Peter F. Hollander : The Syzygy in the horoscope
Syzygy: Sun, Moon and Earth in line
If three celestial bodies are positioned in line, this is called a syzygi. In astrology a syzygy is used for the alining of the Sun, Moon and Earth.
There are two possibilities:
- New Moon. The Moon is situated between the Earth and the Sun.
- Full Moon. The Earth is situated between the Sun and the Moon.
Image: Full Moon, one of the possible Syzygies. Photograph by NASA
Syzygy in astrology
Ancient astrologers calculated the syzygy for the New Moon or Full Moon that preceded the time of the horoscope. Which of the two possibilities was nearest to the time of birth was chosen. If a syzygy is formed by a conjunction (New Moon) the degree of the conjunction is used. If it is an opposition (Full Moon) there are two possibilities: the degree of the Moon and the degree of the Sun. In that case, select the body that was below the horizon at the time of the syzygy [1].
Common technique
Syzygies were frequently used by ancient astrologers. Referring to Babylonian astrology, Rochberg [2] writes:
Among these additional data, those concerning the moon at syzygy figure prominently.
In the collection of Greek Horoscopes, as described by Neugebauer [3] the syzygy is mentioned frequently. Also in ancient Chinese astronomy/astrology, the syzygy is a well known feature. Li and Zhang [4] describe a calculation based on the Shoushi calendar (13th centruy A.D.)
The meaning of the syzygy
Unfortunately, we do not have much information about the meaning of the syzygy. In the horoscopes presented by Neugebauer, the syzygy positions were used mostly to calculate the lifetime. The used techniques are rather obscure.
Syzygies were also used in weather prediction until the 14th C. AD. [5]
Notes
- [1] A. Bouché-Leclercq, Astrologie Grecque. Bruxelles 1899,1963, p. 388 [back]
- [2] Francesca Rochberg, The heavenly writing, Cambridge 2004, p. 110 [back]
- [3] O. Neugebauer and H.B. van Hoesen, Greek Horoscopes. Philadelphia 1959, 1987[back]
- [4] Y. Li and C.Z. Zhang, Chinese syzygy calculations established in the 13th century. Astronomy and Astrophysics 332 (1998), pp. 1142-1146[back]
- [5] J. D. North, Horoscopes and History. London, 1986, p. 138. [back]