The Effect of the Dimensions of the Constellations

If you have been able to comprehend the complexities of the precession of the equinoxes, then there is a further complication to be added into the mix. The constellations as marked in the sky are not twelve equal segments of 30 degrees. As previously mentioned, you also need to remember that the ecliptic contains thirteen primary constellations which the Sun passes through, and up to eighteen constellations which the Moon and planets pass through.

The neat 30-degree arcs of the sky assigned to each of the tropical or sidereal astrological zodiacs do not reflect the size, boundaries or positions of the real constellations. Astronomical Astrology uses the constellation boundaries as defined by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), so that not only does it account for the precession of the equinoxes, it explains the observable occurrences of the Sun, Moon and planets in the respective constellations.

The first thing to notice with the constellation boundaries as defined by the IAU, is that not all constellations are of the same dimension. As an example, the constellation Pisces occupies a much larger space of the sky than the constellation of Cancer. Secondly, the Sun, Moon and the planets do not always neatly travel squarely through each constellation. They will often do so on a perceived angle and at different elevations through each constellation. This results in the Sun, Moon and planets all spending different amounts of time travelling through each astronomical constellation. When you take all of these items into consideration, you will observe that each of the constellations fills varying arcs of the sky, meaning that their dominion is not a consistent 30-day period, but instead varies quite significantly from 6.5 days for Scorpio to almost 45 days for Virgo.

If you take into account the dimensions of each of the constellations, then it is possible to accurately calculate the degrees of the sky which they occupy. Tying this into the precession of the equinoxes, means that Astronomical Astrology is one which aligns exactly with the observable universe and science.