Earth

Astronomical Facts

Number of known Moons: 1
Rotation Period (length of day): 1.0 day
Revolutionary Period (length of year): 365.25 days
Density (g/cm3): 5.5
Tilt of axis: 23 1/2 degrees
Atmosphere, percent by volume: 78% nitrogen, 2.1% oxygen, 0.9% argon, 0.03% carbon dioxide, 0.1% to 3% water vapor About 3/4 of the earth's surface is covered with water.

Planets can be divided into 3 types: the terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars), the Jovian planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune), and Pluto which is in a category of its own. The terrestrial planets tend to be more solid, denser bodies while the Jovian planets are larger, more gaseous bodies and have more moons. Pluto is in a category of its own, being very similar to a comet in many ways. Recent space flights have shown that there is no life on Venus or Mars, the two planets which, at one time, was believed to possibly sustain life, but now is known not to be possible. Earth, therefore, is unique in our solar system in that it supports life.

Astrological Meaning

Zodiac signs are sections of the sky. From the earth's point of view, the Sun, Moon, and planets lie in a circle known in astronomy as the ecliptic plane. The 360 degrees of the circle of this plane are divided into 12 equal sections of 30 degrees. Each 30 degree section is a zodiac sign.

Historical Myth & Legend

In Greek mythology the goddess of the Earth is named Gaea. Gaea was the very first god. In the beginning there was a state of emptiness called Chaos. Gaea emerged from Chaos, and she gave birth to Uranus, the sky. She then married Uranus and they had many children. Uranus kept some of the children in a pit within Gaea known as Tartarus, and Gaea encouraged her other children to rebel against Uranus.

Her youngest son Chronus succeeded in wounding Uranus and replacing him as king of the gods. Gaea therefore is a protector of her children and she does not tolerate the harshness and coldness of Uranus. It is interesting that Gaea is the very first god, born out of the primordial void, and preceded the sky. Psychologically, this symbolizes that the maternal forces of care and protection are of the most primary importance and the source from which the rest of our life should be founded. There would be much less war and strife in the world if we had these priorities!

The Earth is not usually used in astrology because most astrology is done from the person's point of view and the earth is always in the same direction, right beneath our eet! However, in modern times some astrologers also use heliocentric astrology, viewing the planets from the Sun's point of view. Heliocentric astrology does not replace geocentric astrology, it serves as an enhancement to it.

So a new question arises in heliocentric astrology that astrologers have not faced before: what does the Earth mean in an astrology hart? The answer seems to be that the Earth serves a similar function in the geocentric chart that the Sun serves in the geocentric chart; it is our basic identity. In the heliocentric chart the Earth may indicate how we "ground" ourselves, how we establish ourselves in a practical way and how we emotionally and physically "attach" ourselves, how we express and manifest our thoughts, feelings, and dreams in a practical manner.