# Critical Points in the Zodiac #

At any given time, certain positions around the zodiac are particularly emphasized or powerful, hence they can affect us humans in a marked fashion. Some of these points of emphasis are temporary, retaining their power for weeks, months or years (depending upon the kind of astrological event that energized the point). Other points are more or less permanent, based on the cyclic nature of the zodiac or the positions of powerful bodies outside our solar system. These points can be collectively refered to as "critical degrees". When these critical degrees match up with planets or important points (such as the Ascendent) of your own birthchart, which act as "receivers" of astrological influences, it's possible to really "feel" these critical energies in your life. In fact, it's probably impossible to ignore these influences.The following topics discuss the various kinds of critical degrees and how they affect you.A contact between a critical degree and your birthchart doesn't have to be exact to be effective. Astrological influences have a built-in fudge-factor or margin of error known as an orb. Any time two planets or points get close enough to be "within orbs", the influence starts to kick in, reaching a climax as the contact becomes more exact. As a rule of thumb, a 2 or 3 degree orb should be used for any of the critical degrees discussed here.The Earth is also a planet and has an astrological influence on us. In fact, since the zodiac itself is determined by the Earth's motions, certain important points of the zodiac are crucial power sources of Earth energy, regardless of whether other transiting planets are occupying these degrees or not. These critical degrees are fixed in the zodiac and always present.The zodiac can be viewed as the grandaddy of all cycles and cyclic phenomena. In particular, many of the notions related to aspects and planetary cycles apply to the zodiac as well. The critical degrees of the zodiac are all familiar "aspect angles", that is, multiples of 30 or 45 degrees.

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# "The" Critical Degrees #

These degrees are derived from the average daily motion of the moon, and the zodiac's division into "Mansions of the Moon." (Anthony Louis gives a good explanation of how these degrees are derived in his book Horary Astrology Plain and Simple. I won't go into it here.) The degrees of division between the mansions are sensitive areas; according to Goldstein-Jacobson, when a relevant planet occupies a critical degree, it "will bring matters to a critical point, a crisis, or to a head, as in an illness or a quarrel." These degrees repeat around the zodiac, and are:

Cardinal Signs: 0, 13, 26Fixed Signs: 9, 21Mutable Signs: 4, 17

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# Equinox/Solstice, Avatar, & Anaretic Points #

The beginning and ending degrees of any sign signify transition. The symbolism is obvious: a planet at 29° is about to enter a new sign, a new state or environment, and can signify a critical event that must occur before the situation resolves: It is at a climactic moment. Goldstein-Jacobsone says that a planet in 29° shows that a person is "about to make a definite change." It can also show desperation, impatience, misfortune.According Aphorism 30 of Bonatus' Anima Astrologiae, however:

"When a planet that is Significator, or the Moon, shal have past the 29th degree of the Sign wherein it is, and touches the 30th, and especially if it have passed one minute of that degree; for then it shall have no strength in that Sign, but in the next; so that if in the first it signified any evil, it shall hurt the person or thing threatened no more than the fall of a house shall one that is just got out of it; or being with one foot upon the threashold, has one behind him that throws him out; and then the building falls. And if it signifies any good, it shall profit no more than he that hath spread a nest for birds, and just touches the feathers of their tails, but never catches their bodies; and therefore 'Zael' says, If a planet or the Moon be in the 29th degree of any Sign, its virtue is yet in that Sign wherein he is; because he has not yet wholly past the 30th degree."

A planet at 0°, on the other hand, has already passed the climactic moment, and is in a phase of denouement, or just entering a new environment, fresh circumstances, etc. In both degrees, look for the strength of the planet both in the sign is passing from, and that which it is passing into to gauge which set of circumstances is better for the querent.The middle of a sign shows stability, solidity, a tendency not to make any changes, especially in Fixed signs.

