The Astronomical Data.
(True Equinox, March 12. Ecclesiastical, March 21. Traditional, March 25).
| In D.C. | On Good Friday, 1300. | On March 25, 1301. |
|---|---|---|
SUN near Equinox. | Day assumed to fall soon after equinox (actually April 8.) | Date of traditional equinox (13 days after true equinox). |
MOON full on first day. | Assumed full, since Easter associated with equinox and full moon. (Actually full March 5, and April 4.) | Full. |
VENUS in Pisces on 4th day. | Supposed in Pisces from error in contemporary almanac, confounding 1301 with 1300. | Entered Pisces March 27. |
SATURN “on the Lion’s breast.” | In forepart of Leo, 8th degree of the sign. | In Leo, 21st degree of the sign, lose to Regulus. |
MARS possibly intended to be in Leo. | Not near Leo. | In Leo. |
| Early commentators understand Good Friday, not March 25. | ||
VII.
THEORETICAL AND SPECULATIVE ASTRONOMY.
“Thou shalt learn the burning nature of the pure clear sun, thou shalt hear the wandering nature of the round-eyed moon, and thou shalt learn of the surrounding heaven, whence it arose, and how Necessity guiding it compelled it to hold fast the bounds of the stars.”
Parmenides.