influence in a horoscope. Consequently, the sign that the Sun is in at birth is usually
the single most important influence on a native’s personality. Thus, when people say
that they are a certain sign, they are almost always referring to their sun sign. Interest-
ingly, the ancient Romans regarded the Moon as the most influential astrological
body, so when they said they were a certain sign, they were referring to the sign the
Moon was in when they were born. Similarly, in Vedic astrology, the Moon represents
a more important influence than the Sun.
Sun-sign astrology, which is the kind of astrology found in newspapers and
magazines, has the advantage of simplicity—a person’s birthday is all that must be
known to figure out the person’s sign—but this simplicity is purchased at the price of
ignoring all other astrological influences. These other influences make sun-sign astrol-
ogy a hit-or-miss system that works sometimes but fails miserably at others. Profession-
al astrologers tend to dislike sun-sign astrology because it creates a misconception of
the science of the stars (i.e., the misconception that astrology is entirely about sun
signs) and because its inaccuracy leads nonastrologers to reject all astrology as untrue.
Sources:
Bach, Eleanor. Astrology from A to Z: An Illustrated Source Book.New York: Philosophical
Library, 1990.
Gettings, Fred. Dictionary of Astrology.London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1985.
SUPERIORCONJUNCTIONS
Superior conjunctions are conjunctions between the Sun and the two inner planets in
which Mercury or Venus lies on the other side of the Sun from Earth. The antonym
inferior conjunction refers to conjunctions in which Mercury or Venus is located in
front of the Sun.
SUPERIORPLANETS
The original meaning of the word superior was “above.” In the concept of the universe
that was prevelant prior to the Copernican revolution, when Earth was thought to be
the stable center around which every other celestial body revolved, the orbits of Mars,
Jupiter, and Saturn were considered to be “above” the orbit of the Sun. These three
planets were thus referred to as the superior planets. The evaluative connotations of
the term have caused this expression to be dropped in favor of outer planets.
SWAT I
Swati (the Good Goer) is one of the Nakshatras (lunar mansions) of Vedic astrology.
Shown by a sword, this Nakshatra is a good time to “cut loose” and is considered one of
the best signs; people under this sign may tend towards gentleness and friendliness dur-
ing this time, as well as over-generosity and unawareness of debt. The planet Rahu rules
Swati and the god of wind, Vayu, presides over this sign located from Libra 6°40’ to 20°.
—Pramela ThiagesanTHEASTROLOGYBOOK [635]
Swati