What is sidereal astrology?

What does it have that `regular (Tropical) astrology’ doesn’t have?

Why do we need to be bothered with it, when we’re getting along just fine without it?
 

Such statements are often expressed by people who are unfamiliar with Sidereal astrology, and the sidereal zodiac.  Of course, you can’t blame them for wondering what the big deal is, after all, literature on the subject is scarce and its proponents are few and far between.

Many of you know, the "signs" of the zodiac, named after the constellations found along the ecliptic (the Sun’s apparent path around the earth), do not actually begin and end in the same places that the constellations of the same names do.  In astrology, the signs are allowed measurements of 30 degrees each, but, of course, the starry constellations when measured by astronomers are not all equal 30 degree sections.  This is fine, because astrology has nothing to do with the distant stars-it has to do with the influence of the planets in your solar system as they traverse the local zodiac.  So there is no reason to worry just because the signs do not match up with the constellations of the same names.

However, there was a time when the signs and constellations did coincide.  And it was at the time that the original astrological observations, and what have become the traditional meanings of each signs influence, were made.  Due to an astronomical phenomenon called "precession of the equinoxes" the signs slipped away from their constellational positions, and now we have a quite different picture of the zodiac than the one the ancients saw.  Today, when we see the crescent Moon in the constellation Taurus, astrologers who use the Tropical zodiac would say you were looking at the Moon in Gemini.  Pretty confusing isn’t it?

Now, Sidereal astrologers are not, contrary to popular belief, just trying to be contrary!  Their reasons for measuring the zodiacal boundaries pretty much as the ancients did have nothing to do with "making things fit nicely" (although the Siderealist does have the advantage of being able to simply look up into the night sky and see, for instance, Mars sitting next to Antares in the constellation Scorpio and know right away what "sign" it is in, without having to look it up in the ephemeris!).

The reasons for moving the signs back to their original positions are quite practical, and based on very compelling research.  This seems to show that the new (old) positions are still correct, inasmuch as their original interpretations and meanings "fit" better with observed phenomena (how we act!).  Most Siderealists are not Siderealits because they want to change their Sun signs (I would rather be a Pisces than an Aries, so I’ll start using this different form!)  The main reason most astrologers switched is the evidence for the validity of the Sidereal zodiac revealed through Sidereal Solar and Lunar Returns.
 
The following Sidereal signs with their dates are listed, along with a brief summary of their apparent meanings and some example natives taken from Lois Rodden’s American Book Of Charts and her Profiles of Women (both of which contain charts in the Tropical zodiac, so we have had to convert the planetary positions of the Sidereal).
 
Many of you will find that your birth dates fall within the Tropical and Sidereal sign of the same name.  For instance, if you were born February 15th., you would have the Sun in both Tropical and Sidereal Aquarius.  The theory is that those whose birth dates do "overlap" the zodiacs in this way represent the epitome of that sign, whether it’s Tropicalist or a Siderealist who’s doing the interpreting.  If the sign is indeed Aquarius, we would be amazed at the almost total "Aquarius-ness" of this native.  You can easily check this theory out by observing the "overlappers" of your acquaintance.

By the way, it should be said that the Sidereal signs are generally associated with the same planets as the Tropical signs of the same name; i.e., Leo with the Sun, Cancer with the Moon, Pisces with Neptune, Aquarius with Uranus, and so on.  Sometimes it helps to see people in connection with the planetary ruler of the Sidereal sign.  For example, if you are a Tropical Gemini (ruled by Mercury), you would probably be a Sidereal Taurus (ruled by Venus).  Consider the general meanings of these two planets, and see which one really embodies your personality and behavior patterns better.

The only difference between sidereal and tropical information are the dates that the qualities of each personality cover.  As you will notice we have given both of them for quick reference.  I am sure that you have met people who say they are a particular sign. Then you read the information for the sign preceding or following theirs  and you feel they fit better into one of those signs.

Each of us, more properly, is a combination of all the signs to a greater or lesser degree, and is affected by different influences.  Environment, cultural background, and physical and mental capabilities all come into play.  We are complex physical organisms with an even more complex emotional make up. We can only strive to be greater than we are and to do our best to help everyone we encounter.

