Aurora Borealis, Northern Lights. Scientists associate the phenomena with unusual sun-spot
activity, and astronomers are working on the theory that the sun-spot cycles, generally
recognized as having some connection with economic trends, are the result of planetary
movements. The most brilliant display of the Aurora Borealis in fifty years occurred on January
25, 1938. Transatlantic radio was interrupted and crowds in Holland, awaiting the birth of
Princess Juliana's baby, cheered the display as a lucky omen for the little Princess Beatrix, who
was born January 31, 1938, with 15° Aries on the Asc., and 6° Capricorn on the M.C. At this
time Venus and the Sun were forming conjunctions with Jupiter, and Mars was forming a
conjunction with Saturn.
Axis, Inclination of. The equators of rotating bodies appear never to parallel their orbits. Hence
there is an inclination of the axis when considered in reference to the plane of the orbit. Within
the solar system these inclinations arc, at this epoch, as follows: Mercury 72°, Venus 60°, the
Earth 23½°, Mars 25°, Jupiter 3°, Saturn 26°, Uranus 102°, Neptune 155°, Pluto unknown. The
inclination of the Sun's axis to the plane of the Earth's orbit is about 7°. Its inclination to the
plane of its own orbit is unknown, because the Sun's orbit is itself unknown. It is claimed by
some that there is an additional motion of the Earth's axis amounting to 50" a century, making an
orbit of about 2½ million years, in the course of which the North Pole and the South Pole
successively point to the Sun instead of as at present to the Pole Star. This theory is advanced by
way of explanation for successive Ice Ages.
Axial rotation. The diurnal motion of the Earth around its axis; also similar motion on the part
of any other celestial body. v. Solar System.
Azimene. Said of a planet posited in certain weak or lame degrees or arcs which, if ascending at
birth, were supposed to make the native blind, or lame, or otherwise physically afflicted.
Azimuth. A point of the horizon and a circle extending to it from the zenith; or an arc of the
horizon measured clockwise between the south-point of the horizon and a vertical circle passing
through the center of any object.