Astrogeography by Robert Powell

By Robert Powellwww.astrogeographia.org/ Index 2 3 Introduction: The Zodiac A true understanding of the zodiac lies at the foundation of Astrogeographia. As Professor Otto Neugebauer (1899-1990) wrote in his great work A History of Ancient Mathematical Astronomy: "The natural reference system for the motion of the planets, moon and sun, are the fixed stars..." Once having grasped - through the application of "as above, so below" - that there is a one-to-one correspondence between the celestial sphere and the terrrestrial sphere, such that each place on the Earth corresponds to a star in the heavens, there is no other possibility for understanding the zodiac than in terms of the stars making up the signs of the zodiac. By way of illustration, returning again to the correspondence between Vienna and Aldebaran, there was a time when Vienna, under the Hapsburg dynasty, was the center of Europe. This perfectly mirrored the central position of Aldebaran in Taurus. As shown in Robert Powell's Ph.D. thesis, published in book form under the title History of the Zodiac, the original definition of the zodiac made by the Babylonians early in the fifth century BC was specified by the two first magnitude stars Aldebaran at the center of Taurus and Antares in the middle of Scorpio such that the zodiacal locations of Aldebaran and Antares were defined to be 15 degrees Taurus and 15 degrees Scorpio. Once this central axis running through the middle of the signs of Taurus and Scorpio was defined by these two stars, the longitudes in the 30 degree divisions known as signs of other bright stars in the twelve zodiacal constellations could be ascertained. For example, the bright star Regulus marking the heart of the Lion was found to have a longitude of 5 degrees in the sign of Leo, the first magnitude star Spica marking the tip of the sheath of wheat held by the Virgin was determined to have a longitude of 29 degrees Virgo. In this way the original signs of the zodiac, coinciding more or less with the zodiacal constellations of the same name, were clearly defined. This original zodiac was used in antiquity not only in Babylonia but also in Egypt, Greece, Rome, and India, where it is still in use - in a modified form - to the present day. Now it is known as the sidereal zodiac (Latin sideris, "starry") in order to distinguish it from the tropical zodiac used by most present day astrologers (excluding India, where the sidereal zodiac is still used). In light of Astrogeographia the signs of the sidereal zodiac, since they 4 From this union the first king of Crete. Minos. and the bull was set in the heavens as the sign/constellation of Taurus. 5 . which for centuries was the center of the European Hapsburg empire. Instantly the bull plunged into the sea and eloped with her to the island of Crete.Vienna acquired a new sense of purpose as a gateway city to Central and Eastern Europe. Europa mounted upon the bull's back. Europe (Europa) is connected with Taurus. are also mirrored in specific regions on the Earth. One day. Already with the collapse of the iron curtain in 1989 coincidentally the year in which the last ruling Hapsburg passed away . was born. appeared to her from the waves of the Mediterranean Sea in the shape of a magnificent white bull.are defined in relation to the stars. The research of Astrogeographia confirms Greek mythology. while she played at Sidon's sea shore. According to Greek mythology. The earthly projection of the star Aldebaran at the center of the Bull (15 degrees Taurus) coincides with the city of Vienna. Now. There is a symbolic significance to the alignment of Europe with the sign/constellation of Taurus. For example. Zeus. who was strongly attracted to the beautiful girl. Fascinated by the extraordinary creature. with the expansion of the European Union to include a number of East European countries. Vienna is once again at (or near) the center of Europe. the earthly projection of the sign of Taurus coincides by and large with Europe. Europa was a daughter of King Agenor of Tyre. Degree in Computer Science. which is part of the University of London. At school he discovered a love of mathematics. a summary of which is included as Appendix II in his PhD thesis History of the Zodiac.Sc. later in 1977 he received an invitation from Georg Ungar to spend some time doing research at Dr. and went on to study at the University of Sussex. In 1971 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society. From its inception in 1971 until 1974 he was a tutor in mathematics for the Open University of the United Kingdom. England. During this time (in 1970/1971) he began to do research in the history of astronomy.About Robert Powell. located near Brighton. He left his post as lecturer in mathematics and statistics at Brighton University in July 1976 in order to pursue his research into the history of astronomy in London. While researching at the Warburg Institute he first discussed the possibility of doing a PhD thesis on the history of the zodiac with Dr. England in 1947. teaching (during vacation time from Brighton University) courses in mathematics to undergraduate students. PhD Robert Powell was born in Reading. He was a lecturer there from 1969 to 1976 in Mathematics and Statistics for undergraduate students taking their B. On account of his research into Newton's chronology. Charles Schmitt from the Warburg Institute. During the years 1976 and 1977 he became interested in Isaac Newton's research into astronomical chronology. Ungar's Mathematisch-Physikalisches Institut in 6 . where he was awarded a Master's degree in mathematics (statistics) in 1970. For this research he used the library at the British Museum in London and also the library of the Warburg Institute. Already in October 1969 he began a full-time teaching post as a lecturer at Brighton University (at that time called Brighton Polytechnic) in the Department of Computing and Cybernetics. The results of this research. a professor of galactic astronomy. were published in 1996 in his book Chronicle of the Living Christ. and Hindus. in particular his ideas presented in De stella nova concerning the star of Bethlehem. in 1983. updated version of this thesis on the history of the zodiac. Like the astronomers Tycho Brahe and Kepler. It was finally submitted to the Polish Academy of Sciences in 2004 with the title The Definition of the Babylonian Zodiac and the Influence of Babylonian Astronomy on the Subsequent Defining of the Zodiac. which had started in 1974 when he began writing down the results of the initial research on the history of the zodiac at the libraries of the British Museum and the Warburg Institute in London. also became extended to the field of astrology. After publicly defending his thesis in Warsaw. After moving to Stuttgart. where he spent the next four years of his life (1978-1982). Newton's chronology. Switzerland. He studied the chronology of the Hebrew calendar at the time of Christ and found confirmation of Kepler's dating of the birth of Jesus to March 6 BC through applying astronomical chronology.Dornach. It was here that he met Konrad Rudnički. Germany. and began to investigate chronological aspects of Kepler's work. This entailed writing a new. 7 . A revised and updated version of the PhD thesis was published by Sophia Academic Press in 2007 as a book under the title of History of the Zodiac. On the basis of his research into the history of the zodiac he discovered that contemporary astrology has a completely different basis from the ancient astrology of the Babylonians. who expressed interest in his thesis on the history of the zodiac and suggested that he could submit it to an academic institution in Poland under his supervision. Greeks. Obtaining his PhD was a thirty year odyssey. which was carried out for more than a decade. The degree was conferred in March 2005. incorporating new research findings. and the application of astronomical chronology to dating the life of Christ. near Basel. he was awarded a PhD for his original contribution to the history of science . he investigated the astronomical principles underlying astrology. Romans. he continued his research and studies. His research on the history of the zodiac.or rather to the history of astronomy. Through Professor Rudnički the possibility later came about that he could submit his PhD thesis to the Institute for the History of Science of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw. which is of interest in connection with the history of the zodiac. At the same time. teaching the cosmic dances of the four elements. which describe the work that Robert has been doing since he founded the Choreocosmos School of Cosmic and Sacred Dance in the year 2000. click here. For more information about Choreocosmos. 8 . There are various levels of activity of the Choreocosmos School of Cosmic and Sacred Dance. The whole is intended to lead to experience of the higher levels of Nature (four elements) and the cosmos (planets and zodiac). The introductory courses of the School of Cosmic and Sacred Dance are concerned with outlining a path of experience . planets. There the pupils were instructed in the mysteries of the elements relating to Mother Earth. which provides the foundation for cosmic and sacred dance). Currently Robert teaches courses in cosmic and sacred dance in six different countries. it is possible to engage in conversation and study activity focusing upon acquiring a deeper understanding of the elements. A substantial number of people have graduated from the training and are now qualified to teach cosmic and sacred dance along the lines outlined in Cosmic Dances of the Planets and Cosmic Dances of the Zodiac.through music and movement . Some of the courses are introductory in nature. the work of the Choreocosmos School was made possible through the founding of the Sophia Foundation of North America in San Rafael in 1995 by Karen Rivers and Robert Powell. the seven planets. and finally the mysteries of the zodiac pertaining to the World Spirit.Aside from his academic career. The Choreocosmos School offers a training in cosmic and sacred dance.to these three levels. They are co-authors of the books Cosmic Dances of the Planets and Cosmic Dances of the Zodiac. In turn. The courses in cosmic and sacred dance are taught as a training in subtle eurythmic movement to classical music. including the works written together with his wife. then the mysteries of the planets having to do with the Cosmic Soul. (Rudolf Steiner was the inaugurator of eurythmy. These twenty-three cosmic dances embody a path following the archetype taught in the Middle Ages at the School of Chartres (Chartres Cathedral) in France. and zodiacal signs in relation to the different levels of the human being. Robert Powell has also written books on a variety of other subjects. supplementing the movement aspects of the courses. and the twelve signs of the zodiac. Lacquanna Paul. second edition 2007) 2. 3. HERMETIC ASTROLOGY VOLUME I Astrology and Reincarnation (1987. HERMETIC ASTROLOGY VOLUME II Astrological Biography (1989. second edition 2007) These two volumes on Hermetic Astrology are described below. CHRISTIAN HERMETIC ASTROLOGY The Star of the Magi and the Life of Christ (1991. second edition 1998) 9 .Books by Robert Powell Hermetic Astrology A TRILOGY DEDICATED TO A NEW STAR WISDOM (ASTROSOPHY) *** 1. To order either of these volumes click here or here. the divine scribe. Marduk. the Babylonian gods were always associated with the stars. In these broken. In addition to the five wandering stars visible to the naked eye. From Babylonian cuneiform texts we know the characteristics of these 2 five gods: Ninib. as in ancient Egypt. Nebo. Greece. The cuneiform tablets clearly showed that the Babylonian astronomers noticed five stars that 1 moved in relation to the background of the fixed stars. the goddess of love. the movements of the Sun (Shamash) and Moon (Sin) were also observed against the background of the fixed stars (in the case of the Sun. near the modern city of Mosul. Nergal. making a total of seven planets. Nebo and Ishtar. the god of justice.000 cuneiform texts collected in the seventh century BC into the world's first library by Ashurbanipal. named from the first line of a text describing the stars . which reached back to the dawn of time. and Ishtar. capital of Assyria in northern Mesopotamia. Indeed. The Enuma Elish creation account. there were extraordinary tales of gods and goddesses. and of stars and planets. They connected these five stars with the five gods belonging to the Babylonian pantheon: Ninib. Nergal. also came from the excavations in the long undisturbed mounds on the eastern bank of the river Tigris. the god of war." or planets (Greek planetos). by British Museum archaeologists Austen Henry Layard and Hormuzd Rassam. Marduk. Characteristics Babylonian Greek Roman Characteristics "god of justice" "lord of wisdom" "god of war" "divine scribe" "goddess of love" Babylonian Ninib Marduk Nergal Nebo Ishtar Greek Chronos Zeus Ares Hermes Aphrodite Roman Saturn Jupiter Mars Mercury Venus 10 . the Mul Apin .two clay tablets.was just one of some 10. including the "wandering stars. and Rome. worn clay bricks fashioned twenty-five centuries ago.Origins of Star Wisdom Unearthed in the mid-nineteenth century from ancient Ninevah. the last great king of ancient Assyria. this movement was deduced). the lord of wisdom. The Mul Apin tablets showed that the Babylonian astronomers observed that these seven planets always move within a belt through the same groupings of fixed stars. Though faded and continuing to 11 . or later Greek and Roman mythology . Twelve of those constellations make up what we know today as the zodiac." As Anu was the Babylonian "God of the Sky. for both the mythic texts and the records of the Babylonian astronomers are testaments to an entirely different mode of consciousness and perception." the fixed stars (forming the paths of Enlil.the identification of the Babylonian pantheon with objects in the sky is a kind of innocent but erroneous imagination. Oceanic. African. Asian." and the "path of Ea.as with contemporaneous Egyptian. It is quite normal for the modern person to assume that . These texts were made by individuals who possessed clairvoyance for the spiritual world. or "circle of animals": Mul Apin text name Translation Mul Lu Hung Ga Mul Gud An Na 3 Greek Zodiac Name Aries (the Ram) The "Hired Man" The "Bull of Heaven" Taurus (the Bull) Gemini (the Twins) Cancer (the Crab) Leo (the Lion) Virgo (the Virgin) of Libra (the Scales) Scorpio (the Scorpion) Sagittarius (the Archer) Capricorn (the Goat) Aquarius Carrier) (the Water- Mul Mash Tab Ba The "Great Twins" Gal Ga Mul Al Lul Mul Ur Gu La Mul Ab Sin Mul Zi Ba Ni Tum Mul Gir Tab Mul Pa Bil Sag Mul Suhur Mashû Mul Gu La Mul Sim Mah The "Crab" The "Lion" The "Furrow" The "Scales Heaven" The "Scorpion" The "Grandfather" The "Goat Fish" The "Great One" The "Swallow" Pisces (the Fish) The Mul Apin text included two other star paths . and Ea) were first and 4 foremost seen by the Babylonians as the abode of divine beings.the "path of Anu. This would be the gravest of errors. Anu." and Enlil was "Lord of the Wind." Ea was the "God of the Ocean. and that there were seventeen such groupings (constellations). Australian. This is the 12 . in the sense that their stargazing shifted from a strictly devotional activity to one whose systematic practice allowed them to make empirical descriptions . in their transition to a mathematical/empirical astronomy. Although when we look to the night sky we see only the constellational patterns that we have learned from years of seeing "connect-the-dots" drawings. and "physiognomies.fade amongst their peers at the moment when the scribes created these cuneiform tablets. with all of their variegated qualities. the Babylonian priest-astronomers had made a further refinement of their picture of the "Paths of the Gods. The Zodiac and the World's First Horoscope Within two centuries after King Ashurbanipal collected the Enuma Elish. One must refrain from assuming that the Babylonian priest-astronomers imposed these patterns and their associated myths upon the heavens. the Enuma Elish is a cosmogony and cosmology. Their clairvoyance afforded them an actual supersensory experience of the intrinsic essence or "beings" of the stars. the inseparability of the divine deeds from the doings of the stars meant that the official Babylonian stargazers were simultaneously priests and astronomers) to see far beyond the physical realm. the Babylonian stargazers became the world's first real astronomers. it is striking how the ancient Babylonians gave almost exactly the same names to the zodiacal constellations as did the Greeks.detailing the motion of the planets and the composition of the zodiacal path traveled by those planets . into the invisible world of the gods." In two cuneiform texts dating from 475 BC and excavated from Babylon. Mul Apin. the zodiacal 5 constellations are divided into twelve 30-degree signs. and other cuneiform texts into his great library. detailing the sequence of events involved in the creation of the cosmos . Like the Orphic Hymns. Enuma Anu Enlil. the ancient clairvoyance allowed Babylonian priest-astronomers (for indeed. capacities. already representing an unfolding "forgetting" of the stars and planets as actual "gods" or beings. Looking at the table above. The Mul Apin clay tablets from Ashurbanipal's great seventh century BC library were permanent remembrances of a vast accumulation of astronomical knowledge from many centuries before 700 BC. while also.including the star path of the zodiac and the planetary wanderers upon that path. this in no way can be thought of as similar to what the ancient Babylonians experienced.that would serve as the foundation for all subsequent astronomical science." Some twenty-five centuries ago. is at 5 degrees Leo.Aldeberan. The stellar longitudes of other zodiacal fixed stars are determined in relation to this axis. the first magnitude star Spica. For example. The Persian-born Zaratas was a relative of King Cyrus the Great (sixth century BC) and came to Babylon in the wake of Cyrus' conquest of the city in 539 BC. the Bull's Eye. the Pleiades. A Babylonian star catalog thought to date from the fourth century BC lists the bright zodiacal stars in terms of the twelve signs of the sidereal zodiac. geometrical terms. so that his clairvoyance extended beyond the Sun to the mighty beings of the zodiac. His fame was such that Pythagoras came 6 to Babylon to receive initiation from him. He was soon acknowledged as a great teacher by the Babylonian priesthood. is at 29 degrees Virgo. and Fomalhaut. "The 13 . the beautiful star cluster in the neck of the Bull. in the middle of the sign of Scorpio (see Figure below). Zaratas spoke of four "royal stars" . is at 15 degrees Scorpio. is in the middle of the sign of Taurus. the two bright stars marking the heads of the twins. the central star of Mul Gud An Na. is at 5 degrees Taurus. the Lion's Heart. the "Bull of Heaven". but as living pictures of the cosmic beings standing behind the stars. Initiated by the sublime Being of the Sun. at the center (15 degrees) of the constellation of Taurus. The 30-degree divisions reflect the clairvoyant perception of the exact extent of the influence of the spiritual beings underlying the twelve constellations of the zodiac. the first magnitude star Regulus. Castor and Pollux. shining from Mul Ur Gu La. The sidereal zodiac is defined in such a way that: the star Aldebaran ("Bull's eye"). These two stars comprise the fiducial axis. marking the tip of the sheath of wheat held by the Virgin. but the sidereal zodiac that they codified is anything but arbitrary. the Lion. Ahura Mazdao. This refinement of the zodiac into twelve equal signs might seem at first glance to be a convenient and arbitrary scheme.original or sidereal zodiac (sidereal means "pertaining to the stars"). The Babylonian stargazers learned this arrangement not in abstract. at the heart of the constellation of Scorpio. etc. marking the heart of the Lion. Regulus. beneath the stream of water spilling from the urn of Mul Gu La. the defining axis of the sidereal zodiac given by the remarkable fact that Aldebaran and Antares lie diametrically opposite one another in the zodiac and are located at the center of their respective zodiacal signs. the glowing red ember of Mul Gir Tab's (Scorpio's) heart. Antares. Those pictures were originally imparted to them by their teacher Zaratas (Greek: Zoroaster). are at 25½ degrees and 28½ degrees Gemini. and the star Antares ("Scorpion's heart"). Aldeberan he knew as the "watcher in the East". and so on. and the planetary configurations at birth. Through a divinely inspired suite of initiation practices. since the spiritual reality standing behind them would be lost. His clairvoyance permitted him to see the descent of the soul from cosmic heights. humanity would need a science of the cosmos that would in veiled form express the cosmic mysteries. the 14 . down through the planetary spheres. For many centuries before Zaratas's time. With this threefold knowledge of the sidereal zodiac of twelve equal signs. Zaratas could also see that the planetary configurations at birth held the secret of the soul's destiny. Especially significant for the Babylonian astronomer-priests was the passage of the Moon around the zodiac. By focusing their spiritual gaze on the Moon they could gain 8 awareness of the moment of birth of the incarnating soul.Scorpio marked the East-West (fiducial) axis. Zaratas introduced an entirely new art of prophecy." Thus. one that sought to describe the destiny of every individual human being. Each of these Holy Beings was flanked on either side by other majestic spiritual beings. the Babylonian astronomers had concerned themselves with reading omens in the sky for the benefit of royalty. and they could behold the "descent of the stork" at the moment of conception. the moment of conception. The mathematical exactitude that emerges from the astronomical texts of this period of ancient Babylon shows that Zaratas succeeded in this. raised up from the shifting seasonal zodiacal patterns as seen from the earth. the "watcher in the North". Antares the "watcher in the West". the Twins. to Earth. and he saw the imminent arrival of a period when humanity would no longer see these Holy Beings of the cosmos. Zaratas's clairvoyance allowed him a panoramic vision of Time as well as Space. Taurus . Regulus. while Leo Aquarius marked the North-South. They regarded the Moon as the gateway for the soul on its voyage into incarnation. he taught the Babylonian stargazers this faculty of beholding the voyage of the soul into incarnation. To his clairvoyant perception. descending from the Moon to unite with the seed of the quickened embryo. nor even accept that such Beings existed. the heart of his task as a teacher of the Babylonian astronomer-priests. He understood that in this approaching period of spiritual darkness.Great One" (Aquarius). embodied in 7 the zodiacal images of the Crab. and Fomalhaut was the "watcher in the South. into an age of increasing individualism and materialism. the four royal stars and their enveloping constellations marked for Zaratas the cosmic directions of space. Inspired by his knowledge of the future unfolding of human history. as outlined in the the section Horoscopes Old and New. separated by a period.preserved on another clay tablet dug up from Babylon by British archaeologists in the middle of the nineteenth century . 