Simms, Maria Kay. Dial Detective: Investigation with the 90 Degree Dial.San Diego: Astro Com-
puting Services, 1989.CURRY, PATRICK
Patrick Curry is Canadian-born but has lived in London, England for nearly 30 years.
He holds a Ph.D. in the history and philosophy of science from University College
London, has written two books and edited one on the history of astrology (among
other subjects), and helps to edit the journal Culture & Cosmos.He is now an associ-
ate lecturer in the M.A. program in cultural astronomy and astrology at the Sophia
Centre, Bath Spa University College, England.CUSP
In astrology, cusp refers to two different but related divisions. First, a cusp is the divid-
ing line separating a sign from its preceding sign. For example, someone born just prior
to the Sun’s movement out of Cancer and into Leo is said to be “on the cusp of Leo” or
“on the Cancer-Leo cusp.” Such an individual is said to manifest traits of both signs.
Second, the cusp is the dividing line separating a house from the preceding
house. For example, if an individual’s seventh house begins at 10° Aries and ends at
13° Taurus, the person’s seventh house cusp is at 10° Aries. Planets located at end of
one house so that they are very close (usually within 5°) to the next house are said to
influence the affairs of both houses. Thus, to continue using the previous example, a
natal Venus located at 8° Aries in the sixth house would exert—over and above its
influence in the sixth house—an influence in the seventh house because it is only 2°
away from the seventh-house cusp.Sources:
Brau, Jean-Louis, Helen Weaver, and Allan Edmands. Larousse Encyclopedia of Astrology.New
York: New American Library, 1980.
Leo, Alan. The Complete Dictionary of Astrology.Rochester, VT: Destiny Books, 1989.Curry, Patrick
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