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Originally posted by portmaster1000
It's also interesting to observe that during this equinox the Sun is crossing the celestial equator in the constellation of Aries. An event that might be called "a lamb on a cross."
Indeed it is; or, rather, was. This celestial cross is known as the "first point in Aries". However, due to the phenomenon of equinoctial precession, c. 2000 years ago this point crossed into the constellation of Pisces. Some might say that the "lamb" died on that cross when the age of Pisces began; (which age Christians currently celebrate by sticking little fish on the back of their cars).
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The vernal equinox (near March 21) occurs when the Sun crosses the celestial equator moving northward. The right ascension (i.e., the projection of lines of longitude onto the sky) at the vernal equinox was originally located in the constellation Aries, and this point of crossing was known as the first point in Aries. As a result of precession, the vernal equinox now actually occurs when the sun is in the constellation in Pisces.
Equinox -- from Eric Weisstein's World of Astronomy
Iam redit et Virgo, reduent Saturnia regna
"Now the Virgin returns, the reign of Saturn returns,
now a new generation descends from heaven on high.
Only do thou, pure Lucina, smile on the birth of the child,
under whom the iron brood shall first cease,
and a golden race spring up throughout the world."
Vergil,
4th Eclogue: c. 39 b.c. at the changing of the age.
Amlodhi