ephemeris-search
Ephemeris tables, planetary position lookups, aspect search engine, planetary conjunctions by zodiac degree, retrograde calendars, and planetary cycle data. Covers ephemeris for all planets from historical to far-future dates, ingress dates (when planets change signs), station dates (retrograde/direct), eclipse tables, aspect calendars (annual conjunctions and aspects), and planetary cycle durations. Use when the user needs to look up specific planetary positions for dates, find when aspects occur, check retrograde periods, or research historical/future astrological events.
You provide precise planetary position data, aspect tables, and astronomical event lookups for astrological use. ## Key Points - All 10 traditional planets + North Node + Chiron - Retrograde status (℞) where applicable - Degree, minute, sign - Specify the reference time (usually midnight UT/GMT or noon) 1. **Pre-shadow (shadow period begins)**: Planet enters the degree range it will later retrograde over. Themes preview. 2. **Station retrograde (Rx)**: Planet appears to stop and reverse. Intensity peaks. 3. **Retrograde period**: Apparent backward motion. Review, redo, revisit. 4. **Station direct (D)**: Planet appears to stop again and resume forward motion. Resolution begins. 5. **Post-shadow**: Planet retraces the retrograde degrees moving forward. Full resolution. - "What planets cross 15° Capricorn between 2020 and 2030?" - "When did Pluto last cross my natal Sun degree?" - "Which planets will activate 22° Scorpio this year?"
skilldb get astrology-skills/ephemeris-searchFull skill: 244 linesEphemeris & Astronomical Search
You provide precise planetary position data, aspect tables, and astronomical event lookups for astrological use.
Ephemeris Lookup
An ephemeris lists planetary positions for each day (or moment). Given a date, provide the ecliptic longitude (sign + degree + minute) for all planets.
Standard Ephemeris Output Format
Date: March 15, 2026, 00:00 UT
☉ Sun 24°19' Pisces
☽ Moon 11°42' Gemini
☿ Mercury 02°53' Aries (℞)
♀ Venus 18°06' Aries
♂ Mars 07°31' Cancer
♃ Jupiter 21°14' Cancer
♄ Saturn 01°28' Aries
♅ Uranus 02°45' Gemini
♆ Neptune 01°12' Aries
♇ Pluto 05°38' Aquarius
☊ N. Node 26°15' Pisces (True)
⚷ Chiron 20°08' Aries
What to Include
- All 10 traditional planets + North Node + Chiron
- Retrograde status (℞) where applicable
- Degree, minute, sign
- Specify the reference time (usually midnight UT/GMT or noon)
Planetary Ingresses (Sign Changes)
When a planet enters a new sign, it's called an ingress. These are significant timing markers.
How to Report Ingresses
2026 Outer Planet Ingresses:
Saturn enters Aries — May 24, 2025 (entered; remains through 2026)
Uranus enters Gemini — Jul 7, 2025 (entered; remains through 2026)
Neptune enters Aries — Mar 30, 2025 (entered; remains through 2026)
Pluto in Aquarius — Nov 19, 2024 (entered; long-term)
2026 Inner Planet Ingresses (selected):
Venus enters Aries — Feb 4
Mars enters Cancer — Mar 22
Jupiter enters Cancer — Jun 9
[etc.]
Planetary Speed Reference
| Planet | Time per Sign (approximate) | Full Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| Moon | ~2.5 days | 27.3 days |
| Sun | ~30 days | 1 year |
| Mercury | ~14–30 days (varies with Rx) | ~1 year |
| Venus | ~23–62 days (varies with Rx) | ~1 year |
| Mars | ~6 weeks (up to 6 months with Rx) | ~2 years |
| Jupiter | ~1 year | ~12 years |
| Saturn | ~2.5 years | ~29.5 years |
| Uranus | ~7 years | ~84 years |
| Neptune | ~14 years | ~165 years |
| Pluto | ~12–31 years (varies by sign) | ~248 years |
Retrograde Periods
What Retrograde Means Astronomically
A planet appears to move backward against the zodiac due to orbital mechanics (like a car being overtaken on a highway). The planet stations (stops), moves retrograde, stations again, and resumes direct motion.
Retrograde Cycle Structure
- Pre-shadow (shadow period begins): Planet enters the degree range it will later retrograde over. Themes preview.
- Station retrograde (Rx): Planet appears to stop and reverse. Intensity peaks.
- Retrograde period: Apparent backward motion. Review, redo, revisit.
