From an astronomical perspective, a degree is the division of the zodiac circle into 360 parts. However, if one delves into the nature of the degree, its essence ceases to be merely an astronomical component.
A degree combines two types of Earth’s motion—around its axis and around the Sun. The latter is a collective factor—the annual cycle pertains to all of humanity as a unified whole. The Earth’s rotation around its axis, associated with the change of day and night, is an individual factor that imparts unique qualities to the incarnated person.
If one reflects on it, a day, roughly equal to one degree, is a fundamental cycle of existence. Here, symbolic birth (morning), life (day), dying (evening), and non-existence (night) occur. Thus, a degree is a microcosm within the macrocosm, a kind of self-sufficient universe with its own qualities and possibilities.
It must be said that, to date, the topic of zodiac degrees remains insufficiently covered in literature. Most often, one encounters interpretations of the symbolism of degrees. In 1960, Dane Rudhyar published the book “The Astrological Mandala,” which describes and interprets the symbols of degrees known as “Sabian.” There is also the Avestan tradition of interpreting degree symbolism, as expounded by P. Globa, the interpretation by J. Kepler, commonly referred to as “Classical,” the degree astrology of Vronsky, Israel, the Theboic calendar, and others.
In all these interpretations, much is shared, but there are also discrepancies in both interpretation and the identification of “royal” and “destructive,” or critical degrees.
Generally, most astrologers adhere to the following scheme for identifying degrees:
“Royal degrees”
- 18 degrees Aries
- 9 degrees Gemini
- 7 degrees Leo
- 25 degrees Virgo
- 13 degrees Scorpio
- 11 degrees Capricorn
- 30 degrees Aquarius
“Critical degrees”
- 23 degrees Aries
- 13 degrees Gemini
- 10 degrees Leo
- 1 degree Libra
- 19 degrees Scorpio
- 19 degrees Capricorn
- 4 degrees Pisces
In general interpretation, royal degrees greatly amplify the manifestation of positive, favorable qualities, while destructive degrees amplify all negative, unfavorable ones. However, it seems to us that the most appropriate term is not “destructive” but “critical” degrees. Based on our observations and the views of some other astrologers (including T.Yu. Sharova), critical degrees call upon a person to undergo a certain test or trial. T. Sharova refers to these degrees as points of karma, the amplification of Divine energy, a kind of purgatory. Royal degrees, in turn, are places of concentration of Divine Love. It is no coincidence that, moving clockwise from Aries, royal degrees come first, followed by critical ones. In other words, first, humanity is shown how things should be, and then it is offered to undergo a test or trial. Put differently, being in a critical degree places a person in a situation where, apparently, there will be little divine support. Here, they must demonstrate the utmost wisdom, love, and patience, carrying the Divine Light to others. If a person still finds themselves in extremely unpleasant, destructive events, or even collapses entirely, this indicates that they were insufficiently pure and received a response commensurate with their impurity. T. Sharova calls these degrees degrees of “heightened purification from sin, from all that is ungodly.” Those who have these degrees in their horoscope should rejoice—for they have unique opportunities, with the help of Holy Patrons, to sharply alter the degree of manifestation of the degree, to undergo accelerated working through their New Testament karma, and ultimately to ascend to a higher spiritual level. If destructive degrees were interpreted solely as degrees of evil, the principle of free will and choice would be lost. Does encountering a destructive degree mean one must perish?
In addition to the aforementioned “critical” degrees, astrology also recognizes the first three and last three degrees of a zodiac sign, especially the 1st and 30th.
The passage of a planet through a sign can be viewed as a mini-cycle within the full zodiacal cycle. Here, the “planet-sign” system operates. In the first half of the cycle, active, kinetic energy will dominate. Figuratively speaking, the planet learns to manifest its principle through the qualities of the sign. Since learning requires practice, at the beginning of the journey, it relies mainly on external action.
However, in the first three degrees, especially the 1st, the planet’s external activity is so intense that consciousness fails to keep pace with its actions. Moreover, upon entering a sign, the planet encounters a new, unfamiliar, and unassimilated quality. Lacking experience in expressing its principle through new energies, it feels extremely uncomfortable. A planet at the beginning of a sign resembles a child—everything in the external world is fascinating, it is very active, its movements are somewhat clumsy, it often stumbles on level ground and falls.
In the subsequent degrees, the planet’s activity gradually decreases, shifting toward conscious expression.
Special attention should also be given to the 15th degree of a sign. It can be compared to the Full Moon, when the instinctive nature of the Moon is fully illuminated by solar consciousness. With a planet in this position, a person can fully grasp the mistakes made in the first half of the cycle. The midpoint is a point of choice for the further life path. This choice will determine the outcome of the entire developmental cycle—whether it will be evolutionary or involutionary.
From here, the planet begins to consolidate the acquired experience, shifting from active energy to passive potential. The planet’s action smoothly transitions from the external plane to the internal one; the gained experience solidifies into unconscious skills. Consciousness becomes less involved in the planet’s manifestations, while automaticity, instinctiveness, and the qualities of the accumulated experience grow stronger.
The last three degrees, especially the 30th, are associated with the completion of the cycle. Energy has almost entirely transformed into potential, leaving little for external activity. The planet’s external activity is minimal; it lives an intense inner life. In antiquity, the last degree was called the Anaretic degree, the degree of Fate, the Destroyer, and the degree of summing up. This is understandable, for before moving into a new sign to master new experience or a “new birth,” the planet must, as it were, “clear the path,” freeing itself from unnecessary external circumstances and taking only the essence and meaning of the path traveled.
It is no coincidence that a person with a planet in the last degrees is considered mature, formed, and stable in terms of the functions of that planet. The karmic task of such a person will be related to summing up the quality of the planet and the sign in which it resides. In life, such a person often encounters situations that demand completion, wisdom, summing up, and the revelation of the inner meanings of existence. This is why the Anaretic degree is also the degree of rebirth, the transition from one spiritual level to another. This is especially true when the planet in question is activated by Saturn, Chiron, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, or is itself such a planet.
In the last degree, the planet always relates to the completion of a certain life cycle.
Particular attention should be paid to the first degrees of Aries and the last degrees of Pisces. These are often referred to as the gray zone of the horoscope. They have gained special significance because they are not merely the first and last degrees of the next minor cycle. They initiate and complete the full zodiacal cycle of experience.
The first degrees of Aries represent the first manifestation, accompanied by a special eagerness for life and optimism. Here, the first degree manifests with doubled strength. For a planet positioned in these degrees, it means that it will constantly encounter entirely new experiences in life, and its task is to learn how to translate them into life.
A planet in the last degrees of Pisces signifies that it has not only completed the full zodiacal cycle but also finishes the process of assimilating the acquired experience. A planet in such a position holds maximum experience not only in the qualities of one sign but also on the scale of the entire zodiac, indicating readiness to transition to a new global cycle.
Astrologer Natalia Perestoronina ©
