In tropical astrology, in vogue in the West for many hundreds of years, the start of the zodiac is taken to commence with the Spring Equinox. Owing to the astronomical phenomenon called precession, this starting point tracks backwards approximately 51" of arc per year against the background of the stars. At one point, both sidereal and tropical zodiacs coincided - this was in the 3rd or 4th century AD. Since this date, the two zodiacs have inexorably separated from one another. The separation is not yet absolute as the signs share a common arc of approximately six degrees. When a tropical astrologer states that the Moon is in Aries 10 degrees, what she or he probably does not realise is that the Moon occupies a point in the constellation of Pisces of about 16 degrees. Siderealists and tropicalists talk and write as if they are referring to the same constellations, but a gap of 24 degrees separates the one from the other.
A rough and ready method of converting between the zodiacs is by adding six degrees to tropical longitudes and substracting a sign. Astrological textbooks seldom draw attention to these disparities, yet when this matter is referred to, the defence seems to hold the position that as astrology is connected with symbolism, the zodiac has no real affinity with the position of the stars whatsoever. Such assertions bring ridicule on astrology from astronomers.
Sidereal astrology is not some new-fangled variation but, as Cyril Fagan described it, 'the grand-daddy' of all zodiacs. It figured in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn: 'Throughout the true Tarot, the teaching assigns the commencing point of the zodiac to the bright star "Regulus", which is in Leo. And it measures Right Ascension and Longitude from that point, and not from a suppositious point divided by the Equinox and called the zero degree of Aries (though in reality now far removed from the constellation of that name), which has been adopted by modern or western astronomy and astrology." (Grade papers of the Golden Dawn: The Tree of Life as projected in a Solid Sphere, Regardie's edition.)
Robert Fludd, an Elizabethan alchemist and rosicrucian, is also credited with using a sidereal zodiac, according to Adam McLean of The Hermetic Journal.
In passing, it may be noted that W.B. Yeats, a leading light of the GD, knew Cyril Fagan, widely credited with the restoration of the sidereal zodiac.
This home page is expanding. Over the next several weeks
we will be adding a host of invaluable information provided by Kay
Cavender. She met and corresponded with Cyril Fagan, whose 100th
anniversary it is this year. He is considered the father of modern western sidereal
astrology. Kay has contributed a mass of valuable literature based on his work. See,
for example, Houses. and an invaluable
guide by Kay to the Basics of interpretation.
She has also provided a very useful guide to the nature of the Planets.
Much more will follow
very shortly.
Time and the Kalachakra
The principles of sidereal astrology are based on breath. This document
shows some of the correlations between breath and time.
The Planets
Correlations between Gauquelin's keywords, Hindu astrology, sidereal
astrology and Reichian psychology. Drawn from
Tantrik Astrology
Bioenergy, the Solar System and People
The eight planets are opposites, with their rotational periods linked to human breath.
Astral Windows
Download
PC Astral Windows software. Astral Windows is shareware and you must
register it to continue use after 30 days. After you have downloaded the
software, you must use the -d option with PKUNZIP otherwise installation
will fail.
Birth Data Dozens of charts of murderers in zipped format. When the file is
unzipped the .DAT files are readable by Astral Windows.
Birth Data Charts of royals in the same format.
Birth Data Charts of sportsmen in zipped format. When the file is unzipped
the .DAT files are readable by Astral Windows.
Bibliography A list of
sources for sidereal and Hindu astrology.
Hindu Tantrik
Home Page Vedik astrology is not the same as tantrik
astrology, just as vedik religion has little to do with the
tantrik tradition. These pages have some material on the
tradition, based on the phases of the Moon.
Primer of Sidereal Astrology. The masterpiece
by Cyril Fagan, who was considered the father
of Western sidereal astrology and who would have been 100
this year. As far as we are aware, the Primer remains the only of Fagan's books
still in print. Anyone who is aware of the whereabouts of the executors of
his, Gleadow's and Bradley's literary remains is kindly asked to contact us at
the email address, below.
Mesopotamian Astrology I by Robert Hand.
Mesopotamian Astrology II by Robert Hand.
John Van Zandt, who bought Carl Stahl's Solunars Publications, has some sidereal source books and others for sale as below to be sold as sets. These are very collectable and are invaluable for research. He also has other books by Carl Stahl.
American Astrology Solunars (1953-79) $600 (less than $2.00 per issue)
Spica $300 (easily worth $10.00 per issue)
Constellations (Rosa) $50
Siderealist $50
Matrix (from Michael Erlewine) $100
Phenomena (published in Canada) $200
These prices do not include shipping (book price plus insurance for purchase price) and 10% handling. Payment must be in the form of a certified check or international money order to: John van Zandt, 24 Colorado, Highland Park, MI 48203-3302, USA.
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Copyright © 1995 Mike Magee. Artwork © 1995 Jan Bailey. All
rights reserved.
