Astrology, a fascinating and intricate system of understanding the cosmos and its influence on our lives, relies heavily on precise calculations and interpretations. One of the fundamental elements in an astrological chart is the degree of each planet. The degree, along with the sign and house placement, provides crucial information about how a planet expresses its energy and interacts with other celestial bodies. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of checking the degree of planets in astrology, explaining why it’s important, the tools you can use, and providing detailed step-by-step instructions.
Why is the Degree of a Planet Important in Astrology?
The degree of a planet isn’t just a number; it’s a vital piece of the astrological puzzle. Here’s why it matters:
- Precise Aspects: Aspects are the angles formed between planets, signifying their relationships and how they influence each other. The closer the aspect is to being exact (e.g., a conjunction at 0 degrees, a square at 90 degrees), the stronger its effect. Knowing the exact degree of a planet allows astrologers to identify tight aspects and understand their intensity.
- Fixed Stars: Certain degrees in the zodiac are associated with fixed stars – distant stars beyond our solar system that astrologers believe exert a powerful influence. If a planet is conjunct a fixed star at a particular degree, it can significantly alter the planet’s expression, adding specific qualities or challenges.
- Zodiacal Releasing Techniques: Advanced astrological techniques like Zodiacal Releasing (a Hellenistic timing technique) heavily rely on the exact degree of the Ascendant, Midheaven, or other key chart points to identify periods of heightened activity or specific themes.
- Sabian Symbols: Each of the 360 degrees of the zodiac corresponds to a Sabian Symbol, a symbolic phrase that offers deeper insight into the meaning of that degree. The Sabian Symbols, developed by Marc Edmund Jones and Elsie Wheeler, can provide a nuanced interpretation of a planet’s placement.
- Midpoints: Midpoints are the points halfway between two planets or chart angles. They represent a sensitive area where the energies of the two planets combine. To accurately calculate midpoints, knowing the exact degrees of the planets is essential.
- Critical Degrees: Certain degrees, known as critical degrees (0, 13, 21, 29 degrees of cardinal signs, and sometimes other degrees as well), are considered points of heightened intensity or turning points in the expression of a planet.
Tools for Checking the Degree of Planets
Several tools are available to help you check the degree of planets in an astrological chart:
- Astrology Software: Numerous astrology software programs are available, both free and paid, such as Solar Fire Gold, Astro.com’s extended chart selection, Janus, and Kepler. These programs calculate planetary positions and degrees automatically. They offer a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features, including chart casting, aspect grids, and transit analysis.
- Online Astrology Calculators: Websites like Astro.com, Astrodienst, and Cafe Astrology offer free chart calculation services. You can input birth data (date, time, and location) and generate a chart that displays the planets’ positions and degrees.
- Ephemeris: An ephemeris is a table that lists the positions of the planets for a given date and time. While using an ephemeris requires more manual effort, it provides a deeper understanding of planetary motion and is a valuable tool for serious astrology students. There are both printed ephemerides (like the American Ephemeris) and online versions available.
- Mobile Apps: Many astrology apps are available for smartphones and tablets, offering convenient access to chart calculation and planetary data. Some popular apps include TimePassages, AstroMatrix, and iLuna.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Check the Degree of Planets
Let’s explore the process of checking the degree of planets using various methods:
Method 1: Using Astrology Software (Solar Fire Gold Example)
Solar Fire Gold is a popular and powerful astrology software. Here’s how to check planetary degrees using it:
- Install and Open Solar Fire Gold: Install the software on your computer and open it.
- Create a New Chart: Click on “File” and then “New Chart.”
- Enter Birth Data: Enter the birth details of the person whose chart you want to analyze:
- Name: Enter the person’s name.
- Date of Birth: Enter the date of birth (day, month, year).
- Time of Birth: Enter the exact time of birth (hours, minutes, seconds if known). Accuracy is crucial!
