Patrick Watson, an astrologer, joins the show in episode 304 to discuss how to use an ephemeris to investigate the movements of the planets in astrology.
An ephemeris is a book that lists the locations of the planets in the zodiac in the past, present, and future.
It was once used by astrologers to manually calculate birth charts, but nowadays it is primarily used to investigate planetary transits and cycles.
We go over a full introduction to the ephemeris, as well as some of the things you can do with it and how to utilize it to better your technical skills as an astrologer, in this episode.
In This Article...
Ephemeris Episode Outline and Show Notes
Here’s a rundown of some of the most important points covered in the episode:
- What is an ephemeris, exactly?
- Google/Oxford Languages definition:
- “a table or data file that records the calculated positions of celestial objects at regular intervals over time.
- “a book, or a collection of similar tables or files
- A planetary ephemeris is nothing more than a list of planetary positions.
- It’s a simple approach to tabulate the data.
- Allows you to look at vast amounts of data in a single glance.
- Ephemeris is a word that is pronounced ephemeris.
- The singular is ephemeris, while the plural is ephemerides.
- Ephemerides come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
- Free ephemeris from the Astrodienst is available online (Swiss Ephemeris)
- Astro.com > Everything about astrology > Ephemeris for the last 9000 years
- Ephemeris for Astro-Seek:
- Ephemeris Tables > Astro-seek.com > Astro Tools
- The printed ephemeris we use and recommend is the American Ephemeris.
- It is currently the most popular among American astrologers.
- So we’ll concentrate on that, as well as the Astrodienst ephemeris.
- The American ephemeris comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.
- The main distinction is the year ranges.
- The trans-century ephemeris for 1950-2050 is the key one to get to this stage.
- Ephemeris at midnight vs. ephemeris at noon
- The day begins at midnight in the midnight variant.
- The noon version begins the day at 12 p.m.
- For most planets, the difference is insignificant, therefore either will suffice.
- I usually use the noon version so you can see where the planets are in the middle of the day.
- What are the requirements for utilizing an ephemeris?
- The glyphs for planets and signs should be memorized.
- Memorizing the ranges of planets’ aspects
- Understanding the movements of the planets
- The ephemeris depicts the planets’ longitudinal motions through the zodiac signs.
- Along the ecliptic, which is the Sun’s course through space,
- Dissecting the data on a page of the American Ephemeris
- All planets, their longitudes, and whether they are direct or retrograde
- Moon stations, ingresses, and final aspect
- Eclipses and phases of the moon
- Asteroids, galactic center, mean node, and other astronomical data
- Motion in a straight line vs. motion in a backwards direction
- Retrograde planets are shaded in the American Ephemeris, which is a good feature.
- Observing how quickly or slowly various planets travel.
- It depicts each planet’s degree and minute at the start of the day.
- Unless you’re using the noon version, that is.
- You must deduce where it is during the day based on planetary speed.
- As a result, the ephemeris for planets like the Moon is very approximate.
- Astrologers used to have to manually calculate charts using the ephemeris.
- Time zone shifts necessitated the use of an atlas.
- All computer programs nowadays use a computerized ephemeris.
- Developers can use Astrodienst’s Swiss Ephemeris.
- The ACS Atlas is licensed by Astrolabe for use by developers.
- Calculating Charts Book
- Simply Math: A Comprehensive Guide to Simple and Accurate Chart Calculation is a comprehensive guide to easy and accurate chart calculation.
- Lynn Sellon and Lauran Fowks
- It used to astonish me that astro programs don’t calculate in real time, but instead rely on ephemerides calculated years before.
- This is due to the fact that planetary movements are so consistent and predictable that once you know them, you can project them far into the future or past.
- Ephemeris can assist you in determining how long it will take to finish a cycle.
- For example, the Moon takes a month, the Sun a year, Jupiter 12, and Saturn 27-30.
- There are also synodic cycles, which are larger cycles.
- The ephemeris can be used to see not only planet motions but also transits to your chart.
- Maintaining a mental image of your natal chart
- Knowing what signs and degrees your natal planets are in can help you make better decisions.
- As a result, when you see a planet at a given degree, you know it’s significant to you.
