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Old Style

Astrology Encyclopediaadmin

Definition

Old Style, often abbreviated OS, is a label for dates recorded under the Julian calendar after some countries had adopted the Gregorian calendar, commonly called New Style. It appears especially in historical records, biographies, and older astrological works. Because calendar reform occurred at different times in different places, an Old Style date cannot be converted accurately without knowing the year and location.

Astrological Meaning

In astrology, the label matters when erecting a natal chart or timing a historical event. The calendar date must first be translated into its correct Gregorian equivalent for use with many modern ephemerides and chart programs, while preserving the recorded local time and place. The required shift is not always thirteen days; it varies by century, and regional adoption dates can create additional complications. Old Style describes the calendar notation, not a distinct zodiac or interpretive school.

Why It Matters

Recognizing Old Style helps prevent a chart from being calculated for the wrong day, which can alter the Moon’s position, house cusps, angles, and occasionally other planetary placements. It is particularly important in research involving historical figures or regions that retained the Julian calendar longer. Checking the source’s calendar convention, civil date, location, and time standard provides a more dependable chart foundation before interpretation begins.

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Occursor

Astrology Encyclopediaadmin

Definition

Occursor is an uncommon term in traditional astrology derived from the idea of meeting or encountering. It generally refers to a planet or chart factor that comes into contact with a significator through application, direction, or another form of symbolic motion. Its exact technical use can vary among authors and astrological methods, so the surrounding context is essential.

Astrological Meaning

An occursor is interpreted by examining the planet involved, the aspect or contact being formed, the houses ruled and occupied, and whether the encounter is considered supportive, difficult, or mixed. A benefic planet acting as occursor may indicate assistance, opportunity, or moderation, while a malefic may suggest pressure, delay, conflict, or necessary effort. These labels do not determine the outcome by themselves. Dignity, reception, sect, speed, and the condition of both planets can substantially alter the reading.

Why It Matters

Recognizing the occursor helps clarify which planet introduces the next significant influence in a traditional judgment. It can be especially useful when studying older texts, timing techniques, or charts in which applying contacts describe how circumstances develop. Because the term is not used uniformly, astrologers should identify the author’s method before interpreting it and avoid treating the occursor as a guaranteed event or fixed fate.

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Occursions

Astrology Encyclopediaadmin

Definition

Occursions is an uncommon term found in older astrological writing for encounters between significant chart factors. It generally describes the coming together of planets, significators, or their rays through conjunction, aspect, or a predictive motion such as direction. Usage varies among traditional authors, so the surrounding technique must always be identified before the term is interpreted.

Astrological Meaning

In predictive practice, an occursion may mark the point at which a moving or directed factor reaches another planet, angle, or sensitive degree. The approaching factor may be treated as the promissor, while the contacted factor functions as the significator, although terminology differs by method. Interpretation depends on the planets involved, their condition, the aspect formed, house topics, and whether the contact is applying or separating. Supportive contacts may suggest easier development, while difficult contacts can indicate pressure, adjustment, or obstacles rather than a fixed outcome.

Why It Matters

Understanding occursions helps readers interpret historical texts without reducing every planetary meeting to a simple conjunction. The term emphasizes that an encounter gains meaning from the predictive system producing it. In a natal or forecasting analysis, an occursion is best considered alongside timing methods, planetary dignity, angularity, and the broader chart. It may identify a period when certain themes become more active, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed event on its own.

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Occultation

Astrology Encyclopediaadmin

Definition

An occultation is an astronomical event in which one celestial body passes in front of another and temporarily hides it from view. The Moon frequently occults stars and planets because it moves quickly across the sky. A solar eclipse is a specialized occultation in which the Moon conceals the Sun, although astrologers generally interpret eclipses as a distinct category.

Astrological Meaning

In traditional astrology, an occultation may suggest concealment, interruption, absorption, or the temporary suppression of the hidden body's symbolism. Interpretation depends on which body is obscured, which body does the obscuring, the zodiacal degree involved, and whether the event is visible from the relevant location. A lunar occultation of a planet can symbolically place that planet's themes beneath lunar concerns such as instinct, fluctuation, memory, or public mood. Fixed-star occultations may be considered when the star already has interpretive importance in the chart.

Why It Matters

Occultations add precision to event, mundane, electional, and occasionally natal astrology, but they should not be treated as automatic omens. Their value comes from context: close angular contact, repetition, local visibility, and connections to important chart degrees can make an event more noteworthy. Distinguishing an occultation from an ordinary conjunction is essential. A conjunction is based on shared celestial longitude, while an occultation also requires sufficient alignment in latitude for one body to visibly cover another.

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Occidental or Oriental

Astrology Encyclopediaadmin

Definition

Occidental and oriental describe a planet’s position in relation to the Sun and its place in the daily cycle. A planet is generally called oriental when it rises before the Sun, appearing on the eastern horizon ahead of sunrise. It is occidental when it rises after the Sun and may remain visible in the west after sunset. Exact conventions can vary slightly among traditional authors.

Astrological Meaning

Traditional astrologers use this distinction to assess planetary condition, visibility, and manner of expression. An oriental planet is often associated with initiative, emergence, speed, or outward action, while an occidental planet may suggest receptivity, reflection, completion, or a more measured pace. Interpretation also depends on the planet involved. Classical sources commonly favor an oriental position for Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars, while Venus and the Moon may be considered more comfortable when occidental. Mercury’s symbolism is especially adaptable and is judged alongside its phase, speed, sect, and other conditions.

Why It Matters

This classification adds nuance that a zodiac sign or house placement alone cannot provide. It can help distinguish how two similarly placed planets operate: one may act promptly and visibly, while another develops through response or consolidation. Occidental or oriental status should not be treated as a verdict of good or bad; aspects, dignity, combustion, sect, and the overall natal chart remain essential.

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Oblique Sphere

Astrology Encyclopediaadmin

Definition

An oblique sphere is the celestial sphere as observed from a terrestrial latitude between the equator and either pole. At these locations, the celestial equator intersects the horizon at an oblique angle rather than at a right angle or remaining parallel to it. Most inhabited latitudes therefore have an oblique sphere. The concept contrasts with the right sphere at Earth’s equator and the parallel sphere at the poles.

Astrological Meaning

In traditional astrology, the oblique sphere explains why zodiac signs do not take equal amounts of time to rise over the horizon. Depending on latitude and hemisphere, some signs rise quickly and others slowly; these are called signs of short and long ascension. This geometry influences ascensional times, semi-arcs, house-cusp calculations, and certain systems of primary directions. It does not give a planet or sign a separate symbolic meaning by itself. Instead, it describes the local astronomical framework through which placements are calculated and interpreted.

Why It Matters

Understanding the oblique sphere clarifies why an accurate birthplace is essential for a natal chart. Two people born at the same moment but at different latitudes may have different Ascendants, house cusps, and planetary house positions. The concept also helps astrologers evaluate older techniques without assuming that equal zodiacal longitude means equal rising time.

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