1.10 A NOTE ON NUTATION
The following table lists a number of popular nutation values along with their epoch and Ayanāṃśa correction values. As can be seen, annual arc seconds remain in dispute with best-guess estimates ranging between 50″/50.34″. Recent measurements of the phenomenon suggest a rate of 50.28″ annually, equating to 1° every 72 years. Providing this current measurement does not fluctuate too wildly, each zodiacal revolution should be completed over a period of 26,000+/– years. Of course there is no way to be sure the recorded data is accurate in making long-term predictions. For now it appears that precession is following the lead of Binary Companion Theory and accelerating slightly.
Solstices and equinox: ad 3250 should see the spring equinox (SE) closely conjunct Shatabhishak’s yogatârâ (λ Aquarii).
| Popular Ayanāṃśa values | ||||
| Name | Coincidence Date | Date of Epoch | Value at Epoch | Annual Precession (in arc seconds) |
| Usha Shashi | AD 559 | 1950 | 19° 25′ | 50.26″ |
| Shil Ponde* | ad 522 | “ | 19° 52′ | 50.10″ |
| B.V. Raman | AD 397 | “ | 21° 43′ | 50.34″ |
| Sri Yukeswar | AD 499 | “ | 21° 45′ | 54.00″ |
| Swaminarayan | AD 320 | “ | 22° 47′ | 50.30″ |
| J.N. Bhasin | AD 364 | “ | 22° 10′ | 50.33″ |
| Krishnamurti (KP) | AD 291 | “ | 23° 09′ | 50.23″ |
| N.C. Lahiri | AD 285 | “ | 23° 15′ | 50.28″ |
| Fagan/Bradley | AD 221 | “ | 24° 09′ | 50.25″ |
| * All Ayanāṃśa calculations in this book are based upon the value suggested by Shil Ponde. |
With a lack of concise data, astrologers sometimes opt for the mean rate of precession. Having already imposed a number of abstract divisions upon the heavens it seems totally in keeping to round-up annual nutation to 50″; indeed, all recorded values to date would not be in opposition to this value.
Numerologically speaking, 50 routes to number five (5+0 = 5). This number is already rich in occult symbolism and so more than qualifies for the task at hand.55 The use of 50 arc seconds neatly rounds up the numerical symbolism for the entire zodiac, so for example: 50×72 = 3600 (3+6+0+0) and (7+2) both routing to the all important astrological 9 (see Chapter 29). Precession through each 30° sign would be 2160 years (2+1+6+0) = 9 and of course the Great Year itself: 2160×12 = 25,920 (2+5+9+2+0) = 18, 1+8 = 9.
1.11 CONCLUSION
Simplified Pythagorean model of the universe; with each of the planets attached to crystal spheres, nested within the circle of fixed stars. At its epicentre resides Earth, prominent, protected and basking in the harmonic symphony of the planets; imagined to correspond to a divine musical scale.
When considering any aspect of precession it is important to remember this is an Earth-born phenomenon. Ayanāṃśa therefore should be more appropriately termed the wobble value of Earth’s orbit and should not be confused with the issue of where 0° resides in the zodiac, although the former is intrinsically linked to the latter.
For many it is almost natural to assume the Earth is somehow suspended or nested in space, with everything else kicking-off about us. Watching sunrise and sunset each day it is easy to forget that we are the ones doing most the moving while the Sun is at the hub of events (in our solar system anyway). This idea of a somewhat removed and passive Earth is a hangover from the Pythagorean notion that all heavenly bodies were interconnected and immersed in a kind of mathematical musical harmony.
Pythagoras termed this unity Musica Universalis or music of the spheres, and resting at the heart of this symphony was Earth, safe, secure and, most importantly – special. Indeed, Earth’s safety begged such urgency as to require guardian angels to be thrown in for good measure, lest some unruly extraterrestrial force threaten it. The idea of instability or vulnerability appears to have been a terrifying concept for the ancient Greeks. And so the idea of a fixed Earth arose, permeating into modern culture and thought with terms such as sunrise and sunset. Perhaps this is another reason why Ayanāṃśa (subconsciously) remains partly veiled in astrological consciousness and why many remain fixated on a Firma Terra.
After reviewing the arguments set forth you’ll have hopefully gleaned a clearer understanding of Ayanāṃśa and its implications. Additionally, when considering the amount of general astrological material available, how little weight is given to this subject. How to a greater or lesser extent this subject is just railroaded, often consigned to an appendix or mentioned only in passing while still (of course) endorsing the CRC’s recommendation.
In general, this reception to Ayanāṃśa may be a way of placating boat-rocking energetics; after all, who wants to be told a particular value may be questionable or inaccurate and that all analyses given during the interim years require a rethink. I’d imagine (for the most part) that this kind of proposition would be unwelcome.
Some astrologers argue Chitrāpakṣa’s validity and that corrective values are unnecessary, having (in their eyes) achieved consistent results and excellent rapport with clients. To this retort, little then can be said except that there are (and remain) major unanswered questions in the field of Ayanāṃśa – which on the whole appears to have been given a fairly thick coat of whitewash.
NOTES
1.Also known as Ayanacalana – a shifting of the solstitial points.
2.Sidereal = pertaining to the stars.
3.The zodiac generally constitutes 9º (+/–) above and below the ecliptic.
4.A year of seasons = 365 days 5 hours 48 minutes 46 seconds.
5.Known also as Manázil al-Kamar – meaning lunar stations.
6.Sidereal transition = 27 days 7 hours 43 minutes. Synodic transition = 29 days 12 hours 44 minutes.
7.Yoga = position and Târâ = star.
8.Measurements of magnitude are: apparent (mv) and absolute (Mv). Apparent magnitude is measured by appearance to the human eye. Absolute magnitude is the measurement of a star at a standard distance, such as a light-year or parsec.
9.This particular assumption is based upon the Aśvinyādi system and although there remains some uneasiness over their true relationship of 0º Aries and the Nakshatra Ashwini, the two positions are taken to be mutual. Antagonists of Aśvinyādi (as the original point of coincidence) argue that its use cannot be found prior to 300 BCE.
10.Nakshatras may precede zodiacal signs, but at some point Indian astrologers began to incorporate both elements into their system.