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How to Read an Ephemeris for Astrology

The Astrology Podcast・103 minutes read

Using an ephemeris allows astrologers to track precise planetary positions and predict significant astrological events accurately, aiding in birth chart calculations and understanding planetary movements. Understanding planetary cycles, retrogrades, eclipses, and synodic patterns is crucial for astrologers to make accurate predictions and interpret astrological influences effectively.

Insights

  • An ephemeris is a table of planetary positions, crucial for astrologers to calculate birth charts accurately and track planetary movements over time.
  • Different ephemerises may start at various times like 'midnight' or 'noon,' impacting the accuracy of readings, with the 'noon' version preferable for those closer to Greenwich Mean Time.
  • Ephemerides are essential for predicting and understanding planetary transits, retrogrades, and eclipses, offering insights into personal and client charts.
  • The American Ephemeris is widely used in the US, providing detailed information on lunar phases, eclipses, and planetary movements crucial for astrological analysis.
  • Understanding synodic cycles like Venus's eight-year return and interpreting secondary progressions are key for predicting significant life events and astrological phenomena accurately.

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Recent questions

  • What is an ephemeris?

    An ephemeris is a table or book containing planetary positions for different times, aiding in astrology calculations and chart readings.

  • How do astrologers use an ephemeris?

    Astrologers use an ephemeris to calculate birth charts, track planetary transits, and understand the positions of celestial bodies at specific times for accurate astrological readings.

  • Where can one find a free ephemeris?

    A free PDF ephemeris for different years can be found on Astro.com, allowing users to track planetary positions and movements for astrological purposes.

  • Why is understanding retrograde indications important in reading an ephemeris?

    Understanding retrograde indications is crucial in reading an ephemeris as it helps astrologers interpret the effects of planetary movements and transitions accurately in astrology charts.

  • What are the benefits of using digital resources like Solar Fire for planetary positions?

    Digital resources like Solar Fire offer convenience and accuracy in tracking planetary positions, reducing wear and tear on physical ephemeris books and enhancing astrological practices with real-time calculations.

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Summary

00:00

"Unlocking Planetary Positions with Ephemeris Knowledge"

  • Chris Brennan hosts The Astrology Podcast and interviews astrologer Patrick Watson about using an ephemeris.
  • An ephemeris is a table or book of planetary positions that allows quick lookup of planet positions at different times.
  • Nick Dagan Best describes the ephemeris as a book containing the stories of every person and event during a specific period.
  • Birth charts are based on ephemerides, which calculate planetary positions for different dates and eras.
  • An ephemeris is a book of time, containing planetary positions for days, months, and years.
  • The ephemeris lists planetary longitudes by zodiac sign and degree for each day of a year.
  • Astro.com provides a free PDF ephemeris for different years, allowing users to track planetary positions.
  • Reading an ephemeris requires knowledge of planetary and zodiac symbols, as well as understanding retrograde indications.
  • The Swiss Ephemeris for 2021 starts at midnight Universal Time, listing planetary positions for each day.
  • Different ephemerises may start at different times, such as noon, and understanding this is crucial for accurate readings.

13:27

Ephemerides: Essential Tools for Astrological Calculations

  • The choice between a 'midnight' or 'noon' ephemeris version depends on practicality, with the 'noon' version being preferable for those closer to Greenwich Mean Time due to daytime use convenience.
  • For manual chart calculations, the starting point of the day matters more than the ephemeris version, with a 'midnight' version potentially easier mathematically.
  • The American Ephemeris may be set to Eastern Time for American readers, with details usually found on the cover or inside.
  • The Astrodienst ephemeris is free and downloadable, while The American Ephemeris is widely used in the US for its longevity and availability.
  • Ephemeris books are prone to wear and tear due to frequent use, leading many to switch to digital resources like Solar Fire for planetary positions.
  • Historically, ephemerides were crucial for manual chart calculations, aiding in determining planetary positions accurately for any given date.
  • Ephemerides provide precise planetary positions for centuries, aiding in dating historical events and astrological charts accurately.
  • Ephemerides are essential for astrologers to track planetary transits and alignments, offering insights into personal and client charts.
  • Modern astrology software programs like Solar Fire utilize digitalized ephemerides for real-time planetary position calculations.
  • Advancements in astrology tools like astrolabes and the Antikythera mechanism have revolutionized the ease and accuracy of planetary calculations, enhancing astrological practices significantly.

