Tropical/Western Zodiac or Sidereal Zodiac
The zodiac is primarily a language of symbols. It is the attribution of meaning to clusters of stars, constellations, in the sky. More specifically, the meaning is attributed, in both the Tropical and Sidereal zodiacs, to 30 degree divisions of space beginning and ending at a specific point, not the actual constellations which are uneven in size.
From what is the symbolism of the zodiac derived? The answer to that question is complex.
In modern astrology the Tropical zodiac’s symbolism is a mixture of Northern Hemisphere seasonal correlations (Aries = Spring) and loose connections between the names of the planets and Greek and Roman mythology (ie. Mars, god of war). There are also some significations that come from the symbolism of the animals or objects attribute to be revealed in the constellations. So, Taurus the Bull is stubborn and willful.
The meaning attributed to and associated with signs of the Tropical zodiac seems to be more of reverse engineering. The physical experience of the seasons is attributed to the sign and planet. However in the sidereal zodiac, and especially traditionally, the symbolism of the signs comes primarily from the nature of the planets that rule each sign. In Hellenistic terms, this means the system of essential dignities and debilities.
This is not meant to be a conversation about traditional versus modern astrology; however, it is relevant since the sidereal zodiac in modern times is, with rare exception, almost exclusively used by Vedic astrologers who maintain a fairly unbroken history of astrological practice. A major philosophical difference then, is that the Tropical zodiac reflects the earliest homogenization of a western culture, an attempt at normalizing astrological time.
One kind of zodiacal symbolism is readily experienced in the physical sense, that being Tropical. And the other, Sidereal, can be observed as a phenomenon of time in space.
The primary function of the zodiac is as a language of symbols. The zodiac is not measuring anything tangible. Words are symbols to represent concepts. They are used in place of actual objects, to communicate their meaning or purpose. But the words are not the objects themselves. And they could never The same can be said of the signs of the zodiac. The zodiac is not the thing; the zodiac is the symbol that helps to communicate the thing.
You have been reading horoscopes based on tropical astrology all your life. It’s time you learn about sidereal astrology.
The Difference between Sidereal and Tropical Zodiac?
Most of the horoscopes you see in the United States and Europe are based on the tropical system of astrology. However, there is another kind called true sidereal astrology. Both forms of astrology contain signs named after constellations.
The difference is the tropical system is based on a fixed astrological map of the stars as they were around 0 AD. The sidereal system is based on the current position of the constellations and takes into account Precession, the Earths natural axis tilt.
The phenomenon of precession – which defines the fundamental difference between how the Tropical and Sidereal zodiacs are calculated – reflects the subjective nature of time. Tropical is convenient and orderly in a way the normalizes, or standardizes time, forsaking the shifting nature of time within the context of space for something more subjective to our experience on Earth, something more ‘universal’.
The subjective nature of time is apparent with the Sidereal, but hidden with Tropical. In Sidereal the Aries point, beginning of the zodiac, moves as the stars in our solar system move against the backdrop of the Milky Way Galaxy, thus subtly shifting where the zodiac begins as each hour, day, and year passes. But in Tropical, the Aries point remains fixed, tethered to the intimate relationship between the Earth’s rotation around the sun.
Over the years, the stars have slowly changed location relative to Earth, which means there is a twenty-four degree variance between the tropical system you are accustomed to using and the actual constellations. That means your sun sign is probably different in the sidereal zodiac than in the tropical zodiac.
According to the sidereal zodiac…
You are an Aries if you are born in between Apr 21 and May 12.
You are a Taurus if you are born between May 13 and Jun 19.
You are a Gemini if you are born in between Jun 20 and Jul 16.
You are a Cancer if you are born in between Jul 17 and Aug 6.
You are a Leo if you are born in between Aug 7 and Sep 14.
You are a Virgo if you are born in between Sep 15 and Nov 3.
You are a Libra if you are born in between Nov 4 and Nov 22.
You are a Scorpio if you are born in between Nov 23 and Dec 6.
You are a Ophiuchus if you are born in between Dec 7 and Dec 18.
You are a Sagittarius if you are born in between Dec 19 and Jan 19.
You are a Capricorn if you are born in between Jan 20 and Feb 13.
You are an Aquarius if you are born in between Feb 14 and Mar 9.
