An Introduction to Astrology

Astrology is the belief that there exists a meaningful relationship between the positions of celestial bodies and human experience, and that we can systematically determine this relationship.

A common misconception is to confuse astronomy with astrology. Astronomy is the scientific study of the universe. Astrology is “astromancy”, or divination by the stars. An astronomer studies the stars using the scientific method. An astrologer casts horoscopes to predict earthly events, like the fates of nations and individuals. The only possible method to test the validity of astrological influences or predictions is using statistical studies. This means gathering large samples of individuals, tabulating their character traits, and checking if there exists a correlation between these and their horoscopes. This is not the focus of the project. Instead, the aim is to highlight some mathematical problems in the formalism of astrology. The focus is specifically on geometric problems encountered in house division.

Astrology has many faces. There is popular astrology, commonly found in newspapers. There is also serious astrology, which is the casting and interpretation of horoscopes of individuals. Serious astrology is itself sub-categorized. Natal astrology deals with the horoscope calculated at the moment of birth. Horary astrology determines the auspicious
moments to make personal decisions. Mundane or world astrology studies the fates of countries or nations.

Astrological Meaning of the Zodiac

Each of the signs in the zodiac is supposed to have certain astrological properties. Listed below is a table of the characteristics of the signs, according to the astrologers:

There also exist further divisions of the Zodiac. Using perhaps a smart play of geometry, the ecliptic is further divided using a triangle, a square and a hexagon, as shown below:

The signs located on a triangle are connected with the ancient Greek natural elements of fire, earth, air and water. The division according to the squares are the cardinal signs, the fixed signs, and the mutable signs. The geometrical group formed by the inscribed hexagon are either positive or negative signs. The positives signs are supposed to be masculine, while the negative signs are feminine.

Astrologers also use the positive and negative divisions as interpretation of introversion and extroversion, respectively. Again, like the planets, the characteristics of the signs are based on analogy. It is not hard to see that there is a clear connection between the characteristics and the image of
the sign that is supposed to symbolize them. Take for example, Aries, the Ram. The sign is, according to astrology, energetic, active, impulsive, sprightly and violent. These traits are clearly copied from the characteristics of the animal. Another example is the sign Taurus, which is supposed to be slow, persistent, fertile. It is like its earthly counterpart, the Bull.

The principle of analogy is connected to magical thinking in ancient times. The assumption is made that in some sense an image has the characteristics of whatever it pictures. This type of thinking was known as “cosmic sympathy”, a relation that connected strongly divergent things together. However, analogy cannot be accepted by science as a justification for a claim.

Basic Therminology of Astrology

Astrology is one of the part of primbon. Astrology deals with projective geometry, meaning distances to celestial bodies are inconsequential. Only their relative positions on the celestial sphere are important. In other words, only the angular differences from the Earth matter. We need to define certain key terms to obtain a graphical idea of the celestial sphere.

1. Celestial Sphere
The celestial sphere is an imaginary dome around an observer on Earth. The observer is at the centre of the dome, with all the visible celestial bodies on its surface. It is a model of how the sky appears to us. In reality, the various celestial bodies are not the same distance from the Earth.
2. Celestial Poles
The celestial poles are the centres of rotation of the celestial sphere. They are called the north and south celestial poles (NCP and SCP).

3. Zenith
The zenith is the point on the celestial sphere straight overhead of an observer on the Earth.

4. Nadir
The nadir is the point on the celestial sphere that is directly opposite the zenith.

Great Circles on the Celestial Sphere

A great circle is a circle on a sphere obtained by intersecting the sphere with a plane that passes through the center of the sphere. There are certain important great circles on the celestial sphere.
1. Celestial Equator
The celestial equator is a circle that cuts the celestial sphere into two equal halves, with respect to the poles. It lies above the terrestrial equator.
2. Horizon
The horizon is a circle that cuts the celestial sphere into two halves: one which is visible, and one which is not. It is the “ground level” of the observer. The plane of this great circle is perpendicular to a line joining the point of an observer on the Earth and the zenith, and cuts through the centre of the Earth.

3. Ecliptic
The ecliptic is the annual path of the Sun, with respect to the stars, as seen from a geocentric perspective. The plane of this great circle always makes an angle of 23.5° with the plane of the celestial equator. This tilt is of great importance, as it is responsible for the seasons on Earth.
4. Central Meridan
The central meridan is an imaginary arc which cuts through the north point on the horizon, the zenith, and the south point on the horizon.
5. Prime Vertical
The prime vertical is an imaginary arc which cuts through the east point on the horizon, the zenith and the west point on the horizon.

6. Equinoxes and Solstices
Two great circles intersect at two points diametrically opposite each other. For the celestial equator and the ecliptic, these are the equinoxes. The solstices are the highest and lowest points on the ecliptic, with respect to the celestial equator. We will also use these terms for the times when the Sun is at these points. The spring or vernal equinox
falls on March 21, while the autumnal equinox is on September 23. At the equinoxes, the days and nights are of equal length. The highest point, the summer solstice, falls on June 21, and is the longest day of the year for the northern hemisphere. The lowest point, the winter solstice, is on December 22, and coincides with the shortest day of the year for the northern hemisphere.