Equinox and Solstice PointsForemost among these permanent critical degrees are 0 degrees of the signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. The Sun crosses these points on the first days of spring, summer, fall and winter, respectively. Since life on planet Earth is tied to the seasons and our yearly cycles, these points are intimately connected with our lives at a basic biological level. Any planet that crosses 0º00' Aries, 0º00' Cancer, 0º00' Libra, or 0º00' Capricorn will also unleash powerful Earth energies. These 4 points are sometimes called cardinal points or quarter points.

Avatar PointsHalfway between the equinox and solstice points are another group of critical degrees in the signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. The points 15º00' Taurus, 15º00' Leo, 15º00' Scorpio, and 15º00' Aquarius are collectively known as Avatar Points. They are considered to be degrees where important spiritual influences enter the Earth plane and our lives. Planets moving across these Avatar Points will trigger the release of these influences.

Beginnings and Endings of Zodiac SignsJust as the zodiac as a whole is a cycle, each zodiac sign by itself is also a cycle. The beginnings and endings of cycles are always important, so 0 degrees and 29 degrees of each sign are critical degrees. 0 degrees represents new beginnings or unfoldings of the energy and effects related to that sign. 29 degrees represents our efforts to complete or perfect our handling of that sign's energies.

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# On the Anaretic Degree #

In astrology, the anaretic degree is the final degree of any sign, which is 29 degrees 0 minutes to 29 degrees 59 minutes. Some modern theorists include the last two degrees. This degree or range is considered to be critical, so any planets, angles or celestial bodies placed within that range are likely to display the most extreme attributes of the sign or planet.Generally, when a planet is posited an anaretic degree, the planet will stand out. It is “taking up the rear”, usually being the planet in the chart with the highest degree value. This is not always negative, though it’s generally portrayed as such.An example of how the anaretic degree can pose problems is in horary astrology. When one casts a chart based upon a question, if any planet or celestial body is

placed in the last dwad of the sign then it is said that the outcome of the question has already been assured, and there is nothing the querent can do to alter the outcome. In horary, one of the strictures against judgment is when the ascendant is in the last three degrees of a sign or the first three degrees of a sign, which would include the anaretic degree or degrees.Another area where the anaretic degree plays an important role is that in wedding charts. In Helen Adams Garrett’s book on the anaretic degree, she stated that the anaretic degree is usually found somewhere in the charts of couples who later divorce. However, the divorce rate being what it is, it might be possible to assess the potential cause of disagreement in advance and work that out through astrological counseling.The concept of anaretic is associated with the concept of void of course. In modern astrological theory, a planet is considered to be void of course when it makes no aspects to another planet before changing signs. This usually refers to the Sun or the Moon, though it can apply to others as well, generally fast-moving inner planets. Therefore, many planets that are anaretic are also void of course, because they are late-degree.These planets will always have a special emphasis, and it will not always be negative. Instead it may be an “edgy” feeling, or a sense of transition; the word anaretic is associated with the idea of death. Rather than being negative, it’s a place in the chart that the querent keeps coming back to, whether seeking resolution or working out a persistent issue that calls for attention.In this sense, anaretic planets have similar properties to Chiron, which has been described by the late Al Morrison as the “inconvenient benefic.”

