programs that include heliocentric positions as a standard option makes it almost
inevitable that the astrologers who buy them will experiment with these positions,
resulting in more astrologers who use heliocentric or geo-helio charts. Thus, the future
of heliocentric astrology as a continuing presence within the astrological community
seems ensured.
Sources:
Brau, Jean-Louis, Helen Weaver, and Allan Edmands. Larousse Encyclopedia of Astrology.New
York: New American Library, 1980.
Davis, T. Patrick. Revolutionizing Astrology with Heliocentric.Windermere, FL: Davis Research
Reports, 1980.
Sedgwick, Philip. The Sun at the Center: A Primer of Heliocentric Astrology.St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn
Publications, 1990.
HEMISPHERE
Hemisphere literally means a half sphere. In geography, hemisphere refers to the divi-
sion of Earth into northern, southern, eastern, and western hemispheres. In astrology,
hemisphere usually refers to the division of a horoscope into upper and lower halves
(using the ascendant-descendant axis as the dividing line) or into left and right halves
(using the midheaven–imum coeli axis as the dividing line). The upper and lower hemi-
spheres of a chart are technically termed the diurnal (day, because it is above the hori-
zon) arc and the nocturnal (night, because it is below the horizon) arc, respectively. The
left and right hemispheres are termed the oriental (eastern) arc and the occidental
(western) arc. These technical terms are rarely used by contemporary astrologers.
In the interpretation of a natal chart, the occurence of many planets above the
horizon is said to indicate extroversion; many planets below the horizon indicates
introversion. Also, a chart with a preponderance of planets in the left hemisphere is
said to indicate an individual who shapes her or his environment, and a preponder-
ance in the right hemisphere indicates an individual who adapts to the environment.
These interpretations are tentative, “first impression” delineations and can be quickly
abandoned if other factors in a birth chart give contrary indications.
Sources:
Brau, Jean-Louis, Helen Weaver, and Allan Edmands. Larousse Encyclopedia of Astrology.New
York: New American Library, 1980.
Gettings, Fred. Dictionary of Astrology.London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1985.
HERA
Hera, asteroid 103 (the 103rd asteroid to be discovered, on September 7, 1868), is
approximately 96 kilometers in diameter and has an orbital period of 4.4 years.
Hera was named after the Greek goddess of women and childbirth. She was the sis-
ter and wife of Zeus, king of the Olympian deities. Hera was the most jealous wife
in ancient mythology, and she persecuted both her husband’s lovers and the chil-
dren of Zeus’s many love affairs. Jacob Schwartz gives the astrological significance
THEASTROLOGYBOOK [299]
Hera