In Mundo Speculum - Astrolabe

Article Information
Article ID:	205
Author:	Marilyn
Created:	7/21/2006
Modified:	7/21/2006
Views:	1,853

The term "in mundo", translated from the Latin, literally means "in or on the world". What we are saying here is that "in mundo" techniques make use of calculations of a body's TRUE or ACTUAL position in space with respect to the observer`s horizon, meridian and so forth.

In astrology the term "in mundo" refers to a type of chart or listing (speculum) of planets and points calculated with reference to planes other than the ecliptic, which traditional astrology almost always uses as its frame of reference. If you have studied astronomy, you will realize that other planes and referents are used to locate a body in space.

Some of these planes include the prime vertical, horizon, and celestial equator.

Distances along the above planes are measured in what are called longitude, azimuth and right ascension respectively.

Distances north and south of planes are called orthogonal referents - latitude, altitude and declination respectively in these cases.

Ecliptic-based astrology plots a body's location two-dimensionally in longitude along the ecliptic and combines it with the intersection (nodal) points of the Midheaven (meridian+ecliptic nodal point) and the Ascendant (horizon+ecliptic nodal point) and other nodal points such as the EP (East Point=horizon+eliptic nodal point rising on the celestial equator) and VX (Vertex=ecliptic+prime vertical nodal point in the West) among others. Very few of us are aware of the fact that the orthogonal referent with respect to the plane of the ecliptic is something called latitude - and we barely pay any attention to it! This component bears watching and investigation.
We're simply using the analogy of the tropical (and sidereal, too) zodiac as a reference frame so that you can get your bearings on the chart from any given starting point.
For example, in Local Space charts, O degrees of Aries is an analogy for O degrees on the compass starting from the first degree (point) due East - the true east point of the ideal compass.

Also you will note that there seem to be equal degree houses. Again this is only an analogy. They are only 12 3O-degree segments of 36O degrees of the compass to make the location of any given body easier to ascertain!!

General rule about Zodiacal Analogue charts

Pay NO attention to SIGN position in the zodiacal analogue charts that are computed and printed with this portion of NOVA. They are there only for purposes of measurement along a given plane of reference - and that is all!