Combust Question

1
Hi All

I am trying to establish the correct rule for the situation when the Moon is in Combust with the Sun.

I have read that this occurs when the Moon is within 5 degrees of the Sun. Other, experts, have indicated 8.5 degrees, and even 12 degrees.

Can a forum member please advise which "degree" condition is correct.

Regards

Robert

2
8.5 is the number used in all the traditional texts, or a total 17 degrees both ways. The closer a planet is to the center, the greater the effect, until the planet gets within 17 minutes of the Sun or 8.5 minutes each way. Then it is considered cazimi or in the heart of the Sun and now the conjunction is considered a great strength.

3
This software will show you when the Moon is under the beams:

http://www.alcyone.de/planetary_lunar_a ... ility.html

Just change the body to the Moon and the place and year to your current one. It is generally when the Moon is around 12 degrees from the Sun, but it varies month-to-month as you'll see.

Tom, Cazimi was considered by the Arabs to be when a planet was 16 minutes either side of the Sun, not 8.5. This is due to the Sun's disk spanning 32 minutes of longitude. And not all traditional texts speak of orbs of 8.5 degrees either side, only the later ones. Sahl for one (and he's not alone) talks of the orbs being double that. The earlier authors stated that merely being in the same degree was strengthening. Besides, I'm not sure how strong the Moon was considered when under the beams, cazimi or not.
http://www.esmaraldaastrology.wordpress.com

4
I shouldn't have said "all." Lilly and I think others, used the orbs that I did. And the longer I do this the less I think there is anything to the idea of combustion/cazimi/under the beams in natal astrology. It does seem to have a place in horary, though.