Understanding Ephemerides

An ephemeris is a table of values that provides the positions of astronomical objects in the sky at a given time or times. The term is derived from Greek, meaning 'diary journal'. Traditionally, ephemerides (plural of ephemeris) provided historical and forecasted positions at regular intervals of date and time. Used by both astronomers and astrologers, modern ephemerides are computed electronically from mathematical models of the motion of astronomical objects and the Earth. From quick-glance astrological calendars to detailed ephemerides, this section provides a complete journal of all events, with times in UTC (Universal Time Coordinated) - that is same as GMT (Greenwich Mean Time).
 
Reading and understanding our ephemerides is simple, moreso because each year's ephemeris include the year's astrological calendar that shows precisely when certain celestial phenomena occur. These celestial phenomena include planetary ingresses (when they change sign), retrograde and direct motions, eclipses with full and new moons, and all major planetary aspects. Provided below are ephemeris of the current year:
Ephemeris 2018 and Astrological Calendar »
Horoscope Overview for 2018 »
Ephemeris 2023 and Astrological Calendar »
 
They include our detailed month-wise ephemerides, which is easily understandable by anyone who is familiar with the symbols for the Sun, Moon, and other planets. The positions are listed for each zodiac sign in degrees and minutes, geo-centrally measured in celestial longitude and referred with Sidereal times. This provides ready-to-use reference for astrological readings. All dates and times are expressed in UTC/GMT. To convert to your time zone, subtract 4 hours for Atlantic, 5 hours for Eastern, 6 for Central, 7 for Mountain and 8 for Pacific. During Daylight Saving Time, subtract one hour less.
 
Apart from the generic ephemeris information, the 'Sign-Tables' of the relevant planets containing the ingress data are found to be extremely useful for horoscopic analysis. They are especially handy in finding the precise moment when a planet changes sign, and to find individual birth's planet-sign combinations:
Sun Sign Table & Transit Dates »
Moon Sign Table & Transit Dates »
Mercury Sign Table & Transit Dates »
Venus Sign Table & Transit Dates »
Mars Sign Table & Transit Dates »
Jupiter Sign Table & Transit Dates »
Saturn Sign Table & Transit Dates »
Uranus Sign Table & Transit Dates »
Neptune Sign Table & Transit Dates »
Pluto Sign Table & Transit Dates »
Chiron Sign Table & Transit Dates »
Eclipses Position Table & Dates »
 

Alongside the ephemeris data, the dates of solstices and equinoxes, and the ephemeris of planetary declinations are provided below:
Solstice & Equinox Dates »
Planetary Declinations »
 
Finally, the followings are some historical ephemerides information, along with the related astrological calendars for the year:
2017»  2016»  2015»  2014»  2013»  2012»  2011»  2010»  2009»  2008»  2007»  2006» 
 
The ephemerides provide the details of celestial events and planetary transits. But, in order to understand how these planetary transits affect you or an individual, look for aspects to your birth chart. These occur when a moving (transiting) planet reaches the same degree as one of your natal planets. In order to figure out the type of aspect, you will need to look at the order of the signs in the zodiac, from Aries to Pisces. These aspects depend on the sign of the transiting planet relative to the natal planet: Same sign means 'Conjunction', the sign immediately before or after means 'Semisextile', two signs before or after means 'Sextile'; three signs before or after means 'Square', four signs before or after means 'Trine', five signs before or after means 'Quincunx' (also called an 'Inconjunct'), six signs away means 'Opposition'. Another type of aspects, which are harder to spot, occur when the transiting planet is one-and-a-half signs before or after that means 'Semisquare' or four-and-a-half signs before or after that means 'Sesquiquadrate'. Always allow a leeway of upto five degrees, known as 'orb', although the closer to exact, the stronger the influence.
 

For example, if you take a look at your birthday in the current year's ephemeris, the degree of the Sun is the same every year on that date (within a few degrees). This forms a 'Conjunction'. Now, you can look for other dates in the year when a planet goes through the same degree of the same sign and you will know that planet is activating your Sun's potentials, strengthening or adding to how you express your purpose and intentions. If any planet is within 5 degrees of a sign three or six signs away, your Sun is receiving a 'Square' or an 'Opposition', and that time frame should hold challenges for you personally; you may not get the glory you deserve around then or be able to wield your usual influence. This same process can be applied to any planet in your chart. Aspects from transiting planets amplify what your natal planet signifies by its sign and house positions and its natal aspects. If the transiting aspect is a helpful one, the outcome should be positive with a smooth experience. If the aspect is a difficult one, then your experience is likely to be more stressful or require you to work harder to obtain a happy result. However, even a helpful positive aspect to your natal planet from a transit can be problematic if your natal planet is embroiled with difficult aspects in your natal chart.
 
Also, find the planetary stations (when a planet turns Retrograde or Direct) and check if any planets change direction in an aspect to anything in your chart. If so, you are apt to experience a slow-down in the activities associated with your natal planet when the transit stations. The nature of the transiting planet describes the pressures applying to your life and the type of aspect hints as to whether the experience will be pleasant or trying. For example, if you receive a 'Square' from stationing Saturn, obstacles will slow your progress in the area(s) associated with the receiving planet. If you receive a 'Trine' from Jupiter, your path should be nearly bump-free for the part(s) of your life that Jupiter affects. Be sure to look for your natal house starting with the sign that your receiving planet rules. Thus if your Mars receives an aspect, look at your house that starts with Aries.