7 articles for "Degree"

A 360th part of the circumference of a circle; also the angle subtended by such an arc. A degree is divided into 60 equal parts called minutes (of arc), a minute into 60 equal parts called seconds (of arc). Special symbols (°,',") are used to denote specific angles. For example, 15°27'38" refers to 15 degrees, 27 minutes, 38 seconds.

See also:
♦ Angular Conversion ♦ Sexagesimal

One 360th part of the circumference of a circle. The rough measure of an angle of one degree is the apparent diameter of a dime held at arm's length from the eye. The apparent diameter of the Sun and Moon is about 0.5°. The longest dimension of the bowl of the Big Dipper is about 10°. A degree is divided into 60 equal parts called minutes of arc. The length of a degree of latitude on the Earth's surface increases from 68.71 miles at the equator to 69.41 miles at 90°. The length of a degree of longitude on the Earth's surface varies from 69.65 miles at the Equator to 53.43 at 40°. Degrees are equally applicable to the Zodiac or the Ecliptic. As a time unit it is applicable to the Equator thus:

See also:
♦ Angular Conversion ♦ Sexagesimal

Several works, symbolical, speculative and statistical, treat of influences presumed to repose in certain individual degrees. Maurice Wemyss in the four volumes of his "Wheel of Life" even introduces some hypothetical and as yet undiscovered planets to account for certain qualities and effects. It is probable that many of the qualities ascribed to individual degrees have to do with sensitive points created by Eclipses, major conjunctions, or a close conjunction in both longitude and latitude between a solar system body and a fixed star, which points are accented by the transit of another planet at a later date. For ready reference a list of such points is arranged in a zodiacal sequence, which includes: (1) the degrees created by important stars, nebulae and clusters; (2) the planets' Nodes; (3) the points of the planets' Exaltation and Fall; (4) the major planetary conjunctions from 1940 to 1946 inclusive; to which others can be added at will from the Ephemerides; (5) Solar Eclipses, from 1940 to 1946, inclusive; and (6) such other degrees which from experience appear to exert a decisive influence.

Individual Degree Tables

The stars listed in this table of Individual Degrees are located as of 1925. To adjust them to other dates add 5O 1/3" of longitude for each year later, or subtract for each year earlier.

The ancients ascribed names to the various stars, and many of these names are still in use. In 16O3 Bayer devised a more scientific system whereby the stars in a constellation are known by the name of the constellation to which they belong, the individual stars within the constellation known by Greek letter prefixes, according to size, beginning with the largest as Alpha, and continuing downward to Omega. The system is still in use, except for the telescopic stars, of which a million have been classified, and these are identified by a catalogue number.

The sequence of the data on the Fixed Stars, supplied in the following list, is as follows:
Longitude, Latitude (magnitude), popular name, astronomical designation, description (Nature according to Ptolemy — with additions by Alvidas — and others) and its astrological significance.

The interpretations given are mostly from ancient authorities, who apparently were inclined to place undue stress upon the direful.

Abbreviations: neb, nebulae; cl, cluster; v, variable.

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

For more complete data on the stars, refer to Vivian E. Robson's volume, "Fixed Stars in Astrology."

See also:
♦ Degree ♦ Degree Signification

The relationship between degrees of terrestrial latitude and nautical miles is as follows: One degree of Latitude at: (Either North or South of the Equator) Zero Degrees: 60.00 Nm 111.12 Km 30 of 52.10 Nm 96.98 Km 60 of 30.13 Nm 55.80 Km 90 to 0.00 Nm 0.00 Km

See also:
♦ Degree

The degree of the zodiacal Sign posited on the Ascendant (q.v.), or cusp of the First House at birth, and generally considered the most important in the Nativity. The rising degree is based upon the exact moment of birth, or of the event for which the Figure is cast, and the correct geographical latitude and longitude. Should either factor be unknown the Figure is usually cast for sunrise, which places the Sun's degree upon the horizon, resulting in what is termed a Solar Figure. As it is based only on the Earth's apparent motion around the Sun some authorities term it a Heliard Figure.

See also:
♦ Ascendant ♦ Rising Sign

For centuries astrologers have assigned meaning to specific degrees of the zodiac. There is little agreement on a system. The Sabian Symbols are the best known.

See also:
♦ Zodiacal Degree ♦ Fiducial Degree ♦ Sabian Symbols ♦ Critical Degrees ♦ Lunar Mansions ♦ Tropical Astrology ♦ Fixed Star ♦ Exaltation ♦ Planetary Node ♦ Eclipse

Certain degrees of zodiac such as 22° Leo (own worst enemy) and 19° Scorpio (Serpentis) are used today by horary astrologers. The fiducial degree in tropical astrology (0° Aries) is accorded special significance. Degrees of exaltation are also recognized as signicant degrees: 19°Aries for the Sun, 3° Taurus for the Moon, 15° Cancer for Jupiter, 15° Virgo for Mercury, 28° Capricorn for Mars, and 27° Pisces for Venus. The positions of many fixed stars are treated as significant degrees. De Vore gives a long list and says that certain degrees have long been given specific meanings to account for qualities or effects not apparent in the symbolism of the horoscope. His list includes fixed stars and planetary nodes. He suggests that many of the significant degrees assumed their meaning by virtue of important eclipses, stelliums, or major conjunctions occurring at mundane cataclysm or upheaval. Al-Biruni writes that there is much controversy on the subject and little consistency in practice. Lilly proposes a list of degree significations for use in horary questions. He uses the categories mentioned by Al- Biruni and finds masculine and feminine degrees useful in horary questions concerning the birth of a child. He used "light, darke, smokie or voyd" degrees to describe complexion; degrees "deepe or pitted," entrenchment; "degrees lame or deficient" (azimene degrees) and degrees increasing fortune.

See also:
♦ Zodiacal Degree ♦ Fiducial Degree ♦ Sabian Symbols ♦ Critical Degrees ♦ Lunar Mansions ♦ Tropical Astrology ♦ Fixed Star ♦ Exaltation ♦ Planetary Node ♦ Eclipse