27:31

Evolution of Astrology Software and Chart Calculation

  • European astrologers from the 12th century inherited astrolabes that could calculate cusps, leading to a shift away from whole sign houses.
  • Astrological software and technology, like astrolabes, influence the practice of astrology.
  • Early computer software for astrology was developed in the 1960s and '70s.
  • Most astrology software programs and apps license the Swiss Ephemeris from Astro.com.
  • The American Ephemeris is widely used in the US, while Raphael's Ephemeris is popular in the UK.
  • The American Ephemeris has versions for the 20th and 21st centuries, with a Trans-Century Edition covering 1950 to 2050.
  • Some certification programs require knowledge of calculating astrological charts by hand.
  • A book titled "Simply Math: A Comprehensive Guide to Easy & Accurate Chart Calculation" teaches chart calculations.
  • Calculating charts by hand involves using an ephemeris and a time zone atlas to account for Daylight Savings Time.
  • Daylight Savings Time changes can impact astrological chart calculations, especially in regions like Arizona with unique time zone practices.

41:15

Astrology Tools: ACS Atlas & Ephemeris Insights

  • The American Atlas, Expanded 5th Edition, U.S. Longitudes & Latitudes, Time Changes and Time Zones is a crucial tool for astrologers to determine if Daylight Saving Time was in effect at a person's birth location.
  • Astrologers have extensively researched historical time changes, like those in Chicago in the 1940s, to ensure accurate birth chart calculations.
  • The ACS Atlas is now available in digital formats within chart calculating software like Solar Fire or Astro Gold.
  • A table of houses is essential for calculating Ascendant, Midheaven, and house cusps manually, depending on the house division method used.
  • The default use of Placidus in astrology software stems from its historical prevalence and continued inclusion in modern programs.
  • Ephemeris provides a unique perspective on planetary movements, retrograde periods, and transits, offering a comprehensive view of planetary positions over time.
  • The American Ephemeris is preferred for its shading of retrograde periods, aiding in the identification of significant planetary movements.
  • Ephemeris allows astrologers to track planetary transits, sign changes, and exact transits to specific degrees, providing insights into personal chart influences.
  • An ephemeris aids in studying transits and planetary aspects, enabling astrologers to predict and understand the impact of planetary configurations.
  • Supplementary resources like Rob Hand's Planets in Transit offer detailed interpretations of major planet combinations during transits, enhancing astrological analysis.

54:36

"Rare planetary transits and eclipse predictions"

  • Outer planetary transits are significant due to their rarity, with only one occurring in a lifetime.
  • The Sun takes a year to move through the zodiac, progressing about 1° per day.
  • The Moon moves swiftly through the zodiac, making ephemeris tracking challenging.
  • Knowing when the Moon aligns with the Sun's sign indicates New or Full Moon occurrences.
  • The American Ephemeris provides precise details on lunar phases and eclipses.
  • New Moons occur when the Moon conjoins the Sun, initiating a new lunar cycle.
  • Full Moons, especially when near the nodes, can lead to lunar eclipses.
  • Eclipses happen when New or Full Moons are within a specific degree range of the nodes.
  • The True Node's position influences eclipse occurrences in relation to the Sun and Moon.
  • Understanding the Sun and Moon's degrees aids in predicting eclipse events accurately.

01:07:30

"Tracking Eclipses and Planetary Movements"

  • The Moon moves through Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, and Taurus before conjoining the Sun at 19° of Gemini on June 10.
  • The North Node is at 10° of Gemini during the Sun-Moon conjunction, indicating a solar eclipse within 17°.
  • Eclipses occur when the Sun and Moon conjoin near the North or South Node, visually represented in a chart.
  • The American Ephemeris features a lunar table detailing eclipse dates, signs, and degrees, aiding eclipse tracking.
  • Eclipses repeat close to the same degree and date every 19 years, allowing for reflection on past eclipse themes.
  • Specialty ephemerides like "Tables of Planetary Phenomena" list solar and lunar eclipses from 1700 to 2050.
  • Software like Solar Fire and Astro.com offer tools to track eclipses, planetary placements, and generate personalized ephemerides.
  • Ephemeris search engines help find planetary positions, aspects, and declinations for electional astrology purposes.
  • The American Ephemeris includes lunar phases, planetary stations, aspects, and ingresses, aiding in astrological analysis.
  • The ephemeris provides detailed data on planetary movements, declinations, stations, and ingresses, essential for astrological analysis and forecasting.

