Chart Synthesis Q&A  ✦  Dawn Bodrogi  ✦  The Inner Wheel

Defining Parallels and Declination

Planets are said to be parallel when they are at the same degree of declination above the equator. Declination is basically the same thing as latitude, only measured from the heavens via the celestial sphere. We measure declination North and South of the Earth’s equator projected out into space — this is different from the path of the Sun, which we call the ecliptic.

Planets are usually measured in terms of longitude. But when we take declination into account, we are also measuring them in terms of latitude — up to 90 degrees above or below the equator. We have not one coordinate, but two.

Why astrology has not followed up much on declination is a mystery to me. After all, we live in a world with at least three dimensions. If two planets are at the same degree north or south from the equator, wouldn’t it make sense that they had an effect on one another? If two planets are at the same degree longitude, we call it a conjunction. If they are at the same degree north or south of the equator, we call them parallel. If they are the same degree straddling the equator — north and south — we call them contra-parallel.

Parallels in the Natal Chart vs. Synastry

I’ve been watching them for most of my astrological life. I’ve come to the conclusion that they matter a great deal in natal astrology, but have much less effect in synastry — so much so that I’ve stopped noting them between charts. If my Venus is parallel my Saturn, that is going to have much more clout than if my Venus is parallel your Saturn. According to our favourite Rule of Three — if there is something significant to be found between two charts, it will be found elsewhere, in a much more obvious place. In synastry, it’s very easy to miss the forest for the trees.

How Parallels Actually Work

Natally, a parallel works much like a conjunction — only it’s less erratic and less obvious. Conjunctions are volatile. Parallels seem to blend their energies more easily. Conjunctions bring conflicting energies into focus; parallels seem to blend.

Parallels always enhance the understanding of the way a planet operates in life, and may operate in an oblique way in how they colour experience. If you have a client whose life seems to have a theme that you can’t find in the chart, check the parallels for clues.

Contra-Parallels

Contra-parallels seem to act more like oppositions, though not as extreme. Rather than two energies in conflict, I tend to think of them as a gentle swinging back and forth. They don’t create a new flavour like the parallels, but rather indicate a natural balance and momentum between the two planets. In this way a contra-parallel can serve to mitigate the negatives of the two energies — unless the natal indicates that both planets are problematic. Then the swing won’t be so easy, and the differences in influence will be hard to sort out from one another.

Nodes, Angles, and Out of Bounds Planets

As for the Ascendant and the Nodes in declination — there are astrologers much more well-versed in this area than I am. The Sun can only be 23 degrees north or south of the equator. The Ascendant already takes both time and place for its calculation and is therefore already three-dimensional. I’m willing to be convinced by anyone with solid research.

The most interesting research in this area has to do with the Sun’s 23 degree limit and whether planets are within or without those boundaries. The Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars slide in and out all the time. Saturn and Neptune never go out. The Moon has a nine-year cycle of being in bounds and out of bounds.

I wonder if it’s a seeding time when the planets are within the ecliptic/equatorial band — much the way it is when Pluto’s elliptical orbit brings it closer to us than Neptune. We have a lot of work ahead of us in this area.

Go deeper

The Foundations Book by Dawn Bodrogi

For a deeper understanding of how aspects, declination, and the full three-dimensional picture of the chart work together — Dawn’s Foundations Book is the essential companion.

→ The Foundations Book — all ebook retailers

If a client’s life has a theme you can’t find in the chart — check the parallels for clues.