Dictionary term
Celestial Meridian
Direct answer
Celestial Meridian: The Celestial Meridian is the great circle through the celestial poles, zenith, and nadir of an observer.
It divides the local sky into eastern and western halves.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Also appears in
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Aliases
- None listed
- Last updated
- 2026-07-16
Quick reference
- Use when
- Use a location and time when calculating a meridian passage.
- Do not use it for
- Not every meridian crossing occurs above the horizon.
- Reference category
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Related terms
- Right Ascension Hour, Declination Circle, Local Meridian, Hour Angle
The story behind Celestial Meridian
Meridian observations once anchored observatory clocks, catalogues, and longitude work.
Celestial Meridian in spiritual tradition
Patient passage across one line can anchor a whole sky.
The Great Almanac frames Celestial Meridian with educational restraint. Mystical or symbolic language may be meaningful, but it should not be exaggerated into certainty, panic, or permission to ignore ordinary responsibility.
Celestial Meridian in the Bible
This is a factual astronomy reference. It can support wonder at the created order without becoming a claim of fate, worship, or private revelation.
Celestial Meridian in numerology
Celestial Meridian is not a numerology claim. Any numbers attached to it should retain their ordinary scientific, calendrical, navigational, or historical meaning unless a separate symbolic interpretation is clearly labeled.
Why Celestial Meridian matters
Crossing it usually marks an object’s upper or lower culmination.
Example in a reading: A star at upper culmination crosses the local meridian at its greatest daily altitude.
Interpretive caution: Not every meridian crossing occurs above the horizon.
How Celestial Meridian is used in a reading
Use a location and time when calculating a meridian passage.
Where interpretation stops
Celestial Meridian is presented as sourced astronomy, calendrical, Earth-science, cultural, or instrument-history reference. Definitions should distinguish measured phenomena from civil convention and historical interpretation, preserve location and time dependencies, and avoid turning factual sky data into a deterministic personal claim.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- U.S. Naval Observatory: Astronomical Almanac Glossary - Definitions for astronomical coordinates, time, reference systems, and observable phenomena.
- U.S. Naval Observatory: Astronomical Data - Authoritative services for celestial positions, rise and set events, phases, and related calculations.
The page starts with a direct definition, then separates use, example, caution, spiritual meaning, and historical context. For astrology, occult, demonology, curse, and spiritual warfare terms, the editorial rule is to explain the term without making fear-based, fatalistic, medical, legal, financial, or ritual-instruction claims.
Continue learning
Continue from the definition into current sky positions, space weather, and the live collective celestial view.
Open Worldwide WatchRelated terms
These related entries help place Celestial Meridian inside a wider reference cluster instead of leaving it as a standalone keyword.
