Astrology Dictionary C Page 5

Converse

The word Converse is defined as 'opposite or contrary in direction, action or sequence' and comes from the Latin conversus meaning 'to turn around'. In Astrology it refers to the opposite direction of the natural motion of planets. As well as the usual progressions and secondary progressional methods Astrologers are able to view natal charts conversely. A Converse progression chart will show life events in a backwards rather than forward in time analysis. It uses measurements from the birth date that are then plotted from the reverse order of the zodiac. Converse astrological methods are usually utilized to inspect a horoscope for past events and is thought quite effective.

Coordinates

The ancient Babylonians who developed the first zodiac concepts were unaware that the Earth moves on a rotational axis. As they did not take this into account Astrology today uses 2 sets of astrological coordinates to pinpoint the positioning of zodiacal signs and planetary influences. These coordinates now used are called the tropical and sidereal and are measured in degrees allowing for the Earth's rotation. Tropical coordinates used in Western astrological techniques allow for constellations drifting apart by about 1.4 degrees every year. Sidereal coordinates are calculated fixed in relation to all the other stars in the sky.

Copernican System

The Copernican System was considered the first theoretic form of a heliocentric method and it was developed by Nicholaus Copernicus in the 16th century. The main concept of the Copernican System was that the Sun rather than the Earth was center of the Solar System. This was thought to explain the variation in the brightness of planets depending on their distance from Earth. It also offered an explanation for retrograde motions and an alternative way of calculating astrological coordinates, speeds and influences. The Copernican System along with the geocentric Ptolemaic System is consulted for most of the astrological charting performed today.

Co-ruler

Co-ruler is the term given in Astrology to identify when more than one planet rules over or has a natural association with a zodiac sign. Before the telescope was introduced and new celestial bodies discovered, each visible planet, except the Sun and the Moon, was assigned to rule 2 signs each. The discovery of new planets like Uranus, Pluto and Neptune has led to a rearrangement of planetary rulerships and the emergence of co-rulers in some modern astrological interpretations. Today some Astrologers accept the planet Uranus as the co-ruler of Aquarius, Pluto as the co-ruler of Scorpio and Neptune to be the co-ruler of Pisces.

Cosmic

The word Cosmic means 'forming a part of the material universe, especially outside of the Earth' and comes from the ancient Greek kosmikos. Cosmical is the opposite of Acronichal and was a term for measurement of the year used centuries ago. It is used widely in Astrology to identify the spatial environment concerned and the rising and setting of the Sun, Stars and Planets and conjunctions. When a star or planet is approaching sunrise it is said to be cosmically rising and at sunset to be cosmically setting. One important conjunction often described as a Cosmic Cross is the T-square formation seen in around 40% of natal charts.

Cosmobiology

Cosmobiology is an astrological system of thought that uses a combination of modern scientific research and cosmic influences. It was created by Reinhold Ebertin based in Germany and introduced as an Astrology method during the 20th century. Cosmobiology combines the cosmos and natural sciences on the effect of our personalities and fated paths. It utilizes statistics and considers midpoints and hard aspects, like squares and oppositions to be of the most significance for analysis purposes. This particular interesting branch of Astrology completely ignores the houses in it's alternative insightful interpretations.

Cosmos

The term Cosmos is derived from the ancient Greek word kosmos thought to mean order or arrangement. It is used in an astrological sense to describe the orderly harmonious system of our Universe and encompasses everything within it. The Cosmos represents time, space, forces, elements, cycles and many other things referred to in Astrology study and interpretation. Plato illustrated the Cosmos as a formless living being that co-exists with and has some influence on mankind and events on Earth. The creative form of the Cosmos has been observed and studied for centuries and provides the main setting for many of today's popular esoteric sciences.