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If you are a cusper--born between two zodiac signs--it's even more important to look up your natal chart for accuracy. Many people assume their zodiac sign but may not know that the zodiacal seasons don't begin on the same day every year.
Just because someone is born in what is often considered a date within a certain sign, knowing the year and time may shift the sign. Because Earth's orbit around the Sun is elliptical and not a perfect circle, it is sometimes closer to the Sun and sometimes farther away. This variation in distance affects the length of time it takes for the Earth to travel through each zodiac sign, causing dates to shift slightly.
Please note, this doesn't mean there is a 13th zodiac sign and it also depends on which zodiac system you use.
What is Precession?
Imagine a spinning top. As it slows down, its axis begins to wobble. This wobbling motion is called precession. Our planet Earth also experiences a similar precession. Over thousands of years, the Earth's axis slowly wobbles, causing the celestial poles to shift.
How Does Precession Affect Zodiac Signs?
The zodiac signs are based on the positions of the Sun relative to the constellations. As the Earth's axis precesses, the positions of the constellations in relation to the Sun also shift slightly. This means that the Sun will pass through each constellation at slightly different times each year.
The Tropical Zodiac vs. the Sidereal Zodiac
To account for this precession, astrologers use two different zodiac systems:
Tropical Zodiac: This is the most commonly used system. It is based on the equinoxes and solstices, which are the points in the Earth's orbit where day and night are of equal length.
Sidereal Zodiac: This system is based on the actual positions of the constellations in the sky.
Why Do We Use the Tropical Zodiac?
While the sidereal zodiac is more accurate in terms of the actual positions of the constellations, the tropical zodiac is more aligned with the seasons and cultural traditions. It's the system that most people are familiar with, and it's used in horoscopes and other astrological interpretations. As I'm from the Western tradition I often find Tropical and Sidereal start in different places and end up in the same conclusions.
If you look up the zodiac dates, they are often listed as:
Aries (Ram): March 21–April 1
Taurus (Bull): April 20–May 20
Gemini (Twins): May 21–June 21
Cancer (Crab): June 22–July 22
Leo (Lion): July 23–August 22
Virgo (Virgin): August 23–September 22
Libra (Scales): September 23–October 23
Scorpio (Scorpion): October 24–November 21
Sagittarius (Archer): November 22–December 21
Capricorn (Sea Goat): December 22–January 19
Aquarius (Water Bearer): January 20–February 18
Pisces (Fish): February 19–March 20
However, in 2024 to 2025 these dates are--though please note they may vary by time zone:
Aries (Ram): March 20–April 18
Taurus (Bull): April 19–May 19
Gemini (Twins): May 20–June 20
Cancer (Crab): June 21–July 21
Leo (Lion): July 22–August 21
Virgo (Virgin): August 22–September 21
Libra (Scales): September 22–October 22
Scorpio (Scorpion): October 23–November 20
Sagittarius (Archer): November 21–December 20
Capricorn (Sea Goat): December 21–January 18
Aquarius (Water Bearer): January 19–February 17
Pisces (Fish): February 18–March 19
While these variations may seem insignificant, they can have a subtle impact on astrological interpretations. Understanding the reasons behind these variations can help us appreciate the complexities of astrology and the ever-changing nature of our celestial surroundings.
And of course it also reinforces the importance of having your chart read by a professional instead of just assuming you know your sign!?:)
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