- Place of Birth: Enter the city and country of birth. The software will automatically look up the latitude and longitude.
- Set Chart Options: Choose your preferred house system (e.g., Placidus, Whole Sign) and zodiac type (e.g., Tropical, Sidereal).
- Calculate the Chart: Click “OK” to calculate the chart. Solar Fire will generate the chart wheel with the planets placed according to their positions at the time of birth.
- Check Planetary Degrees:
- Chart Wheel: Hover your mouse cursor over a planet symbol in the chart wheel. A tooltip will appear, displaying the planet’s name, sign, and degree (e.g., “Sun in Aries at 15°23′”). The single quote mark (‘) represents minutes of arc.
- Data Grid: Solar Fire also provides a data grid that lists all the planets and their positions in a table format. Look for the table that displays “Planet,” “Sign,” and “Degree.” The degree will be shown numerically (e.g., 15°23′ Aries).
- Aspect Grid: The aspect grid shows the aspects between planets. By examining the planets involved in an aspect, you can see their degrees and how close they are to forming an exact aspect.
- Interpret the Degrees: Once you have the planetary degrees, you can begin to interpret their significance in the chart. Consider the sign the planet is in, the house it occupies, the aspects it makes, and any relevant fixed stars or Sabian Symbols associated with that degree.
Method 2: Using Online Astrology Calculators (Astro.com Example)
Astro.com is a popular website offering a wide range of free astrological resources. Here’s how to check planetary degrees using their chart calculation service:
- Go to Astro.com: Open your web browser and navigate to www.astro.com.
- Navigate to Free Horoscopes: Click on the “Free Horoscopes” tab.
- Select “Extended Chart Selection”: Under the “Drawings & Calculations” section, click on “Extended Chart Selection.”
- Enter Birth Data: Enter the birth details:
- Name: Enter the person’s name (optional).
- Gender: Select the person’s gender.
- Date of Birth: Enter the date of birth (day, month, year).
- Time of Birth: Enter the time of birth (hours, minutes). If you don’t know the exact time, leave it blank or enter “12:00” for noon, but understand that this will affect the accuracy of the Ascendant and house cusps.
- Place of Birth: Enter the city and country of birth. Select the correct location from the dropdown menu that appears.
- Set Chart Options:
- Chart Type: Choose the chart type (usually “Natal Chart” for a birth chart).
- House System: Select your preferred house system (e.g., Placidus, Whole Sign).
- Zodiac Type: Leave it as “Tropical” unless you are studying sidereal astrology.
- Additional Options: You can customize other options, such as adding asteroids or displaying aspects.
- Calculate the Chart: Click the “Continue” button to generate the chart.
- Check Planetary Degrees:
- Chart Details: Below the chart wheel, you will find a table listing the planets, signs, and degrees. For example, it might say “Sun in Aries 15°23′”.
- Hover Over Planets: Hovering your mouse cursor over a planet symbol in the chart wheel may also display the degree in a tooltip (depending on your browser and settings).
- Interpret the Degrees: Analyze the degrees in conjunction with the signs, houses, and aspects to gain a deeper understanding of the chart.
Method 3: Using an Ephemeris (Manual Calculation)
Using an ephemeris involves a more manual process, but it provides valuable insight into planetary motion. Here’s a simplified overview:
- Obtain an Ephemeris: Acquire an ephemeris for the year of birth. You can find printed ephemerides or online versions.
- Locate the Date of Birth: Find the page corresponding to the date of birth in the ephemeris.
- Find Planetary Positions: The ephemeris will list the positions of the planets for each day (usually at 00:00 UT or 12:00 UT).
- Adjust for Time of Birth: If the time of birth is not 00:00 UT or 12:00 UT, you will need to interpolate to estimate the planet’s position at the specific time of birth. This involves calculating how far the planet moved between the listed time in the ephemeris and the actual birth time. Planetary motion charts and tables can help with this interpolation. This is more complex and requires some practice.