Methodology of Astrology

The input data an astrologer needs are the date, place and exact time of birth. These will provide the material for the calculations needed to construct the individual’s horoscope. A horoscope is nothing more than a map or diagram of the various planets’ positions at any one point in time, with respect to the earth. The word “horoscope” is derived from the Greek word “horoskopos”, meaning “hour watcher”. Basic ingredients of the horoscope include the sun-sign, the Ascendant, information on the Houses, the Aspects, etc. The astrologer will then proceed to interpret the horoscope, and hence offer advice.

The heliocentric model places the Sun at the centre of the solar system. The geocentric model places the Earth at the centre of the solar system. Technically, it is not wrong to adopt the geocentric model, as we would be merely
considering different frames of references. We live in a geocentric world. Astrology is preoccupied with how the planets relate to an individual on Earth, and hence their relative positions. Generally, the heliocentric model is good for explaining how things work in the solar system, in accordance with the laws of physics. By contrast, the geocentric
model is suitable for descriptive purposes.

Problems With The Zodiac

Two systems of the zodiac developed. The tropical zodiac is a division of the ecliptic, and uses the vernal equinox as its starting point. Each subsequent division of 30° then makes a sign. The sidereal zodiac is firmly connected with the constellations. Western astrologers favour the tropical zodiac, while their Indian counterparts prefer the sidereal
zodiac.

When the ancients first formulated the astrological zodiac, the constellations probably coincided with the twelve-part divisions in the sky. This meant the tropical and sidereal zodiacs were in agreement. However, a very slow process called precession shifts the vernal equinox between the stars. This is because precession causes the Earth’s axis of
rotation to “wobble”.

Since the celestial equator is perpendicular to this axis, it follows that the celestial equator shifts along with it. The ecliptic is unaffected by precession. Hence, the overall effect is that the points where the celestial equator and ecliptic intersect will change. This ultimately causes the vernal equinox to shift. Since the starting point of the tropical
zodiac is the vernal equinox, it follows that the tropical zodiac will start shifting westwards. This means the tropical and sidereal zodiacs will not agree with each other. The effect of precession is not very noticeable, and amounts to a full sign every 2,000
years.

It is logical to deduce that astrology can only be as old as when the constellations coincided exactly with the zodiac (eg. when the constellation Gemini was in the sign Gemini, etc). Specifically, this means the time when the vernal equinox was situated in the constellation of Aries. The vernal equinox is now in Taurus, which means the zodiac
is about 2,500 years old. In fact, the oldest horoscope in existence dates back to about 400 B.C.

Ramalan Primbon Berdasarkan Zodiak – Wanita Cancer

This is the caracteristic of cancer woman by primbon. When she falls in love, she will behave as if not sure. First, shy and self – politely near you. Second, she will stick like glue to you and will try to always be near you any time. She will try to go home together, or lunch with you. Actually this OK, if you like it, too. But if not, of course you will great disrupted. She hates talking about and gossip by others. If you know, it would be very sick. actually she is shy type, except if she influenced the zodiac another.Ia not the type brave or challengers, so if you love it, you better get started first.

She likes music with a tone that is always changing, then at a certain moment and sshe can be funny csheerful, and then suddenly be turned into sadness and depression impressed. For people particular, it can be seen oeover aktingâ Wshen she over akting depression, She will go out and find the things that made him feel a little relieved.

She love of money, and she considered the money as bahagia dan bukannya Tuhan. sShe would never belittle you even though you had no money, she would shelp you to make money, and saving. She was not a person who likes the luxury and sometimes will ban you buy an expensive gift and not too useful. She is the type of person who enjoys a walk with calm and damai.Wanita cancer also influenced by the moon, the moon under sher will appear charming. She always afraid of many things. She was afraid because less intelligent, less beautiful. Although she did not fat, she still would not be satisfied.

Make sure that she looked beautiful would be very helpful, because the mood changed nyadapat up to 4 times a day. She is not stingy, but you will terkejut melihat collection ancient items damaged his property. She saw that all things useful to him. She will find ways to use them again, someday. She is not the type of jealous, but it tends possessive. The best thing about him was that she would sacrifice anything for their beloved ones without any restrictions. Do not leave him wshen she was in trouble, she would never forget. She is not the kind of weak, though she looks like them, for example, is when you fight with him, would cry iamungkin extraordinary.

Once you leave, she will soon wipe away the tears, and will fix where she lives like nothing happened at all. Sshe is the mother of a very careful and will always keep her child at every step. If she is your wife, will not be problem, but if she is your mother-in-law, well .. that new problems.

hBut do not worry, the type of mother-in-law like this would not make the son as teman She tua.â period can very easily turn into anger, and can quarrel over the slightest thing you like most women, but she will always be willing to watch over and care for you. If you disappear for a few days, she will watch over you, but not for long. Such examination is very risky, and better not be done. Women Cancer 2 things need to be able to feel happy, they are and Kerja Cinta. She can live in a dusty house, but she could not stay in therein without love.