What Is Declination Conversion?

Declination conversion is a method for converting a planet’s degree of declination to a degree of the zodiac. What we commonly think of as a planet’s zodiac degree –its “Longitudinal” position–is just one of three zodiac degrees that correlate to the planet’s actual position in our sky.

Astrology derives meaning from planets’ positions along the ecliptic (the Sun’s apparent path through the zodiac). But most of the time, except for the Sun, planets are located off the ecliptic. So we must decide which point(s) along the ecliptic to use as a planet’s zodiac degree.

Astrologers almost exclusively use the longitudinal zodiac degree for position reference (the zodiac degree the Sun would be at if it were at that planet’s degree of Longitude). However, for a planet’s position off the ecliptic, there are two other meaningful zodiac degrees, known as the “Declination-Equivalent” and “Declination-Antiscia.” By taking these other zodiac degrees into account, we can fine-tune our astrology!

Declination-Equivalents and Declination-Antiscia

A planet’s Declination-Equivalent and Declination-Antiscia degrees are the two zodiac degrees at which the Sun could be if it were at that planet’s degree of declination (the distance north or south of the celestial equator). Except for the solstices, for every degree of declination the Sun passes on its trek North, it passes the same degree of declination again on its way South. So for each degree of declination there are two corresponding zodiac degrees. The position closest to the planet’s regular, longitudinal zodiac degree is its Declination-Equivalent zodiac degree. The other position is its Declination-Antiscia zodiac degree.

Many astrologers already use raw declination degrees to determine whether two planets are “parallel” or “contra-parallel” one another. While this provides some information, it has drawbacks. Raw declination degrees do not have the impact of zodiac degrees. Notice the differing impressions you get reading “12N43” and “26Leo25.” (Or, for that matter, the raw longitude degree of “146.42.”) While each corresponds to the same point on the ecliptic, far more information floods into your mind with the zodiac notation. More importantly, raw declinations do not show all the aspects we use, such as squares, semi-squares and quindeciles.

Caution! Because declination conversion increases the potential number of aspects, it is crucial to strictly limit aspect orbs and to focus on measurements that either activate tense natal configurations or have their own clear, significant symbolism.

Declination conversions are easily calculated using software such as Halloran’s AstrolDeluxe. I’ve recently learned that SolarFire 6 also has this function. Conversion tables are also available on the Internet (including one on my website, referenced at the end of this article).

How I Became Fascinated with Declination Conversions

I first learned how to use the declination conversion technique from Kt Boehrer, both through her book and through email discussions. Kt was one of the early pioneers of this technique in modern times. Charles Jayne was another pioneer of this technique in recent times. However, my understanding is that the concept of converting declination to longitude equivalents has been around since Ptolmey’s time. More information about the history of this technique is available at Solsticepoint.com.

I became fascinated with declination conversions because it was the only technique I found that really reflected an accident I had when I was 16 that an old astrologer had predicted for that very day (as a “big bump”) many months before it happened.

The accident happened while I was walking home one day. The car hit me from behind, throwing me over its hood. I landed on my hip and then my face hit the pavement. My injuries included a concussion, massive tissue damage in my left leg and right hip (one spot is numb to this day), abrasions on my face and hands, a nasty cut over my right eye, a hairline fracture on my spine at the base of my neck, and six broken teeth (right in front, unfortunately).

When I later learned more about astrology I tried to see what the astrologer, Henry Gertsen, had seen. Nothing ever seemed to “pop” for that day. Then I met Kt online, and read her book “Declination: The Other Dimension.” The declination-based transits practically jumped off the page for the day of my accident!

I was born October 27, 1956 at 6:22 a.m. PST in Oakland, California (1Sco45 rising). The accident occurred in the late afternoon, around 4 pm, on September 29, 1973.

Using just Longitudinal arcs and transits, my natal Saturn-Pluto square had arced to be roughly semi-square my Ascendant-Sun conjunction (SA Saturn semisquare Sun 0ÌŠ25′a, and SA Pluto semi-square Ascendant 0ÌŠ20’s). But the only outer planet transit was Uranus conjunct Mercury with an orb of well over 1 degree.

