is important that leadership potential not be spoiled by the tendency towards being bossy, arrogance, and displaying an overbearing ego. Emotions are powerful with Moon in Leo, and the drive for prominence and power is very strong, as well.

Virgo

A Virgo Moon generates a definite reserve in expression, and a personality that is often critical and analytical. You are not unemotional, but it is difficult for you to delineate what you feel. Consequently, you can sometimes come across as a little cold, detached, or prudish. You can seem stuffy and proud, when in fact, you are rather easily hurt.

Libra

A Libra Moon gives a sense of understanding, tolerance, and gentleness. You are ambitious, but at the same time, so very dependent on others. The symbol of Libra is the scales, signifying the innate symmetry the influence provides. This is the position of the diplomat, broad-minded and open, social, and friendly. The adaptability of this Moon sign is considerable; you don't like disputes and disorder, and you do what you can to maintain a well-oiled social and business life.

Scorpio

A Scorpio Moon produces emotional responses that are intense, secretive, and passionate. You must learn to handle your strong, deep feelings, as you are extremely emotional and highly sensitive.
A Scorpio Moon position gives an absolutely phenomenal memory. In ways, this is very good. Yet in other ways, it designates a person who may carry a number of psyche scars from remembering, too vividly, past events that perhaps should be forgotten. This is a difficult position for the Moon as the emotions become very powerful. You are impatient, moody and sometimes given to brooding. The nature of this sign is not always very apparent, as you are very good at hiding your true feelings. In fact, you may be almost pathological in your secretiveness, never revealing yourself entirely. Very few people ever know very much about what goes on inside you.

Sagittarius

A Sagittarius Moon is restless and lacking in continuity. Unsettled in both mind and body, you need activity and a good deal of exercise. You want to always feel free to roam and wander, both physically and mentally. In Sagittarius, the emotions are jubilant, enthusiastic and highly optimistic. You are socially naive and blissfully unaware of real human differences.

Capricorn

A Capricorn Moon is determined, steadfast and reliable. This sign more than any other, shows the effects of very strong and perhaps rigid parental influence. You want to be recognized as an important and powerful person chiefly because you were raised to think that way. Many of your reactions are geared toward your effort to achieve status and position. Your nature is stubbornly persistent, serious in tone, and stable. You are a very hard worker who will persist almost forever to reach a goal.

Aquarius

An Aquarius Moon produces reactions which are progressive, but often erratic. Your friends may consider you unusual and unpredictable. Your imagination is fertile, and it produces a lot of creative energy. Your Aquarius Moon may make you seem to be too impersonal or detached for many with whom you come in contact. You are good at observing and analyzing others, but you may lack a true understanding of the needs and feelings that other people have. Moon in Aquarius is apt to have given you a special concern for humankind. Often, the placement denotes someone who has very fixed and determined humanitarian instincts, and who participates in activities directed toward the poor or homeless. You relate well to humanity, if not always to individuals.

Pisces

A Pisces Moon indicates that you are especially sensitive, perceptive and perhaps even dreamy. You are very responsive to the depths of human experience, having an understanding and affection for nearly all people. With the Moon in Pisces, you can be overly optimistic, sometimes looking at the world through "rose colored glasses." Emotionally naive, you continually overlook other people's shortcomings and deficiencies.

Moon Phases

Waxing Phase - New Moon to Full Moon - individual initiative

Angle	Qualities
0-180⁰	Growth, development, expansion, moving to a goal. A sense of optimism, extravagance. Willingness to take risks, explore, begin enterprises.
0⁰	Initiation of seed idea. Death and rebirth. Beginning of movement.
60⁰	The establishment of the idea in the world. Strong growth.
90⁰	Crisis. Testing and strengthening in order to overcome obstacles.
120⁰	The idea flowers and is accepted, and begins to motivate others.
180⁰	Reaping the fruit, but where do we go now?

Waning Phase - Full Moon to New Moon

Angle	Qualities
0 - 180⁰	Consideration of society - loss of the self.
240⁰	Motivating in society
270⁰	The need to justify the idea within the world and reassert itself.
300⁰	The idea consolidates itself into daily life of the world.
360⁰	Death of the old cycle and rebirth of the idea in a new guise.

Other Lunar Phases

Degree	New Moon	The beginning of the cycle, the seed is sown.
45⁰	Crescent Moon	New Moon to First Quarter is a time of new beginnings, new thoughts and ideas that take a tentative hold in the mind. The Crescent Moon shows how the Seed of the New Moon is likely to take hold so that no other ideas can take root at the same time. The sprouts start to show through the ground, so that there is public awareness of the action.
90⁰	First Quarter	Physical manifestation, a time of action, building up the Ego, pushing ideas. Rapid growth.
135⁰	Gibbous Moon	Understanding and working with the energy. Being able to believe and have faith with the process that is going on. The results of the actions are in sight, but they are not yet right.
180⁰	Full Moon	Time to reap the rewards, for good or evil. Not a time for new ideas, but a time to recollect, to receive. The peak has been reached: there is nowhere else to go.
225⁰	Disseminating Moon	The harvest is over, there is no more, no challenge, so there is a desire for change in work. The Waning Phase is more reflective, life has moved on.
270⁰	Third Quarter	A reorientation or re-arrangement of skills. Life is reviewed, so there is just as much pre-occupation of the past as to what the future holds. Actions work best by restructuring old skills rather than new ones.
315⁰	Balsamic Moon	The last phase. Security is important as circumstances change. Friends change. This is the time to clear out the old and bring in the new. Gaps begin to appear into one's life, which brings a sense of unease - there is a natural tendency to withdraw from life. Nature conspires to increase this feeling. The preparation for the New Moon