(Excerpt from "The 29th Degree: Only So Much Time Left"): "Many people have questions about the 29th degree, which is also known as a critical degree. All of the placements in your chart are at a certain degree, from zero to 29. So, this is obviously, the last degree of a sign before it changes into the next sign. Therefore, being born with a placement at the 29th degree is very significant. It indicates, in my view, that the expression of that placement takes on a special, driving importance. "I always like to think of the 29th degree as the last year to live for a sign. Basically, think of that sign going to the doctor and being told it has some horrible, terminal illness and won’t live past the next year. What happens to this sign is what happens to people, in real life, when this happens. Everything either takes on a sense of extreme urgency or all of the important things start making so much sense that a Zen-like calm and wise understanding is assumed. "Let’s say you have a Taurus Sun at the 29th degree. Now, on one hand, you might pursue Taurus concerns with a desperate sort of drive. When you were born, the Sun was right on the verge of moving into Gemini. So, people could’ve been rushing to soak up the patience and good sense of the Taurus Sun while they still could. And this may be an attitude that’s planted in your head. You might feel things like saving, financial security, values, possessions, and sensual pleasures must be achieved and undergone with a lot of urgency. Let’s go, go, go while we still can! "On the other hand, the last day of a Sun sign period is when all of those sign’s themes fully make sense to many people. The chapter is closed for the year and the important lessons are learned. So, you might go the other extreme with Taurus Sun at 29 degrees. You might feel very at peace with all things Taurus, to the point where you don’t really need to pursue them that aggressively. In fact, you might display a lack of attachment to the priorities of this sign, as if you’re letting everything go in preparation for a new life cycle. "People with a personal placement at 29 degrees are often times appear to be far from the typical description of that placement for the aforementioned reason. They know that the end of that journey is near and are preparing for it. In this way, they are already assuming some of the traits of the next sign. Those with 29th degree placements who are the highly urgent types usually have situations come into their lives that teach them this detachment. Their desperation might puzzle and frustrate them until they come to realize that what they really need t

o do is let go. "Of course, your placement isn’t really going to die. That is, not until you do (hate to be morbid but it’s true). Still, having a 29th degree placement means that the area that the placement governs is all about endings. Yet, this gives you even more of an opportunity than most to become a highly evolved version of said placement. After all, don’t most people want to make amends and answer a lot of the tough questions once they get that sentence from that doctor? Well, this placement can, too."

Next, let us elaborate on the meanings of anaretic degrees in specific planets.

(Excerpt from "29 Degrees: The Anaretic Degree," Astrology Weekly article by Nic Gaudette): "29 degrees of any sign is called the Anaretic degree. It’s the very last degree of the sign before it moves into the next sign. When you’re born with a planet or point at 29 degrees, that puts extra emphasis on that planet or point. You can have a difficult time harnessing the energy of that planet or point, and part of your lesson in this life is to learn how to master that planet or point. Your first instinct will be to run away from it and let the energy get messed up, but you actually should embrace it if you want to be your best self. "The Sun rules your identity, who you truly are, so having the Sun at 29 degrees can show someone who struggles to be true to who they really are until they master this position. You need to focus on forging a strong identity and sense of self, otherwise you waffle through life. The Moon rules your emotions, so having the Moon at 29 degrees can show someone who struggles to control and expose their emotions. They can have upsets and fits, or shove everything away, running from their feelings. You need to focus on your emotions, learn the channel them in healthy ways, and open up to others. "Mercury rules your mind and communication, so having Mercury at 29 degrees can show someone who struggles to communicate clearly and trust their mind or judgment. They may struggle with learning disabilities or have other issues in school when young, even if there isn’t anything really wrong with their abilities, or have mental health problems. You need to focus on your mind, learn new things and trust in your mental abilities, and be confident when you communicate. "Venus is the planet of love, so having Venus at 29 degrees can show someone who struggles with relationships, relating to others, and having healthy love. You can subconsciously choose people you know are all wrong for you, keep choosing the wrong kind of person, or run from love entirely. You need to focus on love and the positive aspects of it, sort through whatever issues you have with it, and be the lover that you are. Mars is the planet of energy and drive, so having Mars at 29 degrees can show someone who has too much or too little energy, is overly aggressive or overly a pacifist, and doesn’t know how to take charge or is too impulsive. You need to focus on developing confidence, good self-esteem, and learn how to be assertive without being aggressive. "Jupiter is the planet of optimism and expansion, so having Jupiter at 29 degrees can show someone who needs to learn everything in moderation. They can go overboard with everything, or be stingy. You need to explore and expand your world, and experience life as it should be experienced. Saturn is the planet of restriction, responsibility, and success, so having Saturn at 29 degrees can show someone who doesn’t know how to accept responsibility, is too pessimistic, and who is in their own way when it comes to succeeding in life. You need to stop putting up roadblocks where there aren’t any, stop only seeing the negative in situations, and start realizing you’re usually the one responsible for your own problems. "Uranus is the planet of the new, original, eccentric, and rebellion, so having Uranus at 29 degrees can show someone who is overly traditional and afraid of anything unconventional, or so unconventional that they have no clue how to live in the real world. You need to embrace what makes you a unique person but also embrace tradition, and learn to be open to other people’s way of life. Neptune is the planet of dreams, illusions, and subconscious, so having Neptune at 29 degrees can show someone who runs as far from reality as they can, getting lost in th

