Astrology then and now? How should one deal with it?

Question

First, let me explain that I am a witch who is interested in serious study of astrology, however, I took an astronomy class where the professor explained that due to precession (I think that was the term) of the earth's pole (basically, it's wobbling on its axis) the stars are in different places today than they were when astrology first became prevalent. Now, I am a believer in the mystical, but also a believer in science. I looked back at my own sign, Libra, and at the time my professor mentioned. The sun was in between Virgo and Libra (which works out fine for me, because I am on the cusp of Virgo/Libra anyways and exhibit both in my personality). However, how does this fit with today's serious study of astrology? I don't believe it should be completely thrown out- would be like throwing out the baby with the bathwater- but is there a need for updating? Or is there some way this can be explained and or incorporated into today's astrology? Serious replies only please.

Answer 1

The precession of the Equinoxs does not effect Western Tropical Astrology. It still works and is useful as a tool to help others to become more aware of themselves, their strengths, their weaknesses and to help make decisions.

Understanding Astrology > Precession
http://www.astro.com/faq/fq_ua_precession_e.htm

"Astronomers, who often hate astrology, love to confuse people by pretending of not being aware of the difference between fixed star constellations and the reference frame of the tropical ecliptic coordinate system. In fact, astronomy uses the very same ecliptic coordinate system as astrology does. Also astronomers give the position of objects in the ecliptic by measuring the longitude from the Equinox. Some astronomers try to make astrologers look stupid, when in fact all they manage is confusion of the "innocent public"."

Precession and Zodiac
http://www.astro.com/astrology/in_praezession_e.htm

Precession Of The Zodiac
http://astrology.about.com/od/yourzodiacsign/l/aa053099.htm

There is actually no Sun sign on the cusp. That's a common misconception to newcomers to the field. You are either a Virgo or a Libra based upon your date, place and exact time of birth. You aren't both signs.

Everyone has a bit of all the signs in their charts. All 12 signs are represented in your chart, as are all 8 planets and the 2 luminaries, so you may be picking up more Virgo/Libra through planet placements in signs and planets placements in houses. Virgo rules the 6th and Libra the 7th, so you may have planets in those houses. Quite often people have their Mercury and/or their Venus in the sign that rules their Sun, so you may be seeing the effects of those planets in addition to your "true" Sun sign.

Only an accurate reading based upon date, place and exact birth time will tell you your actual Sun sign.

http://www.astro.com is a good site to get a birth chart for free. "Astro Click Portrait" is the one I suggest.

Two Signs is One Too Many:
http://www.astrologyzine.com/signs-and-cusps.shtml#Two.Signs

But Why Do I Really Seem to Have Traits of Both Signs?:
http://www.astrologyzine.com/signs-and-cusps.shtml#Mercury.Venus

Hope that helps. :)

Answer 2

Most of astrological interpretation deals with the interaction of the planets, which is not influenced by the phenomenon you describe. Also, many of the reference materials used by astrologers today have been fine tuned based on their own perceptions and experience. Astrology will never be able to provide exact forcasts, but is only able to predict possibilities based on the forces influencing people. Astrologies best use is to help people understand themselves better and to understand the motivation of others.

Answer 3

it will probly be like Americans suddenly adopting the metric system or the new patch of TCP/IP going live accross every computer in the world. yes people realise its a new and more accurate however, these things will probly never happen because of the great deal of time effort and money used to convert over... they might convert over once the practice of it becomes so innacurate astrologers are wrong the majority of the time. but in the near future? i doubt it

Answer 4

if possible study about astronomical part of idian astrology that deals with only motions and angles and not predictive that may help u club both things