You are a Pisces if you are born in between Mar 10 and Apr 20.
If you are born within three days of another sign you are a blend of both signs and is called a Cusper.
Ancient cultures — like the Egyptians, Persians, Vedics, and Mayans — have always relied upon the sidereal system. They considered it more accurate since it is based on an actual link between the time of birth and the natural world as opposed to a theoretical position based on the seasons of the earth.
The Thirteenth Zodiac Sign
There are twelve signs in the tropical system. The sidereal system contains the same signs with the addition of Ophiuchus.
The constellation Ophiuchus is known as the serpent-bearer. It is represented as a man grasping a snake.
If you were born between December 7 and December 18, you fall under Ophiuchus. This means you are spirited, magnetic, curious, impulsive, and clever. You have a thirst for wisdom and knowledge. You have an excellent sense of humor.
However, you are jealous, secretive, single-minded, and have a horrible temper. The second you mistrust someone, you shut them out of your world forever. You are also an introvert and avoid situations where you are not in control.
The Traits Of Each Sidereal Sign
The remaining twelve zodiac signs are also found in the tropical system. Although their dates differ, the personality traits associated with each sign are similar.
Here is a rundown of each sign in case yours is different than what the tropical system led you to believe:
If you are an Aries, you are energetic, tenacious, and heroic. You are also impatient, combative, and aggressive.
If you are a Taurus, you are romantic, grounded, and supportive. You are also vain, possessive, and stubborn.
If you are a Gemini, you are adventurous, adaptable, and vibrant. You are also deceptive, distracted, and superficial.
If you are a Cancer, you are caring, helpful, and creative. You are also uncommunicative, hypersensitive, and defensive.
If you are a Leo, you are generous, entertaining, and warm. You are also arrogant, jealous, and blunt.
If you are a Virgo, you are practical, organized, and resourceful. You are also critical, reserved, and overwhelmed.
If you are a Libra, you are social, fair, and charming. You are also indecisive, manipulative, and unopinionated.
If you are a Scorpio, you are passionate, brave, and magnetic. You are also secretive, obsessive, and probing.
If you are a Sagittarius, you are optimistic, enthusiastic, and bold. You are also reckless, irresponsible, and overconfident.
If you are a Capricorn, you are responsible, ambitious, and hardworking. You are also unforgiving, pessimistic, and cold.
If you are an Aquarius, you are independent, open-minded, and inventive. You are also detached, irrational, and idealistic.
If you are a Pisces, you are comforting, sympathetic, and intuitive. You are also gullible, clingy, and self-pitying.
What Does A Sidereal Birth Chart Tell You?
There are three main components to any birth chart — houses, signs, and planets.
Houses represent the areas of life that are most important to you. For example, your house might be linked to matters relating to inner peace and connectedness. Or it might be linked to matters relating to transparency, healing, and the depth of life.
Signs represent the qualities of your life. That could mean expressing yourself through creativity, playfulness, and sharing who you are with others. Or it could mean building a legacy through discipline, patience, and perseverance.
Planets represent the transient experiences of your life and personality. For instance, Mercury relates to interactive learning. Mars relates to self-determined action. Saturn relates to developing structure.
When you look at your birth chart, you should also look at your sun, moon, ascendent, and chart ruler.
The sun and moon represent the fundamental elements of your personality. The sun represents your outwardly focused, expressive side. The moon represents your inwardly focused, reflective side.
Meanwhile, your ascendent represents the qualities you are developing as a result of your life experiences. Combined with your chart ruler, it tells you how your life is going to unfold and how your personality will develop based on your life experiences.
Should You Rely On The Sidereal Zodiac Or Thr Tropical Zodiac?
There is a heavy debate over whether the sidereal or tropical system is more accurate.
Even though the tropical system is more popular in Western areas of the world, Hindu astrology continues to use the sidereal system for their predictions.
However, there are problems with both systems. The tropical system is based on the seasons, which is problematic since they are flipped in the northern and southern hemispheres.
Meanwhile, in the sidereal zodiac, the constellations do not line up with the signs perfectly, so sidereal astrologers debate the starting point for the zodiac.
Everyone has a different opinion on whether tropical astrology or sidereal astrology is more accurate. You are free to follow whichever system makes the most sense to you.
Much love to all... go in peace my friends
