Martius and ending with December

Definition

“Martius and ending with December” refers to the traditional account of an early Roman calendar that began with Martius, or March, and concluded with December. This calendar was said to contain ten named months, with the winter interval left outside the formal month sequence. Martius was associated with Mars, while December took its name from the Latin word for ten.

Astrological Meaning

In astrological history, this calendar structure helps explain why March once held the symbolic position of a new year. Its beginning roughly corresponds with the seasonal renewal surrounding the spring equinox and, in tropical astrology, the start of Aries. However, Roman months and zodiac signs are separate systems and should not be treated as exact equivalents. December, for example, spans portions of Sagittarius and Capricorn in modern Western astrology.

Why It Matters

Understanding this phrase provides context for classical astrological texts, planetary naming traditions, and calendars organized around seasonal cycles. It also clarifies why September through December retain names derived from the Latin numbers seven through ten despite occupying the ninth through twelfth positions today. For natal-chart interpretation, the historical calendar does not alter planetary placements; its value lies in understanding the cultural framework through which earlier astrologers measured and described time.

Related Encyclopedia Entries

• Traditional Astrology
• Astrological Terminology
• Natal Chart