- Station direct (D): Planet appears to stop again and resume forward motion. Resolution begins.
- Post-shadow: Planet retraces the retrograde degrees moving forward. Full resolution.
Annual Retrograde Calendar Format
Mercury Retrograde 2026:
1st: Mar 14 (Rx at 10° Aries) → Apr 7 (D at 26° Pisces)
Shadow: Feb 24 – Apr 23
2nd: Jul 17 (Rx at 14° Leo) → Aug 10 (D at 4° Leo)
Shadow: Jul 1 – Aug 25
3rd: Nov 9 (Rx at 6° Sagittarius) → Nov 29 (D at 21° Scorpio)
Shadow: Oct 24 – Dec 14
Mars Retrograde 2026:
None (last: Dec 2024 – Feb 2025; next: Jan 2027)
Venus Retrograde 2026:
Mar 1 (Rx at 10° Aries) → Apr 12 (D at 24° Pisces)
Shadow: Jan 31 – May 19
Jupiter Retrograde 2026:
Nov 11, 2025 (Rx at 20° Cancer) → Mar 10, 2026 (D at 11° Cancer)
Jul 24 (Rx at 12° Leo) → Nov 24 (D at 3° Leo)
Saturn Retrograde 2026:
Aug 2 (Rx at 10° Aries) → Dec 17 (D at 1° Aries)
Aspect Search
Find when two planets form a specific aspect within a date range.
Search Format
Query: Saturn conjunct Neptune, 2020–2030
Results:
Feb 20, 2026 — Saturn ☌ Neptune at 0°45' Aries (exact)
Jun 15, 2026 — Saturn ☌ Neptune at 1°22' Aries (exact, retrograde pass)
Feb 6, 2027 — Saturn ☌ Neptune at 3°19' Aries (exact, final pass)
Notes: First conjunction in Aries since 1846.
Historical: last conjunction was at 11° Aquarius, Feb 1989.
Major Outer Planet Aspects
These generational aspects define historical eras:
| Aspect | Approximate Cycle |
|---|---|
| Jupiter-Saturn conjunction | ~20 years |
| Saturn-Uranus conjunction | ~45 years |
| Saturn-Neptune conjunction | ~36 years |
| Saturn-Pluto conjunction | ~33–38 years |
| Uranus-Neptune conjunction | ~171 years |
| Uranus-Pluto conjunction | ~113–141 years |
| Neptune-Pluto conjunction | ~492 years |
Conjunctions by Zodiac Degree
Find which planets have transited or will transit a specific zodiac degree.
Use Cases
- "What planets cross 15° Capricorn between 2020 and 2030?"
- "When did Pluto last cross my natal Sun degree?"
- "Which planets will activate 22° Scorpio this year?"
Output Format
Query: Planets crossing 15° Cancer, 2025–2027
Jun 30, 2025 — Mars at 15° Cancer
Jul 8, 2025 — Moon at 15° Cancer
Sep 12, 2025 — Jupiter at 15° Cancer
Dec 22, 2025 — Jupiter at 15° Cancer (retrograde)
Mar 5, 2026 — Jupiter at 15° Cancer (direct, final pass)
Jul 5, 2026 — Moon at 15° Cancer
[etc.]
Eclipse Tables
Eclipse Data Format
2026 Eclipses:
1. Feb 17 — Total Lunar Eclipse at 28° Leo
Visibility: Americas, Europe, Africa
Duration: 3h 28m (totality: 54m)
2. Mar 3 — Partial Solar Eclipse at 13° Pisces
Visibility: Europe, N. Africa, W. Asia
Max obscuration: 65%
3. Aug 12 — Partial Lunar Eclipse at 19° Aquarius
Visibility: Asia, Australia, Pacific
Duration: 2h 15m
4. Aug 28 — Annular Solar Eclipse at 4° Virgo
Visibility: S. America, Africa
Path width: 247 km
Eclipse Interpretation Points
- The degree of an eclipse is sensitive for ~6 months (solar) or ~3 months (lunar)
- Note which natal house the eclipse falls in
- Planets natally close to the eclipse degree are activated
- Eclipse on the natal Sun or Moon = major life event window
Planetary Cycles Reference
How Long a Planet Stays in Each Sign
| Planet | Aries | Taurus | Gemini | Cancer | Leo | Virgo | Libra | Scorpio | Sag | Cap | Aqua | Pisces |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pluto | ~31y | ~31y | ~30y | ~26y | ~19y | ~14y | ~12y | ~12y | ~13y | ~15y | ~20y | ~25y |
| Neptune | ~14y | ~14y | ~14y | ~14y | ~14y | ~14y | ~14y | ~14y | ~14y | ~14y | ~14y | ~14y |
| Uranus | ~7y | ~7y | ~7y | ~7y | ~7y | ~7y | ~7y | ~7y | ~7y | ~7y | ~7y | ~7y |
Pluto's orbit is highly elliptical — it spends ~31 years in Taurus but only ~12 years in Scorpio.
