by Wings of Freedom
Celestial latitude measures how far north or south a planet is from the ecliptic plane, which is defined by the Sun’s apparent motion. Therefore, the geocentric latitude of the Sun is 0°.
From an interpretive perspective, many modern authors view latitude aspects as somewhat subordinate. Except for Pluto, which has a maximum eccentricity of about 17°, planetary orbits are generally aligned with the ecliptic plane. Consequently, there has been a growing interest in declination aspects. In traditional astrology, aside from the impact of solar declination on seasonal changes, the proximity of classical planets to the plane of Earth’s revolution has traditionally favoured latitude aspects related to the ecliptic, even if only marginally compared to longitude aspects.
However, problems arise when latitude values are applied in astrology. Excluding Pluto, all the other planets are located within a maximum band of 7 degrees north and south of the ecliptic. While Mercury is at the edge of this belt, Mars is only 1 degree 19 minutes away from the ecliptic, and Uranus, at just 8 minutes, lies almost directly on its plane. This proximity creates challenges in calculating tolerance orbits that form aspects, leading to the risk of many planets being close to one another. When using parallels of latitude, it’s more important to note each planet’s position north or south of the ecliptic, assigning values of strength or weakness to specific aspects of the chart. Otherwise, the considered orbit remains within one degree for classical planets.
Ptolemy dedicates one of his aphorisms to the theme:
The Lords of the Geniture’s of lean men have no latitude, but of fat men they have; if the latitude be south, the Native will be nimble; if North, more sluggish.
— Ptolemy – Centiloquium – aphorism LIII
The term “Lord of the Geniture” does not refer to the planet that governs the sign of the Ascendant, as is commonly believed. According to Porphyry’s introduction 1 to Ptolemy’s Tetrabiblos, the calculation method indicates that the Master of the nativity is the planet domiciled in the sign of the Sun, the Moon, or the Ascendant. This planet is chosen based on its strength within the birth chart.
On the contrary, in horary astrology, a planet’s influence on a judgment is believed to be stronger when positioned higher in the northern latitude. Conversely, a planet’s influence weakens as it moves further south. The specific planet or planets involved correspond to the question being asked.
Ultimately, the closer a planet is to 0° latitude, the more it can harmonise with other planetary dynamics and participate in the zodiacal ordering on the ideal plane represented by the ecliptic. Deviating in latitude is like accentuating one’s unique nature within an ordered whole, which can be an advantage in some cases or a weakness in others. Pluto is a special case; its wide excursion beyond the ecliptic plane is the norm, almost as if to accentuate its distance from conscious experience. In 1930, the year of its discovery, it was conjunct the ecliptic, as it was in 2018.
- Porphyry (Greek: Πορφύριος, c. 234 – c. 305 AD) was a Neoplatonic philosopher born in Tyre, in Roman Phoenicia. He studied in Rome under Plotinus and wrote extensively on various branches of knowledge, though only a few of his works have survived. Porphyry sought to apply Neoplatonism to pagan religion and aimed to reconcile Aristotelian logic with Platonism. His aversion to Christianity is well-documented, primarily due to the Bible’s assertions and the beliefs of Christians, which he found incredible and questionable. One of his most notable works, the “Isagoge”, addresses the problem of Platonic universals as categories of being. This text became a standard reference in European schools and universities during the Middle Ages. ↩︎
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