Antiscia — the solstitial mirror
A traditional technique found in Firmicus Maternus (4th c. CE) and earlier
An antiscion is the reflection of a degree across the solstitial axis (0° Cancer–0° Capricorn); a contra-antiscion reflects across the equinoctial axis (0° Aries–0° Libra). Mirrored degrees share a declination, which is the physical idea behind the technique. It appears in Firmicus Maternus and the traditional literature; Manilius earlier described signs that 'see' one another (videntia) across the solstitial axis.
What it measures
For each body, its mirror-image degree across the solstitial axis. A second body sitting on that mirror point acts as a hidden conjunction.
Where practitioners disagree
- What orb?
Exact degree, 1°, or up to about 2°
There is no firmly standardised orb — Lilly set no figure, and reported practice ranges from exact to a couple of degrees.
This engine: 1°, stated on the panel.
Sources
- Firmicus Maternus, Mathesis (4th c. CE)