- Or someone you know, such as a parent, a sibling, a partner, a pet turtle, and so on.
- You may check up transit meaning in books like Planets in Transit.
- Knowing planetary cycles allows you to estimate how common a transit is.
- It also enables you to see links between time eras, which might provide insight into future events’ themes and features.
- With an ephemeris for the year you were born, you can make secondary progressions.
- Specialized ephemerides or other forms of ephemerides
- Planetary Cycle Data from Astrodienst
- Instead of the standard 15 degree rule, provides accurate dates/times of heliacal risings and settings for each planet.
- Mercury and Venus’ maximum elongation dates are also provided, which are not always simple to discern by eye.
- Ephemeris of Declination/Latitude
- Astro-seek.com has it as well.
- Ephemeris of Asteroids
- Ephemeris of the midpoint
- Ephemeris of Hypothetical Planets
- Michaelsen and Pottenger’s Tables of Planetary Phenomena, 3rd ed.
- Has a large ephemeris of eclipses
- For our eclipses episode, I made a similar eclipse ephemeris.
- Ingress of an extraterrestrial planet
- Conjunctions of outer planets, etc.
- These days, software programs can be used to create lists like this.
- The animation chart feature performs a similar job.
- However, seeing everything put out in front of you is a different experience.
- The ability to quickly advance months or years
What is an astrological ephemeris, and how does it work?
An ephemeris (plural: ephemerides) is a book containing tables in astronomy and celestial navigation that shows the trajectory of naturally occurring astronomical objects as well as artificial satellites in the sky, i.e., their position (and presumably velocity) through time. The word ephemeris comes from the Latin word ephemeris, which means ‘diary’, and the Greek word ephemeris, which means ‘diary, journal.’ Historically, positions were published as printed tables of values with dates and times at regular intervals. One of the first applications of mechanical computers was the calculation of these tables. Ephemerides are frequently available in electronic format nowadays. Printed ephemerides, on the other hand, are still created because they are valuable when computational devices are unavailable.
The astronomical position computed from an ephemeris is frequently expressed in the spherical polar coordinate system of right ascension and declination, as well as the distance from the origin, if applicable. Eclipses, apparent retrograde motion/planetary stations, planetary ingresses, sidereal time, positions for the mean and true nodes of the moon, the phases of the Moon, and the positions of small celestial bodies such as Chiron are some of the astronomical phenomena of interest to astronomers.
Ephemerides are used in astronomy and celestial navigation. Astrologers use them as well.
What method do you use to read ephemerides?
An ephemeris (eh fem’ er iss) is a calendar that shows when specific celestial events occur. These instructions pertain to the ACS Publications’ most popular type of ephemeris. Their ephemerides (plural of ephemerides) are available in half-century or century volumes, with positions given at noon or midnight Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), the international standard in England.
The symbols for the Sun, Moon, Planets, Lunar Phases, Lunar Nodes, and Signs will be required. All of these items are on my Astrologer’s Apprentice Cheat Sheet, with the exception of the moon phases (although my symbol for Pluto does not match the “PL symbol used in the ephemeris). The lunar phases are represented by a black circle for the New Moon, a white circle for the Full Moon, and half-and-half circles for the First and Third Quarter Moons on most calendars (white on the right for First Quarter, white on the left for Third Quarter).
The times in the ephemeris are stated in Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Subtract 4 hours for Atlantic, 5 hours for Eastern, 6 hours for Central, 7 hours for Mountain, and 8 hours for Pacific to translate to your time zone. Subtract one hour during Daylight Saving Time.
In celestial “longitude,” each of the zodiac’s twelve signs is 30 degrees long. Each month’s longitude table comprises a row for each day and columns for numerous celestial parameters. (Unless you’re creating a chart from scratch, you can omit the “Sid. Time column.) A position is listed in this order: degree, minute (1/60th of a degree), and second (1/60th of a minute) in the case of the Sun and Moon. Not to be confused with clock time, these are measurements in space. Except for the Sun and Moon, the minutes are expressed as a decimal fraction. The Moon moves so swiftly that it is listed in the midnight ephemeris at both midnight (0 hr) and noon. At midnight GMT, the locations of the other planets are listed. The second line of the month says R when planets are retrograde (appearing to travel backwards through the zodiac) when the month begins. When the planet is Retrograde, the column is shaded, and a D indicates the day it becomes Direct. The Moon’s North Node is also noted in this location. (The South Node is always the opposing sign’s degree and minutes.) The table depicts its “real position,” which fluctuates between Retrograde (which is its natural state) and Direct. For the Nodes (see below), many astrologers merely utilize the Mean (average) position, which is always Retrograde.
