Does the Distance of Planets Matter?

Astrologers are an interesting bunch. First of all, they usually wear too much jewelry. Of various rocks-- crystals, jade, turquoise-- you know. And scarves when it's way too hot out. But beyond that it's hard to sit down with an astrologer and delve into the questions of how astrology actually works. You know, what exactly are the mechanisms that allow these planets to affect our lives? And if you think it's hard to pin one of them down, try asking a question with several in the same room. You'll end up in with a bunch of testy astrologers each espousing their own theories.

So if you want to have some fun at your next gathering try asking this question:

Does it matter how far away the planets are from the earth?

If Jupiter is, say, on the other side of the solar system from us, does that weaken it's power? Is its effect stronger when it's right next door?

Questions like this, that have a yes or no answer, are called propositions and the answer has to be yes or no. Did it rain today? Well, it did. Or it didn't. Yes or no. It doesn't rain and not rain.

So that question should have a YES or NO answer.

So what if the answer is NO?

That presents some real problems. If the effect of a planet is the same whether it's close or far away then the effect would be the same no matter where the planet was in the universe. So our old friend Jupiter could be 10 miles from earth, or 10 light years, or 10 million light years and we would feel the exact same influences. It's hard to imagine Jupiter 10 billion light years away having much effect on our lives. But we would sure notice if Jupiter were 10 miles away!

The other problem is that there are other Jupiters out there. Lots of them. Billions of them. Billions and Billions all over the universe. So if it doesn't matter how far away these planets are, then they would all be affecting our lives equally. Kinda like having billions of Mother-in-laws all telling us what to do at same time with equally loud voices.

Finally, in everyday life and science (oops there's the "s" word), distance does matter! A car horn that honks down the street is not as loud as a car horn that honks when your head is under the hood of the car! Headlights get brighter as they approach. It's warmer near the fire. And in the world of planets, the Moon has a much greater effect on the tides of the ocean than the Sun, even though the moon is much smaller. This is because the moon is right next door and therefore its gravity is very strong. Move the Moon to where, say, Pluto is and it would have no effect on the tides.

This concept of the strength of an effect getting smaller as it moves farther away even has a description in mathematics called the "inverse square law". It says if a light is twice as far away, it's one-fourth as bright. This law works for light, sound, heat and gravity so it should apply to whatever "force" the planets exert.

So then, if the answer is YES... what does that mean?

It seems like common sense that if a planet is closer to the earth, then its influence on our lives will be greater. Makes sense. And it worked well for astrologers back in the day of astrology's grandaddy, Ptolomy, with his geocentric, the earth is the center of the universe, world view. But then along came Copernicus and screwed up everything. He put the Sun in the middle and things have been sorta topsy turvy ever since. Because when you look up in the night sky, what you see is definitely not what you get. And the whole concept of Astrological Aspects gets tossed out of the window!

Wanna see why? Stick with me and I'll give you a quick example.

Here is a diagram of a conjuction of venus and the sun. From earth they appear to be in the same part of the sky. This conjuction has certain astrological meanings derived through centuries of observation.

Here is a diagram of another possible conjuction of venus and the sun. From earth they appear to be in the same part of the sky. This conjuction has the same astrological meanings derived through centuries of observation -- nothing different.

But wait! Venus is way over in the next county! Shouldn't the vast change in distance cause a vast change in the effects of this type of conjnction? Of course! But astrologers make no adjustment for the distance of venus. So two completely different positions of venus are treated as the same occurance and interpreted in the same way. This second type of conjuction should have a weakened effect.

Distance does matter and astrologers must begin to take into account the actual position of the planets when they interpret their apparent placement in the sky. This will produce an even richer tapestry of interpretation that will flourish in this third millenium.