Signs of the Sky--How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

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Some History of Astro-Meteorology

For those of you who are visiting The Weather Alternative after reading Accuweather meteorologist Katrina Voss's blog on Signs of the Sky, I thought I'd explain a bit more of the methodology used by ancient and present-day astro-meteorologists in formulating long-range weather forecasts based on planetary positions.

The basic premise of this branch of mundane astrology, which early researchers formulated by observation, is that the planets affect the meteorological process with each planet in particular governing a different aspect of the weather spectrum.

For example, Mercury was observed to be instrumental in governing wind direction and velocity. Venus, on the other hand, corresponded to a warm, moist influence tending to lower the barometer. Each of the other planets was also believed to correspond to different weather phenomena.

When two or more planets form certain geometrical patterns as seen from earth, astro-meteorologists observe that the atmosphere responds with a weather system that blends the nature of planets involved. These geometrical patterns are measured as angles that two or more planets make with earth as the center. Key angles are 0 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 120 degrees, and 180 degrees.

The equinoxes and solstices provide key information in this respect since planetary positions at these moments show the geographic locales where high and low pressure systems originate or their effects are most potent.

The map of the United States above shows the planetary positions at the moment of the upcoming winter solstice on December 21, 2006. The lines on the map correspond to the positions of some of the planets at that moment. The curved black lines show where certain planets will be setting at the time of the winter solstice. The straight blue lines show were certain planets will be overhead, and the straight yellow lines show where other planets will be exactly underneath the earth.

If we zero in on the blue line running approximately over 113 west longitude through the Great Basin area , we should be able to time a couple of weather patterns that will develop there this winter. The blue line represents the planet Uranus. On the very day of the winter solstice, Mars will form a 90 degree angle to Uranus. The atmosphere should respond with an energetic winter storm over this area. Wind is usually a salient feature with this planetary combination. We usually give a day or so on either side of the exact date.

January 15-17, 2007 looks like another key time for this area of the country as Jupiter will form a 90 degree aspect to Uranus on the 16th. These two are conducive to intense cold fronts, precipitation, and high wind velocities. So we may expect a strong weather system to be drawn into the area at this time.

Having worked with this system for a number of years, I never cease to be amazed at the beauty and the “down-to-earth” practicality that its designer bestowed upon the heavenly bodies. The members of our solar system no longer appear to be unrelated and meaningless masses of rock and gas circling the sun as science sometimes leaves us
feeling. But God has given purpose to the planets and equipped his offspring with a built-in, environmentally safe, long-range weather forecasting tool for our service.

Long-range weather forecasting is more than just observing planetary positions and their effects on our atmosphere. In the words of Johannes Kepler, a man of science, astrology, and astro-meteorology, it’s “thinking God’s thoughts after him.”