01:21:13

Astrological Ephemeris: Insights into Planetary Cycles

  • The Moon's last aspect before entering a sign is significant for modern astrologers focusing on electional matters.
  • The American Ephemeris includes Astro Data like the Julian Day and positions of celestial bodies like the Galactic Center and asteroids.
  • The Mean Node position is provided for those preferring it over the True Node in astrology.
  • Ephemeris aids in understanding planetary cycles, such as the Moon taking a month to traverse the zodiac and Jupiter's 12-year cycle.
  • Eclipses repeat every 19 years, while Mercury retrogrades occur thrice annually, lasting about three weeks each time.
  • Mercury and the Sun have a 20-year cycle, with Mercury retrogrades recurring in the same sign every six to seven years.
  • Venus has an eight-year cycle, with retrogrades occurring in the same part of the zodiac, aiding in predictive techniques.
  • Venus retrogrades in Capricorn in December 2021, with a similar retrograde occurring around December 19, 2013, offset by 2°.
  • Understanding Venus's eight-year cycle helps predict its retrogrades and their impact on astrological houses.
  • Recurrence cycles like Venus's eight-year return offer valuable insights into astrological patterns and influences on different houses over time.

01:34:58

"Venus Cycle: Astrology's Eight-Year Turning Point"

  • The average length of a marriage in the US is eight years, equivalent to a Venus cycle.
  • Venus retrogrades can be tracked using ephemeris, with a 2-ish degree shift in two days.
  • Synodic recurrence refers to the eight-year Venus cycle, crucial in astrology.
  • Astrologers specialize in the Venus cycle, considering it a major turning point every eight years.
  • Other synodic cycles include Mars (15 years), Jupiter (12 years), Saturn (29 years), Uranus (84 years), Neptune (165 years), and Pluto (248 years).
  • Outer planets like Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are retrograde for almost a third of the year.
  • Planets are retrograde when about 100-110 degrees away from the Sun, important in astrology.
  • Heliacal rising or setting occurs within 15° of the Sun, affecting a planet's visibility and significance.
  • Ephemeris provides precise figures for heliacal rising or setting of planets like Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
  • Secondary progressions equate each day after birth to a year of life, offering insights into significant life events.

01:49:34

Astrology: Turning Points in Life Predicted

  • Secondary progressed stations in astrology indicate significant turning points in a person's life.
  • An example is Alan White's discovery of Hellenistic astrology after planets stationed retrograde.
  • Secondary progressions involve counting forward one day for each year from birth to determine planetary placements.
  • Planets stationing retrograde or direct in secondary progressions signify important years.
  • A significant event was when secondary progressed Venus conjoined Jupiter, leading to meeting a partner.
  • Mercury stationing direct by progression marked a crucial year for moving to the United States.
  • Mercury retrograde or direct by progression can have common life themes for individuals.
  • Mercury's retrograde shadow period can be seen in an ephemeris, indicating potential backtracking.
  • Jupiter's ingression into Pisces coincided with Mercury entering its shadow degree, showing important astrological phenomena.
  • Understanding Mercury's shadow phases in retrograde periods helps anticipate revisiting past actions.

02:03:49

Mastering Ephemerides: Essential for Astrology Predictions

  • Mercury passes and leaves the degree it went retrograde in on the 7th or 8th of July, marking the end of the retrograde phenomenon.
  • Mercury retrograde spans approximately 8°, affecting planets within that range the most during the retrograde period.
  • Highlighting shadow degrees, direct station degrees, and retrograde degrees in an ephemeris aids in paying attention to important points.
  • Shadow periods apply to other planets like Venus and Mars, not just Mercury, and are crucial for forecasting.
  • Software programs can animate ephemerides visually, with the American Ephemeris being a main print source and Astro.com offering free ones.
  • Graphic ephemerides, like those on Astro-Seek.com, present data visually, aiding in understanding planetary movements.
  • Becoming proficient in using ephemerides and understanding planetary movements is essential for astrology practice.
  • Familiarity with planetary positions and cycles allows for making predictions and connections between events.
  • Knowing planetary placements for specific years aids in understanding birth charts and historical events.
  • Mastery over transits and familiarity with birth charts and generational astrology are key for predictive and timing techniques in astrology.

02:17:25

Print Ephemeris for Easy Planetary Position Reference

  • A print version of an ephemeris is recommended for easy access to planetary positions on specific days.
  • Having a print ephemeris allows for quick reference to planetary positions throughout the day.
  • It is suggested to obtain an ephemeris from sources like American Ephemeris or Astro.com.
  • The software Solar Fire from Alabe.com is recommended for casting charts, with a promo code 'AP15' for a 15% discount.
  • Another software option is Astro Gold for Mac OS from Esoteric Technologies, with a promo code 'ASTROPODCAST15' for a discount.
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