Astronomy – The Zodaic

Well, understanding of ASTRONOMY is the most important for Astrology.

Our ancestors looked at the sky from earth and made predictions based on planets and their positions.

Though the Earth moves around the Sun.On Earth, Sun appears to be moving around the Earth in a particular orbit called as “ECLIPTIC”

8 degrees north and 8 degrees South of this orbit (Ecliptic) as seen from Earth is a region that forms a band/belt called as ZODIAC/ ZODIAC BELT.

From Earth all Planets and Fixed stars are to be seen in this ZODIAC BELT only. 

Thus, the Zodiac belt may be said to have all fixed star groups – constellations/signs and all planets seem to be moving along this direction.

See the diagram – The Solid line around center earth is ECLIPTIC – Sun’s orbit of movement as it appears from earth. (This is a diagrammatic representation). It is a circle though shown here as Oval. Therefore it is of 360 degrees.

This Ecliptic orbit circle with 8 degree North and 8 degree South to ecliptic as seen from earth is referred to as Zodiac is a CIRCLE. Therefore has 360 degrees. Based on constellations found they have been divided into 12 equal parts. Each Part is of 30 degrees. 

Note that Zodiac is of 360 degrees and each degree is 60′ minutes of arc and each minute of arch is divided into 60″ seconds.

ZODIAC has 2 Names though it is ONE ONLY but is measured by different means:

1. TROPICAL ZODIAC – Commonly used by Western Astrology
   1. Here Sun’s position is calculated based on its apparent position at the start of the Spring which is called as EQUINOX (Vernal Equinox).
   2. It is seen that it changes in 72 years approx by about 1 degree.
   3. Also Known as Movable Zodiac
   4. The 12 divisions of Tropical Zodiac is referred to as “SIGNS”
2. SIDEREAL ZODIAC – Commonly used by Vedic Indian Astrology
   1. Here the Zodiac Belt is identified based on fixed stars that are seen from earth
   2. It is also known as Fixed Zodiac
   3. The 12 divisions of Sidereal Zodiac is referred to as “CONSTELLATIONS”

E – represents Earth and Sun is shown in orange. The solid circular line with arrows is the Sun’s apparent orbit around the Earth called as ECLIPTIC. The dotted round circle represents ZODIAC  (the area within inner and outer dotted/dash line circles). The 360 degrees circle is divided into 12 equal parts of 30 degrees each. 

Well, what is astrology here – EVERYTHING we will see as we learn…

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