In the “planet entrance list” at the bottom, the ephemeris reveals the precise date and hour a planet enters a sign. The two months that share the page are separated by a space. When planets turn Retrograde (R) or Direct (D) and when two outer planets have an aspect, the “Astro Data” column on the left tells you. Although the degrees of these phenomena are not given, you can “ballpark” them by looking at the row for the relevant date. (Ignore the entries indicating when planets rise above (N) or below (S) the “celestial equator, the zodiac path’s midpoint.)
The “Last Aspect” and “Ingress” columns show when the Moon makes its final aspect in a sign, when it becomes Void of Course, and when it enters the next sign, when the Void period ends. (A Moon Void of Course period is the time between the Moon’s final aspect in one sign and its entry into the next.) It’s considered a period of buyer’s remorse, so it’s not a good time to make significant purchases, make important decisions, or start something new.) The Moon’s final aspect can be seen here, and its effect can be felt throughout the Void period. The primary phases of the Moon are listed in the “Phase & Eclipses” box: New, First Quarter, Full, and Last Quarter. It begins with the month, followed by the time, the phase, and finally the zodiac degree, sign, and minutes where it occurs. New and Full Moons that are within a few degrees of anything in your horoscope might have a significant impact on you.
On the right, a second “Astro Data box” contains information you may not require, such as the SVP (Indian astrology) and the Julian Day (number of days since the century began). It also includes some important information, such as the zodiacal longitude of Eris (the new planet beyond Pluto) and the asteroids Chiron, Pallas Athena, Juno, and Vesta on the first of the month, as well as the Mean (average) position of the Moon’s North Node. Chiron is represented by a K over a sideways oval. Pallas Athena’s symbol is a vertical diamond on top of a cross. Vesta’s glyph is a V with a flame coming up from it, while Juno’s glyph is an asterisk on top of a cross.
Relating the Ephemeris to YOUR Chart
How do you figure out when planets affect YOU now that you’re familiar with the many forms of information in the ephemeris? Look for elements in your horoscope. This happens when a moving ( “A transiting) planet aligns with one of your natal planets to the same degree. You’ll need to look at the zodiac signs in order, from Aries to Pisces, to determine the type of aspect. The aspect is determined by the transiting planet’s sign in relation to the natal planet: same sign = conjunction; sign immediately before or after = semisextile; two signs before or after = sextile; three signs before or after = square; four signs before or after = trine; five signs before or after = quincunx (also known as an inconjunct); six signs away = opposition When the transiting planet is 1-1/2 signs before or after (semisquare) or 4-1/2 signs before or after (quadrant), another sort of aspect develops (sesquiquadrate). These are more difficult to spot. Allow for up to five degrees of wiggle room (as the astrological term goes) “orb), yet the closer you get to exact, the more powerful the effect.
Take your birthday, for example. Every year on that date, the Sun’s degree is the same (within a degree). You can now search for other times throughout the year when a planet transits the same degree of the same sign to see whether that planet is activating your Sun’s potentials, strengthening or adding to how you express your purpose and ambitions. Your Sun is receiving a square or an opposition if any planet is within 5 degrees of a sign three or six signs distant, and that time frame should present obstacles for you individually; you may not receive the glory you deserve or be able to wield your customary influence. This method can be used on any planet in your horoscope. Transiting planet aspects accentuate what your natal planet means through its sign and house positions, as well as its natal aspects. If the transiting component is beneficial, the outcome should be positive and the experience should be pleasant. If the component is difficult, your experience will most likely be more stressful or demand you to work harder to achieve a satisfactory outcome. If your natal planet is involved in tough aspects in your natal chart, even a beneficial positive aspect from a transit can be problematic.