410 BC. Robert Powell. therefore appearing to be fixed upon the globe of the heavens. The oldest known horoscope . Modern astronomy has shown that the fixed stars are subject to minute shifts in position over tens of thousands of years. Ancient Astrology in a New Form The modern continuation of the ancient Babylonian astrological practices ." (Taurus) for example. and to enable interested readers to follow up on this new approach with horoscopes. the present-day dates of passage of the Sun through the twelve signs of the zodiac originally defined by the Babylonians are as follows: View Zodiac Dates The term "fixed stars" was used because they believed these stars never change their position in relation to one another. But this movement is so slight that during the course of the last five thousand years there has been very little change from the patterns of the constellations as they were at the time of the Babylonians. By way of a summary. This website is intended to give an expanded perception of the deeper significance of this new approach to the stars. and is cast in terms of 9 the geocentric planetary positions in the sidereal zodiac. is written: MUL. which is the title of the book by Kevin Dann and Robert Powell from which the foregoing sections The Origin of Star Wisdom and The Zodiac and the World's First Horoscope are drawn.GUD. The "Bull of Heaven.but now including modern astronomical knowledge constitutes what could be called The Astrological Revolution. History of the Planets. For 15 .NA. Thus originated the world's first horoscopes. The convention in reproducing the cuneiform character translation from the ancient Akkadian is to use upper-case letters.AN.has been dated to April 29.Babylonian astronomer-priests could read the "omens" for an individual's birth. and was written in Akkadian. pp. 16 . 22-23." Journal of Cuneiform Studies 6. Robert Powell. pp. History of the Zodiac for all references to the history of the zodiac. Abraham Sachs. Babylonian mythology largely derived from the older Sumerian mythology. In his The Life of Pythagoras. 49-65. by whom he was purified from the pollutions of his past life. 15-24. 125. Robert Powell. p. 1952. pp. Christian Hermetic Astrology.ease of reading. The reader is referred to the foundational work by Robert Powell. "Babylonian Horoscopes. a Semitic language using the cuneiform script. and italicized the letters: Mul Gud An Na. we have dropped the period notations. Porphyry says: "In Babylon [Pythagoras] associated with the other Chaldeans. especially attaching himself to Zaratas [=Zoroaster]. Christian Hermetic Astrology: The Star of the Magi and the Life of Christ." The Pythagorean Sourcebook and Library. containing the basic life force. consciously includes . is engendered through the act of conception" (Rudolf Steiner).Epoch Sun (25½º Cancer) And in the case of the Austrian spiritual teacher Rudolf Steiner (18611925). in the case of the German Romantic poet Novalis (17721801): Death g-Saturn (25½º Cancer) . At this moment there begins the building up of the etheric body from the cosmic ether.the moment of conception (epoch) as an important part of the process of incarnation. as described in detail in Hermetic Astrology. When the stork was seen. Hermetic astrology. which we shall have to assume on Earth. volume II. In ancient times the sending down of the spirit seed to unite with the fertilized egg was seen clairvoyantly as the "descent of the stork. it was known that a child was on its way. The epoch chart gives a picture of the structure of the etheric body. "The spiritual germ woven by ourselves is lost at the moment when the physical germ. In terms of the epoch (conception) chart. For example.Conception (Epoch) Chart The incarnating human being influences (inspires) the future parents to come together to provide the physical body needed for the approaching incarnation. and the weaving of the "karmic cross" into the etheric body. the moment of the sending down of the spirit seed is computed using the hermetic rule retrogressively from the birth chart.conjunct . utilizing the interchange of the 1 position of the Moon and the Ascendant or its opposite." since the spirit seed appears to clairvoyant perception like a stork.conjunct . the human being sends down the spirit seed to unite with the fertilized egg. Research shows that the moment of death is often indicated by transits to the epoch chart. so-called because it is based on the application of the ancient Egyptian hermetic rule for determining the horoscope of conception. When the egg is fertilized in the mother's womb.Epoch Moon (19½º Libra) 2 17 . Death g-Saturn (19½º Libra) . This discovery highlights the significance of the epoch chart in hermetic astrology.in addition to the birth . is highly significant.or rather re-opens . amounting to bereavement. examining the effective power of the configuration of the stars at that 3 time. It has been largely neglected in the history of astrology. the various possibilities for the epoch can be seen at a glance. This opens . in cases in which the very time of conception is known either by chance or by observation. To summarize: the moment of the epoch is the time when the archetype of the physical body known as the spirit seed is sent down to unite with the fertilized egg in the mother's womb. We ourselves. The feeling of bereavement becomes violent. which we have watched. but potentially and accidentally the moment of birth. And now a vehement feeling of bereavement sets in. whereas we still dwell in the spiritual world. are still above. which is central to hermetic astrology. through the Astrofire computer program developed by Peter Treadgold.These are just two examples illustrating the research finding that the moment of death is often indicated by transits to the epoch/conception chart. One of the reasons for the neglect of the conception horoscope in astrology is that the application of the hermetic rule to find the epoch from the birth chart is complex and open-ended. Now. This has already arrived below and united itself with the last of those successive generations. As Ptolemy states in the Tetrabiblos: Since the chronological starting-point of human nativities is naturally the very time of conception.a vast new realm of research intrinsic to the roots of astrology. it is more fitting that we should follow it in determining the special nature of body and soul. 18 . At this moment the soul feels a great sense of loss. And now this feeling of bereavement draws out of the universe the needful ingredients of the world ether. Having sent the spiritual germ of the physical body down to Earth and remained behind?we draw etheric substance out of the world ether 5 and form our own etheric body. The spiritual germ of the physical body has already descended to Earth. All this goes to show that the conception (epoch) chart. however. We have lost the spiritual germ of the physical body. and with a little practice and experience it is relatively easy to determine the 4 actual conception horoscope. although working with the conception chart was a part of ancient Egyptian and Babylonian astrology. respectively. has always been called the "map of the soul" . Against this background it is evident that every human being has four horoscopes.click here to order.related to the level of the Sun .gives a picture of the spirit seed of the physical body. it became evident that the two epoch charts (hermetic and geocentric) relate to the physical and etheric bodies. Against this background it can be understood why transits to the epoch chart might be significant at the moment of death. parallel to the formation of the physical body (embryo) in the mother's womb. the beginning of the formation of both the physical body (through the spirit seed) and the etheric body (in relation to the Moon's orbit of the sidereal zodiac). and see the section Horoscopes Old and New (click here) for further clarification and for instructions as to how these four horoscopes relate to the four levels of the human being. which is the traditional astrological chart. and the geocentric chart gives a picture of the primary impulse from the surrounding etheric cosmos on the building up of the etheric body.Out of this sense of loss begins the weaving of the etheric body from the cosmic ether. 1546-1601).this clearly relating to the level of the astral body. relating to the four levels of the human being: hermetic conception horoscope geocentric conception horoscope geocentric birth horoscope hermetic birth horoscope physical body etheric body astral body "I" The hermetic horoscope. Similarly the two birth charts (hermetic and geocentric) relate to the "I" and astral body of the human being. At birth the hermetic chart. which is the bearer of the soul (sometimes called the soul body). also known as the Tychonic chart (after the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe. This is the key significance of the epoch chart: it indicates the start of life. In the course of further research into these hitherto hidden and mysterious connections. 19 . reveals the goal of the incarnating human being as an "I" coming into a new incarnation upon the Earth in order to fulfill a destiny. is the same as the geocentric horoscope except that the planetary positions are heliocentric rather than geocentric . which is connected with the level of the Sun. which is the moment the etheric body withdraws from the physical body. At conception the hermetic chart . And the geocentric chart at birth. His Destiny. pp. Hermetic Astrology. describes the hermetic rule and its historical background. 3 See details of the Astrofire program in the Astrofire section of this website. Man's Being. 1 (trsl. Ptolemy. 5 4 Rudolf Steiner.E.Robert Powell. F. 32. Appendix 1. and World Evolution. volume I. which in the case of Rudolf Steiner was 19½° Libra. the Moon at epoch is the same as the Ascendant at birth. 223-225). 20 . Robbins. p. 2 1 According to the hermetic rule. Tetrabiblos III. physical conception and conception of the ka. but as an actual "body" attached to the human being. on February 27. In the language of the alchemical tradition. corresponding approximately to the Chinese chi. also gave thanks to Boldogasszony.for example. what was the conception of the ka? The ka was perceived not only as the source of a person's vital force. 1861. which was opposite the Sun in the middle of Aquarius-. Similarly.the mystery of conception. Translating the subtle knowledge of the ancient Egyptians into modern terms. the Hindu prana. the moment of origin of the ka or etheric body is the etheric conception. in ancient Egypt .a telegraph operator at the little out-of-the-way Kraljevec railroad station on the Puszta plain near the border of what is today Croatia and Hungary . attended by a midwife. the "blessed lady" of Hungarian folk legend. In earlier times . Michael for their son's recovery (he had been bleeding at birth).under a nearly full Moon on the tail of the Lion.referring to the widespread folk notion that the stork "brought" children to their parents. On the other hand. which for the ancient Egyptians was identical with the descent of the stork. Michael church in the neighboring village of Draskovec to be baptized. Clearly the moment of origin of the physical body is physical conception.Hermetic Rule Applied Shortly before midnight -. the baby boy was taken a couple of miles to the St. 21 . Such beliefs about the stork that help to make sense of the mystery of birth have their origins in an even deeper mystery -. we can affirm that physical conception consists of the fertilization of the egg by the sperm.on February 25.there existed a subtle differentiation between two different conceptions -. who helped women during childbirth. Two days later. which is then embedded in the wall of the womb.the coming into existence of the etheric body (ka) thought of as a subtle body of life energy surrounding and interpenetrating the physical body.along with giving thanks to St. and the ether of the alchemists. Franziska Steiner gave birth to her first child. the conception of the ka would be called etheric conception . in the tiny Austro-Hungarian village of Kraljevec. It is very likely that around the time of conception of their son Rudolf they had spoken of the "arrival of the stork" -. Perhaps Frau Steiner and her husband Johannes . the spiritual archetype of the physical body that is built up in the highest cosmic realm. even had a cosmic rule specifying when the etheric conception takes place. The moment when the spirit seed descends from the Moon sphere to unite with the fertilized egg is the image that was clairvoyantly perceived in ancient times as the "descent of the stork" depicted widely in Egyptian hieroglyphs. where the soul was said to exist in cosmic realms .The ancient Egyptians. a rule which has to do with the Moon.in the so-called "planetary spheres" . the region where the incarnating human being dwells at the moment of conception. which originated with the Babylonians. the soul released something known as a spirit seed. the zodiacal 22 . having descended there from the fixed-star realm through the seven planetary spheres. The modern folk belief about the stork bringing the child was a dim memory of the ancient clairvoyant image of the "spirit seed" . Modern scientific knowledge is not accustomed to thinking of the pre-existence (prior to conception and birth) of the soul. etheric conception is an event belonging to the Moon sphere. the Moon sphere was the last stage of the descent of the soul. and that after death it makes its journey through the heavens in reverse direction and with opposite effect . as we shall see below.this derives from the same religious circles as those in which the doctrine of the voyage of the soul through the spheres had 2 developed: the later Babylonian astral theology. stemming from the teachings of Zaratas: The notion that the soul descending from heaven takes on the characteristics of the planetary spheres through which it passes. where it partook of the circulation of the stars. the whole cosmological background of astrology. It unites itself with a body and forms with it a living being. but this was almost universally accepted in antiquity. either simultaneously with or shortly after the occurrence of the physical conception." This notion underlying horoscopic astrology can be traced back to the Babylonians. indeed. According to the teaching of this tradition. thought of as the cosmic realm bounded by the orbit of the Moon. before it enters into corporeal existence. "The soul comes from the heavens. This explains how human 1 character comes to be determined by the heavens.prior to coming into earthly incarnation.L. thus indicating that whereas the physical conception is an earthly event. It is interesting to consider this tradition insofar as it helps us to understand the mystery of conception and. van der Waerden in his excellent survey of the origins of horoscopic astrology. According to the ancient Babylonian tradition of horoscopic astrology inaugurated by Zaratas. According to Professor B. which then descended from above. For the Egyptians. the hermetic rule holds the key-astrologically speaking-to the building up of the physical body in the womb during the embryonic period of development. Then follows the descent of the human being from the zodiacal 23 . had a highly developed esoteric cosmology in which subtle aspects of the human being were cognized beyond the level of the physical body. with the inspiration of the soul from its cosmic vantage point in the Moon sphere. Although ascribed to the great teacher of the ancient Egyptians. as an expression of the mystery of the soul's descent into incarnation. the hermetic rule was known also to the Babylonians. The Egyptians. This entails a leap of consciousness to grasp the esoteric reality underlying the incarnation of the human being which. prior to the soul's descent through the seven planetary spheres. In order to grasp the astrological significance of the moment of conception. Modern astrological research into the Egypian cosmic rule for specifying the moment of etheric conception shows that it usually takes place shortly after fertilization. Relating the moment of conception to the moment of birth. as there are examples of Babylonian horoscopes in which the horoscope of conception is presented alongside the horoscope of birth. from whom the hermetic rule derives. It states that: The zodiacal location of the Moon at the moment of conception is in line with the Ascendant-Descendant axis at the moment of birth. etheric conception occurs close to the time of the physical conception. of course. we shall take a look "behind the scenes" at the events leading up to conception. The conception horoscope belonged very much to the original astrology of the Egyptians and Babylonians. was known to the Egyptians and Babylonians. The Hermetic Rule The hermetic rule or rule of Hermes is an ancient astrological law for determining the horoscope of conception retrogressively from the day and hour of birth. Approaching the end of its descent into incarnation. Hermes Trismegistus. the appropriate cosmic moment of conception was specified by a principle known as the hermetic rule. The Ascendant-Descendant axis is the position of orientation taken up by the human being while in the zodiacal sphere of fixed stars during the formation of the "spirit seed" .the spiritual archetype of the physical body.sphere. It stems from the ancient hermetic astrological corpus that was a sort of "bible" for Greek and Egyptian astrologers in 3 the early centuries of their practice. and five planets.. through nine of the 24 . Given the choice of zodiacal location of the Sun at the moment of birth. Essential to arriving at this goal is the moment of conception. From this brief survey of the ancient tradition. often depicted as a human-headed falcon. so . In the alchemical tradition it is called the astral body.sphere through the seven planetary spheres bearing with him or her the spirit seed-diminishing in size from sphere to sphere from its initial expansion in the zodiacal realm of fixed stars. occuring (on average) some nine months prior to the moment of birth. by means of which a suitable vehicle is formed for the individuality to bring its talents and faculties to expression.astral ("of the stars") this "body" is built up from the planetary spheres. Both exist as spiritual archetypes. the period of embryonic development determines more or less when the moment of conception should take place. During the process of incarnation the spirit seed and the astral body work into the formation of the physical body and the vehicle of consciousness of the individuality. it is evident that the spirit seed and the astral body are two primary astrological realities or aspects of the human being.the astral body is shaped as a vehicle of consciousness appropriate for the incarnating individual from the seven planetary spheres in the descent through the planetary spheres. The whole descent into incarnation is made with a view to arriving on the Earth at the cosmic moment when the planetary configuration (hermetic and geocentric) of the chosen birth chart becomes actualized. which become individualized in the process of incarnation. As the name indicates .in light of the Babylonian tradition . The Egyptians called this the ba.e. In the course of nine months the Sun-on its apparent path around the zodiac-moves