104 SIMPLIFIED SCIENTIFIC ASTROLOGY
stars; but degrees are also used in geography to determine the exact position of any city or place on the surface of the earth. Latitude is then reckoned in degrees from the earth’s equator, which has 0 degrees latitude, to the poles, which have respectively 90 degrees North and South latitude.
Longitude is measured along the earth’s equator, 180 degrees East and West from the meridian of Greenwich, which was accepted as a starting point in 1884 by delegates from all leading nations, France excepted.
For the effect of distances measured in terms of longitude on the influence of the planets see ‘Aspects,’
For the influence of Latitude and Declination on the effect. of the planetary aspects, see ‘Latitude.’
Descendant:
The opposite of Ascendant, the point on the western horizon where the Sun and the planets set, so called, because from thence the heavenly bodies commence their ‘descent’ towards the nadir of the celestial sphere.
Detriment:
The opposite of ‘Dignity,’ which see.
Dignity:
A planet is said to be in its dignity, or to be ‘essentially dignified,’ or to ‘rule,’ when it is in certain signs which agree with it in nature, for then the power of the sign and the power of the planet are