Anti-Patterns
- Do NOT provide ephemeris data without specifying the reference time (UT/GMT vs. local time)
- Do NOT forget to account for retrograde stations when listing ingress dates — planets can ingress, retrograde back, and re-ingress
- Do NOT treat eclipse degrees as pinpoint — use a 2°–3° orb for natal activation
- Do NOT present aspect dates without noting the full cycle (how many exact hits due to retrograde)
- Do NOT mix tropical and sidereal positions without specifying the zodiac system
- Do NOT present retrograde as purely negative — it's a normal astronomical cycle
Install this skill directly: skilldb add astrology-skills
Related Skills
evolutionary-astrology
Evolutionary astrology — the Pluto-based soul evolution system developed by Jeff Green. Interprets the natal chart as a map of the soul's journey across lifetimes. Covers Pluto as the soul's evolutionary intent, the lunar nodes as past-life/future direction axis, the four natural evolutionary states (dimly evolved, consensus, individuated, spiritual), planetary nodes, past-life signatures in the chart, the skipped steps concept, karmic analysis through Pluto's polarity point, and soul-level interpretation of all chart factors. Use when the user wants past-life reading, soul purpose analysis, karmic interpretation, or evolutionary growth direction from their chart.
financial-astrology
Financial astrology — planetary cycles and their correlation with markets, commodities, currencies, and economic trends. Covers planetary rulerships of commodities and sectors, Mercury retrograde and trading, eclipse impact on markets, Jupiter-Saturn cycles and economic phases, outer planet transits and secular trends, first-trade charts for stocks/crypto, lunar cycles and market sentiment, ingress timing, and the astrology of individual financial decisions. Use when analyzing market timing, commodity cycles, economic trends, or personal financial astrology.
harmonics-custom-charts
Harmonic charts (1st through any harmonic), bi-wheel chart overlays, tri-wheel charts, quadri-wheel charts, and custom chart generation. Covers harmonic astrology theory (John Addey), harmonic calculation, interpretation of specific harmonics (H4 for squares, H5 for quintiles, H7 for septiles, H9 for navamsa/noviles), and multi-chart overlay techniques for comparing natal, progressed, transit, and return charts simultaneously. Use when the user wants harmonic charts, multi-wheel displays, or custom chart configurations.
horary-astrology
Horary astrology — answering specific questions by casting a chart for the moment the question is asked. Covers horary rules and protocols, significator assignment, turned houses, receptions, essential dignities in horary, perfection (how aspects complete), prohibition and frustration, translation and collection of light, void-of-course Moon judgment, strictures against judgment, and specific question types: lost objects, relationships ("will they call?"), career, real estate, health, legal, travel, competitions, and yes/no questions. Use when the user asks a specific answerable question and wants a horary chart interpretation.
lunar-calendar
Moon phase calendar, void-of-course Moon tables, eclipses in natal chart houses, lunar gardening calendar, and lunar cycle planning. Covers the 8 lunar phases (New, Crescent, First Quarter, Gibbous, Full, Disseminating, Last Quarter, Balsamic), void-of-course Moon periods and their meaning, Moon sign transits (2.5 days each), eclipse interpretation in natal houses, lunar gardening (planting/harvesting by Moon phase and sign), and practical Moon-based scheduling. Use when the user wants Moon phase information, VOC Moon times, eclipse house analysis, or lunar-based planning.
medical-astrology
Medical astrology — identifying health vulnerabilities, constitutional type, and timing of illness through the natal chart. Covers zodiac sign body rulerships, planetary rulerships of organs and body systems, the 6th/8th/12th houses in health, decumbiture charts (chart for the onset of illness), critical days, humoral theory (choleric/sanguine/melancholic/phlegmatic), health transits, medical elections (surgery timing), and constitutional analysis. Use when analyzing health patterns in a natal chart, timing illness or recovery, or choosing optimal timing for medical procedures.