The Tropical Zodiac
The tropical zodiac is defined by it’s alignment with the earth’s four seasons. 0 degrees Aries of the tropical zodiac begins precisely at the moment of the vernal equinox (the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere)
Birth of the Tropical Zodiac
The tropical zodiac was actually born out of the ‘discovery’ of the precession of the equinoxes.
In the second century BCE when the Greek astronomer Hipparchus discovered precession he adopted the tropical zodiac as a reference system ‘for the purpose of doing astronomical calculations‘
(p. 218 Hellenistic Astrology, Chris Brennan).
The tropical zodiac was actually born out of the ‘discovery’ of the precession of the equinoxes.
In the second century BCE when the Greek astronomer Hipparchus discovered precession he adopted the tropical zodiac as a reference system ‘for the purpose of doing astronomical calculations‘
(p. 218 Hellenistic Astrology, Chris Brennan).
Hellenistic Astrology
When Hellenistic Astrology arose around the early first century BCE in Hellenistic Egypt the alignment of the seasons began to inform the interpretation of the zodiacal signs. That is the qualities associated to the zodiac signs were linked not only to the fixed star constellations but also with the coordinating seasons.
When Hellenistic Astrology arose around the early first century BCE in Hellenistic Egypt the alignment of the seasons began to inform the interpretation of the zodiacal signs. That is the qualities associated to the zodiac signs were linked not only to the fixed star constellations but also with the coordinating seasons.
At that time however (when Hellenistic Astrology first arose) , the tropical and sidereal zodiacs were almost in alignment.
So it actually took several centuries for Hellenistic Astrologers to realize the impact of Hipparchus’ discovery of precession and to adopt the use of the tropical zodiac.
At that time however (when Hellenistic Astrology first arose) , the tropical and sidereal zodiacs were almost in alignment.
So it actually took several centuries for Hellenistic Astrologers to realize the impact of Hipparchus’ discovery of precession and to adopt the use of the tropical zodiac.
Implementation of the Tropical Zodiac
Claudius Ptolemy is the first Hellenistic Astrologer credited with adopting the tropical zodiac over the sidereal one.
Claudius Ptolemy is the first Hellenistic Astrologer credited with adopting the tropical zodiac over the sidereal one.
