The Great Year

The Great Year, also known as the Platonic Year, is an astronomical cycle lasting approximately 25,800 years, during which the Earth's orientation relative to the fixed stars slowly shifts due to precession of the equinoxes. This cycle affects the position of the Sun at the time of the equinoxes over long periods, influencing astrological and cultural interpretations. Essentially, it represents a full cycle of the Earth's wobble, causing the backdrop of constellations to gradually change over millennia. The concept links astronomy with historical and philosophical ideas about cosmic ages and human civilization's evolution.