The Ecliptic Cycle

Owing to the Earth”s annual revolution around the Sun, we see the Sun tracing an ECLIPTIC curve
in the sky. 

The Ecliptic cycle passes through all the zodiac constellations and no planet moves further away than 18 degrees fom this curve. All the solar system”s celestial bodies are present always within a specific 36 degree celestial band. This band is the Zodiac. The zodiac constellations are: 1.Aries (The Ram), 2. Taurus (The Bull), 3. Gemini (The Twins), 4. Cancer (The Crab), 5. Leo (The Lion), 6. Virgo (The Virgin), 7. Libra (The Scales), 8. Scorpio (The Scorpion), 9. Sagittarius (The Archer), 10. Capricorn (The  Sea Goat), 11. Aquarius (The Water Bearer), and 12. Pisces (The Fish). 

The zodiac circle represents the ecliptic, and it is divided into equal parts (30 degrees) each called zodiac signs (or simply signs), without requiring an exact overlap of the twelve constellations bearing the same name. What is significant for astrology is mostly the area of the band corresponding to a specific zodiac energy, rather than the overlap of a specific constellation.

Important points on the ecliptic cycle:

– The Vernal Point is the intersection between the ecliptic and the celestial Equator. This is where the Sun is at the time of the northern hemisphere Spring (approximately 21st March). It is exactly above the Equator and moves towards the Northern Tropic. When the Sun enters Aries, the day length is equal to the night length. On the ecliptic, the first 30 degrees of the band in the direction of the Sun corresponds to Aries.
– The Autumnal Point – is the other intersection between the ecliptic and the celestial Equator. This is where the Sun is at the time of the Northern Autumn ( 22nd September). It is above the Equator and moves towards the Southern Tropic and again, the day is equal to the night. Here the Sun enters Libra, which takes the next 30 degrees band.
– The North Point – of the ecliptic is the most northerly to the Equator. When the Sun is here the northern Summer begins, the Sun enters Cancer and it is the longest day of the year (22nd June).
– The South Point – of the ecliptic is the most southerly to the Equator. The Sun is here when the northern Winter begins; it enters Capricorn and it is the shortest day of the year ( 22nd December).

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