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Parallels of Declination
The next level of skill involves the determination
of parallels and contra-parallels by declination. The
parallels and contra-parallels are very strong aspects
and are well worth the time devoted to seek them out.
They can be ascertained when two bodies are within a
1° orb of one another in declination. (The exact time
of their conjoining is a powerful timing devise.) If
the two bodies are either both North, or both South
in declination, they are in parallel; if one is North
and the other is South, they are in contra-parallel.
In each instance, the bodies are equidistant from the
celestial equator at 0° S/N 00' to form the parallel
aspects.
Until recently, relatively few astrologers have attempted
to interpret the significance of parallels. The common
explanation has been to compare the parallel to a conjunction
and the contra-parallel to an opposition. This is partially
so. Some of the 'heavy-weights' of the past have stated
that the parallel is stronger than a conjunction. Others
say the parallel is very strong placement and that it
is more subjective while acting over a longer period
of time.
In 1903 Alvidas wrote: "It is essential to give the
attention particularly to the declination of the planets,
for the Zodiacal parallel is of more importance than
any other aspect formed by the planets, as in all cases
the effect of this aspect is similar to that of a close
conjunction only more powerful and effective." [Alvidas
(Henry Clay Hodges), Science and the Key of Life, Vol.
III, Detroit, MI: Astro Publishing Co., 1903, p224].
In 1935 Robert deLuce wrote: "The parallel //,
which means two bodies having the same declination,
has the same meaning as the conjunction, except that
the influence of the parallel is milder, more passive
and spread over a longer period of time than the conjunction.
The parallel is in the nature of a sustaining force,
which may remain latent unless difficulties or a crisis
arise that test the native's strength." (Robert deLuce,
Complete Method of Prediction, 1935, reprint 1978, p51)
What I cannot understand is that if the parallel is
so strong, then why has this dimension of astrology
been neglected by so many? Possibly the answer involves
the time needed to research declinations and the scarcity
of background information. Today, with the advent of
computers designed to crunch numbers, we certainly have
the tools to remedy this problem. M. J. Makransky has
shed more light upon the interpretive phase of the parallel
in a two-part article titled "A Touch of Distinctiveness"
(M. J. Makransky,
A Touch of Distinctiveness, in Considerations, Vol.
VII, No.1,
Jan. '92 and No.2,
Apr. '92. Makransky's article was reprinted in The Other
Dimension, Vol.3, Nos. 3 & 4 in 1998.) , wherein
he compares the longitudinal conjunction between two
planets with the declinational parallel of the same
two. Generally speaking, the parallel has a more subjective
quality than the conjunction, for the parallel operates
more on a level of intuition and feeling than the conjunction
or opposition, and a parallel is a more satisfying use
of energies for the native than a longitudinal conjunction
that involves the same pair of bodies. Also, parallels
extend over much longer periods of time with their effectiveness
within a chart. By progression a parallel may last a
lifetime or longer.
In a letter to the writer, Mr. Makransky says that
aspects formed in zodiacal longitude are related to
the expectations and pressures associated with the social
and cultural demands placed upon people generally. In
contrast, parallels (and contra-parallels) provide liberation
from those demands. The more parallels one may have
in the chart, the greater the freedom of choice. They
give one a freedom to pursue "one's own star" rather
than, in contrast to the longitudinally oriented aspects,
respond to the rewards and punishments of one's society.
He states further that the parallels are beneficial
in nature, although they do tend to isolate one from
other individuals, for they lead one toward goals of
a different nature along "the road less traveled". Parallels
tend to show a more "spiritual" side of the native than
do the longitudinal aspects. The parallels of declination
exemplify an ideal of individualistic effort while blazing
a new trail all by one's self.
Copyright 2000. Edward
L. Dearborn - All rights reserved by the author.
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