Heliocentric Vs. Geocentric Astrology Video
- Author:
- Tony Whitman
Video Script
One of the first questions I always get asked is, what is the difference between geocentric and heliocentric astrology? People know that there are obviously differences, but find it hard to visualize what they may be.
The recent Saturn and Jupiter alignment actually provides a good example of the differences between the two systems. Let’s start with the basics. Jupiter’s orbital period is 11.86 years. Saturn’s is 29.46 years. Jupiter does a full orbit and catches back up with Saturn about every 19.6 years. This orbital relationship is the same for both the Heliocentric and Geocentric systems.
Both systems deal with the movements of the planets against the backdrop of the stars. However, as the terms imply, the viewpoint is different.
This is the geocentric viewpoint. It centers on a person’s view of the heavens above, while standing on the Earth’s surface. The path of the zodiac is the red line, which represents the path of the sun and the planets as they pass overhead.
This is the heliocentric viewpoint. It centers on an imaginary location in space, above the sun, and looks down on the earth’s north pole. This graphic is a heliocentric perspective, but also demonstrates the geocentric difference.
Now, obviously this isn't to scale, but only an illustration made for this video. The two lines showing the alignments are in reference to the Saturn and Jupiter positions. Every twenty years, the orbits of those planets do sync up. The geocentric event is a Conjunction. The heliocentric event is an Accord; and they happen at different times.
When Saturn and Jupiter -appear- together in the same place, at the same time in our sky, this is an optical effect that is purely based on our viewpoint from Earth. That is a conjunction.
When Saturn and Jupiter share the same solar ecliptic position in the solar system, it is from the objective standpoint of the Sun, at the center. They are both at about the 4 o’clock position.
Imagine that someone was tasked with studying the traffic patterns of a major city. If they chose to make observations of the traffic patterns from the window of their house - some of the observations would be more or less true, but very limited.
If one were to study the traffic patterns from the top of the tallest building in the center of the city - one would be able to see a much truer representation of movement.
This is one of the many differences between the two systems of astrology.
YouTube Link:
Heliocentric vs. Geocentric Viewpoints - YouTube