True sidereal astrology vs western astrology

Key Differences: True Sidereal Astrology vs. Western Astrology 

The primary distinction between True Sidereal Astrology and Western Astrology lies in how each system measures the positions of celestial bodies and calculates the zodiac signs:

1. Zodiac Measurement: Fixed Stars vs. Seasons

True Sidereal Astrology:

• Aligns zodiac signs with the actual positions of constellations as they appear today (accurately aligned with astronomy).

• Considers Earth's precession, a gradual wobble in its axis that shifts the position of constellations over time.

  Reflects the current positions of the Sun, Moon, and planets relative to the stars.

  
  

Western Astrology:

• Uses the tropical zodiac, which is fixed to the Earth's seasons rather than the stars.

• Begins at the Spring Equinox (0° Aries), dividing the year into 12 equal 30° parts, irrespective of the stars' actual positions.

• Does not account for precession, so the zodiac signs have drifted about 24° away from their original constellations over the past 2,000 years. ⏳

  
  

2. Zodiac Signs: Uneven Sizes vs. Equal Parts 

True Sidereal Astrology:

• Acknowledges the unequal sizes of the zodiac constellations (e.g., Virgo is much larger than Cancer).

• Includes Ophiuchus, the 13th zodiac sign, spanning from November 29 to December 17.

  
  

Western Astrology:

• Divides the zodiac into 12 equal 30° parts, ignoring the actual sizes of the constellations.

• Does not include Ophiuchus, the 13th sign.

  
  

3. Focus: Astronomical vs. Archetypal 

True Sidereal Astrology:

• Focuses on closely matching astronomical reality, grounded in the observable sky.

• Appeals to those wanting astrology tied directly to the actual positions of stars.

  
  

Western Astrology:

• Focuses on archetypal meanings and psychological insights, emphasizing the symbolic relationship between zodiac signs and the Earth's seasons.

• Operates as a symbolic system, rather than reflecting the sky’s current alignment.

  
  

Summary:

• True Sidereal Astrology: Astronomically accurate, with unequal signs and the inclusion of Ophiuchus.

• Western Astrology: Symbolic, season-based, and widely used in modern astrology.

Find Your True Sidereal Birth Chart

If you’re curious about how True Sidereal astrology applies specifically to you, the most important step is working with an accurate chart. Many popular astrology sites calculate charts using the Western (tropical) zodiac by default, which can significantly shift sign placements when compared to True Sidereal astrology.

👉 Calculate your True Sidereal birth chart here: Birth chart calculator