YOUR SUN SIGN HAS NOT CHANGED!

In reality, the positions of the stars in our sky have moved, ever so slowly, since astrology was initially documented thousands of years ago. This is called the Precession of the Equinoxes and the astrological system (Sidereal Zodiac), used predominately in Asian cultures, does use this system. Those of the western cultures use the Tropical Zodiac.

The difference is that Siderealists calculate the exact positions of the stars at the moment of a child's birth while the Tropicalists use the Vernal Equinox, the first day of spring, as the beginning of Aries. Each sign is made up of 30 degrees with Taurus to Pisces following in order. Using the Tropical Zodiac as we do here, no one's sun sign has changed.

Both of these Zodiac systems are valuable tools for self discovery. Many Sidereal-based astrologers claim there is no free will because they have plotted their charts based on the sky's movement (precession). Tropical-based astrologers also use the sky as it exactly appears in the sky at a child's birth, the basic difference being they use the date of the Vernal Equinox to begin the sign of Aries.

It's through Sidereal calculations that we track the astrological Ages....the Age of Pisces and now the Age of Aquarius. Each of these Ages lasts approximately 2,160 years. I will write more about these Ages in a later post. 

So, feel comforted that you do not have to sell off your astrology jewelry. Your sun sign has not changed.

Why the headlines?  This debate comes up every decade or so. Some astronomers are not happy with astrology, especially as it is linked with astronomy. All astrological readings are based on the science of astronomy in order to erect a chart. Every now and then an astronomer brings up the difference between Sidereal and Tropical Zodiac in order to confuse the general public and attempt to debunk astrology. It's like the remnants of a broken marriage. In the beginning, astrologers were also astronomers until they feuded themselves into separation. Astronomy is a science. Astrology is a science and an art.

- Joan Kilgen