through three-quarters of the zodiacal circle. The moment of birth is thus the goal of the incarnating human being. which then acts as a focal point for the building up of the spiritual archetype of the physical body according to the zodiacal signs. That which individualizes the astral body is the choice of planetary positions for the horoscope at birth. i. That which individualizes the spirit seed is the choice of Ascendant. Just as the spirit seed is formed in the zodiacal sphere as the archetype of the physical body from the circle of the twelve sidereal signs of the zodiac. the planets being considered as moving stars (Greek: planetai). Moon. Here the composition of this vehicle (astral body) becomes differentiated by way of the background zodiacal influence of the Sun. During this descent through the planetary spheres a "vehicle of consciousness" for the individuality is built up. twelve zodiacal signs. Thus, during an average gestation period of nine months, the zodiacal location of the Sun at the moment of birth is nine signs advanced from its position in the zodiac at the moment of conception. Once the Sun's position at birth is chosen, its approximate zodiacal location at the conception is specified, the element of variation being dependent on whether the embryonic period turns out to be longer or shorter than nine months. The hermetic rule specifies the moment of conception more exactly. Going back from the moment of birth to the beginning of the embryonic period of development, the Moon's location in the zodiac at the moment of conception is the same either as that of the Ascendant chosen for the moment of birth, or as that of its opposite, the Descendant. Thus, given the choice of Ascendant for the moment of birth, chosen already long in advance in the zodiacal sphere of fixed stars, the zodiacal location of the Moon at conception is also specified in advance to be one of two possibilities. As we shall see in the next example of an application of the hermetic rule, karmic considerations can also play into the predetermination of the planetary configuration at the moment of conception, just as they play a role in the choice of planetary configuration at the moment of birth. An Application of the Hermetic Rule Because Rudolf Steiner always celebrated his birthday on February 27 (his date of baptism), hardly anyone knew that his birthday was 4 actually on February 25. Taking the stated time and date of Rudolf Steiner's birth as 11:15 PM on February 25, 1861 at Kraljevec, the zodiacal longitude of the Ascendant and the Moon are computed to be 17º25' Libra and 24º43' Leo, respectively. Applying the hermetic rule, this means that the Moon's zodiacal longitude at etheric conception must have been about 17º or 18º Aries or Libra, with an Ascendant of 24º43' Leo or Aquarius. Returning nine calendar months from February 25, 1861 leads back to May 25, 1860, and referring to an ephemeris for this time it is evident that the Moon was at about 18º Libra around midday on June 1, 1860. This date appears, at first sight, to be a possible date for the etheric conception, as calculated by the hermetic rule, and bearing in mind that his parents married on May 16, 1861. In fact, at 12:12 PM on June 1, 1860 the Ascendant at Kraljevec was 24º48' Leo and the Moon was at 19º48' Libra in the sidereal zodiac. Applying the hermetic rule, this fits well with the computed birth data, and could have been the moment of etheric conception. If indeed it was, then the birth time has to be corrected from 11:15 PM, to 11:25 PM, to yield for this moment (considered as the planned moment of birth) an Ascendant at 19º34' Libra and the 25 Moon's position at 24º48' Leo in the sidereal zodiac, exactly fitting the hermetic rule. Given the open-endedness of the hermetic rule (e.g., in the case of Rudolf Steiner the Moon was at 18º Aries two weeks earlier on May 19, and was again at 18º Aries two weeks after June 1, on June 15, 1860), where several alternative dates of etheric conception are possible, how may we be certain that the correct date has been found? There are several viewpoints to be considered. First, it can happen that there is some indication of the approximate length of the embryonic period. It is rare that the parents know the exact date of the physical conception, but if it is known the etheric conception as determined by the hermetic rule must lie close to it in time. Sometimes there is an approximate indication, e.g., "the child was born one week premature". Such indications, when stemming from medical sources, usually reckon with a pregnancy of ca. 270 days, which means-if one week premature-an embryonic period of ca. 263 days. Here again the hermetic rule is given an approximate date around which the etheric conception must have taken place, in which case it is no longer a completely open-ended rule. Second, failing any indication whatsoever as to the length of the embryonic period, there is the argument of probability-approximately 270 days being the mean duration of a human pregnancy. In the example under consideration the interval from June 1 to February 25 amounts to 269 days, which is more probable than an interval of 255 days leading back to the date June 15 as a possible date of etheric conception. Likewise, 269 days is more probable than an interval of 283 days leading back to a possible date of etheric conception on May 19. Therefore the intervals of 255 days and 283 days yield the two next most probable dates of etheric conception after the most probable date of June 1, given by the hermetic rule-in this particular example-as dates when the Moon was at 18º Aries in the sidereal zodiac. The probability diminishes still further for an interval of 242 days (27 days less than 269) or 296 days (27 days more than 269) where, since the Moon makes an orbit of the sidereal zodiac in 27.32 days, the Moon was again at 18º Libra in the sidereal zodiac as it was on June 1, 269 days before the birthdate. According to the argument of probability then, June 1, 1860 was the most probable date for etheric conception in Rudolf Steiner's incarnation. 26 Probability is not the only consideration, however, as premature and overdue births do occur. If other indications are not present, then the third consideration-in order to decide between several possible dates of etheric conception-is the astrological validity of the planetary configuration at the moment of etheric conception. Thus the several possible planetary configurations at etheric conception yielded by the hermetic rule may be compared with the birth configuration for similarities. This comparison may be extended to include the death configuration in the case of the conception chart of a historical personality (assuming the date of death is known). Finally, if the previous incarnation is known through karmic research, then just as the birth chart can be compared with the hermetic and geocentric birth/death charts of the previous incarnation, so the conception chart may also be compared with them for similar aspects or planetary alignments in the sidereal zodiac. As an example of these considerations, let us look at the conception chart of Rudolf Steiner computed for June 1, 1860 from the point of view of its astrological validity. View Note that the word epoch denotes the horoscope for the moment of etheric conception. Here with the birth horoscope of Rudolf Steiner, for the sake of comparison with the epoch (conception) horoscope, where the fulfillment of the hermetic rule (interchange of Moon and Ascendant) can be seen between the two horoscopes: View [pdf "Rudolf Steiner B"] Most remarkable in the conception chart computed for June 1, 1860 is the exact geocentric conjunction of Venus and Jupiter. This striking relationship between Venus and Jupiter is taken up again in Rudolf Steiner's geocentric birth chart, where these two planets are more or less in exact opposition. This lends support to the astrological validity of the conception chart computed for June 1, 1860. Further, if the conception chart computed for June 1, 1860 is correct, then the Ascendant at Rudolf Steiner's birth has to be corrected from 17º25' Libra (computed for the stated birth time of 11:15 PM) to 19º35' Libra (computed as the birth time of 11:25 PM according to the hermetic rule). Now, the geocentric sidereal longitude of Saturn at 27 Rudolf Steiner's death was 19º33' Libra, so Saturn was exactly transiting (orb 0° 02') the degree of the zodiac computed to b e the Ascendant according to the hermetic rule. This lends considerable weight to the astrological validity of the Ascendant of 19º 35' Libra, which is the authentic Ascendant according to the hermetic rule if June 1, 1860 was the date of conception. This confirmation of a birth time of 11:25 PM with an Ascendant of 19º35' Libra is based on the concept of a transit, i.e., that at the moment of Rudolf Steiner's death there was an exact transit of Saturn over the position of the Ascendant at his birth. View [insert pdf "Rudolf Steiner b-d geo"] 1 B.L. van der Waerden, Science Awakening, volume II, p. 147. Hans Lewy, Chaldean Oracles and Theurgy, p. 146. 2 Wilhelm und Hans Georg Gundel, Astrologumena, p. 147. This corpus consisted of Greek astrological writings composed in Hellenistic Egypt-primarily in Alexandria-during the first two centuries B.C. Fragments of these writings were preserved and transmitted to later Greek astrologers. Common to the writings of the hermetic astrological corpus is that they are invariably attributed to the "ancient Egyptians"-including Hermes and also Nechepso and Petosiris among these venerable founding fathers of astrology. In the fragments attributed to Nechepso and Petosiris-written in the form of instructions from the priest Petosiris to the king Nechepso-there are some references to the hermetic rule. (See Robert Powell, Hermetic Astrology, volume I, Appendix I for an English translation of these fragments.) You may wonder why the astrological rule for calculating the horoscope of conception is referred to as the hermetic rule and not the rule of Petosiris, the named authority for this rule in each of the fragments stating this ancient astrological tenet. The reason for this appears to be the fact that Nechepso and Petosiris were regarded simply as mediators of the teachings of Hermes. Thus Hermes was recognized as the originator of this astrological rule, which then was entrusted to the "divine men" Nechepso and Petosiris. For example, Firmicus Maternus (4th Century AD) in his great work on astrology-the eight books of the mathesis-speaks of "most powerful Hermes" entrusting his secret to these "divine men". Similarly, a papyrus of AD 138 states that Nechepso and Petosiris "established" their teachings upon Hermes. Nechepso and Petosiris composed their astrological works in Egypt during the second century BC and fragments of these works-transmitted to later Greek astrologers-were collected by Ernst 3 28 shows that she knew this: My revered Master: Today. 1861 at 11:15 PM. . Rudolf Steiner's collaborator Elisabeth Vreede (1879-1943) translated the hermetic rule from Greek into German. 1921. from Eugenie von Bredow." (If the latter holds true. or whether he stated it as "less than an hour before midnight. clearly Alan Leo interpreted it to be 11:15 PM local time. Here it is not known whether Rudolf Steiner communicated this time as being exact. on the day which is actually the day of birth of your Individuality in this incarnation (whilst hitherto we always held it to be February 27). 4 A letter dated February 25. one of Rudolf Steiner's pupils in the Esoteric School. to cast a horoscope. I would like to express to you in true commemoration my warmest good wishes for your well-being . She encouraged my teacher Willie Sucher (1902-1985) to apply this rule in his astrological research. generally acknowledged as Rudolf Steiner's birthday.Riess.) The original horoscope cast in 1909 by Alan Leo for the incorrect date of February 27 was reprinted repeatedly until in 1980 the Dutch astrologer Jan Kampherbeek eventually published a correct horoscope. 1861. The time of Rudolf Steiner's birth (11:15 PM) was communicated to the theosophical astrologer Alan Leo by Rudolf Steiner himself. cast for February 25. . Alan Leo utilized this time and the date February 27. 29 . click here. they were born with the Sun in Pisces. is that a mistaken conception of the zodiacal signs has become widespread in the whole world (with the exception of India). where the tradition of Vedic astrology still holds to the original definition from ancient Babylon of the signs of the zodiac (nowadays known as the sidereal zodiac). From everywhere on the Earth. Now millions of people believe that they are born in a particular zodiacal sign. The Sun's location in the sidereal zodiac . For someone born on March 25 in the southern hemisphere it is accurate to say that they were born in the month of Libra in the tropical calendar . To give an example: someone born on March 25 generally believes that they are an "Aries". which originally was not a zodiac but a calendar. Apart from India. which was the predecessor of the tropical zodiac. The historical background to this is discussed at length in History of the Zodiac . The consequence of the adoption by western astrologers of the tropical zodiac. whereas in fact they were not born in that sign.in this example in the sign of Pisces for someone born on March 25 . whereas the Sun on March 25 is actually in Pisces . It is correct to say that someone born on March 25 in the northern hemisphere was born in the month of Aries in the tropical calendar.with the Sun in Pisces in the sidereal zodiac. However.click here to view the Sun's location in the signs of the sidereal zodiac throughout the yearly calendar cycle. which falls in the month of Aries at the beginning of spring in the northern 30 . the date March 25.Your zodiac sign is not what you think it is One of the reasons for offering the chart calculation service is to help clear up one of the most widespread scientific misconceptions of our time . as the cycle of the seasons (tropical calendar) is the reverse in the southern hemisphere of that in the northern hemisphere.concerning the definition of the signs of the zodiac.remains the same whatever the location on the Earth might be. the rest of the world has adopted the tropical zodiac of Greek astronomers in place of the original sidereal zodiac. looking up to the Sun it is located against the background of the same fixed star for everyone on the Earth at that moment in time. in terms of the sidereal zodiac. However. in other words: sidereal. it is the location of the Sun. Moreover. Since most people (with the exception of those living in India) have a mistaken conception of their zodiacal sign and their entire horoscope. it should be evident that also the horoscope is based on the relationship of our solar system to the background of the starry heavens . which means "of the stars". one can specify "tropical" or "sidereal" for all the variety of horoscopes offered . falls in the month of Libra (opposite Aries) at the beginning of autumn in the southern hemisphere. the chart calculation service is provided to enable one to know one?s true sign and horoscope. People using this chart calculation service are generally interested in knowing their sidereal sign and horoscope. which comprises the birth horoscope.hemisphere. And moreover. as shown conclusively by the research presented in Hermetic Astrology. etc. Moon and planets in the sidereal zodiac. Tychonic (hermetic).horoscopes of conception and birth: geocentric. heliocentric. volume I click here. From a consideration of the basic finding of Astrogeographia that there is a one-to-one correspondence between the starry heavens and the earthly globe. 31 . it is also possible to request one's tropical sign and horoscope. However. so below" (The law of correspondences attributed to the Egyptian initiate Hermes Trismegistus) Astrogeographia is a new science concerning the correspondence between stars in the heavens and earthly geographical locations such that each star is mirrored at a specific location on the Earth. we can see the same pattern of layout between the three pyramids of Giza with the three stars of Orion's Belt. The Orion Mystery). the lower star in Orion's Belt. One points directly to Orion's Belt . In fact. and also upon the ancient star wisdom of the Babylonians and Greeks.. Alnitak and the Great Pyramid at Giza "The pyramids exhibit stellar alignments: the bases are aligned meridionally (north to south) with the stars. just as the Great Pyramid at Giya corresponds to the star Alnitak. In light of Astrogeographia. so the city of Alexandria corresponds to the star Alnilam .Astrogeographia "As above. the ancient city of Ephesus (on the west coast of present-day Turkey) corresponds to the star Bellatrix marking the left shoulder of Orion. four horoscopes are generally drawn up for each person in hermetic astrology. This means that your horoscope . To learn 32 . [click here] HERMETIC ASTROLOGY Astrogeographia is applicable not only to places on the Earth but also to individual horoscopes..based on hermetic astrology . Correlating this star to the Great Pyramid." (Robert Bauval-Adrian Gilbert.more specifically to Al Nitak. The method of casting horoscopes in hermetic astrology is based on the teachings of Hermes from ancient Egypt.is different from the usual horoscope drawn up by contemporary western astrology. Moreover. The Great Pyramid has four shafts pointing meridionally towards important stars relating to the rebirth cult.Alnitak and Alnilam being two of the three stars in the belt of Orion. which enables the application of the law of Hermes to find the conception (epoch) horoscope that.the other two being the geocentric and the heliocentric/hermetic/Tychonic horoscopes of birth. 33 .more about this unique and comprehensive approach to understanding yourself. when computed from both the geocentric and the heliocentric/hermetic/Tychonic standpoint yields two of the four horoscopes mentioned above . consult the various entries on this website and make use of the chart calculation service or the Astrofire program. if one says: "I myself believe?"). also known as the life body. Hermetic astrology. as well as the soul activities of thinking. which is clearly identifiable and can be objectively described. as it can come to a characterization of something that is otherwise intangible. but also that which mediates between them and which is also of a subtle (invisible) nature: the etheric body. volumes I and II. What are the horoscopes relating to these four aspects of the human being? The next section of this website describes the significance of the two perspectives: heliocentric and geocentric.and this is where hermetic astrology is helpful. as described in Robert Powell's books Hermetic Astrology. feeling. each human being has a hermetic horoscope of birth as well as a geocentric birth chart. 34 .Horoscopes Old and New Traditional astrology works solely with the geocentric birth chart. and the astral body. This Tychonic perspective includes the heliocentric perspective and yet at the same time maintains the Earth at the center.because it is helio-geocentric . Therefore. Hermetic astrology includes the hermetic perspective of the ancient Egyptians in addition to the geocentric viewpoint that was the astrological perspective of the Babylonians. These four aspects are: the physical body. which is the bearer of the human being's instincts and passions. and the "I" (self) of the human being (as comes to expression. In contrast to the physical body. because it was the perspective of the ancient Egyptians. the nature of the "I" is spiritual and less easy to characterize . whereby the hermetic horoscope . the etheric body.includes the heliocentric horoscope. In addition there is the heliogeocentric viewpoint of the Tychonic (hermetic) perspective based on the astrological system of the great Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe (1546-1601). works with four birth charts for each person . Hermetic astrology takes into account not only the "I" and the physical body. for example.each horoscope relating to one of the four aspects of the human being. which is the case for the incarnated human being. The Tychonic viewpoint is also called hermetic. based on a deeper understanding of the different levels of the human being. The heliocentric perspective relates to the level of the Sun (Helios) and the geocentric to the level of the Earth (Ge or Gaia). and the will. the astral body. this clearly relating to the level of the astral body. also known as the epoch chart. relating to the four levels of the human being: hermetic conception horoscope geocentric conception horoscope geocentric birth horoscope hermetic birth horoscope physical body etheric body astral body "I" Upon request. respectively. our chart calculation service is able to compute all four of these charts - 35 . And the geocentric chart at birth. and the geocentric chart gives a picture of the primary impulse from the surrounding etheric cosmos on the building up of the etheric body. which is connected with the level of the Sun. In the course of research into the hidden and mysterious connections relating to the incarnation of the human being.gives a picture of the spirit seed of the physical body. which is the traditional astrological chart.a destiny that has been elaborated upon the descent through cosmic spheres on the way into incarnation. it has become evident that the two epoch charts (hermetic and geocentric) relate to the physical and etheric bodies.related to the level of the Sun . The conception (epoch) chart can also be cast from both the hermetic and the geocentric standpoints. Similarly the two birth charts (hermetic and geocentric) relate to the "I" and astral body of the human being. which is the bearer of the soul (sometimes called the soul body). At conception the hermetic chart . has always been called the map of the soul . reveals the goal of the incarnating human being as an "I" coming into a new incarnation upon the Earth in order to fulfill a destiny .In addition. At birth the hermetic chart. Against this background it is evident that every human being has four horoscopes. hermetic astrology applies the ancient Egyptian hermetic rule to determine the human being's conception chart. The planets also form geocentric aspects with one another .aspects being significant angles between planets. In the same way. 90° (square). the true zodiacal longitude of the Moon's Node is given in the charts computed by Astrofire. and then it moves direct (forward) again through the signs. Venus. and Tychonic (Hermetic) Charts Geocentric: Planetary positions as seen from the Earth Each day the positions of the Sun. which responds in the phenomena of nature such as the weather. rather than its mean position. Uranus.Features . Heliocentric. In the writings of the German astronomer Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) he puts forward that the aspects are perceived by the Earth soul. and in the case of a geocentric opposition the alignment is Planet A-Earth-Planet B. Neptune and Pluto change as they move through the zodiacal signs. The Descending (South) Node is exactly opposite in the zodiac. etc. Mercury. Mars. such as 180° (opposition). Conjunction (0˚) and opposition (180˚) between two planets are the most important aspects. Moreover. the alignment is EarthPlanet A-Planet B.Tychonic (Hermetic) Charts Geocentric. since these two aspects signify that an alignment of the two planets takes place. 