Tropical and Sidereal Zodiac Signs
Simplified
Here is a simplified version of my long and detailed paper on the subject.
What's the Problem?
The problem is that the international community of astrologers does not agree on how to define the 12 signs of the zodiac. There is a minority but significant number of astrologers, most prevalent in India, who define the 12 signs in one way (“sidereal”) while everyone else defines them in another (“tropical”).
What is the Difference?
Less than you might think. The only difference between sidereal and tropical sign systems is the point from which they start. Sidereal signs start from a point related to a star. Tropical signs start from the a point related to the Sun crossing the earth’s equator headed north (the “vernal equinox”).
What’s not Different?
Both systems define the 12 signs mathematically, as the space traversed by the sun during the course of a single lunar cycle. Since there are 12 lunar cycles in a year there are twelve equal signs in the zodiac, sidereal or tropical.
The tropical signs are not constellations, and neither are the sidereal signs. The only thing "sidereal" (which means stellar) about sidereal signs is that thier starting point is derived from a star's position. The only difference between sidereal and tropical signs is their starting point; Nothing else about them is different.
Which System is Correct?
Since India is the stronghold of a sidereal zodiac, and since it is also my own astrological and spiritual background lets first answer the question by examining Indian astronomical and astrological authority.
Vedic Authority
The source of authority for Indian astrological calculation is the Surya Siddhanta. The first chapter of this book defines the 12 signs as seasonal (tropical) entities. The second chapter defines 28 stars as sidereal entities. It then gives all the math for calculating planetary positions sidereally and then gives a principle called “ayanamsa” to convert those calculations to the tropical signs for finding the ascendant, the anchor of a horoscope.
The Srimad Bhagavatam is the culmination of Vedic knowledge. The 3rd chapter of the 5th division defines the 12 signs as tropical entities. The 5th defines 28 sidereal stars. The Bhagavatam conforms with the definitions given in all other Puranas.
The Vedanga Jyotisha of the Rg Veda only defines 28 sidereal stars. It does not mention signs at all.
Sidereal signs are never defined in a Vedic or Puranic text. Instead, Indian authority states that there are two coexisting factors: 12 tropical signs and 28 sidereal stars.
How Come Indian Astrologers Don't do it This Way?
"Everyone makes mistakes, so why can't you?" - Sesame Street.
In ancient times Indian astrology mostly relied on the 28 sidereal stars. I am not saying sign-based natal interpretation didn't exist, just that it wasn't the main focus. The twelve tropical signs may be native to India, as Surya Siddhanta, Srimad Bhagavatam and some references from Rg Veda might bear out, but focusing on using those signs in interpretive practice seems to mostly be something India imported and honed in the course of her rich cultural exchange with Persians and Greeks. Since they were used to working with sidereal elements they framed what they imported in that context, and the 12 tropical signs got mixed up with the 28 sidereal stars.
It is actually meaningful and important to correlate sidereal and tropical measurements, because it keeps calendars synchronized with nature and keeps track of very long spans of time. This is why in many cultures there are stellar constellations bearing the same names as the tropical signs.
What About Logic?
Logic dictates that the 12 signs are tropical. All the traits of elements, modes, rulers and numerical order which define the character of each sign derive their meaning from the logic of tropical symbology. For a full explanation of this, please read my paper.
And read the faq, there are a lot of questions and answers on this topic.
What's the Practical Impact on
How we Practice Astrology?
It means we use tropical coordinates in reference to signs, period. And we use sidereal coordinates in reference to the 28 stars. This applies to everyone, western, Indian, or from the south-Bronx.
I know this is radical for many of you, but this is kali-yuga. If you want the truth you have to be radical.
|
