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Our current form of astrology measures 30° segments of longitude from the vernal equinox which we call zodiac signs, but what about latitude? Should there not also be
30° segments of latitude running north to south instead of just east to west? This would divide the planet into 144 segments or 12x12, rather than just 12, and would add a
completely new dimension to astrology.
In astronomy, longitude is measured in RA or right ascension(using the 24-hour clock) whereas latitude is measured in declination. Declination is the distance(in degrees/minutes/seconds) north or south of the celestial equator. Most of the planets in our solar system normally travel within the boundaries of the Sun's declination range which varies from 0 to 23°27' from the celestial equator(because of the Earth's tilt). Periodically, however, all the planets(except Saturn and Neptune) exceed this range and are considered "out of bounds" or out of the Sun's influence. The Moon, for example, goes out of bounds frequently during half of its 18.6 year pulsation period and not at all within the other 9.3 years. An out of bounds Moon produces negative or extreme effects such as personal and political instability and stock market panics. Like the Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars are also frequently out of bounds, but don't go past 27 or 28°. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune nearly always stay within the Sun's bounds, but Pluto of course, doesn't, because of it's higly inclined and eccentric orbit. So from 0 to about 30° north or south of the equator is the "inbound" area dominated by the Sun. More pecisely, it is from 0 to 23.5° and is known as either the Tropic of Cancer(North) or the Tropic of Capricorn(South) region. The next 30° or more is the "out of bounds" area where planets are free from the "boss"(Sun) and usually make trouble. This out of bound area is from 23°27' to the 66°33'. 66°33' to 90° is the arctic or antarctic region. Of course, there is no actual 90°. The earth's sphere begins to depress in the polar regions leading to the planet's openings at around 83.5° and into the hollow interior. This is also why an ephemeris or book of tables only calculates up to 66°33' of latitude; because that's where the planet's magnetic or astrological field stops. Declination measures a planet's north and south position relative the equator as opposed to its east-west position relative to the equinox. Two planets equally distant in one direction(north or south) are said to be in parallel aspect to each other(regardless of the sign or longitude). Two planets of equal distance on opposite sides of the equator are said to be in contra-parallel aspect. The parallel aspect works much like the conjunction and the contra-parallel much like the opposition. Normally astrologers ascribe a 1° orb of closeness for either to be consdered an aspect, but this is debatable. Parallel and contra-parallel aspects reinforce the traditional aspects in astrology, and often explain why certain aspects or transits are more powerful or noticeable than others. Besides more accurately pin-pointing a planet's location in the heavens, and its most potent location on Earth, declination presents a whole new way of looking at planetary aspects or relationships. It is similar to the parans concept in locational astrology and can open up new possibilities in this field. I have always wondered, for example, how any planet can have the same effect north or south of the equator in an astrolocality map. Certainly the hemispheres have their own unique qualities, as do the inbound and out-of-bound areas. Also, since Pluto, a whole new array of Kuiper bodies and beyond have been discovered with declinations far surpassing 27.5 degrees. Maybe these bodies are telling us something. There is obviously something here we have omitted or not yet fully understood as astrologers, principally that longitude and latitude(declinaton) are the two intersecting halves of one whole, giving astrology it's depth, completeness, and meaning.
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