- Convert to Sidereal Time (if needed): If you are using a sidereal ephemeris, you will need to convert the planetary positions to sidereal time using the birth time and location.
- Determine the Sign and Degree: Once you have the planet’s position, you can determine its sign and degree based on its location within the zodiac. The ephemeris usually indicates the sign boundaries.
Example: Let’s say the ephemeris lists Venus at 25° Taurus at 12:00 UT on the birth date, and the birth time is 18:00 UT. You would need to estimate how far Venus moved in 6 hours (from 12:00 UT to 18:00 UT) and add that to its position at 12:00 UT. If Venus moved 0°05′ (5 minutes of arc) in those 6 hours, its approximate position at birth would be 25°05′ Taurus.
Note: This manual method requires understanding of time zones, UT conversion, and planetary motion. It’s best suited for those who want a deep understanding of the underlying calculations.
Interpreting the Degree: Sabian Symbols and Fixed Stars
Once you have determined the degree of a planet, you can explore its meaning further by considering Sabian Symbols and fixed stars:
Sabian Symbols
Each degree of the zodiac is associated with a Sabian Symbol, a short descriptive phrase that provides a symbolic interpretation of that degree. To find the Sabian Symbol for a planet’s degree, simply look up the degree in a Sabian Symbol reference. For example, if the Sun is at 15° Aries, the Sabian Symbol might be “A man with a crippled leg and a large dog.” The Sabian Symbol offers a nuanced understanding of the themes and challenges associated with that specific degree. Numerous online resources and books provide Sabian Symbol interpretations.
Fixed Stars
Certain degrees are associated with fixed stars, which are distant stars that astrologers believe exert a powerful influence. If a planet is conjunct a fixed star (within a few degrees), it can significantly alter the planet’s expression. For example, if Mars is conjunct Algol (a fixed star at around 26° Taurus), it might indicate a tendency towards aggression or impulsiveness. Understanding fixed star influences requires specialized knowledge and research. Bernadette Brady’s “Brady’s Book of Fixed Stars” is a well-regarded resource.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When checking and interpreting planetary degrees, be mindful of these common mistakes:
- Incorrect Birth Data: The most common error is using inaccurate birth data (date, time, or location). Even a few minutes of difference in the birth time can significantly alter the Ascendant and house cusps. Always verify the birth information with a reliable source (birth certificate, hospital record).
- Using the Wrong Time Zone: Make sure to convert the birth time to the correct time zone for the place of birth. Daylight saving time (DST) can also complicate matters, so be sure to account for it.
- Misinterpreting the Degree: Don’t isolate the degree from the rest of the chart. Consider the sign, house, aspects, and other factors before drawing conclusions.
- Relying Solely on Sabian Symbols: Sabian Symbols are valuable, but they should be used as a supplement to, not a replacement for, traditional astrological interpretation.
- Ignoring Planetary Retrogradation: When a planet is retrograde (appears to move backward in the sky), it can affect its influence and how its degree is interpreted. Pay attention to whether a planet is direct or retrograde in the chart.
- Forgetting the Orb of Influence: Aspects have an orb of influence, meaning they are effective within a certain range of degrees. A planet doesn’t have to be at the exact same degree to form an aspect; it can be a few degrees off. However, the closer the aspect is to being exact, the stronger its influence.
Conclusion
Checking the degree of planets is a fundamental skill in astrology. By understanding the tools available and following the step-by-step instructions, you can accurately determine the planetary positions in a chart. Remember to interpret the degrees in the context of the entire chart, considering the sign, house, aspects, Sabian Symbols, and fixed stars. With practice and careful analysis, you can unlock deeper insights into the celestial influences shaping your life and the lives of others. The journey of astrological learning is a continuous process of exploration and refinement. Embrace the complexities and nuances of this ancient art, and you will be rewarded with a richer understanding of yourself and the cosmos.