eir delusions and fantasies, or who rejects their fantasies and imaginative side. You need to learn to focus on reality without completely avoiding your imagination, resist the urge to indulge in negative escapist behavior, and face your problems instead of running from them. Pluto is the planet of transformation, power, and control, so having Pluto at 29 degrees can show someone who resists changing themselves or their lives, or gets stuck in perpetual change that keeps going and going. They can focus too much on the bad that’s happened, and need to learn to move on more quickly. You need to change when it’s necessary but not with the wind, and try to maintain a balance of power in your relationships."

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# Other Critical Points #

Nodal DegreesWhen a significator sits in the same degree occupied by the Moon�s Nodes, it may assume a malefic influence from the Nodes -- even if it is in a different sign. For instance, if the Moon�s North and South Nodes are at 28°48� Gemini, and 28°48� Sagittarius, then a planet at, say, 28°01� Aries would be affected -- as it would be anywhere in degree 28 of any sign. Ivy Jacobson doesn�t mince words about this: "Any planet or angle in the same degree as the Nodes points to a catastrophe, casualty, fatality or tragedy in a horary or natal chart, the more far-reaching when a malefic is involved." Anthony Louis says that a planet in the nodal degrees shows a "fateful event," but not necessarily unpleasant. Other horary astrologers don�t even use the Nodes. In any case, remember that this is on piece of information that needs to be sythesized with other information in the chart.

22nd DegreeMany believe that the 22nd degree of any sign is indicative of commiting homicide or becoming a victim of homicide. One such example of a believer regarding the 22nd degree can be found here: http://www.astrologyinserbia.com/e/knjige/tajne/tajna_22.htm

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# Points Emphasized by Transits #The motions of planets and other bodies around the zodiac produce many temporary critical degrees.

Current TransitsThe most obvious reason for an emphasized point in the zodiac is the presence of a planet or other body at that position. These are generically called transits (as in "transitory", because the planets move). Because the various planets move at widely different speeds -- from 2 hours per degree for the Moon to many weeks for the slower moving bodies -- this kind of emphasis can be long or short-lived. Contacts between two planets or between a transiting planet and an important point in your birthchart are also known as aspects.

Lunations and EclipsesThe positions of new moons and full moons are critical points for the entire lunar month (the period of time from one new moon to the next), roughly a 29.5 day period. A lunation that "hits your chart" can indicate a month of great changes.A solar eclipse is a special kind of new moon where the Moon blocks out the light of the Sun. A lunar eclipse is a special full moon where the Moon hides in the Earth�s shadow for a time. Both kinds of eclipses are like "super lunations" in effect, triggering extremely transformative energies where they impact you. Eclipse points are usually "critical" for longer periods as well, normally 6 to 12 months, though eclipse points can sometimes lie dormant for years and suddenly be kicked back into action by a passing planet. It�s as though the zodiac has a "memory" and can keep track of important events like this.

Big Aspects and Planetary CyclesJust as the Sun and Moon combine to create the lunation cycles, any pair of planets will determine a cycle of aspects (or angular connections) that stretch from one conjunction to the next. Each of these aspects will create new critical points based on where the planets are when the aspect is exact. The points remain critical during the time the aspect is still in orb, which can be anywhere from hours to years. Fast moving planets rarely create aspects that are important enough to have more than a brief influence. The slow moving planets (from Jupiter on out) create aspects that often take months or years to build to a climax and dissipate, making these critical points much stronger and long-lasting. Further, due to these planets� frequent retrograde (reverse) motions, these aspects often repeat 3 or more times, which "drags out" the influence and intensifies its effects over a long period of time. That�s why I call these contacts "big aspects", because their slow rise and fall has such an effect on us, compared to the fast moving planets.Pretty much any aspect between the slow planets should be considered "critical", but the conjunction, opposition and square are especially important. Of these, the conjunction is highly crucial, since it�s the beginning of the entire cycle between the two planets. Hence, the conjunction seems to be a critical degree for the entire length of the cycle, which for slower planets can last decades or even centuries.

