and all move in the same direction around the Sun (all clockwise or all counterclock-
wise, depending on the position from which they are viewed from outside the system).
If the various elements of the solar system were not all within the same plane, it would
be difficult to represent astrological influences on a two-dimensional chart. With the
exception of some of the fixed stars, all of the influences taken into account by con-
temporary astrology are confined to our solar system.
Sources:
Robinson, J. Hedley, and James Muirden. Astronomy Data Book.2d ed. New York: John Wiley
& Sons, 1979.
Smoluchowski, Roman. The Solar System: The Sun, Planets, and Life.New York: Scientific
American Books, 1983.
SOLSTICE
The solstices (from the Latin sol,meaning “sun,” plus sistere,meaning “to stand still”)
are the longest and the shortest days of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, from
the summer solstice to the winter solstice the sunrise occurs a little farther north each
day. On the day of the winter solstice, the Sun pauses (“stands still”) in its gradual
northward movement and begins to move south. This continues until the next sum-
mer solstice, when the Sun once again pauses and reverses direction. In the tropical
zodiac, the solstices correspond with the moment the Sun enters 0° Cancer (summer
solstice) and 0° Capricorn (winter solstice).
SOPHIA
Sophia, asteroid 251 (the 251st asteroid to be discovered, on October 4, 1885), is
approximately 35 kilometers in diameter and has an orbital period of 5.4 years. The
name Sophia means wisdom or cleverness in Greek. If other elements of a natal chart
concur, Sophia shows wisdom or cleverness with respect to the matters indicated by its
sign and house position. When afflicted, it may indicate false wisdom or sly cleverness.
Sources:
Kowal, Charles T. Asteroids: Their Nature and Utilization.Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Ellis
Horwood Limited, 1988.
Room, Adrian. Dictionary of Astronomical Names.London: Routledge, 1988.
Schwartz, Jacob. Asteroid Name Encyclopedia.St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1995.
SOPHROSYNE
Sophrosyne, asteroid 134 (the 134th asteroid to be discovered, on September 27, 1873),
is approximately 116 kilometers in diameter and has an orbital period of 4.1 years. The
name Sophrosyne is Greek for prudence, one of the four virtues in Plato’s philosophy.
When prominent in a natal chart, Sophrosyne indicates a person with a prudent
approach to life. Its location by sign and house position indicates how and where one
expresses prudence. When involved in many inharmonious aspects, Sophrosyne may
show a person who is imprudent or someone who is inappropriately prudent.
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Sophrosyne