Anyone who questions you about the recent publicity given to the
zodiac or a new sign, tell them that is claimed by an astronomer
who knows nothing about astrology or even what the tropical
zodiac consists of.
Western astrologers became dissatisfied with the sidereal zodiac
of the constellations by the 5th century CE, and switched to the
tropical zodiac that astrologers in the West have used ever
since. The tropical zodiac coincided with the constellations in
the year 221 CE. It took a couple of centuries, but astrologers
did figure out that planets, signs, and charts should be measured
from the equinox, not from a particular star.
Western astrology starts the signs from the north or ascending
node of intersection between the ecliptic and the celestial
equator, the zero Aries or equinox point. Nodes are the
intersections between planes and have always been important
points in astrology. The resulting ecliptic hemispheres are then
divided into the four quadrants and each quadrant has a beginning
space, a middle space, and an end space, just like life. These
are the signs of Western astrology. They are mathematically and
geometrically elegant, as opposed to the irregular groupings of
stars known as the constellations, which is what the Minnesota
astronomer and media talking heads are ultimately referring to.
You have permission to quote any of the above for any purpose.
Regards,
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John Halloran
http://www.halloran.com/