How can one best explain the astronomy aspect in astrology? (Please only answer if you believe in astrology.)

Question

For instance, in terms of astronomy what does it mean when a sign is in a planet? For instance, what astronomical changes occur when Venus is in Libra as opposed to Venus in Scorpio?

Answer 1

(Check the links at the end of this tome!)

Think about the stars at night.

There are constellations that move across the sky.

If you haven't already, if possible find a place where you can see stars at night, and watch how they move--watch how they move over several hours, and go out a few nights each week.

You'll see the most movement if you look to the south. It's kind of like the stars are all painted on the inside of a bowl, and the axis on which it turns is in the north, so you won't see as many different things if you look north.

Now, the planets are much closer to us than the stars, and you may be able to see some of them (Mercury (rarely), Venus, Mars, Jupiter (the brightest late night planet), Saturn) without a telescope as they move through the constellations.

The planets are "in" the signs.

The signs are always in the same order, moving at the same rate. Because the planets are closer to us, they move alot faster, and because of the effects of earth's rotation on it's axis and about the sun on our visual perception, they may seem to move backwards through the sky sometime.

The reason why "planets are in signs," is because of this difference in movement. The signs are fixed in place - the planets move about, so the signs can not be in planets. It would be like saying "San Francisco is driving through my car."

When you walk out at night and see the planets in signs, you are looking at the sidereal zodiac. That thing that says Aquarius takes place from 20 January - 19 February is using something called the Tropical zodiac. The tropical zodiac is pretty much 30 degrees (a full sign) off the sidereal (actual) zodiac. People who argue against astrology will often bring up this point: "Aries isn't even Aries anymore," they might say.

Right now, in the tropical zodiac, Jupiter is not quite to the midpoint of Sagittarius (11 degrees); in the sidereal zodiac, however, Jupiter is about 13 degrees in Scorpio.

I enjoy astronomy and science. I also enjoy astrology, which is *not* science, although in order to truly understand astrology, you must develop math skills. If I am talking in astronomical terms, Jupiter is in Scorpio. The form of astrology I understand and find to sometimes be a reliable predictor of certain events, however has Jupiter in Sagittarius. I don't have a problem with this, because I see astronomy and astrology as separate systems that have common elements.

Although technically it is currently Leo coming up over the eastern horizon, astrologically, using the method I follow, someone born now would have Virgo rising.

I have not delved deeply into the historical reasons Western astrology clings to the tropical zodiac. My interpretations using the tropical zodiac fit for my purposes, so I leave the debate to those who want to argue over whether or not astrology has any meaning.

Ask lots of questions, do lots of research, find the experts, make intelligent decisions based on real observations. That's all that matters.

Answer 2

1. I believe they are just as accurate as random chance. Which can actually be pretty accurate if the claims being made are vague enough. 2. Many primitive cultures revered certain types of objects and attributed prophetic powers to them. For example, certain kinds of sticks or stones may be dropped on a mat and the patterns supposedly interpreted to predict future events. 3. Yes. This is known to have occurred due to the precession of the Earth's axis. Most horoscopes still use the ancient greek dates, although these dates no longer correspond with the same constellations. 5. I think it is very true. Furthermore, tests have been done that demonstrated this quite effectively. 6. I'm not sure what this question is trying to ask. I think the zodiac is just a collection of constellations drawn up by the ancient greeks and has no real physical (or spiritual) significance. What am I supposed to think? 7. People just looked for patterns in the sky and named the patterns after things they thought they resembled. 8. People were probably engaging in astrology well before even classical times. I don't know if the ancient egyptians did, but there were a number of civilizations that preceded even them, and many of them likely used some form of astrology, even if it has not been recorded.

Answer 3

Hi,

Yes I think you mean when a planet is in a sign!

Basically the zodiac is a 'belt' across the sky, which is basically followed by the sun's path across the sky. Remember this is all relative to the earth, so the sun appears to move when of course it is the earth moving round the sun.

The constellations are not the same as the zodiac used by Western astrologers in general. Because of the precession of the equinoxes, we have 0.00 Aries of the tropical zodiac now moving back from the beginning of the actual constellation Pisces into the end of the constellation Aquarius. Western astrology uses the tropical zodiac, but Indian astrologers use the 'sidereal' zodiac which is based on the actual stars in the sky.

So, if we say that Venus is in Libra, we mean that if you draw a straight line from the centre of the earth through the centre of Venus, it would extend out to the part of the tropical zodiac which is in Venus.

However if you look at Venus and note the constellation she is in at that time, she will be about 23 degrees behind, so when she moves into Scorpio she will still appear to be in the constellation of Libra.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

First of all, Astronomy does not use such terms.
But Astrology does, but then you got the term 'sign in planet' backwards. Signs are 'set' and planets move. So what you have is a planet IN a sign. What happens physically- I'd say is what you are looking for as an astronomical aspect.
There are 12 signs and the sky is divided into these 12 sections which are given names according to the constellation within that part of the sky. As the planets orbit the sun, they move into these different sections of the sky - from an Earth-bound view. This earthly view gives the illusion that some planets will travel one direction and then go backwards.

Answer 5

Astronomically, Venus in Libra indicates that the planet is in the section of the sky alloted to that sign. Astronomy is a beautiful science, go to nasa.com & get some great screensavers, free. Astrologically it means that Venus is in Libra, & the planet's "personality" will express itself filtered thru the sign. An example. I have Sun in Leo, it's natural place as the Sun is Leo's planet, so the sun can express itself freely. If my Sun was in Pisces, its "personality" would be affected by what Pisces is all about. Each planet has a best sign to be in, a friendly sign, & one where its expression is limited. Study astronomy & astrology, they're great!

Answer 6

goathead has not a clue what s/he is talking about.

astronomy does indeed speak of Jupiter in Sagittarius, or any other planet in any other sign. astronomy, the science, preceded astrology, the art.

if 12 signs were divided into 12 sections, there would be 144 portions, which perhaps applies in some significant way to some form of astrology, but none I'm schooled in. maybe some Eastern type astrology? I know Indian astrology is different, and the only thing I know about Chinese astrology is what I've read while waiting for my kung pao chicken.

had to call you out, goathead, you are very wrong. someone else may end up reading this and in case you end up as the best answer, hopefully someone will read the other responses.

planets *are* in signs in both astronomy and astrology. zodiac signs as they appear in astronomy and astrology are found on a 360 degree circle which encompasses the earth, divided into 12 sections of 30 degrees each. the circle rotates through the signs by virtue of apparent motion as the earth spins through space.

Richard has the best description, including the best links.

Answer 7

Okay. For starters, I think you mean when a planet is in a sign. Say the planet you are referring to, Venus. The energy expressed by the planet will be the same; Venus will always act like Venus, but it will be modified by the sign it is in, and the house it is in. Venus in Libra will not act the same as it does in Scorpio, nor mean the same things. But the energy will be the same, it will just be expressed differently and the people involved will not be the the same. And I'll have to get back to you tomorrow, because I'm really too tired to go into the whole thing tonight.

Answer 8

If you were to think of your Sun sign as your soul -- your inner personality and potential -- and your Moon sign as your heart -- your emotional core -- then you could say that your Rising sign or called Ascendant is your physical self or the face you present to the world.

If you want to big explanation you have to do some work for your answers so I would say time for you to research for it
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/learn-astrology/venus-in-libra.php

Love & Blessings
Milly