Meridian. A circle of longitude passing from the South point of the horizon, through the zenith to the North point of
the horizon. It coincides with geographical longitude - a great circle crossing the equator and passing through the
poles. Every point on the Earth's surface has its own meridian or circle of longitude, which passes through its zenith.
The point on the heavens where the projection of this circle intersects the ecliptic, marks the midheaven (MC) or the
cusp of the Tenth House. The Sun's place at noon is on this meridian, and the distance from this point to the horizon in
either direction constitutes the Sun's semi-diurnal arc. The same is true of any celestial body. (v. Semi-arc.) The term is
loosely and incorrectly applied to the midheaven, to the degree of the zodiac thereon, and even to the whole of the X'
house. On an astrological map, it is approximated in the vertical line passing from the cusp of the Tenth House, at the
top of the map, to the cusp of the Fourth House, at the bottom.
Meridian Distance. The distance between a given point along the celestial equator and the Midheaven or Imum Coeli;
usually expressed in hours and minutes.
Meridional. Southerly.
Mesmerism. A word derived from Mesmer, the eighteenth-century physician who applied animal magnetism or
psychic influences in the treatment of disease. It has largely been superseded by Hypnotism, with which it is
approximately identical.
Metonic Cycle. The discovery about 432 B.C. by Meton, an Athenian astronomer, of the Moon's period of 19 years, at
the end of which the New Moon occurs on the same day of the year. Upon this he based certain corrections of the lunar
calendar. He figured the 19-year cyclic of 235 lunations to consist of 6,939d, 16.5h. This he divided into 125 full
months of 30 days each, and 110 deficient months of 29 days each. (v. Lunar Month.) the 235 full months, of 30 days
each, totalled 7,050 days; hence it became necessary to suppress 110 days or 1 in 64. Therefore the month which
contained the 64th day became a deficient month. As the true Lunation period is 6,939d, 14.5h, his calculations
showed a deviation of only two hours. The average date on which a Lunation will occur can be determined from the
following table correlating Sun positions with the calendar:
METONIC CYCLE
Golden Capric Aqua Pisc Aries Taur Gemin Canc Leo .Virgo Libra Scor Sagit Capric
Number 11º-30º............................................................1º-11º
...1.....11....11...11...10.....9....7.....5....3..1-29...29....29...29.....29
...2.....29....30...29...28....17...25....23...22...19....18.....1...18.....18
...3.....18....18...18...18....16...15....14...12...10.....8.....7....7......7
...4......7.....7....7....7.....6....5.....3..1-29..28....26....26...25.....26
...5.....26....25...26...24....24...22....20...19...17....16....15...15.....15
...6.....15....15...15...14....13...12.....9....8....6.....5.....5....5......4
...7......4.....4....4....3.....3..1-29...27...26...24....24....23...23.....24
...8.....24....23...23...22....20...19....17...15...14....12....12...12.....12
...9.....12....12...12...12....10....9.....7....4....3.....1.....1....0......1