The Tropical System of Astrology

The tropical system of astrology, also known as Western astrology, is one of the most widely practiced astrological systems in the Western world. It is based on the tropical zodiac, which divides the ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun across the sky) into twelve equal segments of 30 degrees each. Each segment is associated with one of the twelve zodiac signs: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces.

In tropical astrology, the position of the Sun at the time of a person’s birth determines their Sun sign or zodiac sign. However, the positions of other celestial bodies such as the Moon, planets, and asteroids are also taken into account to create a birth chart or horoscope, which provides a more detailed analysis of an individual’s personality traits, strengths, weaknesses, and life events.

The tropical system of astrology is primarily concerned with the interpretation of the positions of celestial objects in relation to the tropical zodiac signs. It relies on aspects, which are angular relationships between planets, as well as the houses, which represent different areas of life, such as career, relationships, and health.

It’s important to note that the tropical system of astrology is based on the assumption that the vernal equinox (the point at which the Sun crosses the celestial equator, marking the beginning of spring) occurs at the same point in the zodiac every year. However, this system does not account for the precession of the equinoxes, a gradual shift in the orientation of Earth’s axis, which causes a slight drift in the alignment between the tropical zodiac and the actual positions of the stars over time.

As a result, some astrologers and enthusiasts prefer other astrological systems, such as sidereal astrology, which takes the precession of the equinoxes into account. Sidereal astrology uses the fixed positions of the stars as a reference point for interpreting celestial influences.

Ultimately, whether one chooses to follow the tropical system or any other astrological system is a matter of personal preference and belief. Astrology is a complex field with various interpretations and approaches, and individuals may resonate more with different systems based on their own experiences and understanding.