After getting a ton of emails with people asking me if their sign had changed and people with Tattoos of Scorpio calling me because they just found out they were are “Libra” I decided to help people understand what is going on.

Your sign has not changed.
Thousands of years ago the ancients would track the sky and its constant motion in order to keep up with their planting seasons and also spiritual ritual. They knew that when the sun was at a certain point in the sky they were getting close to a certain season in which it would either bring planting or harvest. In the case of spiritual ritual, practices on the Solstices and Equinox’s were very important and a must to track *.  How would you know when Easter was coming if you didn’t know when the Spring Equinox was coming? (Easter is always the first Sunday after or on the first full moon, after the Spring Equinox in the Northern hemisphere and the Autumnal Equinox in the Southern hemisphere.)
 
Later the Greeks and Hindus discovered more uses for Astrology that coincided with individual interpretation.
 
In Hellenistic Astrology (Greek) where Western Astrology (Tropical Zodiac) got its roots over 2100 years ago the starting point for the Zodiac was when the Sun lined up against the background of stars that coincides with the Spring equinox each year. At that time it lined up with the constellation of Aries. This was the starting point for the Tropical Zodiac and Sidereal Zodiac (Vedic and Western Sidereal Astrology) when they were both in alignment with each other.
 
The Sidereal Zodiac continues to follow the movement of the Constellations while the Tropical stays fixed on the Seasons. This is where the confusion starts for Astronomers and People who do not understand Astrology.
 
First thing you need to know.
 
Signs and Constellations are NOT the same thing. Signs have concise 30-degree increments where constellations vary in sizes from 6.9 degrees of Scorpio to 37.48 Degrees of Pisces. In Western Astrology the signs are based on the Spring (Vernal) Equinox being 0 degrees Aries. This is the starting point as has been consistent for thousands of years. Then each sign is mapped out in 30-degree increments along the skyline in which the Sun moves **.  After 90 degrees you get to The Summer Solstice (where the sun is at its highest point in the sky) and then 90 degrees you get to the Autumnal Equinox and 90 degrees later the Winter Solstice.

The second thing you need to know.

Because of the wobble of the Earth (as its spinning on its axes) the Spring Equinox move’s gradually into the backdrop of the stars and this is known as the Precession of the Equinoxes. This is where we get the notion of Ages. Sidereal sticks to this path.

The Precession of the Equinox is a 26,000-year cycle that is broken up into 12 parts based on the Constellation’s that they are in. We are currently in the age of Pisces. Eventually 22,000 years from now this wobble will bring us to the starting point Aries. Do not view this as a stopping or starting point because this motion is just a continuation of itself. Also this Precession is different in relationship to the yearly Astrological Cycle. For example yearly astrology moves from Aries to Pisces in a clockwise motion where the Precession of the Equinox’s moves Aries though Taurus in a counter clockwise motion.

To sum this up, the Western Zodiac is based on the Earth's relationship to fixed, designated positions in the sky, and the Earth's seasons. Not the Constellations themselves.  Sidereal Astrology is based on the Constellations. Still, Sidereal isn’t following the exact positions of the Constellation’s. The reason for this is because there isn’t a consensus in the Astrological world as to where all the constellations begin and end. Some feel it’s the first star of a Constellation while others feel it’s in the middle. Also, (Western Sidereal) some constellations are smaller or larger than the 30-degree signs. So while Western Sidereal Astrology is based on the Signs in relationship to the constellations they don’t exactly line up either.

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) got together about 80 years ago to figure out where the constellations began and ended. Their findings had no bearing on Astrology nor does the “13th” sign of Ophiuchus, which seems to make a splash every 2-3 years as something new. Ophiuchus has been discussed for thousands of years by various Astrologers and is not a NEW sign.

Western Astrology is based on the balance of 12 signs, which is symbolic in ancient spiritual literature. The 12 signs have both equal masculine and feminine energy to go along with 3 signs each for the 4 elements, Fire, Earth, Air, and Water this represents the for corners of the Horizon 3x4. Twelve is the number, which forms a whole, perfect and harmonious unit.

This whole concept of the 13th sign is just a way to try and disprove Astrology or the use of the Tropical Zodiac. My feelings toward Astrology are NOT rigid. I feel astrology more than I intellectualize it. It is a passion that comes from my desire to connect soul to soul with my fellow human being. Astrology works the same way as Love. It just works and while Science has yet to prove how love works they have also yet to prove or disprove how Astrology works. There are some things you cannot prove with our current tests in Science. Astrology is one of them. Just like love there isn’t a test to prove that it works. You just have to experience it with an open heart and let the rest reveal itself.

Love and Light,

Brad Williams Astrology