First Station, where the motion turns Retrograde; (c) the Second Station, where the motion
turns direct; and (d) the Post-Second-Station point, where the arc ends, marked by the passing
of the degree of the First Station.
A further consideration is in the fact that with the major planets the opposition to the Sun
occurs always in the middle of the Arc of Retrograde, while the conjunction occurs in the
middle of the Arc of Advance. Also, that at the opposition the Earth is nearer to the planet, by
the length of the diameter of its own orbit. This is for the reason that at any planet's
opposition to the Sun, the Earth is between that planet and the Sun: while at the conjunction
the Earth is on the far side of the Sun opposite the planet.
In the case of the minor planets, the Earth never passes between them and the Sun, hence they
never oppose the Sun. However, the Superior conjunction which occurs when the earth and
the planet are on opposite sides of the Sun, falls in the middle of the Arc of Advance, and the
Inferior Conjunction, when the planet passes between the Earth and the Sun, is midway in the
Arc of Retrograde.
Modern students take these various factors into consideration in analyzing the influence of a
transiting planet in different portions of its orbit, and in different relationships to the position
of the Earth in its orbit.
By way of illustrating the Retrograde Arc, the data on two cycles of Mars is given:
..Enters Arc.........1945....10-3...14° 6'
Cancer..|..1947....11-3......18º 6' Leo
..First Station SR...1947....12-5....3°14'
Leo.....|..1948.....1-9.......7°36' Virgo
..Second Station SD..1946.....2-22..14°06'
Cancer..|...........3-30.....18°06' Leo
..Leaves Arc..................4-30...3°14'
Leo.....|...........6-5.......7º36' Virgo
Retrograde Application. Said of a planet which during and by virtue of its retrograde
motion is applying to an aspect with another planet; or of two planets, both in retrograde
motion, which nevertheless are applying to an aspect to each other.