Planets orbit the Sun in a 360-degree circle, although they do not always stay at the same latitude. They are constantly going up and down. The distance between a planet’s current position and the earth’s equator is used to calculate these “ups and downs” (as projected into the sky). Declination is the term for this measurement.
This graph depicts the declinations of each planet over the course of a month.
The Moon is a fantastic example of this because it goes through a full cycle every 28 days. You can see when it reaches its maximum up and down, as well as when it reaches the middle, in the example above.
Aspects can also be viewed using the Declination Graph. Simply find the planet(s) you’re interested in and look at their locations in the graph to use it. Planets that are at the same degree (up or down) are said to be at the same degree.
In This Article...
In astrology, what is the declination?
The declination of a planet refers to its position in reference to the celestial equator. Beyond the Zodiac wheel / ecliptic, declinations add additional layer to the natal chart, with their own two principal aspects: parallel and contraparallel. In terms of energy and calculation, these aspects are nearly identical to conjunctions and oppositions, except that they occur on the north-south axis (above/below celestial equator) rather than the east-west axis (Zodiac).
A contraparallel occurs when two planets with about the same declination on opposite sides, one north and one south, collide, whereas a parallel occurs when two planets with approximately the same declination on the same side, both north or both south, collide.
Declination aspects are given a 1 orb since they appear on a much smaller plane than Zodiac aspects; the former only has a range of 47 degrees, whereas the latter covers 360 degrees, and orbs of up to 10 are realistic and typically required. Because contra/parallels are naturally incredibly effective within such a restricted area of variation, it’s critical to maintain high standards in order to derive any significant insight from their presence. If the orb was increased to 3, for example, you might find that every planet in your natal chart is in a contra/parallel. It’s easy to see how and why that would be inapplicable.
Most astrologers interpret parallels and contraparallels in the same way they would a Zodiac conjunction or opposition, which is correct; however, it’s important to note that the meaning of conjunctions and oppositions is based on archetypal relationships, whereas contra/parallels are free of Zodiac influence and focus entirely on the planets themselves. As a result, you may have a contraparallel in a pair of signs that border each other in the Zodiac, for example. To give context to their interaction, it’s vital to combine your declination aspects with the rest of your natal chart. Furthermore, it’s important to understand that when the planets are separated from the Zodiac (which represents the 12 essential manifestations of human awareness), they become less personal and more like forces of circumstance or reality. As a result, parallels and contraparallels may not be portrayed as strongly in a person’s life story / themes of experience as they are in their life story / themes of experience (though they still may have strong impact on either).
What is the declination of a planet?
Declination (DEC) is the celestial sphere’s counterpart of latitude, and it, like latitude, is measured in degrees. + and – in DEC stand for north and south, respectively. The celestial equator is 0 degrees Celsius, and the poles are +90 and -90 degrees Celsius.
Declinations in Synastry: The Astrology of Relationships
Aspects in another dimension of the chart, such as declination, are not generally included in chart comparison. Parallel or contraparallel refers to two planets that are the same distance from the equator. When two planets at the same distance from the equator and on the same side, they form a parallel (both north or both south). When they are about the same distance apart but on different sides of the equator, they are said to be contraparallel (one north, the other south).
Determining Parallels and Contraparallels in Synastry is a good place to start if you need to understand how to find these aspects in declination. A one-degree orb is commonly utilized.
Cafe Astrology has recently uploaded a declinations ephemeris for the years 1940-2015, which may be useful for comparing placements between charts:Declinations Ephemeris 1940-2015 (pdf).
(On Cafe Astrology, we have a range of synastry articles and resources, the majority of which may be found here: Synastry: The Astrology of Relationships.)
We can learn more about compatibility by looking at parallels and contraparallels between charts. The following are examples of strong ties:
From the Sun to the Moon. This is a classic synastry aspect. Connections between the Sun and the Moon in one chart may not ensure a healthy partnership, but they do indicate the possibility of a strong bond or connection. The partnership can have a co-dependency aspect to it at times.
From Venus to Mars Competitiveness that can be exciting, as well as romantic/sexual attraction. There can also be a lot of posing, like a cat and mouse game “There’s a lot of foreplay that isn’t necessarily nice.
From the Moon to Mars. Potentially dangerous, but also emotionally rich, stimulating, and thrilling.
Connections between outer and inner planets almost always cause issues, but they also provide opportunities for spiritual growth. The conjunction of Venus or Mars with Pluto is often interpreted as a sign of sexual attraction. The conjunction of Venus and Pluto can be particularly perplexing. While there is normally a lot of desire, it can also be combined with dread, giving Venus-Pluto relationships a love-hate feel. When Venus-Pluto and Mars-Pluto are played out in the bedroom, they are usually at their best!
When it comes to Neptune, the Neptune person can have a huge impact on the other person’s life as they struggle with their own aspirations and ideals, perceiving features in the Neptune person in extremes, either good or negative, rather than realistically. When the other person’s aspirations and fantasies are projected onto the Neptune person, there is frequently disappointment when it is realized that the Neptune person is a real, flawed person rather than the embodiment of the other person’s ideals and desires. If the pair can get over the turbulence, the relationship has the potential to be spiritually uplifting.
With Uranus, the Uranus person assumes the role of causing obvious disruption in the other person’s life, whether it’s in the form of relationship demands, everyday routines, or ideas. The Uranus person may be perceived as unreliable, appearing one day and then disappearing the next, both physically and symbolically. The personal planet person may feel as if Uranus is always out of reach, which can be fascinating or disturbing, and generally a little of both.
The Saturn person functions as a reminder to the other person that they must be responsible, and this is a good thing “Depending on how the Saturn person delivers these reminders and how the personal planet person receives them, the lesson can be both rewarding and hard.
There can be a lot of leniency with Jupiter. With the personal planet individual, Jupiter is usually highly tolerant, to the point of promoting undesirable habits. However, there is a lot of understanding and good humor between the two of them, which can be extremely encouraging.
A Midpoint Report is available from us.
This computerized report lists and analyses all of the natal chart’s midpoint pictures, as well as midpoint pictures formed over time: transits, progressions, and solar arc directions to natal chart midpoints, for a period of six months.
What is the Meridian’s correct ascension?
() On the celestial sphere, a coordinate that corresponds to longitude on Earth. Starting at 0h at the vernal equinox, right ascension is measured anticlockwise around the celestial equator, normally in hours, minutes, and seconds of sidereal time (though sometimes in degrees). The heavenly equivalent of Earth’s Greenwich meridian is the 0h line of right ascension. Because one hour of right ascension equals 15 degrees of arc, 24 hours of RA equals 360. An equatorial coordinate is right ascension.