conversion (astrologers’ atlases, such as Longitudes and Latitudes in the U. S.) have been
published by people who have made the necessary calculations for most large and medi-
um-size cities, thus saving the astrologer a step in the calculations necessary to set up a
chart. The personal computer revolution has largely eliminated the need for such
tables, as such calculations have been incorporated into chart-casting programs.Sources:
Dernay, Eugene. Longitudes and Latitudes in the U.S.Washington, DC: American Federation of
Astrologers, 1945.
DeVore, Nicholas. Encyclopedia of Astrology.New York: Philosophical Library, 1947.
Filbey, John, and Peter Filbey. The Astrologer’s Companion.Wellingborough, Northamptonshire,
UK: Aquarian Press, 1986.LOGARITHMS
Logarithms, which most schoolchildren are taught but promptly forget, were invented
in 1614 to assist in astrological calculations. They constitute the most tedious part of
traditional astrological mathematics and have been superseded by the computer.LONGITUDE
Longitude (properly called terrestrial longitude) refers to the distance of a given loca-
tion east or west of 0° longitude (which runs through Greenwich, England, where the
system of latitudes and longitudes was worked out in its present form). The expression
“celestial longitude” refers to the angular distance (distance measured in degrees and
minutes of an arc) that a planet or other celestial body is located east of 0° Aries. The
numbers beside planets in a horoscope, which express their position in terms of a cer-
tain number of degrees and minutes of a particular sign, are celestial longitudes.LORD
Lord is an older term for ruler, as in “Mars is the lord (ruler) of Aries.” In the case of the
Moon and Venus, traditionally regarded as feminine, the proper term was “lady.” Many
astrologers want to retain this term but reserve its use for the ruler of a house. Thus, for
example, in a horoscope in which Aries is on the cusp (beginning) of the third house,
Mars would be the ruler of Aries and the lord of the third house. Most contemporary
astrologers have dropped the term lord and use the term ruler for both relationships.
One finds the same distinction between sign and house rulership/lordship in Vedic
astrology, where this notion is central to the correct interpretation of a chart.LUCIFER
Lucifer, asteroid 1,930 (the 1,930th asteroid to be discovered, on October 29, 1964), is
approximately 21 kilometers in diameter and has an orbital period of 4.9 years. Lucifer
was named after the fallen angel of light who became the devil in Western religions. J.Logarithms
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