Headstrong, determined, aggressive, self-confident-these are all words often used to describe Aries (in both forms).  Go through a list of people you know with birth dates falling in this time period and see if they don’t reveal some of the characteristics, but more strongly than those born before April 14th.  These people are seldom seen as daydreamers or fantasy-mongers, since they are too busy doing to spend a lot of time thinking.  Their ideas generally lead to immediate action, or at least to "spreading the word."  They know they’re right, and it will take an awful lot of convincing to get them to admit that they might be wrong.

Gemstone:    Bloodstone, Garnet, Ruby, Diamond, Sapphire.
 

 

    Sidereal Taurus (May 15th - June 14th)
                    Tropical Taurus (April 21st - May 21st)
 
Thoughtful, deeply sensual, romantically idealistic-words to set to music to, and very Venusian in character.  The Taurean is poignantly aware of both the emotional and physical atmosphere in which he finds himself.  This person prefers peace and gentility, grace and harmony in thought and action.  His tastes are refined, though somewhat self-indulgent, as he enjoys physical comfort and hopes fervently that nothing untoward will come along to upset his sense of security.  There is a great earthiness in this sign and its natives are not above showing an active interest in the intimate lives of others.

Gemstone:    Emerald, Jade, Lapis, Lazuli, Tourmaline.

Gemstone:    Agate, Adventurine, Pearl, Alexandrite.
 

This sign is often difficult to fathom, because its natives are experts at masquerading.  This may sound a little negative, but it isn’t meant to be.  It’s just that, like the Moon depending on the Sun for illumination, their personalities seem to reflect the emotional environment created by others.  With a deep need to protect themselves from hurt or rejection (and to protect others as well. It should be noted), Cancers may actually appear rather hard and self-possessed at times.  These people often enjoy collecting beautiful or valuable objects, not only for the status this can bring, but also because they have a natural inclination to preserve such things for posterity.

Gemstone:    Beryle, Moonstone, Sapphire, Ruby

 

     Sidereal Leo  (August 17th - September 16th)
                      Tropical Leo (July 24th - August 23rd)

Imperious, bold, self-assured, forthright and downright cocky, natives of this sign are truly the royalty of the zodiac.  They are careful about their public image, always proud in their demeanor, yet they usually turn out to be benevolent dictators who stoop to conquer.  One is often struck by the neatness and sharpness of this person’s appearance-the lines tend to be clean, classic, uncommonly "upright".  Yet, underneath it all, one senses a repressed superstitiousness and religiosity that seems out of place on such an apparently confident soul.  These people command respect even in childhood, when the other children find themselves following after the little Leo’s like mice gaily marching behind the Pied Piper.

Gemstone:    Carnelian, Diamond, Topaz, Peridot.
 

      

     Sidereal Virgo  (September 17th. - October 16th)
                      Tropical Virgo (August 24th - September 22nd)

There seems to be a basically serious outlook in most Sidereal Virgos, even though the person may be capable of the funniest witticisms.  There is often a deep sense of the irony of life, and an ability to portray that irony in a way that can’t fail to reach home.  While the native us almost always "on top of it" mentally,

We sense that a true gentleness of spirit and a tender vulnerability lies beneath a paper thin shell of carefully constructed self-assurance.  Not usually the most aggressive and ambitious of people, we don’t often see the Virgo hogging the spotlight (there are exceptions, of course).  They seem to be more content to move through their days as smoothly as possible, while inwardly absorbing and privately cherishing their daily impressions about life.
 

 Gemstone:    Agate, Adventurine, Sapphire, Tanzanite.

     

     Sidereal Libra  (October 17th - November 15th)
                       Tropical Libra (September 23rd - October 23rd)

Intense, mentally focused, basically serious-minded, ever alert to injustice and unfairness, the Libran truly exemplifies the traditional symbolism of the constellation of the scales.  Seeming to weigh every act and statement to see if there isn’t some counterbalance to each, the Libran may be accused of being overly cautious and even indecisive when it comes to expressing opinions.  The fact is, this person is merely trying to leave no stone unturned in his/her search for truth.  Born with a sense that there is some value in everything.  Libra attempts to seek out and illuminate the best in people.