Check if any planets shift direction in an aspect to anything in your chart at the planetary stations (when a planet turns Retrograde or Direct). When the transit stations, you’re likely to notice a slowdown in the activities linked with your natal planet. The transiting planet’s nature defines the stresses that are exerting on your life, and the sort of aspect indicates whether the encounter will be pleasant or difficult. If stationing Saturn sends you a square, for example, impediments will stymie your progress in the area(s) linked with the receiving planet. If Jupiter forms a trine to you, your path should be relatively smooth for the part(s) of your life that Jupiter influences. Always begin your search for your natal home with the sign that your receiving planet rules. Look at your house that begins with Aries if your Mars receives an aspect. In my Study Booth for Beginners, I have a list of the rulers of the signs.
BEST OF LUCK! You’re on your way to becoming a true astrologer if you can work with an ephemeris.
What is the formula for calculating an ephemeris?
An ephemeris can be calculated in one of two ways: knowing the planet’s orbital elements and planetary and stellar radii, or knowing the transit midpoint epoch and duration time. After all of the essential inputs have been gathered, the algorithm checks to see if any parameters are missing.
Who created the ephemeris?
Nabu-rimanni, also spelled Naburianos, Naburiannuos, Naburiannu, or Naburimannu (flourished c. 491 bc, Babylonia), the first Babylonian astronomer known by name, established the so-called System A, a set of ephemerides, or tables, that show the positions of the Moon, Sun, and planets at any given time.
What is an ephemeris talisman, exactly?
Handcrafted to last a lifetime, this birth chart talisman is gorgeous and accurate. As the stars fluctuate, stay grounded. Your cosmic energy should be radiated. Learn how to read your soul’s map. With your birth chart, you may learn about astrology.
What are ephemeris parameters, and what do they mean?
An ephemeris is a table that shows the coordinates of a celestial body at various times throughout a period of time. The word derives from the same Greek source as “ephemeral,” which originally meant “short-lived” but has since evolved to signify “insignificant.” The ephemeris, on the other hand, is not insignificant in GNSS systems.
Each GNSS satellite broadcasts ephemeris data as part of its signal. This is a set of parameters that may be used to correctly compute a satellite’s location at any given time, and hence characterizes the path the satellite is taking as it orbits Earth.
Ephemeris data is only valid for a short period, as the name implies (a few hours or less). As a result, current ephemeris data is required to reduce mistakes caused by tiny deviations in a satellite’s orbit.
Ephemeris data play a crucial part in various tests when utilizing a GNSS simulator to evaluate GNSS receivers. When assessing a receiver’s time to first fix (TTFF) performance, for example, the cold-, warm-, and hot-start tests have different criteria. The receiver must receive time, almanac, and ephemeris data in order to perform a cold-start test. All of the data is already in the receiver for a hot-start test. The receiver, on the other hand, already has the time and almanac data for the warm-start test, but it requires new ephemeris data.
What is the purpose of the ephemeris data?
- Trimble’s Online Planning page
- The Satellite Predictor Tool from Navcom
- The current locations of GPS satellites (& WAAS =#133, 135 & 138) are shown here.
(Green = WAAS Precision Approach, Yellow = Low Precision, Blue = WAAS Out of Range, Red = Unhealthy, Do Not Use)
Ephemeris data is transmitted by GPS satellites and contains information on their current and anticipated location, time, and “health.” The GPS receivers utilize this information to calculate their position in relation to the satellites and, as a result, their position on the earth. The Ephemeris Data can also be used to forecast future satellite circumstances (for a given location and time), allowing you to plan when (and when not) to collect GPS data.
Ephemeris data required to be downloaded and used using special desktop applications until recently (i.e., Trimble Planning or Quick Plan). However, the ephemeris data can now be accessible via the internet (see links above). Data from the ephemeris is deemed valid for up to 30 days (maximum). It is recommended that you repeat your forecasts a week or two before collection if you are attempting to estimate GPS conditions for more than 30 days in the future (satellite conditions are constantly changing).
In astrology, what does the R stand for?
In astrology, retrogrades are usually connected with disasters and slowdowns, so you might be surprised if you spot a small “R” next to certain planets in your birth chart, like I did. Yes, on the day you were born, those celestial bodies were retrograde.