Astrological Terminologies of Ayanamsa

The angular difference between the Vernal equinoctial point and sidreal zodiac is known as Ayanamsa. Let us now understand the Astronomical latitude along with Ayanamsa.

Celestial Latitude

Celestial latitude is also known as ‘Vikshep’ or ‘Shar’. To know the position of a celestial body or a planet, an arc is drawn from the planet to the ecliptic. The angular distance of that arc from the planet is called celestial latitude.

Uttarayana and Dakshinayan

Uttarayana

Uttarayana begins from Makara Sankranti and ends on Mithun Sankranti. In this, the duration of the day increases with every passing day.

Dakshinayan

The Sun is known to be in Dakshinayan from Karka Sankranti till Dhanu Sankranti. The duration of the night increases with every passing day in this. The signs of Sankranti told in this are not tropical which mean these are sidereal.

There are two hemispheres. If universe is divided into 2 parts, so that the northern pole is above the middle line and the southern pole is below the middle line. Then, the former part will be called northern hemisphere and the latter part is known as southern hemisphere.

Equinox

There are two spheres known as Celestial spheres and equators which intersect each other at 23 degrees and 28 minutes. These points of intersection are called equinoctial points. One of them is known as Vernal Equinoctial point and the other is known as Autumnal equinoctial point.

In this way, Sun while revolving in ecliptic crosses the Celestial spheres two times. At that time, day and night are equal. The changes in ecliptic leads to rising of Sun in northen direction for 6 months and in southern direction for 6 months. Uttarayan and Dakshinayan are formed because of this. As, the Sun moves away from point of Ayana, the duration of a day is increased.