The way the Starscine readings are calculated reflects the fundamental
difference between Starscine and the way that other horoscope readings
are determined. Other horoscope readings are based on the established
principles of horoscope calculations, but largely ignore current
scientific knowledge. The Starscine team has undertaken the complex
task of combining the established principles of horoscope calculations
with current scientific knowledge of the universe.
There is another fundamental difference between the two methods.
The Starscine method produces numbers, on a scale of one to ten,
which indicate the relative strength of the astrological reading
for an individual. Starscine does not pretend to predict what events
will occur as a result of the presence of these astrological forces.
Like all serious astrological methods, it would not 'predict', for
example, 'You will meet the love of your life on Saturday night'.
However, knowing the relative strength of particular forces at a
particular time, alerts the individual to cooperate with, or to
act to modify, particular influences with reference, for example,
to the individual's current circumstances and aspects of temperament.
See FAQ Interpreting a reading.
Astrological Principles
Horoscope calculations are based on three main principles:
- Individuals born under a particular sign (within a particular
phase of the Earth's orbit) have particular sensitivities to the
solar elements;
- The influence of a solar element is determined by its relative
location to Earth;
- The location of the solar elements at an individual's time of
birth influences that person's future sensitivity to the solar
elements.
These principles have been used consistently by astrologers to
make their calculations throughout the last 3,000 years. However,
our understanding of the universe and our place in it has changed
radically in that time - see FAQ History & Origins.
A fundamental principle of the practice of astrology is that people born under different signs will
have different relationships with the same planets. This provided the greatest challenge to the
Starscine team when translating ancient astrological practices into modern methods of calculation.
The key has been to understand what the ancient practitioners identified in their skies, and to ensure
that this could be accurately identified in the solar system as we understand it today.
Understanding the true meaning of the ancient method: The ancient practitioners were based around the
Mediterranean. They viewed the heavens from that particular location and their calculations were based
on their specific view of the universe. The origin of the words 'star sign' and 'horoscope' are evidence
of this. The 12 Star Signs were selected from the numerous constellations of stars because they
provided a complete series of markers or signs that could be viewed (-scope) near the horizon (horo-),
hence the portmanteau word - horoscope. The ancients recognized that where these appeared in the sky in
relation to the Sun (sometimes referred to as the Sun Signs), certain times of the year were indicated.
Even into Roman times, this was one of the most reliable calendars. This is because the Star Signs are
very reliable points of reference, in that relative to the Earth and the Sun, they are fixed points in space.
However, they do not appear as fixed points to an observer on Earth. Indeed, as was believed prior to
1543, they appear to rotate around the Earth in much the same way as the Moon and the Sun. What is
relatively unchanged after the gradual alteration in the tilt of the Earth's axis is taken into account
(at least when observed from near the Mediterranean) is that when the Sun and the Star Signs are in
particular positions relative to the Earth and its horizon, then the Earth is located in a particular
part of its orbit.
Translating the old ways into modern scientific method: Rather than relying on the less accurate
(and in some parts of the world, impossible) method of visual observation, Starscine uses the actual
orbital position of the Earth. Not only is this more accurate, it is also valid for all locations on
Earth. Thus the determination of various sensitivities to a Star Sign indicates that the space through
which the Earth travels during each astrological period of its orbit, influences those born at that time.
The planets, the Sun and the Earth's Moon, are the solar elements that have long been recognized by
astrologers as having an influence on people. This influence is determined by the relative location of
these solar elements to the Earth. With the exception of the recently discovered planets, Uranus,
Neptune and Pluto, we have a heritage of over 3000 years of astrological observation and refinement,
an accumulation of vast proportions which has formed an impressive body of knowledge concerning
these forces. With these forces well understood, the challenge for astrologers has always been to
determine the location of the solar elements at a particular time.
Understanding of the traditional methods
Understanding of the traditional methods is relatively easy for those who are familiar with
orienteering, or at least the art of navigation using a map and a compass. First, let's look at the
equivalent astrological tools:
The Compass: Astrologers use the solar equinox as the equivalent of
Magnetic north. Originally this was aligned with the start of Aries, but like magnetic north, it is
constantly moving, and is now 30 degrees from that point. The 12 Star Signs are like points on the
astrological compass. However, like true north and magnetic north, the visual reference and the
absolute astrological reference are not the same thing. At this time there is approximately a 30 degree
difference between the visual reference and the absolute reference.
The Map: The astrological chart is like a map, and it is both simple and complicated. Simple
because it has only 10 items on it, and complicated because they all appear to move. However, once one
simple rule is applied, the whole becomes quite simple. The rule of the astrological chart or map is
that everything is relative to the line between the Sun and the Earth.
Astrological Navigation: Astrologers 'navigate' using a system they describe as Houses.
There are a number of ways of proceeding. Some astrologers use a House with 12 segments, others use a
House with 8 segments. And to return again to the orienteering analogy, they all use the same principles
of trigonometry. They determine the relative position of the self (the Earth) to point A (the Sun) using
a compass (the Star Signs), and from there the relative positions of the Moon and the planets, to that
position. Once these things are known, an astrological chart for that moment can be created.
Translating the old ways into modern scientific method:
Thanks to the numerous advances in modern astronomy, it is now possible to not only calculate the
relative direction of the solar elements at a particular time, but it is also possible to calculate
the actual distance between them and us. Starscine has translated the ancient trigonometric-based chart
interpretations so that the precision of today's astronomic calculations can be incorporated into this
ancient craft.
Once we know where the planets are, we can determine the level of astrological influence they are having on our lives here on Earth. As there are, to date, no scientific instruments for measuring the astrological forces in the way that, for example, the Geiger counter measures radiation, or a thermometer measures temperature, we must use deductive reasoning and scientific principles.
(N.B. The lack of such an instrument does not count against the existence of astrological forces.
Scientists use deductive reasoning and scientific principles to identify and explain various phenomena,
usually well in advance of producing the instrumentation that 'proves' the particular case. Scientists
were aware of a rise in temperature and could observe its effects in various conditions, for example,
long before the thermometer was invented to measure it. The existence of radiation and radio waves was
formulated in scientific theories well before the instrumentation to measure these phenomena was
invented, even though they have existed for as long as the universe itself.)
In this regard Starscine has applied one of the less talked about scientific principles, the Inverse
Square rule. This states that the power of a force or influence is diminished when the distance between
the objects is increased. This is true for gravity, sound, light, radiation, and most other forces in
the cosmos. Starscine has assumed that it is also true for the astrological influences of the planets.
Using this principle, it is possible to calculate the relative astrological influence of a planet on
those on Earth at a given time.
There are two things that form the basis of an individual's horoscope. The first and most influential
is which Star Sign (phase of the Earth's orbit) someone is born into. The second is which solar elements
were influential at the time of birth. These two things combine to determine how an individual will be
influenced by exposure to various solar elements in the future. Starscine uses the methods outlined in
1 and 2 above to calculate this.
Depending on the relative influence of the solar forces and the individual's time of birth, the
Personal Horoscope could vary markedly from the generic horoscope on a given day. This is because the
relative influence of the solar elements which were prominent at an individual's time of birth, will be
enhanced in a personal reading, while the influence of those solar elements which were most distant at
the time of birth, will be diminished.
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