Retrograde CyclesAll planets except the Sun and Moon occasionally stop their normal forward (direct) motion around the zodiac and go into reverse (retrograde) motion for a time. When the planet is shifting from forward to reverse (or vice versa), it stands still for a time at one zodiacal position. This standing still time (called a station) seems to "burn in" the planet�s energy into that zodiacal position, creating a new critical degree. Both the retrograde station (when the planet goes into reverse) and the direct station (when it resumes forward motion) are critical until the next retrograde cycle begins.Any zodiac position between the two stations will be visited by the planet repeatedly (3 or even 5 times), so all these in between degrees are emphasized (though not to the same level as the stations themselves).

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# Important Points within your Birthchart #

Your own birthchart indicates how you receive astrological energies from the planets and other power sources in the universe, and how you express these collected energies in your daily living. For now, let�s look at the reception part of the picture. You have your own private group of critical degrees in your birthchart -- everybody�s pattern of sensitive points is totally unique. These degrees indicate where in the zodiac you are most sensitive to influences affecting the Earth. They are like a radio antenna that brings in the planetary broadcasts all about us.The most important degrees are simply the positions of the planets and asteroids in your birthchart. Every time one of your natal planets is emphasized, the energy of that planet within you is activated and expressed in some way.Because you were born at a specific time and place on the Earth, you have a personal way of relating to the zodiacal energies based on the houses of your chart. In particular, the Ascendent, Descendent, MidHeaven and IC of your chart are all personal critical degrees. These 4 points are known as the "angles" of a chart. I would also include the Moon�s Nodes and the East and West Points (also known as the Antivertex and Vertex) in this category.It�s important to get to know these personal critical points in your chart. By comparing the critical degrees active in the sky (where the sources of energy are) with your personal critical points (where you can receive the energy), you can

understand your individual response to the current astrological scene. This is how you "personalize" a general astrological forecast to fit your own circumstances.

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# How Critical Degrees Affect Your Birthchart #Each critical degree is a source of energy with the potential to create changes in your life. Whether you "pick up" that energy or not depends on whether your "antenna" is tuned to that broadcast, much as a radio receiver must be tuned to a particular station before you can hear any music. That antenna is your group of personal critical points in your birthchart.A powerful astrological influence (like an eclipse or big aspect) will probably affect everyone somehow. But some people will be closely tuned to that energy, receiving it with the strength of a flooding river, and will have their lives turned completely upside down for months at a time. Yet another person may be tuned to some other station and will feel this influence only slightly. The impact on their life will be minimal and they may be wondering what all the commotion is about.In general, if the critical degrees of the current energies are close to your birthchart degrees, you are tuned in. "Close" means within an orb of 2 or 3 degrees. The closer together these degrees are, the more you are tuned in. Don�t underestimate these influences on your life!If a degree in one sign is critical, that same degree is active in every sign (USUALLY). If 4 degrees of Virgo is active, then 4 degrees of every other sign is also active. This seems to be the case for critical degrees of all types, because of the way aspects connect up these corresponding degrees (they are all 30 degrees apart). You can ignore the zodiac sign most of the time.

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AstroWin offers free calculations of horary charts online. It requires only a simple sign-up, and there�s no bullshit at all. To sign up, go here: http://www.astrowin.org/online_calcs_db/signup_login.phpThere will be a tab in the second box (The one with the first tab titled "Natal Chart Report") entitled "Horary." Click it. Input the number you will be assigned for your birth data into the box, and submit it.