Q: What is the Galactic Centre?

A: Just like our Solar system, where all the planets revolve around our Sun, the Milky Way galaxy revolves around a point (or mass) that is referred to as the Galactic centre. Early astronomers assumed that this centre or mass would be a star, as it is in our local system. Sirius was identified as the Galactic centre in the 1700’s and its position was unchallenged until the 1900’s. During the second World War, astronomers took advantage of enforced blackouts and identified a 1 degree void in the dust clouds that were prevalent in our Milky Way, and by 1958, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) identified this void as the Galactic centre. This void or point is also subject to the Precession of the Equinoxes, a well documented effect of the daily rotation of the Earth.

Similar to the spinning of a top, the axis of the earth describes a slight arc as the Earth revolves. By extending this arc onto the celestial equator, as an imaginary arc from the North Pole, the arc eventually completes one 360 degree rotation. It takes 71 years to move one°.

The void was eventually identified as a super massive black hole, but theories and conspiracies abound.

What does this point, void, or black hole mean astrologically?

From our vantage point on Earth, the void drifts over time and is currently is located between 27 and 28 degrees of Sagittarius. It appears to be heading toward Orchipheus, a star that is causing some stir with astrologers. It indicates a possible new division of our night sky, that could include Orchipheus and Orion as a possible new polarity in our circular horoscope.

In the meantime, 27 or 28 degrees of Sagittarius is a sensitive point in any natal chart. Planets located within orb indicate highly developed intuition or unexplainable knowledge. Depending on your belief system this can be knowledge from a past or perhaps even future life or you may have knowledge from past experiences buried in your subconscious. If there are no planets in this region of your chart this point is activated by transit, and you could have sudden flashes of insight, or deeply profound dreams. This is described by many as receiving information from the Universe; deeply impactful realizations, and spiritual growth are attributed with connection to this point.

This December the New Moon, already associated with new beginnings, is conjunct the Galactic centre. This could be the beginning of a new paradigm, as the old ways crumble to make way for the new. What brave new worlds await us?