The more you learn about your birth chart, the clearer it becomes that astrology is much more than your sun sign and daily horoscope. The degrees of particular planets, with each sign having a specific “critical degree” at the moment of your birth, are one of the numerous elements that determine a birth chart.
In This Article...
In astrology, what does 1 degree mean?
As I previously stated, the Sun completes its transit over one zodiac sign in one month (30 days). In 30 days, the Sun will have completed 30 degrees of the zodiac sign. It will cover 1 degree per day, in other words. So, if someone is born on April 19th, the Sun will be at 5 degrees Aries.
In astrology, what does a 0 degree signify?
This article was originally published in The Mountain Astrologer in December 2012, and it is reproduced with permission.
In this column, I’ll discuss the first and, in particular, the last degrees of a sign, as well as their meaning. I’ve chosen three situations in which the Sun is at 29 Scorpio, the most enigmatic of the zodiac signs.
The Ingress
When a planet enters the first degree of a sign, it has entered new territory (a new element and mode) and is in conversation with the planetary ruler of that sign.
Planets or points at 0 degrees of a sign take a posture in the natal chart that either indulges in or welcomes the sign’s extremely pure, undiluted character. A planet of this magnitude has a new, unexplored quality. Some of the most well-known, superficial characteristics associated with that sign will be apparent in the person’s personality, but the sign’s actual essence, as well as the obstacles the planet must face and embrace on its journey, are still being discovered and conquered. To put it another way, there’s a new language to learn and a lot of work to be done. The planet at 0 appears excited to meet what it will become as it embarks on this journey.
When a planet’s Solar Arc guides to a new sign, it denotes a new beginning “a year of learning about and experiencing the essence of that sign In other ways, it’s a portenta marker, condensing (and intensifying) much of what we might expect over the following thirty years into the first twelve months. (1) According to astrologer Fernando Guimaraes, the first degree is similar to an arrow “An operatic overture is a prelude that establishes the tone for the rest of the piece.
The Middle Degrees
Planets or points in the middle degrees of the zodiac, between 14 and 16, appear to be deeply rooted in the sign’s raison d’tre. The planet/point is completely engaged in the process of moving forward and meeting challenge and conflict while it is in a cardinal sign. The globe is at its most permanent, substantial, and enduring at mid fixed degrees, but it can also become stagnant or trapped. It is most versatile and diverse when it is malleable, yet it is also precarious, scattered, and prone to fluctuation and instability.
What is the best degree for planets?
The majority of planets should be in this degree group since it has a good mix of experience and energy. Planets between 25 and 29.59 degrees – These are the wise and old folks we need in our lives. These are the planets that, through aspect or conjunction, guide the planets in lower degrees.
In astrology, what does the number 26 mean?
At a glance, here are the crucial degrees for the signs: 0, 13, and 26 degrees for the Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn). 8-9 and 21-22 degrees for fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius). 4 and 17 degrees for mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces).
In astrology, what does 29 degrees mean?
The following are the traditional critical degrees:
The cardinal signs are 0, 13, and 26 degrees (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn)
These are considered sensitive areas that can also serve as a source of power. If a natal planet is detected at a crucial degree, it is assumed that the planet will be emphasized and will have more power in the native’s life as a result of its placement.
0 and 29 degrees of any sign are also considered important degrees by many astrologers. Especially in prediction work, the 0 and 29 degrees are more crisis-oriented locations.
NOTE: The 29th Degree (also known as the Anaretic degree) is a phrase used by astrologers, however it is really the 30th degree. It actually refers to a planet or body that is between the coordinates 2900’00 and 2959’59.
If a natal planet is detected at 29 degrees of any sign, often known as the Anaretic degree, it can cause serious problems with decision-making in the area of the personality represented by the planet’s energies. One day, the native may assess and reassess things before acting, and the next, he or she may leap into action without listening to himself or herself! If Mars is at 29 degrees, for example, the native may design numerous plans of action, obsess over the various actions and routes to follow, and then adopt a spontaneous action that contradicts the decision!
I know a woman with a Juno of 29 degrees who, despite her many views about taking relationships seriously, rushes right into them. A man with 29 degrees of Mercury agonizes over life decisions and alternates between saying too much and saying too little.
The 29th degree is linked to a sense of urgency, as well as decision-making issues, vacillation, and diving into situations without thinking. It’s the zodiac sign’s final degree, and there can be a tremendous sense of urgency surrounding the sign’s qualities and affiliations. This area can also have a general weakness, such as poor decisions, challenges, crises, or overcompensation.
