odic month, for example, is the period of time between successive new moons (which
is 29 days 12 hours 44 minutes). Because Earth is always moving forward in its orbit,
the time it takes the Moon to complete a synodic month differs from the time it takes
the Moon to return to its original position relative to the backdrop of the compara-
tively stationary stars. Synodic cycle refers to the time between the conjunctions of
two planets (not to the time between the conjunctions of a planet and the Sun).SYNTHESIS
Synthesis refers to the final stage in horoscope interpretation, when the astrologer
weaves the many particular influences into a coherent whole. The ability to meaning-
fully synthesize astrological information rather than to simply list the interpretations
of each individual component of a chart is the mark of an experienced astrologer.SYZYGY
Syzygy traditionally referred to a conjunction of the Sun and the Moon, such as occurs
during a solar eclipse. By extension, it is currently applied to the alignment of any
three celestial bodies in a straight line (such as occurs during eclipses and occulta-
tions). The etymology of the term is as follows: The sy[n],which is related to the pre-
fix of such words as synchronic, means “together;” -zygyderives from the Greek zugón,
meaning “yoke,” so syzygy literally means to yoke together. This makes syzygy appear
to be a macrocosmic parallel to certain yoga practices in which the internal, symbolic
(microcosmic) Sun and Moon are joined together—as in alternate nostril breathing, a
technique said to join the Sun (right nostril) and Moon (left nostril) energies. What
makes this parallel all the more striking is that both zugónand yogaultimately derive
from the same Indo-European root word yug(yoke).Sources:
DeVore, Nicholas. Encyclopedia of Astrology.New York: Philosophical Library, 1947.
Gettings, Fred. Dictionary of Astrology.London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1985.Syzygy
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