120° (trine). The next most important aspect is the square (90° which takes place midway betwe en these two ). Jupiter. Sometimes a planet moves retrograde. alignments.the Moon's Ascending (North) Node that is given. In making use of the Astrofire chart calculation service (click here). Moon's Node. In the Astrofire chart service it is . one is requested to specify which aspects one would like to include in 36 .with regard to position of the Moon's Node in the chart . this being the point of intersection of the Moon's orbit with the Sun/Earth plane as it rises north of this plane. Saturn. where it is seen to move backward through the zodiacal signs. In the case of a geocentric conjunction between Planet A and Planet B. the human soul responds to the aspects imprinted into it at birth. Moon. the alignment is Sun-Planet A-Planet B. and the Aspect Set "Conjunction. Uranus. whereas the geocentric conception (epoch) chart reflects the etheric body . Square" is the default set. The planets in their movements around the Sun also form heliocentric aspects with one another . These heliocentric planetary positions are just as important for the incarnating human being as the geocentric planetary positions.see previous section (click here) for further explanation. whereas the heliocentric conception (epoch) chart reflects the spirit seed .significant angles between the planets as seen from the Sun.see previous section (click here) for further explanation of this. Opposition. click here. The human "I" responds to the heliocentric aspects imprinted into it at birth. Square" is the default set. The Astrofire chart calculation service enables also the heliocentric horoscope of conception (epoch) to be computed . However. The relationship of the "I" to the Sun is intrinsic to the whole astrological tradition. Opposition. 90° (square). and the Aspect Set "Conjunction. This is the horoscope of the "I" or self. which takes place midway between these two alignments. Mars.this is the horoscope of the spirit seed underlying the formation of the physical body. and in the case of a heliocentric opposition the alignment is Planet A-Sun-Planet B. The next most important aspect is the square (90° ). In making use of the Astrofire chart calculation service (click here).actually only very few astrologers have begun to cast the heliocentric birth horoscope. Heliocentric: Planetary positions as seen from the Sun Each day the positions of Mercury. one is requested to specify which aspects one would like to include in one's heliocentric chart. Neptune and Pluto change in relation to the Sun. Jupiter.). the Earth. 37 . The geocentric birth chart is a map of the soul and relates to the human being's astral body. the heliocentric planetary positions have to do with the "I" or self of the human being and how the "I" participates in the building up of the physical body through the spirit seed (for further elucidation regarding this. etc.one's geocentric chart. Venus. 120° (trine). Whereas the geocentric planetary positions relate to the level of the human being's astral and etheric bodies. In the case of a heliocentric conjunction between Planet A and Planet B. it is only since the birth of heliocentric astrology in the twentieth century that some . such as 180° (opposition). The heliocentric birth chart relates to the human being's "I". Saturn. the Ascendant. And it is striking that at the transfiguration of Christ on Mt. Nevertheless they are intrinsic to the heliogeocentric astronomical system of Tycho Brahe used in modern hermetic astrology. which are all geocentric. but instead of the Sun. If the hermetic viewpoint is adopted. volume I. and at the descent of Christ into the underworld after his crucifixion there was a hermetic conjunction of these two planets. In the Tychonic (hermetic) system. as in the Tychonic system. however. In the Tychonic horoscope.is a helio-geocentric system. at the same time. and also the other House Cusps. One important feature is that additional aspects arise in the Tychonic (hermetic) chart which are not found either in the geocentric or in the heliocentric horoscopes . the Tychonic (hermetic) horoscope treats the Earth as the center. For instance. in whose geocentric horoscope there is no relationship between the Moon and Mars. which is thus called the hermetic system. recognizing that .through Christ's sacrifice . the Earth is regarded as central. the aspects involving the Earth become modified to aspects involving the Sun. there is an exact hermetic conjunction of the Moon and Venus in the hermetic horoscope of Marilyn Monroe. Years of research show that the Tychonic (hermetic) chart is highly significant for an understanding of the human "I" or self. since the horoscope includes the positions of the Sun.Tychonic (Hermetic): Planetary positions are heliocentric. but the entire framework of the horoscope is geocentric.for example. since this is the perspective of the incarnated human being The Tychonic system . this viewpoint is essentially Christocentric. Tabor there was a hermetic opposition between the Moon and Venus. whereas Venus is otherwise unaspected in her birth horoscope. where the heliocentric movements of the planets are retained. 38 . the planetary positions are heliocentric. the hermetic aspects involving the Moon.named after the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe (1546-1601) who introduced it . Click here to read more about the Star of the Magi and the life of Christ in relation to the stars. the Moon. It is described at length in Robert Powell's Hermetic Astrology. which is also called the hermetic chart. Hermetic means "hidden" and the aspects of conjunction and opposition of the Moon to these heliocentric positions of the planets are indeed hidden for us. according to the change of perspective from the Sun to the Earth.the Earth has become the center in a moral and spiritual sense. and there is an exact hermetic conjunction of the Moon and Mars in the hermetic horoscope of Andy Warhol. as seen from the Sun. it also not possible to guarantee finding the correct astrological biography.as described. Astrofire produces a clear. Up until recently.provided that the correct astrological biography is found . one needs to know that the biography or spiral of life unfolds in a basic rhythm of seven-year periods during the course of a person's life. However. having found the conception (epoch) chart. The printout of the astrological biography also indicates the 39 . Following upon this and directly connected with it. however.this being a primary and unique feature of Astrofire not offered by any other astrological software.that it gives an amazing overview of the events of destiny in one's life. with examples. anyone who applies astrological biography to their own life will discover . volume II: Astrological Biography. tabular printout of the astrological biography showing which dates in life the planetary configurations during the embryonic period apply to. it is relatively easy to compute the astrological biography . Astrological biography is based on the discovery that there is a direct correspondence between the planetary configurations taking place during the embryonic period and the events that subsequently take place during the course of life between birth and death. which was discovered by Willi Sucher (1902-1985) in the 1930's. This correspondence. since the epoch is the starting point of the astrological biography. it is possible to look at the astrological significance of the entire embryonic period between conception and birth. in Robert Powell's book Hermetic Astrology. Now. one hindrance to applying astrological biography has been that it is too complex computationally. For. is the key to applying astrological biography as a science of destiny .Astrological Biography In this section of the website on the features of hermetic astrology. In order to apply this correspondence. several important new tools for the astrologer are discussed: relating to the calculation of Tychonic (hermetic) charts and also to the casting of horoscopes not only of birth but also of conception. with the Astrofire chart calculation program. Knowledge of this rhythm reveals profound and fascinating regularities-among them the discovery that stellar configurations during the embryonic period are reflected in the subsequent periods of life according to the basic rule that one lunar sidereal orbit during the embryonic period corresponds to one sevenyear period in life. the astrological biography is now described briefly. Just as it is not possible to guarantee that the correct conception (epoch) chart has been found. If requested. which is available not only for the geocentric planetary movements but also for the heliocentric orbits of the planets between conception (epoch) and birth. 40 . If one is able to provide information regarding the length of one's embryonic period. if requested. With this rectangular chart.where planets come into conjunction with one another and then separate again (in terms of the astrological biography).click here. This is a wonderful mandala with which to contemplate how. the Astrofire chart calculation service will provide you with your astrological biography . Lastly. and planetary. whereas the solar zodiacal periods in one's life change about every 7½ years. Upon request. the cosmos was at work shaping one on various levels. Astrofire can also provide you with a graphic display of your astrological biography showing the planetary movements that took place between conception and birth . one can see at a glance the nodal points in one's life . whether one was born on time (9 months.displayed around a circular image of the embryo. this is a considerable help in finding the correct conception (epoch) chart and therewith the correct astrological biography. during one's embryonic period. Astrofire can provide a rectangular chart of the planetary movements from conception to birth projected onto the timeline (seven-year periods) of the astrological biography. Note that generally speaking life does continue beyond the cut-off (average: age 70) of the astrological biography. which varies from person to person. the lunar zodiacal periods change every seven months. For example. including shaping the path of one's destiny. full term) or premature or overdue (and by how much). lunar.changing zodiacal periods in life: solar. depending upon the actual length of the embryonic period. The indication that the astrological biography extends from birth to age 70 is an average value. is thus often a propitious time for making decisions about one's destiny. At the time Rudolf Steiner was ill. of course. He never recovered from his illness. On this account it is customary to wish someone many happy returns. The configuration of the solar return at (or around) the time of one's birthday can be a source of inspiration in coming to 41 . embedded in the entire planetary configuration of the moment of the Sun's return. All in all. let us consider the solar return around the time of th Rudolf Steiner's 64 birthday. which was the last solar return on his life. that is." The Sun represents the "I" (self) . (plus five days) . representing this higher spiritual perspective.that is. the Sun. or the time around the birthday.click here if you would like to avail yourself of this service. and the horoscope cast for this moment is known as the solar return.click here to view this solar return. is able to ray in around the time of the birthday. the c onfiguration of this solar return is extremely potent. The planetary configuration of the solar return is shown in the outer circle and the birth horoscope is in the inner circle. "May you experience many more happy birthdays (when the Sun returns.Solar Returns Each year one celebrates one's birthday. can provide you with solar returns for any birthday(s) you request . the Sun at the solar return is transiting the Sun at birth (this is the definition of the solar return). The higher perspective offered by the Sun at this moment in time is. At the same time Neptune (27° Cancer) is tr ansiting the birth position of Jupiter (27° Cancer). The cosmic background to the celebration of the birthday is the fact that on or around one's birthday the Sun returns to the same position as where it was located at one's birth. having made one orbit of the zodiac between birthdays). if requested. often enabling new insights into the future unfolding of one's destiny.hence the significance of the heliocentric or hermetic horoscope. As an example. Moreover. The solar return is shown by the identical positions of the Sun in the two circles . since he died at the age of 64 years and one month. The intensity of this solar return is evident in the transit of Saturn (20½° Libra) to his birth Ascendant (19½° Libra) in opposition to Mars (20½° Aries) transiting his Desc endant (19½ Aries). The birthday. 1925. and death ensued on March 30. Astrofire. click here. apparent magnitude. These are known thanks to the star catalog included in Peter Treadgold's program Astrofire. class. This signifies an enormous expansion upon the astrology of the Babylonians. The Stars New Perspectives Finding one's birth star Astrogeographia and also the discovery of the significance of mega stars [click here] show that true star wisdom is a science that takes into account the entire celestial sphere and not just the stars comprising the signs of the zodiac. Thus. are the mega stars' longitudes in the sidereal zodiac. distance and luminosity of more than 4000 stars. information about the mega stars can be derived from Astrofire. Hitherto the modus operandi as to how the stars of the entire celestial sphere (and not just the zodiacal stars) send their influences into our solar system has remained hidden. Now. the meridian of the mega star Deneb. it is at last possible to know why every star in the heavens exerts an influence. Although Deneb is located 60° north of th e ecliptic.for example. who were focused primarily upon the passage of the Sun. Similarly. absolute magnitude. and that this influence proceeds along the star's meridian into our solar system via the point of intersection of that meridian with the ecliptic running through the center of the zodiac. through the knowledge of the stellar meridians. Whereas the exaltations were discovered to be stars or stellar clusters lying within the zodiacal belt . and five visible planets against the background of the fixed stars making up the twelve signs of the zodiac. intersects the ecliptic at 10½° Aquarius. whose luminosity is 270. Moon. 42 . the beautiful star cluster of the Pleiades at 5° Taurus was seen by the Babylonians to be the place of exaltation of the Moon . mega stars represent an extension from the exaltations discovered by the Babylonians. essentially.know one's destiny intentions on the level of the "I" (self) for the coming year.000 times that or our Sun. which is the most accurate of all star catalogs. latitude. type. The Astrofire star catalog. For example. which lists the longitude. is based on the Hipparcos catalog.the meridians which run through the mega stars circle around the entire celestial globe. in turn. For further information about Astrofire. whose measurements were made by the Hipparcos satellite between 1989 and 1993. For the use of mega stars in the context of a new star wisdom all that needs to be known. Matthew is the famous Garnet Star. 43 . the Sun was located at 10½° Aquarius and was therefore in c onjunction with the mega star Deneb even though the Sun and Deneb were 60° apart at this miraculous event.000) and is located 64° north of the ecliptic. at the miracle performed by Christ of the feeding of the 5000. or it can be far below (south of) the ecliptic.whenever the Sun or Moon or any planet is located at 10½° Aquarius. according to the Hipparcos catalog its luminosity is 46. The Garnet Star was the birth star of this Jesus child.the birth star lying on the meridian passing through the Sun at the moment of a person's birth. In this sense one can speak of a conjunction. which was t he exact location of the Sun at the birth of the child Jesus who was visited by the three magi. The meridian of the Garnet Star intersects the ecliptic at 15½° Pisces. It is a mega star many thousands of times more luminous than our Sun (estimates of its luminosity vary. husband of Cassiopeia and father of Andromeda. it is in conjunction with the Deneb meridian and is thus conjoined with the influence of Deneb. For example. In this way a person's birth star can be found . with its stellar energy flowing through that meridian. this red supergiant is one of the largest and most luminous stars that can be seen with the naked eye. so called because of its deep red color. and one of the exciting possibilities of the Astrofire program and the chart calculation service based on Astrofire is its use to determine one's birth star. the birth star of the child Jesus whose birth is described in the Gospel of St. The birth star may be at a considerable distance above (north of) the ecliptic. Located in the crown of Cepheus the Crowned King. For example. originated directly from a perception of 2 the flow of spiritual forces within the corresponding constellations. Antares at 15° Scorpio. In the sidereal zodiac the Pleiades are located at 5° Taurus. Correspondingly. For example. Thus. the two horns of the Bull are marked by the stars Elnath (28° Taurus) and Alhecka (30° Taur us). Looking at the constellation of Taurus. it can be seen that the star cluster of the Pleiades is located on the upper part of the neck of the Bull. Looking up at the signs embedded in the constellations . Therefore all references to the zodiac in the following are in 1 terms of the sidereal zodiac. is marked by the star Aldebaran at 15° Taurus. etc. In this sense. Aldebaran. The scientific definition of the zodiacal signs originated with the Babylonians who. which is the exact middle of the sign.). And the symbol (glyph) for any sign of the zodiac is based directly on the stars belonging to that zodiacal constellation. where the circle meets the crescent in the glyph. sideris) as they actually appear in the night sky. in the world's first star catalog. The midpoint of the sign. which is possible through the sidereal frame of reference. is at the center of the sign and the constellation of Taurus. marking the Bull's eye at 15˚ Taurus. which correspond to the tips of the crescent surmounting the sign of Taurus . specified the locations of the stars in each of the signs (Aldebaran at 15° Taurus. the circle passing through Aldebaran and the Pleiades in the region of the neck of the Bull is represented by the circular part of the glyph.Zodiacal Signs (Babylonian) The purpose of working with one's sidereal charts of conception and birth is to arrive at self knowledge and also to come to an experience of the living cosmos.in 44 . What is not generally realized is that all twelve signs of the zodiac represented by their glyphs . It is called the sidereal zodiac because it is based on the stars (Latin for star: sidus. since each sign is thirty degrees long.this crescent representing the horns of the Bull. Further. the signs truly are embedded in the constellations of the zodiac. let us consider how the zodiacal sign of Taurus is embedded in the constellation of the Bull. The signs are literally embedded in the zodiacal constellations. In the sidereal zodiac the twelve signs are defined in relation to the stars comprising the corresponding zodiacal constellations. star-gazing fashion . History of the Zodiac (San Rafael: Sophia Academic Press. 