The first - and most important way that the ancient astrology practised by the Greeks and Romans (as well as the systems practised by the Egyptians, Babylonians, and Hindus) differs from typical Western modern astrology is that we look at the skies overhead in two totally different ways. We each divide the sky up differently, which is important. The systems use two different ways of dividing the skies - or zodia. This is a difference between what I call zodia and topoi in the Classical Pagan system, and what you would call "signs" and "houses" in your zodiacal system.
So what is the difference between the two systems? Let's find out!
First, if you look at an astrological ephemeris or table with the positions of the planets according to the tropical zodiac division system of the sky for today, 7th May, 2008, this is what you would see:
- Sun 17 TA 18
- Moon 15 GE 39
- Mercury 07 GE 22
- Venus 08 TA 32
- Mars 28 CN 45
- Jupiter 22 CP 22
- Saturn 01 VI 42
- Uranus 21 PI 40
- Neptune 24 AQ 09
- Pluto 00 CP 50
Hmmm.... now let's see what is in the sky overhead. Since most of us probably live in cities - where light pollution is a problem - or even in regions far, far apart from one another, let's find an applet to use to illustrate this point! Head over to SkyView Cafe Astronomy - an online Planetarium - if you wanna check out the positions of the planets in relation to the skies above.
Here are the planets in their actual locations in the sky above:
- Sun 21 AR 57
- Moon 13 TA 12
- Mercury 11 TA 47
- Venus 13 AR 04
- Mars 03 CN 37
- Jupiter 27 SA 30
- Saturn 06 LE 50
- Uranus 26 AQ 47
- Neptune 29 CP 17
- Pluto 05 SA 59 R
There are two main types of equal-sign solar zodiac. The one used by most modern Western astrologers, the Tropical Zodiac, and the one used by Classical Western and most Eastern astrologers which is called the Sidereal or Vedic Zodiac. (Oh, and this is'nt the same as the different ways of dividing the houses and topoi, one of which is called the Fagan-Bradley version... which I will discuss in a future lession).
Soooo, "what's the difference between these two zodiac systems?" you ask... Well, there's only one difference really, and that is where they begin. The Tropical Zodiac begins in the "sign" of Aries on March the 21st whilst the Sidereal systems currently start with the zodia of Aries about a month later (the actual dates can be found in form here, at a nifty sidereal astrology site). This one point makes for a HUGE difference - according to the Tropical zodiac system you may be a Sun-Sign of Sagittarius and under the Sidereal zodiac system, an Ophiuchus*! This is the effect that a simple disagreement over the zero point of Aries can cause.
Here is a graphic that illustrates the difference between the zodiac systems: Thanks to "Vedic Astrology Helpline" @ http://www.osfa.org.uk/pictures.htm (This graphic is not meant to be offensive to farmers, ranchers, or others who might use the term "cowboy" or "vaquero" to describe themself... I just liked this because I imagined the illustration being of me telling Prez Bush about sideral astrology.)
So now you are probably wondering how there can be TWO places in the sky called "Aries"... Well, the Sidereal zodiac system's Aries corresponds to where Aries is in the sky overhead. If you use a sky map or astronomical ephemeris, there will be agreement between where the planets are in the chart and where they are on an Sideral astrology chart. There is no disagreement between astrology, astronomy, and the stars overhead when using a sidereal zodiac system.
The Tropical zodiac system's sign of Aries corresponds to where Pisces is in the sky - and to where Pisces is in the Sidereal zodiac system. This is important, because (for example) the Sun is seen to be in the constellation Pisces when the Vernal Equinox occurs around March 21st each year. This is why Classical Astrologers and other people say that this is the Age of Pisces. The Sun is in Pisces at the beginning of Spring - which was the beginning of the year on some ancient calendars. The Tropical zodiac syste