SATABISHA
Satabisha (100 Physicians for Healing) is one of the Nakshatras (lunar mansions) of
Vedic astrology. Symbolized by a circle or round charm, this Nakshatra is ruled by
Varuna, god of the ocean or waves, at Aquarius 6°40’ to 20°. One should negotiate or
sign contracts at this time, and may be more economically clever and emotionally
controlled, though quieter and argumentative.—Pramela ThiagesanSATELLITE
A satellite is any body that orbits another body. The body being orbited is referred to
as the primary. The most familiar examples of satellites are the Moon, a satellite of
Earth, and Earth, a satellite of the Sun. This term was originally used to refer to atten-
dants of important people. It was first applied to celestial bodies by Johannes Kepler,
who used the term satellite to refer to the moons of Jupiter.SATURN
Saturn is the last planet in the solar system that can be seen with the naked eye. Its
system of rings makes it stand out as a spectacular sight when seen with a telescope.
Saturn has the lowest density of any planet in the solar system and is made up of pri-
marily of hydrogen and helium molecules. Its rings are formed of either matter that
was torn apart by Saturn’s gravity or material that failed to accrete into a moon when
moons were forming. The rings are inclined by 27° to the planet’s orbit. According to
Jay M. Pasachoff ’s Contemporary Astronomy,there are 9 moons that have long been
known and several others have been detected in modern times. Saturn’s cycle around
the Sun is 29.47 years and mirrors the 29-month lunar cycle. Saturn spends 4^1 ⁄ 2
months a year in its retrograde phase. It annually travels an average of 22° forward and
7° retrograde in zodiacal longitude. Due to its distance from the Sun and Moon the
ancients attributed Saturn with the primary qualities of cooling and drying.
In Greek mythology, Saturn was Kronos (Cronos), one of the Titans who were
among the first children of Heaven (Ouranos) and Earth (Gaea). Ouranos hated some
of the first offspring who were horrible monsters and he hid them in secret places
within the earth. Gaia was angered at the treatment of her children and appealed to
the Cyclopes and Titans for help. Kronos lay in wait for his father and castrated him
with a sickle. From that time on for untold ages, Kronos became lord of the universe,
according to Edith Hamilton’s Mythology.After being overthrown by his son Zeus,
Kronos is said to have gone to Italy and ruled over the Great Golden Age. The
Romans called him Saturnus, known as the god of agriculture and harvest who found-
ed civilization and the social order. The great feast of Saturnalia is held annually in
winter. It was thought that the Golden Age returns during the days the feast lasted. In
Christian times, this holiday became Christmas and represents the birth of the Divine
Child born at the Winter Solstice. At the turning of the year, old Father Time, who
carries a sickle, is replaced by the New Year’s Eve baby.Satabisha
[596] THEASTROLOGYBOOK