Looking at the declination-based arcs and measurements, we find SA Mercury squaring my MC with an orb of just 0ÌŠ04′a; SA Venus (12th ruler) quincunx Mars (6th ruler and physical body in general) with NO orb: 0ÌŠ00′; SA Mars quincunx Neptune (concussion) with an orb of just 0ÌŠ02′a); and SA Saturn (ruling 3rd House of vehicles) semi-square Neptune with an orb of 0ÌŠ19’s.

Declination-based transits included T Pluto opposite Sun (0ÌŠ08′) and square Uranus (0ÌŠ15′); as well as T Uranus conjunct Mars (0ÌŠ11′) and sesquiquadrate both Mercury (0ÌŠ18) and Pluto (0ÌŠ05′). These major transits were triggered that day by, among several other things, T Mars conjunct Pluto (0ÌŠ01′). In addition to activating my natal Sun-Uranus square (which occurs in both longitude and declination, but is much tighter in declination), the transits were activating a Mercury-Pluto square that appears only in the Declination-Equivalent version of my chart. Pluto rules my Ascendant (health center, personal appearance) and Mercury represents my mind and mental functioning. (Mercury also rules my 8th House, which relates to insurance, and I eventually received a tidy insurance settlement as a result of the accident.)

Taken as a whole, these astrological measurements paint a much clearer picture of my accident than any other technique I ever tried. This led me to look at other serious accidents using declination conversions. Over the years I have studied many such events and I continually find striking, relevant measurements using declination conversions. The next step is to develop more efficient means for using declination conversions in astrological forecasting!

More information about declination conversions, other accident examples, and a conversion chart are available in the articles section of my website at AstrologyWithDonnalyn.com.

The SBAS talk today with Greg Howard was on natal house conflicts with the house ruler. It’s a theory that Greg has developed, and it will be interesting to see over time how his research pans out.

He started the talk by showing us how his house definitions differ slightly from the typical keywords and definitions proposed by Stephen Forrest and the authors of The Only Way to Learn Astrology. You can see his revised house definitions on his website: www.relativeastrology.com/houses.html

First, look to the sun, moon, and onward through the planets. Check the which house natal planet is in, then find what house that planet rules. This will reveal to you how one house challenges another. In other words, Greg feels the houses define our challenges in life. For me his 8th house definition was interesting as this is where my Sun is:

EIGHTH HOUSE people or issues challenge your ability to find unconditional love and acceptance
through your relationships with loved ones, your sexual partner and even your creator.

So that is my natal challenge, and the Sun rules Leo, and in my case that means my 8th house is challenged by my 10th house:

TENTH HOUSE people or issues challenge your role (cook, homemaker, banker, coach) or status
(married, parent, child, liberal, convicted felon) within society.

I have been challenged by both people and issues in many roles I’ve had throughout my life, and I often found myself on the defensive with people who claimed unconditional love, specifically through marriage, people of authority, parental figures, etc. It has given me an edge over the years, and I can be quite protective in the roles I decide to take on for myself.

My moon sits in the third house. The moon naturally rules Cancer, putting my third house in challenge with my 9th house. So, I look to Greg’s definitions again. I have had my perceptions challenged, often in emotionally charged ways (moon), but I generally tend to receive other’s views as possible new information. The challenge with the 9th house suggests that this has helped, or made things difficult for me, to expand my horizons and breakfree from routine, to seek new challenges. I see this 3rd/9th house challenge as a positive aspect of my chart because while at times difficult, it has encouraged personal growth and mental expansion for me. But, I suspect, this is why traditional schools were especially difficult for me in spite fo my love of learning.
I hope Greg will correct me if I’m incorrect in the technique I’m quoting to look at these house challenges. Greg used the charts of some famous people to show how he uses this technique, and how he feels the challenges play out in their lives. I found the talk insightful and interesting, and will look into the house challenges of the other planets in my chart, and in charts of people I know.

~Dana Nourie

www.cosmicpathway.com