Gemstone:    Chrysophase, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Opal, Pink Tourmaline.
 

     

      Sidereal Scorpio  (November 16th - December 16th)
              Tropical Scorpio (October 24th - November 22nd)

Contrary to the long-held Tropical belief that Scorpio is deep and mysterious, most people born during this time period are far from that!  They tend to be pretty open and aboveboard about their feelings and have little difficulty expressing them with total candor.  This is not a wishy-washy person who doesn’t know his/her own mind; on the contrary, once the mind is made up, there’s little one can do to change it.  There is often much physical energy and strength which helps the native achieve ambitions quickly.
 
Scorpio doesn’t mind rolling up its sleeves and digging into any kind of unpleasant chore if it means his/her ends will be served.  Tenaciousness is also a big feature with these people.

Gemstone:    Quartz, Topaz, Yellow Sapphire, Citrine.
 

   

      Sidereal Sagittarius  (December 17th - January 13th)
                        Tropical Sagittarius (November 23rd - December 21st)

The emotional vulnerability of those born under Sidereal Sagittarius is really rather staggering.  While they appear at first glance to be completely "under control," which is precisely what they’d love everyone to believe, there is usually a deep insecurity within.  Strangely, it may be just that which motivates their outward stance of intellectual and emotional impregnability.  They want to be the very best at whatever they do (and often they are), so any hint of criticism is not well taken by them, since they are busily criticizing themselves most of the time.  The unusually sharp sense of wit and humor found in these natives may be a cover up device for inner fears.  The positive outcome of this, however, is a personal system of checks and balances that keeps them motivated to continue to achieve the best that’s in them.

Gemstone:    Amethyst, Sugarlite, Zircon.
 

  

     Sidereal Capricorn (January 14th - February 12th)
              Tropical Capricorn (December 22nd - January 20th)

Somewhere along the line, Sidereal Capricorn’s have acquired (in certain circles) a reputation for being rather confused!  Doesn’t quite jibe with the Saturnine nature of the :sign", does it?  When there is a Stamina influence the person is likely to feel some how set apart from the rest of humanity.  If this happens, one is likely to misunderstand the feelings and motivations of others who are perhaps more in tune with their own human natures.  This is not to say that Capricorns are some kind of walking, talking machines!  Rather, they are true "individuals" who often find it difficult to feel "at one" with the rest of the world.  Their accomplishments from this rather detached stance may be seeing the entire forest, and not just a few trees!

Gemstone:    Onyx, Apache Tear, Hematite, Garnet.
 

  

     Sidereal Aquarius (February 13th - March 14th)
              Tropical Aquarius (January 21st - February 19th)

These people seem to take great pride in standing out I a crowd, as they delight in being designated as "individuals".  However, their individuality is not to be confused with the Capricornian quality of the same name.  Aquarians have a tendency to feel that they understand human nature better than anyone else-as they feel completely at home in a human world.  The mentality, when graced with high intelligence, is amazingly sharp.  They don’t miss a thing!  Aquarians tend to think in spurts, with each thought a kind of flash of insight which keeps them in what appears to be a continual state of excitement.  These are the true innovators of the zodiac.

Gemstone:    Aquamarine, Fossils, Jet, Amethyst.
 

    

     Sidereal Pisces (March 15th - April 13th)
                      Tropical Pisces (February 20th - March 20th)

"Masters of Fantasy"-this could describe, to some extent at least, most any sidereal Piscean you can name.  The imagination seems to know no bounds.  Of course, imagination can run  in a positive or negative vein-it’s up to the individual to decide what kinds of pictures he/she wishes to hang in that private gallery of the mind.  In general, this native will be what can be called "a believer".  The feeling that the mind is the most powerful of all things can lead this person to think that the universe and everything is subject to change through force of will.  When observation does not bear this out, great disappointment can result, of course.  It would be a healthier attitude to leave the world as it is, and simply inject into it those wonderful, beautiful impressions that the Pisces mind is so adept at shaping.

Gemstone:    Amethyst, Sugarlite, Aquamarine.
 
 
 

*Some Information gleaned from an article out of " American Astrology", by Lee Chapman