the zodiac
the zodiac
- a zodiac is a belt of the heavens. it is about 8 degrees of either side of the ecliptic (sun's orbit) that includes the sun. moon, and all other apparent celestial bodies. it is divided into 12 equal divisions.
the "icon" of the signs
- the "icon" of the zodiac comes in when talking about "aries the ram" or "cancer the crab". these "icons" are theoretically derived from the constellations, although they aren't synonymous with the sign itself.
the signs and planets vs the houses
- the houses are separate from the planets and signs. just because the 4th house deals with home and family and does cancer & the moon, doesn't make them all connect. the planet and sign are connected, the houses are not. the signs + planets and houses are 2 different categorical systems.
how the main systems are based
- the main systems used in astrology are based on idealizing the zodiac as if it were in 12 equal segments. they split the zodiac constellations and pretend that they are 12 different equal signs.
the main types of zodiac
- there are 3 different zodiacs: tropical zodiac, sideral zodiac, and the constellational zodiac. - tropical zodiac - based on seasons, most used in the west - sideral zodiac - based on the stars, most used in India - constellational zodiac - based on the uneven "divisions" of the sky
the main differences between traditional vs modern astrology
- traditonal - more fate & circumstance (external) oriented; doesn't use the generational planets (uranus, neptune, pluto) or any asteroids; also uses whole sign houses. - modern - more psychological and personality (internal) oriented; uses generational planets and all asteroids; mostly uses placidus houses.
whole sign vs placidus houses
- whole sign - it is called the "Sign-House system". the 12 houses are divided evenly amongst the signs. each house starts at 0 degrees of each sign. some people say it gives a more accurate reading. - placidus - it is described as the "Time-proportional House System of Movement". the first house starts at the degree of your rising sign (if your rising is at 16 degrees, that is where your first house starts). the houses are unequal. some people say it gives a more astronomically accurate view of space and where everything was when you were born. - in the end, it is your decision whether to use what house. explore the houses and see which one you feel most comfortable with.