While the typical crucial degrees above are supposed to provide the planet or body more strength, the anaretic degree is thought to be more damaging.
When the Sun enters the 29th degree in a progression, for example, the native’s year can be crisis-oriented. When the Sun enters Libra at 29 degrees, for example, a sense of urgency and crisis might arise in partnerships. Divorce or a hasty entry into a new relationship could be the outcome of this desperation. A major shift in work could occur if the Sun moves to 29 degrees Virgo. In general, decisions made during the 29th degree are quick.
We meet more Anaretic degrees of the Moon than we do with other planets and luminaries because the advanced Moon moves the fastest of the planets. Every 28 years, the secondary progressed Moon completes a full round of the chart and the signs, therefore we see 12 Anaretic degrees of progressed Moon in a 28-year period (every 2-1/2 years or so).
When I was counseling a parent of a university student, I observed that her daughter’s advanced Moon was transiting the ninth house at 29 degrees. Uranus was also transiting her daughter’s ninth house, converging on her Sun. I advised the parent to keep a close eye on her daughter at this time since she might be tempted to make drastic, rash changes in her field of study or even drop out entirely. Despite her parents’ advice, the daughter did drop out of university and take a job. She later regretted dropping out and returned to university to complete her degree.
Carol Rushman makes a persuasive case for the relevance of important degrees, including the classic ones stated at the top of this article, in predictive work utilizing the advanced Moon in her book The Art of Predictive Astrology: Forcasting Your Life Events.
In astrology, what does 23 degrees mean?
If you have any planets in the Zodiac between 22 and 24, you should be aware that Mars is concentrating a lot of energy in this small area. Uranus, the planet of electricity, surprise, and lighting, is at 23 Aries, and this is the degree where Mars is due to station in the coming weeks, so 23 is extremely engaged.
Mars is the planet of violent action retrograde; he acts in a different way, but the effects can be just as disastrous. This week, we’ve seen two powerful examples of this in the headlines. In her birth chart, Jo Cox, the MP who was murdered in the street yesterday, had Chiron (wound) at 23 Aries, which was squarely opposite Uranus (shock) at 23 Libra. Omar Mateen, the Orlando shooter, has his Sun at 24 Scorpio and Mars at 23 Aquarius (community).
Meatloaf, the artist who collapsed on stage yesterday, has transiting Mars Rx on his Jupiter (24 Scorpio), the planet of excess, which is at the top of his horoscope (in the public eye or “on stage).
There is also a lot of force in conceding during a Mars Rx. Bernie Sanders has dropped out of the presidential race in favor of Hillary Clinton, but by doing so, he is advancing his cause. In his natal chart, he has Mars Rx at 23 Aries, opposite Venus at 22 Libra. He’s a capable companion. Senator Elizabeth Warren, the left’s fantasy candidate who could be nominated by Clinton for Veep, also has her North Node on 23 Aries. And what about Hillary Clinton? This is a watershed moment for her, with the South Node in Scorpio at 23 degrees. She will, however, need to change course and acknowledge Sanders and Warren.
****Correction: Bernie Sanders has not abandoned his presidential campaign. It’s more that Clinton’s lead has grown. (As of the 20th of June.) What is clear is that he will continue to contribute to the argument. He must be regrouping right now. It’s possible that becoming President is less essential than guaranteeing meaningful change. *****
When used correctly, this energy can cause a significant shift in direction. Mercury (communications) is in an easy trine to Mars Rx for Chris Murphy, the US Senator who filibustered for 14 hours this week to create place for anti-gun legislation. His message was designed to safeguard his country and his country’s children, both of whom are cancer victims.
At 24, Mars is travelling rearward through Scorpio at a very slow pace. Mars will reach 23 in a few days, then station here and turn straight on June 30. Mars, on the other hand, will remain on the 23rd until July 11th. When Mars goes direct in Scorpio, his own sign, a lot of energy could be released.
Uranus, the planet of explosions, surprises, and energy, is in 23 Aries at the same moment (Mrs Cox was having her Uranus Half-Return). Ceres, the nurturing asteroid, will soon join Uranus in this constellation for the last week of June.
Mars Rx is trining Chiron (25) from Pisces, a sobbing sign. There are a lot of tears being shed right now.