2 1 45 .embedded in the corresponding zodiacal constellations. By and large it is the tropical zodiac that is used in modern astrology. which was then introduced into Europe in the twelfth century AD.enables one to enter into the flow of spiritual forces comprising a sign as represented by its glyph. The creation of this resonance with a cosmic archetype is a matter of direct experience that grows in profundity in the course of time. The sidereal zodiac is the original zodiac of the Babylonians. In this way a direct experience of the being of a zodiacal sign is made possible. See also Robert's works The Sidereal Zodiac (co-authored with Peter Treadgold) and The Zodiac: A Historical Survey. Here it is a matter of considering the true origin of the zodiacal signs and how. A "conversation" with the stars of a zodiacal constellation begins. Egyptians. 2007). Romans. Here it is a matter of entering into a "heart relationship" with the stars. pages 230-237 depicts the zodiacal signs .the glyph being a portrayal thereof . Hermetic Astrology. Further material on the twelve signs of the zodiac is offered in the book Cosmic Dances of the Zodiac by Lacquanna Paul and Robert Powell. Volumes have been written about the signs of the zodiac. See Robert Powell's PhD thesis. one can come into a living connection with the signs. Robert Powell. in order for the heavenly conversation to take place. so that repeated stargazing enables one to come to ever deeper levels of comprehension of the spiritual nature of the zodiacal signs. Greeks. volume I. This experience is then intensified in the course of time through the continued practice of star-gazing. through star-gazing. and Hindus. thus attracting the essence of that sign creating a resonance with the sign in the heavens. The sidereal zodiac was used by astronomers and astrologers for almost one thousand years before it became replaced by the tropical zodiac used in Arabic astrology. with the exception of Hindu (Vedic) astrology that continues to use the sidereal zodiac. 46 . Therefore references to these planetary names are the same as those assigned 3 to Mercury and Venus by modern astronomy. 1 Hermes Trismegistus. let us consider the example of the sign of Taurus. as we seek to discover the relational qualities of the inner work of the decans. However. These same planetary rulerships are used in hermetic astrology. three de cans in each sign of thirty degrees. and Saturn are indicated as the rulers of the three decans of Taurus. The planetary rulerships describe the quality or mood of the subdivisions. For Hermes. This is offered by the subdivisions of the zodiacal signs which are called decans. The 36 decans are 10° subdivisions of the zodiac. Mars ruling the third decan of Pisces.). These planetary rulerships assigned to the decans by 2 Hermes were confirmed as valid by Rudolf Steiner. On this account. a further defining which describes the interiority or inner qualities of each of these vast regions proves to be helpful. with the exception of the interchange of Mercury and Venus. etc. To understand this. Mercury and Venus are interchanged throughout the decanal descriptions used in hermetic astrology and indicated below. and also for Rudolf Steiner.The Stars New Perspectives Decans (Egyptian) The Decans In the contemplation of the constellations/signs of the zodiac. This signifies that the planet called Venus in astronomical science is considered . Jupiter ruling the second decan of Pisces. the Moon.as the ruler of the first decan of Taurus. In this text the planetary rulers of the decans are indicated (Saturn ruling the first decan of Pisces. Mercury. The decans originated with the Egyptians and are referred to in an ancient text ascribed to the legendary teacher of the Egyptians.from a modern standpoint . esoteric Mercury was understood to be the ruler of the first decan of Taurus (having to do with the cosmic unfoldment of planetary evolution). in astronomical science Venus and Mercury are interchanged. Applying this method. Just as the human being has a subtle body of life energy which extends beyond the physical form. it is evident that the decan associations with extrazodiacal constellations given by the ancient tradition referred to by Frances Rolleston are by and large correct. The association is given by virtue of the constellation being located above or below the corresponding ten degree division (decan) of the sidereal zodiacal sign. as far as it is possible to assign only one decan to an extra-zodiacal constellation. The updated associations are listed below.given by the star's longitude in the sidereal zodiac . and the star cluster of the Pleiades (5 Taurus) is located at the center of the first Taurus decan ruled by Venus (esoteric Mercury). as we have seen. However. 47 . with the application of modern astronomy in determining the longitudes in the sidereal zodiac of the stars in our cosmos that the precise determination of an association of each decan with an extrazodiacal constellation is possible. the planetary rulerships of the decans referred to in hermetic astrology are the same as those indicated by Hermes and confirmed by Rudolf Steiner. Since the Pleiades are called the Seven Sisters. each of the 36 decans is associated with one or other of the 36 extra-zodiacal constellations as recorded in Ptolemy's 4 star catalogue in the Almagest. Aldebaran (15 Taurus) is at the center of the second Taurus decan ruled by the Moon. it is only now. For example. The methodology underlying the alignment of each star in the heavens with a particular location or meridian . According to an ancient tradition researched by Frances Rolleston in her work Mazzaroth. we can begin to have an understanding of the relationship of the constellations which inhabit the region that surrounds the zodiacal belt as an expression of the subtle body of the zodiac. given that it often occupies an area (longitudinally in the sidereal zodiac) much larger than simply one decan (10˚) of the zodiac. Apart from this detail of the interchange of Venus and Mercury. Only in a few instances is it necessary to refine and update the ancient tradition of decanal associations with extra-zodiacal constellations.Careful study of the mythology associated with the stars in each decan reveals the accurancy of this interchange. the rulership (influence) of this Pleiades decan by Venus can be felt as an experiential reality. the images which present themselves as constellations surrounding the zodiac bring to expression the qualities of the inner work of the decans. As we come into a greater awareness of the cosmic realm as a relational field.is described in detail in the section on mega stars (click here). Recent research findings concern the relationship of the greater cosmos to the signs of the sidereal zodiac. as the outer body of some constellations often comprises such a vast expanse in the heavens. the middle decan of the Ram. if we read the starry script that supports the region of the heavens identified as the central ten degrees of Aries. "The Enthroned Woman" stretches her starry body out as protectress of this region. which is said to be ruled by the Sun. because these are the regions whose cosmic stories most magnify their unique influences. Orion the Hunter extends below the third decan of Taurus and the first decan of Gemini.Sun .the Girdle of Andromeda second decan . which are above or below the 6 respective decans in terms of sidereal longitude.Mars . matchless in beauty and exalted in dignity". "the woman clothed with the Sun". This research reveals the reality of the greater cosmos as a living productive working body of spiritual significance. In several cases there are shared regions of influence . For Cassiopeia. Likewise.Cassiopeia 48 . and this comes to expression in the connection of the extra-zodiacal constellations with the decans. For example. described in chapter 12 of the Book of Revelation. the Sun. and Cassiopeia . the Ram first decan .Thus. these two decans are associated with both Auriga and Orion.e. In the light of cosmic correspondences. Therefore. however. i. Cassiopeia is revealed as a symbol for Sophia. Auriga is associated primarily with the third decan of Taurus and Orion is associated primarily with the first decan of Gemini. we 5 find an amazing correspondence. Aries.including the above example of the relationship between the second decan of Aries.is a complete list of the decans and their planetary rulers (allowing for the interchange of Mercury and Venus). Known in antiquity as the "queenly woman. Modern astronomy has made it possible to more accurately define this relational aspect through recording the light emanations from the individual stars. The following . their regions sometimes expand beyond a single decan.for example Auriga the Shepherd extends above the third decan of Taurus and the first decan of Gemini. and also the extra-zodiacal constellations they are associated with. the Twins first decan .Argo Navis ( the Ship Argo .Crater (the Cup) 49 .Mars .Eridanus (the River) third decan .Ursa Minor (the Lesser Bear .Mars . the Crab first decan .Venus .Ursa Major (the Tail of the Great Bear) third decan .Auriga (the Shepherd.Canis Major (the Greater Dog) third decan .Jupiter .the Flank of the Bear) Leo.Saturn . the Stern) second decan .Orion second decan .third decan .Sun .Ursa Major (the Greater Bear . the Bull first decan .the Neck of the Bear) third decan .Moon .Puppis.Moon .Sun .Canes Venatici (the Hunting Dogs) Virgo. the Virgin first decan .Saturn . the Lion first decan .Jupiter .Mercury . also called the Charioteer) Gemini.the Throne of Cassiopeia Taurus.Leo Minor (the Lesser Lion) second decan .Venus .Perseus second decan .Canis Minor (the Lesser Dog) Cancer.Mercury . Aquila (the Eagle) second decan .second decan . the Goat first decan .Ophiucus (the Serpent Bearer) Sagittarius.Sun .Jupiter .Lyra (the Lyre) Capricorn.Centaurus (the Centaur) Scorpio.the Sacrifice) second decan .Jupiter .Corona Australis (the Southern Crown) third decan .Mercury .Piscis Australis (the Southern Fish) 50 .Mercury .Saturn .Tail of the Serpent) Libra.Moon . the Archer first decan .Venus .Saturn .Mars .Corona (Northern Crown) and Crux (Southern Cross) third decan .Boötes (the Ploughman) second decan .Mercury .Sagitta (the Arrow) third decan .Mars .Moon . the Waterman first decan .Delphinus (the Dolphin) Aquarius.Sun .Hydra (the Serpent .Corvus (the Raven) third decan .Venus . the Scales first decan .Hercules third decan .Ara (the Altar) second decan . the Scorpion first decan .Lupus (the Wolf . Jupiter .Pegasus (the Winged Horse) Pisces. 6 51 . pages 103-112. Rudolf Steiner. discusses the interchange of Venus and Mercury. 1967. Ancient Myths.Cepheus (the Crowned King) third decan . volume I (Sophia Foundation Press: San Rafael. and also gives indications of historical personalities born in the various decans.Saturn . Hermetic Astrology. and pages 238-261 elaborates upon the decans and their planetary rulers. (Rudolf Steiner Press: London. 1972. and Ethelbert W. Neue astrologische Texte des Hermes Trismegistos ("New Astrological Texts of Hermes Trismegistus") (Gerstenberg Verlag: Hildesheim. 3 2 Robert Powell. 1974). 2007) offers further material relating to the decans and the mythologies of the corresponding extra-zodiacal constellations.Moon . 1978). 2007).Mars . Seiss.Cygnus (the Swan) third decan . the Fishes first decan .second decan . Mazzaroth (Weiser Books: York Beach / ME. 1971). CA.the Square of Pegasus (the Body of the Winged Horse) second decan . Cosmic Dances of the Zodiac by Lacquanna Paul & Robert Powell (Sophia Foundation Press: San Rafael. Frances Rolleston. has been expanded upon by the following authors: Alice A. who first published her work in 1865. Bullinger. 2001). The Gospel of the Stars both published by Kregel Publications: Grand Rapids / MI. Bailey. The Witness of the Stars and Joseph A. The Labours of Hercules (Lucis Press: New York and London.Venus . pages 57-58. 5 4 Cassiopeia's main stars create a large "W" in the night sky or an "M" according to one's viewing perspective (location) on the earth. The tradition of decans associated with extra-zodiacal constellations referred to by Frances Rolleston.Andromeda 1 Wilhelm Gundel. CA. shining in the sky together.practically all fundamental concepts and methods of ancient astronomy. ever-moving. Seeking favour of the twenty-eight-fold wondrous ones. This fact alone. and the 28 nakshatras in India. As in the Egyptian decan lists. three decans to a zodiacal sign. The Pleiades are the stellar determinants of Krittika. The Egyptian decans are of considerable antiquity. In other words. . After the introduction of the zodiac from Mesopotamia into Egypt not long after the founding of Alexandria in 332 BC. which have otherwise contributed so much to the material and artistic culture of the world. Similarly. can be traced back either to Babylonian or to Greek astronomy. each decan corresponding to 10° in a given sign.The Stars New Perspectives Nakshatras (Indian) The Nakshatras (Lunar Mansions) . the 36 decans (10° divisions) in Egypt. for the better or the worse. both the decans and the nakshatras were assimilated into the sidereal zodiac. the earliest nakshatra lists associate each lunar mansion with a presiding deity (seeTable below) . comprise a lunar zodiac marking the passage of the Moon 2 around the night sky. suffices to distinguish it from the 52 . none of the other civilizations of antiquity. the firmament. the 36 Egyptian decans became assimilated into the zodiac. The nakshatras are alluded to in the Vedas. first appearing on coffin lids around 2150 BC.for example. as the Indian lunar mansions are called. that the Pleiades are associated with the beginning of the lunar 4 zodiac (of 28 nakshatras). the first nakshatra in the Vedic lists. the deity of Krittika. In the course of time. the 28 Indian lunar mansions have a history dating back to around the beginning of the last millennium BC. Only into astrology were incorporated two remnants of pre-scientific astronomical lore from other than Mesopotamian or Greek background: the 36 Egyptian 1 "Decans" and the 28 Indian "Lunar Mansions" (nakshatras). I worship with 3 songs the days. is Agni. have ever reached an independent level of scientific thought. hasting in the creation. The 28 nakshatras. Three divisions of the twelve zodiacal constellations originated independently of one another: the sidereal zodiac (12 equal signs each 30° in length) in Babylon. . the Babylonian astronomers did draw an association between the Pleiades and the Moon. ascribing the "exaltation" of the Moon to this star cluster. 53 . and therefore the above Figure represents a schematic relationship of the 28 nakshatras in connection with the twelve signs of the Babylonian sidereal zodiac. In the Vedas the 28 nakshatras are not defined precisely in relation to the fixed stars. whose premier sign is marked by the stars of Aries. Interestingly. An exact definition of the lunar zodiac of nakshatras in relation to the Babylonian sidereal zodiac is not known. In order that the stellar determinants of each nakshatra may be readily found.Babylonian sidereal zodiac. nor are the nakshatras necessarily of equal length. however. the 28 nakshatras are assumed to be of equal length. although in Indian culture it was especially the ceremonial aspect of the nakshatras. with the 1 nakshatra. Krittika. that was important (see Table). The Moon passes through the zodiac of 28 nakshatras in one (sidereal) month of approximately 27 and one-third days. by Islamic astronomers. They were named manzils. the fixed stars belonging to each nakshatra are easily found.Krittika 12° TA 51' 2 12° 51' TA. according to tradition Gautama Buddha was born at the full Moon in the (lunar) month of Vaisakka. and Egypt. Generally the lunar synodic months in ancient Hindu culture were named after the nakshatra (or its neighbour) in which the Moon became full . Visakha. Greece. whose stellar determinants are the "balance pans" Alpha and Beta Librae.each 12° 51'26" long. The use of lunar asterisms in astronomy and astrology is evident not only in India but also in China. with each nakshatra being sacred to some deity. beginning at 0° Taurus in the Babylonian zodiac.Mrigasiras 08° 34'GE 54 .for example. th when the full Moon stood in the 14 nakshatra. spending approximately 24 hours in each nakshatra. The zero point of the lunar zodiac is here defined to coincide with 0° Taurus not only fo r the sake of convenience but also because this choice yields a close agreement with the known stellar determinants of nakshatras (see Table below).Rohini 25° TA 43' 3 25° 43' TA. Arabic verses in which weather lore is related to the full Moon in a given manzil reflect a similar usage of the manzils by the Muslims to that of the nakshatras by the Hindus. In the course of this "nakshatra month" the Moon becomes full in a particular nakshatra. Using the above Figure in conjunction with the reconstructed Babylonian star catalogue (Appendix 1 in Robert Powell's History of the Zodiac). that is. Table The 28 Nakshatras and Their Deities Ecliptic Longitude Nakshatra Vedic Deity Zodiac Sign Abbreviations Agni Prajapati Soma Aries AR (Ram) Taurus TA st 1 00° 00' TA. Persia. Purvaphalguni 25° LE 43' 10 25° 43' LE.Aslesha 00° LE 00' 8 00° 00' LE.Jyestha 25° SC 43' 17 25° 43' SC.Anuradha 12° SC 51' 16 12° 51' SC.Svati Sarpah (the Cancer CN Serpents) Pitarah (the (Crab) Fathers) Aryaman Bhaga Savitar Tvastar* Vayu Indra Agni Mitra Indra Nirrti* Leo LE (Lion) Virgo VI (Virgin) Libra LI and (Scales) Scorpio SC (Scorpion) Sagittarius SG 14 17° 09' LI.Uttarashadha 04° CP 17' 20 04° 17' CP.Chitra 04° LI 17' 13 04° 17' 17° LI 09' LI.Ardra 21° GE 26' 5 21° 26' GE.Punarvasu 04° CN 17' 6 04° 17' CN.Abhijit 17° CP 09' 21 17° 09' CP.Visakha 00° SC 00' 15 00° 00' SC.Ecliptic Longitude Nakshatra Vedic Deity Zodiac Sign Abbreviations Rudra Aditi Brhaspati (Bull) Gemini GE (Twins) 4 08° 34' GE.Magha 12° LE 51' 9 12° 51' LE.Hasta 21° VI 26' 12 21° 26' VI.Pushya 17° CN 09' 7 17° 09' CN.Mula 08° SG 34' 18 08° 34' SG.Purvashadha 21° SG 26' 19 21° 26' SG.Uttaraphalguni 08° VI 34' 11 08° 34' VI.Sravana 00° AQ 00' 22 00° 00'AQDhanistha Apah (the (Archer) Waters) VishveDevah Brahma Vishnu Vasavah Capricorn CP (Goat) Aquarius AQ (Water-Bearer) 55 . the nakshatras became redefined.Ecliptic Longitude 12° 51'AQ Nakshatra Vedic Deity Zodiac Sign Abbreviations (the Vasus) Varuna* Pisces PI (Fishes) 23 12° 51' AQ. p.V. 205. beginning at 0° Taurus in the Babylonian sidereal zodiac.i (translated by Whitney.Purvabhadrapada Aja Ekapad 08° PI 34' 25 08° 34' PI. which are duplicates in Kane's list and are therefore replaced by the deities listed by Paul-Emile Dumont in his article "The Istis to the Nakshatras. probably in the second century AD. The Vedic deities are those given by P. p.Asvini 17° AR 09' 28 17° 09' AR. 501-504. volume V.Bharani 00° TA 00' Pusan Asvinau (the 2 Asvins) Yama See the above Figure for the schematic definition of the lunar nakshatras in relation to the Babylonian zodiac as indicated in this Table.Uttarabhadrapada Ahi 21° PI 26' Budhniya 26 21° 26' PI. with the exception of certain of Dumont's renderings (given in parentheses). but it is possible that their date of composition lies anterior to 800 BC. p. 3 4 After the introduction of the zodiac into India. pp. This definition conforms well with the stellar determinants of the nakshatras. 1.Satabhisaj 25° AQ 43' 24 25° 43' AQ. 1 Otto Neugebauer. 6. each 12° 51'26" long. 906). with marking 56 . Otherwise the two lists are identical. History of Dharmasāstra (1962)." in Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society 98 (1954). volume I.7. History of Ancient Mathematical Astronomy. with the first nakshatra.Revati 04° AR 17' 27 04° 17' AR. except those marked with an asterisk (*). Kane. It is assumed that the nakshatras are of equal length. Asvini. and with the stellar determinants of the corresponding manzils. Krittika. 2 There is some controversy over the dating of the Vedas. Arthava-veda Samhita XIX. stars Beta and Gamma Arietis. leaving 27 nakshatras in the later Indian astronomy from around the second century AD onwards. and one of the nakshatras became discarded. became the premier nakshatra. 