cally skilled, he proves to be very adaptable: he will always land on his feet. Studious
and cultured, the Cat is also a sensitive person.—Michele DelemmeCAUDADRACONIS
Cauda Draconis(Latin for “Dragon’s Tail”) is an older term for the south lunar node.CAZIMI
Cazimi (an Arabic term meaning “heart of the Sun”) refers to a very close conjunc-
tion—within 17 minutes—between a planet and the Sun. In contrast to the wider
combust conjunction, which supposedly weakened a planet, the cazimi position was
traditionally said to strengthen the influence of the planet involved. Partially because
modern astrologers do not regard the combust position as having a debilitating effect
in a natal chart—hence, making the combust/cazimi distinction one with no practical
consequence—this term has dropped out of usage.CELESTIALCOORDINATES
Celestial (sky) coordinates are most easily understood by comparing them to terrestri-
al (earthly) coordinates. Terrestrial coordinates allow a location to be specified in
terms of degrees of longitude and latitude. Celestial coordinates similarly specify loca-
tion in terms of two measurements of distance, expressed in terms of degrees of a cir-
cle. Rather than measuring degrees along the surface of planet Earth, however, celes-
tial coordinates are measured against the celestial sphere, which is the sphere created
by imagining that all of the objects in the sky are stuck against the inside of a gigantic,
hollow sphere, with Earth located at the exact center.
There are several systems of celestial coordinates. The altitude-azimuth system
begins from any given location on the Earth’s surface, and uses the horizon, the zenith,
and the north-south axis as points of reference. The equatorial systemuses the celestial
equator and the vernal point as its primary reference points. Astronomers most often
use this system. The ecliptic systemuses the ecliptic and the vernal point. Astrologers
most often use the ecliptic system.CELESTIALEQUATOR
The celestial equator, also termed the equinoctial, is the terrestrial equator imaginarily
projected outward from Earth and onto the background of the stars (i.e., against the
backdrop of the celestial sphere). Because of the tilt of the Earth on its axis, the celestial
equator intersects the ecliptic at an angle of 23^1 ⁄ 2 °. Similarly, the celestial poles are the
north and south poles projected outward against the backdrop of the celestial sphere.Cauda Draconis
[130] THEASTROLOGYBOOK