Chapter 747

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There are other cycles, of course, cycles within cycles—and it is just this which creates such a difficulty in the calculations of racial events. The circuit of the ecliptic is completed in 25,868 years, and, with regard to our Earth, it is calculated that the equinoctial point falls back 50.1” annually. But there is another cycle within this one. It is said that: “As the apsis goes forward to meet it at the rate of 11.24”, annually, this would complete a revolution in one hundred and fifteen thousand three hundred and two years (115,302). The approximation of the equinox and the apsis is the sum of these motions, 61.34”, and hence the equinox returns to the same position in relation to the apsis in 21,128 years. (See the article on “Astronomy” in the Encyclopædia Britannica.) We mentioned this cycle in Isis Unveiled (vol. i), in relation to other cycles. Each has a marked influence on its contemporary race.