57 . Of course. Whereas Vega is the fifth brightest star that we can see in our cosmos. but there is no limit to the number of stars that can be assigned a number. The Flamsteed numbers proved useful. Deneb is a first magnitude star (apparent magnitude 1. The Flamsteed catalog (which includes the stars in the Bayer catalog) is more or less sufficient in terms of exploring the visible cosmos. because one eventually runs out of Greek letters. in order of right ascension. The famous Bayer catalog of stars was compiled in 1603 by Johann Bayer. In order to illustrate the notion of mega stars.Mega Stars With the inclusion of the decans and the extra-zodiacal constellations corresponding to them. Here the word cosmos is used in the Greek sense of the word to encompass the entire visible universe. as recent research indicates. Deneb is the nineteenth brightest in terms 58 . The mega stars are exceedingly bright stars and. But for the purpose of exploring the sidereal influences at work in our cosmos (our local region of the galaxy) the combined Bayer-Flamsteed catalog is more or less sufficient . usually in descending order of apparent brightness (but he was not always consistent in this). that also need to be taken into consideration. they are of extraordinary importance. which can be referred to as mega stars. which marks the tail of the Swan (or the head of the Northern Cross) and which can be seen on high during summer nights in the middle of the Milky Way. In the early 1700s John Flamsteed assigned numbers to the bright stars in each constellation. whose third point is marked by Altair in the constellation of the Eagle. the whole celestial sphere is opened up as a field of research. with the development of more and more powerful telescopes."more or less" because there is an interesting group of stars. Both the Swan and the Lyre were sacred to Apollo.25). Recent research reveals the significance of the most luminous stars (mega stars) in our cosmos. which appears less bright than its neighbor Vega in the constellation of the Lyre. let us consider the star Deneb. and both Deneb and Vega are of great significance in relation to our solar system. This includes all stars visible to the naked eye. Deneb and Vega mark two points of the summer triangle. who assigned Greek letters to the brightest stars visible in each constellation. more and more stars in our galaxy have now been catalogued. it would follow that the intrinsic brightness (luminosity) of Vega would be nine times (3x3) that of Sirius. It is because Sirius is so close. Vega would blaze down upon us with a light over fifty times brighter than that of our Sun.in other words.it would be seen by us to be 24 times brighter. a fifth Sun. is the brightest star we can see. Vega at 25 light years is three times the distance of Sirius. neither Vega nor Sirius is a mega star. all bunched together as 24 Suns. In other words. We can ask the question: How bright is Sirius objectively? In other words. In other words Sirius. would appear 24 times brighter.of apparent magnitude. in comparison with other stars.as the fifth brightest star .000. where one light year is the distance travelled by light during the course of one year.000 times more powerful than our 59 . up to a 23 Sun. Vega . If we imagine a second Sun alongside our Sun. From our perspective our Sun is an extremely bright star. we are now in a position to understand why Deneb is a mega star. Sirius. If Vega would appear to us to be just as bright as Sirius then. of course.is a close neighbor. if it were to be placed alongside our Sun. how bright would it appear in comparison with our Sun? This leads us to the concept of luminosity. which measures a star's intrinsic brightness. Vega's luminosity is 51. These distances are so vast that a special cosmic unit for measuring them has been devised: light years. a rd fourth Sun. However. To gain an understanding of the enormous distances involved.appears a lot less bright to us than Sirius. so that if the Earth were revolving around the star Vega as our Sun. which would blaze down upon us with the light of 24 of our Suns. because the intensity of light decreases proportionately to the square of the distance. If the luminosity of our Sun is set at the value one (L=1).8½ light years away (amounting to some fifty trillion miles) . However. Deneb is shining with a light 270. we need only consider that Sirius . Having specified luminosity. if Sirius were our Sun . whereas Deneb is. then the luminosity of Sirius is 24 (L=24). then a third Sun. However. that it appears so bright. we gain a conception of the luminosity of Sirius. the luminosity of Vega (L=51) is a little more than twice that of Sirius. if the Earth were revolving around Sirius . if we were to place Sirius alongside our Sun. How may this be understood? Our grasp of the surrounding cosmos is changed immediately when we consider the distance of stars from our solar system. Deneb is over 3200 light years distant from our solar system and its luminosity L=270. In fact. Let us consider this in the light of Rudolf Steiner's indication that.this is its latitude.in the human being.t his is Deneb's longitude. seen in the light of astrosophy. the entire celestial sphere becomes astrosophically significant.lines of energy flow ." From these words it is clear that it was not mere coincidence that there was a conjunction between the Sun and the mega star Deneb at the feeding of the 5000. In this and other examples. that all which Christ Jesus did took place.Sun. the place of intersection indicating the point of influx of the energy flow from our cosmos into our solar system. with the Sun crossing the Deneb meridian at the time of the miracle. Looking up at Deneb. and so whenever the Sun or any pl anet in our solar system crosses the Deneb meridian at 10½° Aquarius. the Deneb energy flows in to unite with that planet or with our Sun. Even though the Sun and Deneb were 60° ap art in terms of latitude. "It was always in accordance with the collective Being of the whole Universe with whom the Earth is in 2 harmony. Focussing upon the meridians as energy lines flowing through every star. we see that it is 60° North of the zodiac . Thus. it intersects the sidereal zodiac at 10½° Aquarius . these meridians exist also in the greater cosmos of the macrocosm.) Astrosophically speaking. Here the word "conjunction" means a conjunction in longitude. Deneb well illustrates the significance of mega stars. if there are meridians in the human being. As may be understood from the law of correspondences "as above. a mega star is a star that is many thousands of times more luminous than our Sun. According to the research presented in Robert Powell's book Chronicle of the Living Christ. (Here energy is to be understood as the Divine Energy or Divine Love radiating from the stars. there was a conjunction of the Sun with Deneb at Christ's feeding of the 5000. they must exist also "above" in the cosmos. 60 . but that the cosmic forces streaming from Deneb were received by our Sun and transmitted to Christ at the time of the miracle of the multiplication of bread and fish. For Deneb this point of influx is 10½° Aquarius. although of course latitude is important in order to physically locate a star. we can picture an energy flow streaming from each star and intersecting the zodiac. both at 10½° Aquarius. so below". If we trace an arc down from the ecliptic pole through Deneb. Just as there are meridians . there was still a conjunction in longitude. Thus. at the feeding of the 5000 the Sun 1 was at 10½° Aquarius. stellar latitude is disregarded. our consciousness is expanded to see the Sun. Cuneiform tablet VAT 7851 shows the Moon at exaltation in conjunction with the Pleiades in Taurus. but to include all the stars in the heavens.Spica. with Aldebaran at 15° Taurus and Antares at 15° Scorpio . and so in modern astrology the Moon's exaltation is said to be 3° Taurus when in fact. For the Egyptians and the Babylonians the sidereal zodiac provided the natural frame of reference for observing the passage of the planets (meaning "wandering stars") against the background of the fixed stars. the Babylonians found that the Moon's most powerful location (exaltation) in the entire zodiac was when the Moon was in conjunction with the star cluster of the Pleiades in the neck of the Bull (5° Taurus). the B abylonian tradition which located the positions of the planetary exaltations was not so exact. it is 5° Taurus.this being the original definition of the zodiac. Now. led to the discovery of the exaltations as the most potent stellar locations of the planets in the zodiac. because Jupiter's exaltation point is 12½° Cancer. that the background of the fixed stars was divided into twelve equal constellations/signs of the zodiac. the astrological tradition that Jupiter's exaltation is 15° Cancer is erroneous. the Babylonians discovered Jupiter's exaltation to be in conjunction with the star cluster of Praesepe in Cancer (12½° Cancer). near the end of Virgo. for example. Likewise. in conjunction with Praesepe (the Beehive). It is thanks to the clairvoyance of the Babylonian astronomer/priests. The clairvoyance of the Babylonians. the entire celestial sphere. with the development toward a new star wisdom or astrosophy. each 30° long. these being generally identified with stars or star 3 clusters in the zodiac. focussed upon the passage of the planets against the background of the fixed stars.in relation to the original Babylonian and Egyptian astronomy/astrology based on the ancient sidereal zodiac . For example. Each of the fixed stars in the twelve signs was assigned a degree in longitude in the zodiac . The teaching of the exaltations has been fundamental in the history of astrology. in conjunc tion with the Pleiades (the Seven Sisters).to include the entire celestial sphere. 61 . through the guidance in the sixth century BC of the great Persian initiate Zaratas (Greek: Zoroaster).Astrosophy signifies a broadening . Thanks to the star-gazing Babylonians the exaltations of the planets were discovered. However. Moon and planets not just in relation to the constellational background of the signs of the sidereal zodiac. was found to have a zodiacal longitude of 29° Virgo. Again. To read more about mega stars. For astrosophy all that needs to be known. The mega stars could be thought of as indicating astrosophical exaltation points. there still remains much research to be done to investigate the individual nature and influence of these most luminous stars. when Christ descended into incarnation in Jesus. distance and luminosity of more than 4000 stars. Thus. The research that has been carried out thus far indicates that the mega stars are even more significant than the stars or star clusters marking the zodiacal locations of the astrological exaltations. the meridians which run through the mega stars circle around the entire celestial globe. page 170. Mega stars thus represent an extension from the exaltations discovered by the Babylonians. "It was always in accordance with the collective Being of the whole Universe with whom the Earth is in harmony. drawing attention to their significance in relation to the Christ events. is the mega stars' longitudes in the sidereal zodiac. where the Divine Energy flowing from the extraordinarily luminous star 1 Mega was transmitted to our Sun and from our Sun to Christ . there was a conjunction of the Sun with 1 Mega at the baptism in the Jordan. From this and other examples. class. the significance of the mega stars becomes evident. essentially.reveals that the most important heavenly meridians are those running through the mega stars. (Anthroposophic Press: Gt. Of course. latitude. Chronicle of the Living Christ. absolute magnitude. Barrington / MA. apparent magnitude.remembering Rudolf Steiner's words quoted above. Thus. At the moment of the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan. Whereas the exaltations were discovered to be stars or stellar clusters lying within the zodiacal belt. the Sun at 0°50' Libra was 4 located on the meridian of 1 Mega. information about the mega stars can be derived from Astrofire . type. the Christian Star Calendar now refers to mega stars. There are numerous other examples of conjunctions of the Sun with mega stars at the Christ events indicating the remarkable significance of mega stars. 1996). that all which Christ Jesus did took place" . 62 . For this reason. with Robert Powell's discovery of the mega stars in the year 2003.click here if you are interested in learning more about Astrofire. These are known thanks to the star catalog included in Peter Treadgold's new program Astrofire.Research into the planetary configurations during the life of Christ inspired by the words from Rudolf Steiner quoted earlier that. which lists the longitude. click here 1 Robert Powell. Barrington / MA. volume I. 1992). Robert Powell. Spiritual Guidance of the Individual and Humanity (Anthroposophic Press: Gt. 4 63 . 225-230 discusses the astrological tradition of planetary exaltations originally called qaqqar nisirti ("places of secret revelation") by the Babylonians. Hermetic Astrology. page 28.000.2 Rudolf Steiner. It is 56° South of the zodiac and has a lo ngitude in the sidereal zodiac of 0° 24' Libra. 3 This is the designation of this star in the Astrofire program. 1 Mega is located in the southern hemisphere constellation of Centaurus the Centaur. pp. It is just under 60 00 light years away and has a luminosity of over 77. that of the Babylonians. As described in the Gospel of St. as many people believe. The sign of the Son of Man in heaven points to the working of Christ as the Aquarian Waterman. The Waterman can be looked upon as a cosmic symbol of the etheric body in the human being. the Age of Pisces will come to a conclusion in the year 2375. From the exact definition of the zodiac given in History of the Zodiac. after the lapse of one period of Christ's life. in 1933 the presence (parousia) of Christ etherically became tangible for earthly humanity. This refers to the beginning of the Age of Aquarius. (The date given in the American Sidereal Ephemeris is 2376. which is when the vernal point will pass into Aquarius from Pisces. So the sign of the Son of Man in heaven is the Waterman. We are now living in the period between the start of the 64 .as the Age of Christ's Second Coming.Aquarian Age and New Age Son of Man is a new designation for Christ in the Gospels. Thus the Waterman in the human being is the etheric body.) This means that the present New Age is not to be identified with the Age of Aquarius. after the lapse of one period of thirty-three-and-a-third years (the length of the life of Christ). the disciples asked. it has to do with the entrance of the vernal point into Aquarius. however. it is possible to calculate precisely the start of the Age of Aquarius to the year 2375. 1899 can be likened to the dawn and 1933 to the sunrise of the Age of the Second Coming. given in History of the Zodiac. This is the closing of the age. and for him it had a definite connotation . As is evident from the definition of the original zodiac. Matthew. when the guiding forces of civilisation will work from the sidereal sign of Aquarius just as they now work from Pisces. That there is. The etheric organism is that which lives in the watery element within us. the start of the New Age in 1899 coincided with the beginning of the entry of Christ into the earth's etheric aura and. a relationship between the New Age and the Age of Aquarius emerges from the following considerations. the New Age. "What will be the signs of the close of the age?" In this connection Christ speaks about the appearance of the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. the onset for humanity in 1933 of a new working-in of Christ in his etheric body. Rudolf Steiner was one of the first people to use the expression New Age. He indicated the date 1899 as the beginning of the New Age and. Thus. The starting point taken by Rudolf Steiner .160 years. Here there is a speeding-up of time.New Age in 1899 and the commencement of the Aquarian Age in 2375.000 years and the preceding Yuga lasted 10.500 years. Therefore the Age of Aquarius will last slightly longer (136 years) than the New Age.500-year period. It is simply that Rudolf Steiner's statement concerning the length of Kali Yuga (5. 65 .000 years. From 1899 to 4399 is a 2. lasts only 2. bronze. extending from 2375 to 4535. will last until the year 4399. Kali Yuga. the New Age. Kali Yuga. it is important to distinguish between the New Age and the Age of Aquarius. However. in which the Kali Yuga is said to last for 432. approximately.C. If one follows the Hindu chronology. In other words.000 years given by Hindu sources. was a time during which human consciousness began to become increasingly cut off from spiritual realms.500-year period for the New Age. and iron. because the following Yuga.000 years) is very different from the period of 432. the Age of Light (Satya Yuga) is also Rudolf Steiner's indication. it has to be borne in mind that the Yuga dates given here are based on Rudolf Steiner's indications and are not those of the Hindu tradition itself. the close of the New Age (Satya Yuga) coincides more or less with the end of the Aquarian Age. According to Hindu chronology. silver. was the fourth Yuga. 1899 signified the end of the 5. Clearly. To summarize: New Age: 1899-4399 Aquarian Age: 2375-4535 Present period (up to the start of the Aquarian Age): 1899-2375. Kali Yuga lasted 5. the Dark Age.000-year period of history known as Kali Yuga. as noted above. the Age of Aquarius will last 2. each Yuga or age being characterised by a metal: gold. or as historians would say 3102 B. On the other hand. Thus the New Age comprises the present period from 1899 up to the start of the Aquarian Age plus the Aquarian Age.3102 BC (written astronomically as -3101) . Here it would help to call to consciousness what the extent of the New Age is. which started in 1899. The 2.000 years. which can be simply translated as the Age of Light or Age of Truth. In Hindu terminology the New Age is called Satya Yuga. also known as the Iron Age. differing only by 136 years.agrees with the Hindu tradition for the start of Kali Yuga. which started in 1899. which started in the year -3101. Following Steiner's indications. the present Yuga. Matthew as the period of tribulation preceding the appearance of the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. Thus. Matthew and in the Gospel of St. Thus we are approaching the Age of Aquarius as a time of awakening to the etheric. has its effect upon nature. famine. there is a reality to the predictions for natural catastrophes . when new cosmic forces will begin to work here on the earth. epidemics. The signs of this period of tribulation spoken of by Christ in the Gospel of St. which in turn is connected with the etheric realm of nature. entailing an awakening to the Earth Mother and her kingdom. and an awakening through Christ and Sophia to the etheric. Luke are war. What is the significance of this? At the start of the Age of Aquarius.that are being made. At the same time there will be extraordinary blessing coming through nature toward human beings who open themselves to receive the grace of the Etheric Christ. associated with the etheric body of the human being. The reality is that. designated in the orient as Shamballa. the possibility exists. earthquakes. and "great signs in heaven".earthquakes.the present period of tribulation . having to do with the elemental realms. through connecting with the event of the Second Coming. everything that he or she does.through the renewed working of Christ's etheric body in the New Age. of awakening already to the etheric world. natural catastrophes will be called forth. and so on . natural catastrophes will take place.Against this background it emerges that it is precisely the present period which is referred to in the Gospel of St. there will be a general awakening to the etheric realm. In the time preceding this . This means that the human being's soul life works in such a way that if it is not harmonious. It is a struggle between materialism working to bind consciousness to the physical. through humanity's separation from nature. A positive development is the awakening in the ecology movement to the realisation that everything within the human being. symbolised by the Waterman. All the trials and tribulations of the present time are connected with this conflict. working to cut humanity off from the etheric world and to blot out any experience of the Second Coming of Christ. through humanity's misdeeds. The etheric forces will be stimulated during the Age of Aquarius. This is the struggle that is taking place at the present point in time. 66 . On the other hand the power of materialism is growing stronger and stronger. who is working for those who are striving to become spiritually conscious in this age of tribulation. As it is expressed in the Gospel of St. and who are endeavouring to bring their own soul life into inner harmony. one will then be able to behold Christ in his etheric form . and they will behold him.The possibility exists everywhere where there are people who are seeking to awaken to a new consciousness of nature. This vision will one day appear to every human being. Scotland: Etheric Dimensions Press. (Rudolf Steiner." This indicates the general awakening to the Second Coming of Christ in the Age of Aquarius. 2005. Yet there is the possibility of awakening to this already now. with the elements. to awaken to Mother Earth. and the task of humanity to find the right path together with Christ. He will appear in spirit form. This possibility is given by Christ.) 67 . only the Father knows the day and the hour . This outline of a new Christian wisdom of the stars can help to give some understanding of the task for the future. Concerning the History and Content of the Higher Degrees of the Esoteric School. he is coming with the clouds.as it says in the Gospel." And as it says in the first chapter of the Book of Revelations: "Behold. the task of a healthy evolution for the earth. and all peoples of the earth will lament on account of him. Argyll. When one understands the Mystery of Golgotha.with the "clouds." that is to say. If one then gazes up at the clouds and sees the lightning flashing from them. and through this event. 369=370. pp. and every eye will see him. all the tribes of the earth will mourn. whether it is sooner or later. that is the only thing that enables us to experience the whole of nature morally. 