GD Astrological Correspondences for Number Cards

[Bridget]

I've begun studying the Thoth deck, and I get the impression that if I don't understand the astrological correspondences, I won't really understand the deck. But today when I was reading about the Golden Dawn decanate system, it struck me as oddly arbitrary. I see that the planets were given to each decan in the order they appear on the Tree of Life. But why is the first decan 0 degrees Leo?

Robert Wang says the GD decided 0 degrees Aries was an arbitrary starting point, and returned to an ancient system that began with Leo. But Aries seems like a sensible starting point to me - the spring equinox falls near 0 degrees Aries, right? Whereas Leo isn't even near the summer solstice.

Can anyone tell me what this ancient system was, and why the GD preferred to follow that instead of beginning with Aries?

Many thanks.

 

[Fulgour]

What you see is what you get!

The Chaldeans created the first Decanate system
thousands of years ago, and many great thinkers
have attempted to 'explain' it, many 'great' ways.

I find it works best to just "let it be" and enjoy...

 

[Fulgour]

In case you'd like to colour your own,
here's a plain copy (and a rare item):

 

[Fulgour]

I also like to view the Mutable Signs as truly mutable,
since all 4 mutable signs are ruled between 2 planets,
Jupiter and Mercury... a curious detail, and very cool.

Here's a view where the Yin & Yang are shown
forming quadrants, with the mutables bonding:

Click on to VIEW

The simpler you make it, the more fun it really is.

 

[Bridget]

Thank you Fulgour! And thanks for the charts. I was confused at first by the last one, but I think I see now - the first Yin quadrant is fixed air/cardinal fire, joined by mutable water, yes? So Pisces is mutable because it is a Yang sign, but holds together a Yin quadrant?

 

[Fulgour]

Exactly, but... I use the terms Yin and Yang
as shorthand for the nature of the elements
with the difference being:

YIN Water and Earth
YANG Fire and Air