The Tropical Zodiac Lesson 1
With this lesson we begin our study of TROPICAL ASTROLOGY which is based on the seasons of the year and the twelve divisions shown in Figure 1-1. The earth is at the center and it is surrounded by the Celestial Sphere containing the stars. This outer sphere is divided into twelve segments, each having exactly 30 degrees. Beginning with Aries, in the springtime, the Sun moves counterclockwise through the skies, spending approximately one month in each sign. In short, the TROPICAL ZODIAC is a clock, showing the movement of the Sun through the 12 signs of the Zodiac.
The Spring Point defines 0 degrees of Aries (roughly March 22nd); this is when the days and the nights are equal in length. Then the days get longer and the nights shorter, until the Summer Solstice which occurs at 0 degrees of Cancer (roughly June 22nd). The Fall Equinox occurs when the days and nights are equal in length once more; this occurs at 0 degrees of Libra (roughly September 22nd). Finally, Winter begins when the days are at their shortest and the nights at their longest; this point is at 0 degrees of Capricorn (roughly December 22nd).
The change in the seasons is caused, of course, because earthıs axis of rotation is slightly tilted, relative to the plane of its orbit. From Figure 1-3, we can readily see that the northern hemisphere will be warmest during the summer months, and coldest during the winter months. Just the opposite is true, of course, for the southern hemisphere.
Precession
We call this the TROPICAL ZODIAC because the divisions of the sky are related only to the seasons and bear no relationship to the fixed stars. There are constellations having the same names as these signs of the Zodiac, but the phenomena of Precession, which is caused by a slight wobble in the earthıs axis, proves there is no relationship at all. Figure 1-4 shows a crude map of the constellations having these same names. The spring point moves backward through the signs taking 2000 years for each transverse. 2000 years ago the spring point was at 0 degrees of Aries, but them moved backward into Pisces; this was roughly around the time of the birth of Jesus, and explains why some say we are in the Piscean age. However, the spring point will -- in less than two centuries, move into the constellation called Aquarius. Some say that will herald the beginning of a new evolutionary state in mankind.
The Effect of the Seasons The assumption behind Tropical Astrology is that our behavior patterns, our temperament and even our basic nature are functions of the season and sign in which we were born. Which is not meant to deny the existence of other factors, such as heredity and our early conditioning by parents and teachers. But the seasons, as we shall see, also play an important role: for example, the spring time means new beginnings, new activities, and a sense of urgency goes with that period. Then summer is a time of growth and nourishment and generosity. The fall is a time of harvest, of new relationships and new hopes. Finally, the winter is a time of rest, of organization, and of plans for the future.
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20.06.2006.