Planetary Hours
Dial
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| Before there were adequate computer programs,
I used to follow the sunrise and sunset times reported in the newspaper
and on television, making corrections for the longitudinal difference
between where i was and the television studio's or newspaper's city.
I would calculate the number of hours and minutes between sunrise
and sunset, converts this to minutes, and, then, divide by twelve
with a hand calculator to determine the length, in minutes, of each
Planetary Hour for the day. I would then do the same for the Planetary
Hours between sunset and the next sunrise. I became quite proficient
at this simple task. It was worth the effort. I was able to effectively
plan my day. |
Instead, I use computer software to calculate
several months in advance, always being careful to use Daylight-Saving
Time when appropriate. I cut the printout into daily sections to carry
on my person and, of course, I have the printouts on my desk. When
i travel to other cities, I prepare the Planetary Hours for the same
time zone, latitude, and longitude of my destination.
On the day of Vernal Equinox, Wednesday, March 20, 1996, sunrise will
start with a Mercury hour at 6:01 a.m., PST. Sunset will be at 6:02
p.m. (computer round-off). |
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| I agonized over the use of computer software
because there was a discrepancy between first light and computer-generated
astrological sunrise. The discrepancy was only a few minutes and
I made the decision to use astrological sunrise and sunset. My experience
shows that my decision was the right one and I no longer have to hand-calculate
the Planetary Hours for each day the way I once did. |
On this day, each Planetary Hour will last
for sixty minutes. (See Figure 1)
On the day of the Autumnal Equinox, Sunday, September 22, 1996, sunrise
will start with a Sun hour at 6:47 a.m., PDT. Sunset will be at 6:47
p.m., PDT; and, again, each Planetary Hour will have a duration of
sixty minutes. (See Figure 3)
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