DK Eyewitness - Astronomy

Planetary positions
One way in which planets are supposed
to be in or out of harmony with one
another depends on their relative
positions in the heavens. When two
planets are found within a few
degrees of each other, they are said
to be in conjunction. When planets
are separated by exactly 180° in the
zodiacal band, they are said to
Mars and Sun in be in opposition.
conjunction
Earth
Earth
Saturn
and Sun in
opposition
Being in conjunction
The planets here are shown in
a geocentric universe (pp.10–11)
where Earth is at the center.
Conjunctions can be good or bad,
depending on whether the planets
involved are mutually friendly or not.
Astrologers believe that an opposition is
malefic, or “evil-willing,” because the
planets are fighting against each other.
Mars and Sun
in opposition
Saturn
and Sun in
conjunction
The zodiac
Seen from Earth, the Sun, the Moon, and
all the planets appear to travel along a
narrow band called the ecliptic (p.13), which
seems to pass through a number of
constellations. Since Roman times,
this series of constellations has
been limited to 12 and is
known as the zodiac, or
“circle of animals.” A
person’s horoscopic
chart shows how the
stars and planets
were placed at the
moment of birth.
Astrologers
believe that this
pattern sets the
boundaries for each
individual’s personality,
career, strengths and
weaknesses, illnesses,
and love life.
Libra
Scorpio
Sagittarius
Capricorn
Aquarius
Gemini
Virgo Leo Cancer
Pisces
Aries
Taurus
Scorpio, the scorpion
Most of the constellations are now known by the Latinized versions
of their original Greek names. This card shows Scorpius, or Scorpio.
This is the sign through which the Sun is traditionally said to pass
between late October and late November. Astrologers believe that
people born during this time of year are intuitive, yet secretive,
like a scorpion scuttling under a rock.
Cancer, the crab
Someone who is born while the Sun is transiting the constellation of
Cancer is supposed to be a homebody, like a crab in its shell. These handpainted
cards are collectively known as Urania’s Mirror—Urania is the
name of the muse of astronomy (p.19). By holding the cards up to the
light, it is possible to learn the shapes and relative brightnesses of
the stars in each constellation.
17