The Full Moon at the Solstice is expected to be particularly powerful. At sunset, both the Sun and the Moon will be visible in the sky, regardless of communication polarity (29 Gemini-Sagittarius). This may herald a war of words (which we all know is already underway), but it also signals that now is the time for communication and discussion, as well as exchanging ideas, listening, and gathering information. It’s possible that the action will go horribly wrong.
If you have a planet in Cancer or Pisces at 23 degrees, you have an easy way to bring that transforming energy forth. The energy is more dynamic when you have anything at 23 Fixed or Cardinal.
In astrology, what does 15 degrees mean?
15 Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius are the Avatar signs. These degrees of the Fixed signs are supposed to bring ingenuity, coincidences, and happy accidents, which can appear supernatural at times. A person with a planet in the avatar degrees is frequently referred to as the “go-to person who gets things done.”
In astrology, what does 14 degrees mean?
In natal charts and predicting, the middle degrees are important. When a planet is situated between 14 and 16 degrees of a sign, it looks to be fully immersed in the sign’s raison d’tre.
In astrology, what are strong degrees?
Have you ever looked at your horoscope and wondered why there are so many strange degrees and minutes? You’re not alone, after all!
Getting a handle on the mechanics of a birth chart is one of the most perplexing aspects of studying Astrology at first. Look at your own birth chart before reading the rest of this post to see what we’re talking about when we break it down into degrees and minutes.
Math phobics are likely to break out in a sweat when they see the degree circle and minute sign. You don’t have to be concerned: this isn’t difficult calculus. In fact, no matter whose birth chart you have in your hands, after reading this short tutorial, you’ll know exactly what you’re looking at in terms of degrees and minutes.
With a FREE tailored report, learn what’s on your birth chart. A customised report will give you an in-depth look at YOUR birth chart.
Let’s start with decans
Let’s start with an explanation of how the horoscope wheel is filled with degrees. We all know that the zodiac is divided into 12 signs, but did you realize that each sign is made up of 30 degrees? Each zodiac sign is divided into three decans, each of which is equivalent to 30 degrees.
Any sign’s first decan spans 59 minutes and 59 seconds, from 0 degrees to 9 degrees. In the second decan, the temperature rises from 10 to 19 degrees in 59 minutes and 59 seconds. In the third decan, the temperature rises from 20 to 29 degrees in 59 minutes and 59 seconds. This holds true regardless of the sign you’re looking at. Also, every degree has 60 minutes, but we don’t use 60 minutes as a reference point. Instead, we move from 0 (the first minute) through 59 minutes (which is really the 60th minute).
The mystical number 360 is obtained by multiplying 12 by 30. You can feel assured that no matter whose horoscope you have in your hands, it contains 360 degrees. There are no exceptions!
The fact that these 360 degrees reflect one 24-hour day is a striking comparison. As a result, the motion of one 24-hour day here on Earth will be represented by a birth chart in its entirety.
There’s much more interesting significance when you go deeper into the 30 degrees contained in each symbol. Certain degrees are seen to have more significance in a birth chart than others. Critical degrees are the name given to certain kind of degrees.
The key degrees for the Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn) are 0, 13, and 26. They are 8-9 degrees and 21-22 degrees for Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius). They are 4 and 17 degrees for the Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces). Do any of these degrees have a planet or sensitive angle in your horoscope? If that’s the case, you should expect a greater concentration on that aspect of your life.
Working with anaretic degrees
Furthermore, due to the karmic nature of being at the beginning of a sign, 0 degrees of any sign is considered a vital degree. Whatever planet or point is at 0 degrees is said to be in the early stages of acquiring lessons about that place. In contrast, an Anaretic Degree occurs when a planet or point is at 29 degrees of any sign, and it represents karmic completeness tied to that planet’s or point’s energies.
If a person’s birth chart contains multiple planets or angles at the Anaretic Degree, it’s conceivable that he or she is a very old soul. There could also be a sense of urgency or a need to complete anything associated to that planet or point energies.
So, what happens if a planet is at 29 59 59 59 59 59 59 59 59 59 59 With the birth of Prince George, we saw an example of this. He was born at 29 degrees and 59 minutes, when the Sun was at the tail end of Cancer. The Sun would have ingressed into 0 degrees Leo if he had been born a few minutes later.
The energies of Cancer and Leo are vastly different! This is why knowing a planet’s or point’s degrees and minutes combined is so important. It aids us in determining the true astrological location of a planet or point. A planet in any sign at 29 degrees 59 minutes is still in that sign. Not to say to such an extent.
With a FREE tailored report, learn what’s on your birth chart. A customised report will give you an in-depth look at YOUR birth chart.