1904-1914. to counteract the influences of chaos arising in the world. Matthew: "When the sign of the Son of Man appears in heaven. D. 2005. For more than a quarter of a century I have occupied myself with the science of the stars as a science of reincarnation and karma. eurythmy therapist. There I was awarded the title of Ph. Resulting from this research. volume I. and in the year 2007 my thesis was published under the title of History of the Zodiac. and astrologer Robert Powell has discovered a rule which stands out significantly from various positions in so far as this discovery can be reconstructed . on March 3. . and that linked to this is a "science of karma".. Heinz Herbert Schöffler referred to the first rule in his book Rudolf Steiner und die Astrologie ("Rudolf Steiner and Astrology"). I embarked upon a thirtyyear odyssey of research into the origins of astrology. 68 . This rule is discussed in detail in Chapter 6 of Hermetic Astrology. After a six-year teaching career in mathematics at England's Brighton University (formerly Brighton Polytechnic).Astrology and Reincarnation There exists a star wisdom-a "science of the stars"-which one needs to understand karma. The mathematician. In my two volumes on Hermetic Astrology [click here] the first two "rules" of astrological-reincarnation research were initially published. let us 1 call this rule "Powell's rule. calling for an indepth look that we will begin here. The first rule relates to the angular relationship between the Sun and Saturn at death in one incarnation and how this angle-sometimes in a metamorphosed form-repeats itself at birth in the following incarnation.. The second rule is extremely important for grasping the new science of the stars as a science of reincarnation and karma. . I wrote my thesis on the "History of the Zodiac" for submission to the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw. What does the second astrologicalreincarnation rule state? The sidereal zodiacal position(s) of h-Mercury and/or h-Venus at birth in one incarnation tend(s) to align with the sidereal zodiacal position(s) of h-Mercury and/or h-Venus at death in the preceding incarnation. 69 . See Hermetic Astrology. 106-107. Appendix IV [click here] for examples of the application of the two rules of astrological reincarnation.The designation "h" signifies heliocentric (hermetic/Tychonic). 1 Heinz H. Rudolf Steiner und die Astrologie. pp. so the second rule refers to the heliocentric (hermetic/Tychonic) positions of Mercury and Venus in the sidereal zodiac. Schöffler. the sidereal zodiac is the authentic astrological zodiac. and therefore the heliocentric (hermetic/Tychonic) horoscope is an astrological reality needing to be taken into consideration along with the traditional geocentric horoscope. And an alignment occurs either on the same side of the zodiac (conjunction) or on the opposite side (opposition). volume I. that the heliocentric (hermetic) planetary positions are significant. There are two major implications of this second rule of astrological reincarnation: 1. and 2. one can even identify the day or rather the evening of his birth. So they set off to seek the newborn king there. On that evening the three Magi were gazing up to the heavens and saw the shining orb of the Full Moon in the Virgin. These two planets Jupiter and Saturn met three times during the course of the year 7 B. The Full Moon in the middle of the Virgin was the sign of the birth. As we know. and on the other side the grapes symbolising the wine.. It is a remarkable thing that a tablet has been excavated from Babylon which shows that the Babylonian priesthood had actually computed this particular day. And they also knew from the Babylonian tradition that the Persian king Cyrus the Great had freed the people of Israel in order that they could go back and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. March 5 in the year 6 B.C.C.C. This led to the massacre of the Innocents. they made the mistake of going to King Herod and asking him the whereabouts of the newborn king. which is the date he arrived at for the birth of Jesus. which took place on the evening of March 5 in the year 6 B.The Star of the Magi As I have described in Chronicle of the Living Christ and also in Christian Hermetic Astrology: The Star of the Magi and the Life of Christ.C.C.C. It was the evening of the Full Moon in Virgo. They beheld the disc of the Moon and saw the radiant soul of the child descending toward them. On the one side of the Virgin they saw her holding the bread symbolised by the ear of corn. The three kings believed that he must have been born in Jerusalem. the background to the Star of the Magi we find in Babylonian astrology and astronomy. It was this great vision that led them to know that on this night Jesus was born on Earth. This was the computational side of what 70 . And they had computed in advance the meeting of Mars and Jupiter on March 5. coming down to the Earth. 6 B. and Saturn were very close together in the month of March. 6 B. Kepler computed that they were joined by the planet Mars. On that very day there took place the conjunction between Mars and Jupiter. Jupiter. What was it that the Magi saw in the heavens? He came to the conclusion that the Star of the Magi was connected with the threefold conjunction between the planets Jupiter and Saturn in the constellation of Pisces in the year 7 B. Already the German astronomer Kepler tried to identify what the Star of the Magi was. so the three planets Mars. If one follows this up. this being the birth horoscope of the child Jesus whose birth is described in the Gospel of St. 71 . Click here to see the horoscope of the Star of the Magi .the Magi experienced on an inner plane of vision through spiritual beholding of the starry heavens. Matthew. in the catacombs the symbol of Christ was used. In this connection it is significant that Christ gathered his disciples from fishermen. At the same time. to A.160 years from 1946 B. This is one aspect of Christ's incarnation. = Jesus Christ. the incarnation of Christ had been prepared for by the tradition of the Magi. inaugurated by Zoroaster in Babylon in the sixth century B.Horoscopes Jesus of the Birth of It was during the last part of the Age of Aries. the sign of the Ram. Another. For example. During the life of Christ the vernal point was at 2½ degrees Aries. "Ießoûs Christòs Theoû (h) Yiòs Ssotér -. In the Age of Pisces the symbolism for Christ is connected with the Fish. in the Age of Aries Christ took on flesh and was named the Lamb of God.Ichthys is a Greek word meaning fish . Here Christ is designated as the fish. in his life's teaching and work Christ prepared the way for the approaching Age of Pisces. Having come down to the Earth in the Age of Aries. which lasted for 2. that the incarnation of Christ took place. The three Magi were the fulfillers of this tradition. then Th Y for Theoû (h) Yiòs (God's son) and S for Ssotér (Saviour). who became sacrificed for humanity.C. as I have described in detail in Christian Hermetic Astrology: The Star of the Magi and the Life of Christ. The symbol for Christ among the early Christians was simply the vertical line connecting heaven and earth. X = Jesus. And there are further indications that point to the coming age of Pisces. In the event of the walking on the water. God's Son." The Lamb relates to Aries.C.Jesus Christ. "Behold the Lamb of God who bears the sins of the world. it was right at the beginning of Aries and about to pass over into Pisces.was understood to mean Ich for Ießoûs Christòs (Jesus Christ). Ichthys (I-Ch-ThY-S) .D. and John the Baptist heralded him with the words. In the Age of Aries the incarnation of Christ on the Earth took place. | = Christ. This sign was 72 . we see a manifestation of Christ in the power of the Divine Fish. Saviour. which is also a symbol meaning fish. is that it was also prepared for by the people of Israel. at the start of the Age of Pisces. obviously. Thus. and the symbol for Jesus was the cross. around the year 215. 215. This is the deeper significance of the coming of Christ in the Age of Aries." this was the word Ichthys (fish). in the sign of Pisces. who was visited by the three Magi? It was in Pisces..seen as the symbol of Jesus Christ. there took place the births of two Jesus children: one birth is described in the Gospel of St.C. the night of December 6/7 in the year 2 B. "You shall be fishers of men. The birth of the other Jesus child is described in the Gospel of St. Matthew. whereas the other birth. This birth took place on the night after the Sabbath. we may think of the image for 73 . This birth has to be distinguished from the birth of Jesus as described in the Gospel of St Matthew. in the light of the Gospel of St. his birth took place in the evening of March 5 in the year 6 B. Here it is a matter of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth as described in the Gospel of St. toward midnight.] This latter 1 figure is the human being who lived 33 /3 years and passed through death on the Cross. Let us dwell upon an important aspect of the new wisdom of the stars. Matthew. Matthew. This child was visited by the shepherds. [Click here to see the horoscope. when the Sun was in the middle of sidereal Pisces. took place when the Sun was in Pisces. Against this background we can understand why Jesus Christ gathered his disciples from fishermen and taught in terms of such sayings as.C. [Click here to see the horoscope. 6 B. Luke took place when the Sun was in the middle of sidereal Sagittarius. Where was the Sun in the zodiac at this birth of Jesus as described in the Gospel of St. and his birth took place on March 5." With regard to the life of Christ as discussed in Chronicle of the Living Christ. He was visited by the three kings. His whole life was a living out of the higher image of Sagittarius as the teacher and healer. the Sun was opposite in Pisces. Luke. who was visited by the three Magi from the East and who could be called Jesus of Bethlehem.C. Contemplating this birth of Jesus of Nazareth in Sagittarius. which is that the Magi were prepared through their star knowledge for the coming birth of Jesus.. The Full Moon was more or less in the middle of Virgo.. Luke. This is also the hieroglyph for fish ( = fish). who was visited by the shepherds. Thus the divine birth of Jesus of Nazareth as described in the Gospel of St. As discussed in my book Christian Hermetic Astrology: the Star of the Magi and the Life of Christ. that of Jesus of Bethlehem connected with the visit of the Magi.] It was the night of the Full Moon in Virgo. when the Sun was in the middle of sidereal Sagittarius. Here we see this incarnation of Jesus. [Click here to see the horoscope.] This divine birth took place when the Sun was in Sagittarius. as the Sun was in the middle of Sagittarius.C. He was born shortly before midnight on the evening of December 6 in the year 2 B. Everywhere he went.Sagittarius. who became called the Saviour. And on January 1 in the year 2000 the Sun returned for the 2000th time to the same position where it had been at his birth. Jesus is called the Saviour because he healed. Each year when the Sun returns to the same position in the middle of Sagittarius. the Sun returns to the middle of sidereal Sagittarius a little later each year. So we find this archetype of the centaur. the teacher and healer. who was the wise teacher of the Argonauts. the wise being of Cheiron. Just as John the Baptist is so called because he baptised. At the present point in time it is on January 1 each year. In this event we can recall each year something of his divine mission. He was the wise teacher and healer. when at midnight the church bells ring to herald the New Year. In almost every town he visited. we have a commemoration of the birthday of Jesus. Because of the precession of the equinoxes. In Greek mythology this is connected with the figure of Cheiron. he healed the sick and also he taught the people of Israel. actually finding its fulfillment in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. when the Sun returns to the same position in the zodiac as at his birth. that of the centaur. It is a celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth in a cosmic sense. 74 . We can contemplate each New Year's Eve. Now it is no longer on the evening of December 6 that the Sun returns to the middle of Sagittarius. instructor of the great Greek heroes. the hidden or deeper significance to this celebration. as depicted in Greek mythology. Saviour actually means healer. he laid his hands on the sick. This archetype was fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth. Therefore the transition to the new millennium was also the 2000th birthday anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. that it is a matter. there is a fine distinction between two different attitudes: (i) to consider something as a hypothesis. It was the pioneer of Astrosophy. Willi Sucher (19021985) [click here]. However. who encouraged me to research into the foundation of Cosmic Christianity. I mentioned this line on purpose in order to indicate the context of the research work presented here. and it is quite natural that there are differences of opinion and a variety of approaches and ways of working. first and foremost. It has to be emphasized . the reader of the material offered on this website could take what is presented here as a hypothesis (or series of hypotheses) to be tested. can be helpful. For example. It is in a spirit of research. of the coming into being and development of a new wisdom of the stars (Astrosophy) on the basis of serious research. to develop Astrosophy as a science of Cosmic Christianity. One obvious principle is not to simply believe or disbelieve something before having investigated it thoroughly. which is central to the scientific method. Colorado to explore this and other astrosophical themes. Willi Sucher was supported in his astrosophical research by Elisabeth Vreede (1879-1943). who was a co-worker of Rudolf Steiner (18611925).Chronicle of the Life of Christ The purpose of the presentation of the material on this part of the website is on the one hand to stimulate a deepening into the mystery of Christ's second coming and on the other hand to extend the foundation of Cosmic Christianity provided in my book Chronicle of the Living Christ. In this connection the principle of making hypotheses. near Basel. Switzerland. and a small group of astrosophers meets yearly in 1 Boulder. In the context of spiritual research. In true 75 . As a mathematician and astronomer I have been trained in the methods of the exact sciences and have also studied the history of 2 astronomy.in relation to this line . coupled with tolerance and respect for various perspectives. that the material on this website is presented as a contribution to spiritual-scientific research on the basis of Astrosophy. as far as possible I apply the same principles underlying the scientific method of research. and (ii) to believe in it. She was the first leader of the Mathematical-Astronomical Section at the Goetheanum University. There are numerous individuals who are researching and working on the development of Astrosophy. The reason for considering this is that as a matter of principle I would not want any reader to simply believe in the content of the research I have presented on the chronicle of the life of Christ . For a true scientist there are three possibilities with respect to testing a hypothesis: a. often without noticing. let us consider the finding that the life of Christ Jesus lasted exactly thirty-three-and-a-third years from the birth shortly before midnight on December 6. Regarding (c). I and two other mathematicians investigated the dates she communicated. it remains a hypothesis. on any other aspect of my research. A true scientist guards against this. 2 BC [-1] to the resurrection at sunrise on April 5. AD 33. so as not to fall prey to superstition. We discovered .in the course of time. One does not need to be a mathematician to see that it would have been impossible for Anne 76 . Everyone who is able to think logically is able to critically test the content for themselves. to reach certainty that the hypothesis is true. The moment one steps across the boundary and starts to believe in something without really knowing if it is true. one enters the realm of superstition. b.or. one can rightly ask: How is it possible to know with certainty that this birth date of Jesus is accurate? As with other dates in Christ's life. not being certain in either direction. however. regarded purely hypothetically. as far as possible. She communicated the day of the week and the date in the Hebrew calendar of various events in the life of Christ. through probability theory. I was able to determine Jesus' birth date from Anne Catherine Emmerich's visions. to decide whether the ideas and the results of research presented. This date of the resurrection is now widely accepted. to reach certainty that the hypothesis is not true. c. for that matter. this requires patience in order not to make the mistake of making a "leap of faith" . hold water or not. Mathematically.independently of one another .that the probability of these weekdays coinciding by chance with the right dates in the 3 Hebrew calendar is 1:435 billion. The method of formulating hypotheses offers the possibility for the reader to remain objective in relation to the content. to come to believe in a hypothesis without really knowing if it is true or not.scientific research one always observes the boundary between (i) and (ii). as I have described in my book Chronicle of the Living Christ. By way of testing a central finding of my research into Christ's life. A whole century is one hundred years = 3 x thirty-three-and-a-third years. then this date is in all probability accurate . This date in the Hebrew calendar corresponds to Saturday/Sunday.in other words. In this way I arrived at certainty with respect to the truth of this thirty-three-and-a-third-year rhythm and also that one can follow the rhythm of thirty-three-and-a-third years through history. ripens. In the lecture. when such a seed that has been laid. December 6/7. In other words.that this rhythm works further in the unfolding of history.Catherine Emmerich to have simply made up the dates. There is a communication made by Rudolf Steiner which confirms this period of thirty-three-and-a-third years: In the historical process everything arises after 33 years in a transformed state . my dear friends. Here Rudolf Steiner's indication of thirty-three-and-a-third years is confirmed. When she says that Jesus was born on the twelfth day of the Hebrew month of Kislev at around midnight on the evening after the Sabbath. 77 .that astrology which leads our attention to the stars which 6 shine in the history of humankind's evolution. And then. From this point in time until the resurrection on April 5. 2 BC [-1]. in order to read the new astrology . One can recognize the intensity of an impulse which someone implants into the historical process also in its 5 effect through three generations. Once ripened. through a whole century. Jesus was born around midnight from Saturday to Sunday on the twelfth day of Kislev. AD 33 is exactly thirty-three-and-athird years (minus 1½ days).. This is all the more exciting. A "thought seed" ripens through one generation of 33 years to become a "deed seed".arises from the grave through a power which has 4 to do with the most holy redemption that humanity has received. since Rudolf Steiner speaks of a "new astrology" in this connection: This is an introduction. it works further in the unfolding of history through 66 years. The reader can imagine how encouraging it was to discover that the statement by the clairvoyant Anne Catherine Emmerich regarding Jesus' birth date was confirmed in this (indirect) way by Rudolf Steiner. for the sake of simplicity. her dates are authentic. it works further.. he says simply 33 years . 2007). Robert Powell. entitled "Et incarnatus est". GA refers to the number in the Complete Works (German edition) of Rudolf Steiner's works. Mysterienwahrheiten und Weihnachtsimpulse ("Mystery Truths and the Impulses of Christmas"). Star Wisdom and Rudolf Steiner (Gt. The next step was 7 then to follow this rhythm through history. In the English edition this figure is given incorrectly as 1:53 trillion. especially of David Tresemer's research into the significance of each degree of the zodiac expressed in images. 2007) is a fruit of the work of the Boulder astrosophical research group. Barrington/MA: Steiner Books. lecture of December 23. 5 6 7 See the diagram in my book The Christ Mystery (Fair Oaks/CA: Rudolf Steiner College Press. 1917 (GA 180).. 78 . In conclusion: Anne Catherine Emmerich's calendar indications provide a scientifically verifiable foundation upon which the chronicle of Christ's life presented in my book Chronicle of the Living Christ rests .and this is confirmed by the spiritual research of Rudolf Steiner. 2 3 4 Rudolf Steiner. Ibid. 1996). iv. Ibid. David Tresemer. 1999).. My PhD thesis was published under the title History of the Zodiac (San Rafael/CA: Sophia Academic Press. Another fruit is the book Signs in the Heaven: A Message for Our Times by William Bento. Barrington/MA: Steiner Books. Chronicle of the Living Christ (Gt. lecture of December 26. 455. 1917. 2000). and Robert Schiappacasse (Boulder/CO: StarHouse. 1917. which has been corrected to 1:435 billion in the German and Italian editions. 