Appulse. The near approach of one orbital body to another - a conjunction; the culmination at or
crossing of the meridian. Applied particularly to the appulse of the Moon near to the Earth's
shadow. v. Penumbral Eclipse.
Apsis, n. (pl., apsides). The points of greatest and least distance of a heavenly body from its
centre of attraction. v. Orbit.
Aquarius. The eleventh sign of the zodiac. v. Signs.
Arabian Points, or Parts. Of the so-called Arabian Points, Fortuna, or the Part of Fortune, is
the best known to modern astrologers, although its full significance is not generally realized.
These Points tend to show that the Arabians understood the value of the Solar Houses -- those
based upon the Sun's degree as the Ascendant, thence erecting twelve Houses consisting of
successive thirty degree arcs. If any Figure be revolved to the point where the Sun's degree is
on the Ascendant the Moon's position will coincide with the geocentric House position of
Fortune; Mercury to the Point of Commerce; Venus to the Point of Love; and so on. Instead
of revolving the Figure the Arabians gave rules whereby these planetary House-positions
could be inserted in a Figure based on a birth-moment. Thus the Scheme showed each planet
in two House-positions: one based on its relation to a rising degree, the other on its relation to
the Sun itself. Naturally the rules for computing these locations infer a knowledge of the
correct birth-moment. However, it is incorrect to assume that these points cannot be utilized
when the birth-moment is unknown. On the contrary, a Figure erected with Aries 0° as an
Ascendant can be more comprehensively interpreted by the use of most of the Arabian Points
than in perhaps any other way. The so-called Solar Equilibrium system is entirely based upon
the Arabian concepts. To utilize these Points without a known ascendant degree cast a Figure
with Aries 0° as an Ascendant and proceed as follows:Revolve the Figure until the Sun's degree is on the Ascendant, then divide it into Houses
consisting of successive 30° arcs from that degree.The Moon's position is the Part of Fortune and shows the lunar influence in shaping adult
individuality and destiny, just as the Moon's relation to the rising degree shows the lunar
influence upon the personality and the physical development of the early years.Mercury's position is the Caduceus, or Point of Commerce.Venus' position is the Heart, or Point of Love.Mars' position is the Sword, or Point of Passion.