1 David Tresemer with Robert Schiappacasse. This lecture is entitled "Et incarnatus est".It was a special joy to be able to confirm the discovery of the thirtythree-and-a-third-year rhythm as the basis for a new star wisdom emerging as the "crown" of astrosophical research. lecture of December 23. it became transmitted to India. In the Christian Star Calendar. Regulus is at 5 degrees Leo. Around this time the last remnants of Babylonian culture disappeared altogether. where it is still used to the present time. it is in terms of the original zodiac. the tropical zodiac. which became introduced by the Greeks. The ancient sidereal zodiac is different from that which is used in present-day astrology. For example. The three Magi hold the key to this step because they were representatives of the ancient star wisdom who came to visit the founder of Christianity. we need to return to the original zodiac based on spiritual perception of the reality of the spiritual beings of the cosmos. it is important to start with physical perception of the planets. in which the positions of the planets are given day by day together with brief indications regarding viewing of the planets in the night sky. and constellations. who came from Babylonia across to Bethlehem to pay homage to the newborn child. In the West it disappeared completely and only reemerged again toward the end of the nineteenth century. had been fulfilled by the three Magi. 79 . which is defined in relation to the stars themselves. the sidereal zodiac. the sidereal zodiac vanished in the West. also known as the three kings.A Modern Path of the Magi At the culmination of the ancient tradition of star wisdom appeared the three Magi. the sidereal zodiac. If we are concerned with finding a modern path leading to a new wisdom of the stars. This means connecting onto the sidereal zodiac. which was used by the Babylonian priesthood up until about the year A. in giving degrees in the zodiac to the planets. in the middle of the first decan of Leo [click here concerning the Egyptian decans]. stars. Has anyone seen Venus recently? Whether or not the planet of Aphrodite is visible right now. bound up with the Magian spiritual stream. this is something one can learn about from the yearly Christian Star Calendar. In seeking a new star wisdom. With the disappearance of Babylonian culture. Its mission. The work of translating the texts brought to light that the Babylonians had used another zodiac. 75.D. This came about through the excavation of cuneiform texts from Babylon. albeit in modified form. What stands behind this? Here we touch upon one of the deeper mysteries. However. we need to connect onto the spiritual tradition of the Magi. To attain to this spiritual perception. the significance of which is that the ancient star wisdom had to pass through the "needle's eye" of Christianity. upon consulting an ephemeris. is at 15 degrees Scorpio. at the same time.as a starting point toward star wisdom . arching down. For example. one sees that this planet is close to Antares marking the heart of the Scorpion. if one were to look at the night sky and see a planet in conjunction with Antares. Star-gazing. Scorpio is a very striking constellation. located in the middle of the second decan of Scorpio. is just as valid now . mark the tail. would say that it is in Sagittarius. The images seen clairvoyantly on the astral plane are the reverse of how we see them physically in the night sky. However a tropical astrologer. tells us that it is at (or near) 15 degrees Scorpio. however. near Antares. where observing the movements of the planets in relation to the stars is hardly practiced at all. they were able through observing the planets in relation to the zodiacal stars to determine the zodiacal locations of the planets. They had specified the degrees of the zodiacal stars by way of careful measurement and observation.as it was in ancient Babylon down to the time of the three Magi. upon looking at the night sky. This is what one sees in contemplating the brightest stars in this constellation [click here]. this is how we see the sign of Scorpio. It was a completely different way of finding the positions of the planets than what is done now in modern times. For the red super giant Antares. one would know that this planet's zodiacal degree is 15 degrees Scorpio. In modern times everything is done by way of computation and there is not much star-gazing. Antares is called the heart of the Scorpion.The Babylonians determined where the planets were by observing them in relation to the stars. Connecting the stars.by "visible" I mean visible to the naked eye. It is a peculiar thing to hear someone say that a planet is in Sagittarius when. which was the foundation of the ancient star wisdom. the heart of the Scorpion. It is a place toward which the arrow of Sagittarius the Archer points. The stars to the right of Antares mark the claws of the Scorpion. The world of modern tropical astrology does not correspond with the real world where the planets actually are in the night sky. which is located much further 80 . and the drawing of the astrological glyph represents a mirror image of what we see [click here]. Seeing a planet in this position. Just above the tail of the Scorpion there is a region of space which no prominent visible star actually marks . and it is these clairvoyant images that form the basis for the astrological glyphs representing the signs of the zodiac. Right at the location indicated by the tip of the Archer's arrow and also by the upward-pointing tip of the tail of the Scorpion is the direction of the Galactic Center. and those to the left. Knowing the degrees of the zodiacal stars. Since the year 2006 Pluto has been in Sagittarius in close proximity to the Galactic Center. The region of the Galactic Center is a very significant location in the zodiac. marks the back of the Lion. The Galactic Center is approximately 25. at 2 degrees Sagittarius. and we see another two stars further above (Algieba and then. These three stars (from above down: Adhafera.away than the visible stars that define the constellations of Scorpio and Sagittarius [click here]. and the lower one. Three conjunctions of Pluto with the Galactic Center took place during the year 2007 (the second. central one of the three was on July 17. Our Sun revolves around this center once in about 227 million years. These seven stars are important stars that form a whole system working upon the seven chakras of the human being [click here]. whereas Regulus marks the heart. All the stars in the Milky Way galaxy . If we then look across to the left of these four stars. Zosma. Eta) are in the region of the head/mane of the Lion. and how the astrological glyph for Leo is a mirror image of the sign of Leo formed by these seven stars. Whereas Antares. Leo is imprinted within us in the human heart and also in the circulation of the blood which is streaming out from the heart to the 81 . which will be referred to simply as Eta). Because Pluto moves so slowly it remains in the vicinity of the Galactic Center for a long time. The Galactic Center is the great and powerful center of our Milky Way galaxy. If we contemplate the power of our Sun. 2007) [click here]. Adhafera).000 light years away. marking the tail of the Lion [click here]. so we cannot see it. above Algieba. Algieba. is the brightest star in Scorpio. as it is hidden by interstellar clouds of dust. Two stars in the triangle are above one another. Further across to the left of Chort is the star Denebola. the heart of the Scorpion. Connecting these seven stars. Chort. the brightest star in Leo is Regulus. we see a triangle of stars. Not only is it so with the stars comprising Leo but also with each of the twelve zodiacal signs that their stars are imprinted within us.revolve slowly in a clockwise direction around the Galactic Center [click here]. Above Regulus there is a less bright star (Eta Leonis. the second brightest star in Leo. In the spirit of a modern path of the Magi based on star-gazing. let us turn to consider the constellation of Leo which.the current estimate is that there are approximately two hundred billion stars . we see how the sign of Leo is imbedded in the constellation of the Lion [click here]. with eight (or nine) planets and countless asteroids revolving around it. we can begin to gain a sense for the power of the Galactic Center which is holding some two hundred billion stars in their orbits. like Scorpio. The upper one. is a majestic gathering of stars in the night sky. marks the flank of the Lion. the Lion's heart. With the fixed stars it takes a more subtle level of inner experience to perceive the relationship of the chakras to a particular fixed star . which is an expression of its divine purpose.. The sign of Leo expresses this quality of life circulating within us. Mars-throat. one connects on a heart level with the love streaming from that star. whose seven stars also work upon the seven chakras [click here].. 1924: "The stars are the expression of love in the cosmic ether. whereby the root chakra corresponds to Denebola. Moonroot [click here].. Mercury-solar plexus. and . which takes its point of departure from star-gazing. and the three stars above Regulus are connected with the upper three chakras (throat. After a few minutes of lovingly focusing upon a star.for example. the relationship between the chakras and the planets is fairly tangible: Saturn-crown. root). What is the essence of this path? All one has to do is to gaze at a star and receive that which is streaming from that star. the region of the human heart is connected to the star Regulus." In gazing at the star. one can begin to experience the star's blessing. Venus-sacral. Jupiter-brow. In addition to these seven prominent stars in Leo.periphery and then streaming back to the heart again. also work upon the seven chakras of the human astral body in a harmonizing way.. sacral. another example of a complete and balanced star system is the Big Dipper. since the heart chakra corresponds to Regulus. The three stars comprising the triangle to the left of these four correspond to the three lower chakras (solar plexus. A further question that one can hold in addressing the star is: Which chakra do you stream into most strongly? In the case of gazing at the planets. as indicated above for the seven main visible stars of Leo in relation to the seven chakras. These seven prominent stars in Leo. brow. As Rudolf Steiner said in a lecture held on June 8. Moreover.. To gaze at the stars is to become aware of the love proceeding from divine spiritual beings.one can hold the question: What is your gift? What is your blessing for humanity? By "blessing" is meant an actual transmission of star energy. To see a star means to feel a caress that has been prompted by love. and the solar plexus chakra to Zosma.inwardly addressing the star . Sun-heart. a divinecosmic stellar radiance that one can receive into oneself. crown) in the region of the head. while working organically upon the heart and the circulation of the blood. 82 .. the sacral chakra to Chort. Discoveries such as this one concerning these seven stars in Leo are possible on the modern path of the Magi. in relation to the seven chakras. In fact. so called because (with binoculars) it has the appearance of hundreds of bees [click here]. For example. at 12½ degrees Cancer. which is precisely the fact of the Moon being in conjunction with the Pleiades. there is something very important and significant to consider about this constellation. if the Moon's exaltation is held to be 5 degrees Taurus in the tropical (rather than in the sidereal) zodiac. we see the beautiful star cluster called Praesepe. So there is quite a different between the image with which modern astronomy depicts Virgo and the way the Egyptians and Babylonians depicted this constellation. Just as the Pleiades star cluster was seen in ancient times as the most powerful location of the Moon in the whole zodiac. previous depictions of Virgo . part of the Great Bear. is to acknowledge the sidereal zodiac. extends above the zodiacal constellations Cancer and Leo. Before considering the quality of Spica that is revealed to modern stargazing. This particular image was introduced by Ptolemy in the second century AD. to the exaltations of the other planets. When looking at this constellation. one of the most ancient astrological teachings. the Bee Hive. The Virgin is seen in modern astronomy as supine (lying down) and stretching across a very large area of space. so the most powerful location of Jupiter in the zodiac was seen to be the star cluster Praesepe.for example. this places the exaltation at about 10 degrees Aries in the sidereal zodiac at the present time. with the legs extending all the way here [click here]. (The same applies. This location is known as the exaltation of Jupiter. each of the planets has its place of exaltation. The star cluster Praesepe is close to the center of this constellation.The Big Dipper. However. through Ptolemy in the second century AD. Everything has a symbolic significance and the symbolism we see here is what we can describe as the dethroning of the Virgin that happened at the time of the flourishing of the Roman empire . The places of exaltation can also be chosen as the focus of attention in a star meditation. those of the Egyptians . of course.) To the left of Cancer and Leo we see the constellation of Virgo.in particular. The head is in this region here. generally marked by a star or star cluster in the zodiac. In Virgo the brightest star is Spica. located at 29 degrees Virgo. When we look at Cancer. This dethroning is a reality that has continued to 83 . far removed from the Pleiades and thus eradicating the original meaning attached by the Babylonians to the Moon's exaltation. To acknowledge the significance of the planetary exaltations. we can consider the way in which modern astronomy depicts Virgo.reveal her as a standing figure [click here]. just as the Pleiades is the exaltation of the Moon. and women priests were greatly honored. For the Greeks the image of the ripe harvest.. one can always call inwardly upon the radiant blessing of that star just by holding the star in consciousness. and Spica .. as wise women. was that of the golden hair of Demeter wafting in the breeze. opens up the possibility of coming to an understanding of the spiritual influences emanating from a star by way of studying the nature and culture prevailing at the terrestrial location corresponding to that particular star. sibyls. we can conceive of the active heavenly sphere mirrored in the Earth. with the golden sheaths of wheat in the fields gently flowing in the wind. We can think of the Earth's mineral 2 realm as a result of this mirroring . In earlier times. the Virgin was seen in relation to the quality that many women were known for in antiquity.. By the same token womanhood has also became devalued. Persephone or Isis. the counterpart to that star is there... to drag the Feminine down. or experts 1 in hierophantic matters. It is the impulse to devaluate the Feminine. Gazing up at Spica and connecting on a heart level with this star enables a powerful in-streaming of Sophianic wisdom and purity. In earlier times the constellation of Virgo was seen by the ancient Greeks as Demeter. or sacrifices. symbolized by the sheath of wheat she holds in her right hand (left from the viewer's perspective).. The counterpart to this star is here. The foundation of Astrogeographia is something that Rudolf Steiner mentions briefly in his Astronomy Course: "We are led to the center of the Earth as the polar opposite [of the sphere of the starry heavens] ." . sibyls. In other words. With the devaluation of the Feminine it has come about more and more that the Earth is no longer regarded as a living being. in Hollywood movies. We arrive at a complete counter image in the Earth itself to that which is outside [in the sphere of the starry heavens] . and so on. Spica is found to be a star of extraordinary purity and wisdom. " 84 . for example. Astrogeographia.and thus to be plundered.unfold in modern times. We see this.. For modern stargazers. the Earth Mother. Once a heart connection with a star is established. The tip of the sheath of wheat is marked by the star Spica and thus Spica is called the Ear of Wheat. but as something inanimate .. mysteries. and priestesses. which is the study of the stars in relation to the earth on the basis of knowledge of the one-to-one correspondence between every point on the globe and a unique star in the heavens.as the brightest star in Virgo .was seen as the star par excellence of feminine wisdom: "When Spica is so found for female births it makes priestesses of the goddesses Demeter. It was this quality in particular that was connected with Virgo. however. Long ago wise women. while preparing for the Sophia Foundation pilgrimage to Egypt. one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. drove the Amazons away. The Amazons called their goddess Oupis. It was not until the year 2006.does not really correspond very much to Artemis of Ephesus. corresponds to the star Bellatrix. For example. lower star of the three stars in the belt of Orion. The Greeks introduced the name Artemis for the goddess of this temple. The great pyramid was the starting point for my research concerning Astrogeographia. and another place corresponds to another star. the Greek goddess Artemis . another finding of Astrogeographia is that the city of Vienna corresponds to the star 85 . (My gratitude to the authors of The Orion Mystery. because for them the goddess Oupis who was worshiped by the Amazons was . The name Artemis derives from the Greeks. The great pyramid corresponds to the star Alnitak. Thus it came about that they called what was originally the temple of Oupis the temple of Artemis. This is a confirmation of the fundamental research finding of Astrogeographia that there are correspondences between the ancient mystery centers and certain prominent stars.) From this correspondence I was able to find out that various mystery centers were aligned with certain stars.most like their Greek goddess Artemis.Without elaborating on it any further.virginal goddess of the hunt. Bellatrix is called the Amazon star. he says . As referred to on the home page of this website.essentially . For Artemis of Ephesus is more an aspect of the Mother goddess. Coming back to the discoveries of the research of Astrogeographia.according to their experience of her . rather than Artemis. who provided this key to what I believe to be the solution to the problem of the one-to-one correspondence between the starry sphere and the earthly globe. and then took over the temple there and subsequently rebuilt it. the great mystery center of Artemis of Ephesus was founded more than twelve hundred years before Christ by a tribe of women called the Amazons. who came in the year 1087 BC and colonized Ephesus.that a particular place on earth corresponds to a particular star. like Demeter. that I was able to solve the riddle of the one-to-one correspondence between the celestial sphere and terrestrial globe. which marks the left shoulder of Orion. which is the left. this great temple at Ephesus. Robert Bauval and Adrian Gilbert. symbolized by the deer . which is an extraordinary parallel in relation to the tribe of Amazon women who founded the great temple at Ephesus. However. Interestingly. can also lead to a profound deepening of humankind's relationship to the stars. Das Verhältnis der verschiedenen naturwissenschatlichen Gebiete zur Astronomie ["The Astronomy Course"]. 1 Anonymous of 379. From the cultural life of Vienna it is possible to gain insight into the nature of the influence of the star Aldebaran in Taurus. This prominent star is the central star in the constellation of Taurus. Mozart. Johann Strauss junior). 5. To grasp this we need only recall that Vienna was the city of the birth of classical music (Haydn. an influence promoting the mysteries of the Divine Feminine such as those celebrated in the temple of Artemis of Ephesus. 1997. has given birth to a highly musical culture. Alnitak clearly emanates an influence promoting the celebration of the mysteries of death and resurrection such as those of the initiation rites performed in the hidden recesses of the great pyramid. 1921 (quote translated from the German by RP). Treatise on the Bright Fixed Stars (Berkeley Springs/WV: Golden Hind Press. Lastly. from the Egyptian mysteries celebrated at the great pyramid at Giza it is possible to grasp something of the nature of the influence of the star Alnitak. 1993).founded on star-gazing . p. Rudolf Steiner Verlag: Dornach/Switzerland. which is one of the four royal stars of ancient Persia. just as the modern path of the Magi . lecture of January 10. Astrogeographia can thus play a role in the emergence of a new star wisdom. linked to the star Aldebaran.Aldebaran. and it is evidently a musical star. 2 Rudolf Steiner. For the cosmic influence that is present at this location of Vienna. From the foregoing examples the potential of Astrogeographia to illumine the connections between the stars and humanity and the earth is indicated. at 15 degrees of Taurus. the impulse of the Divine Feminine that flourished at Ephesus indicates the nature of the influence of the star Bellatrix in the left shoulder of Orion. Similarly. 86 . It is perhaps still one of the most cultured cities on the planet with an extensive and ongoing high quality cultural offering (and correspondingly very little crime). Beethoven) and also of the waltz (Johann Strauss senior.