Xeno
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- Jul 11, 2023
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Postmodern Astrology: Part 0-1 : Why Do We Need It?

The Author
So, we are embarking on a journey into space. But with what coordinate system? For millennia, astrology has operated with the concept of the zodiac. But which zodiac should be considered "true"?
The Astrologer
Of course, the one used in classical astrology!
The Skeptic
The tropical one, tied to the vernal equinox point? Or the sidereal one, tied to the stars. Well, you’ve tied yourselves, so what? I only see shortcomings.
The Author
You are right. Both the tropical and sidereal zodiacs are topological systems that describe the relative positions of objects in the celestial sphere from the perspective of an observer on Earth. They are suitable for earthly conditions, but lose their validity when going beyond our planet.
Tropical or Sidereal Zodiac?
Short answer: neither one nor the other.
The tropical zodiac, most common in Western astrology, is tied to the vernal equinox point. This choice, made in ancient times, is due to the fact that the vernal equinox marks the beginning of a new agricultural cycle in many cultures. However, this approach creates a number of problems:
Seasonal discrepancies
The vernal equinox point, which marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, occurs in autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. This creates confusion and makes it impossible to universally apply the tropical zodiac to the entire planet.
Difference in the visibility of constellations
Due to the tilt of the Earth's axis, the visibility of constellations varies significantly at different latitudes. The tropical zodiac, based on observations of the sky from a specific geographical point, ignores this fact.
Precession
The Earth's axis is not static; it slowly changes its direction, making a full revolution in approximately 26,000 years. This phenomenon is called precession. As a result of precession, the vernal equinox point gradually shifts relative to the stars.
Vedic astrology (Jyotish), unlike Western astrology, takes precession into account and uses the sidereal zodiac, which is tied to fixed stars. Such an approach is certainly more logical from an astronomical point of view, which led to its high popularity, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. However, it does not solve the problem of differences in the visibility of constellations at different points on the globe.
Imagine future space settlements on orbital stations or other planets. Which zodiac should be used there? The tropical zodiac, tied to the change of seasons on Earth, or the sidereal one, oriented to the stars visible from Earth – both lose their meaning far from our planet.
In addition, the basic principle of the correctness of any theory states that it must be applicable at any point in space.
Galactic Zodiac: a universal reference point
Postmodern Astrology sets itself the task of choosing a zodiac system that is valid for any point in the solar system. The solution to this problem lies on the surface: it is necessary to choose a single, universal reference point that does not depend on the location of the observer.
The most obvious and logical guideline would be the Sun itself – the central object of our system. We will take the direction of reference from the Sun to the center of our Galaxy. Currently, this direction points to 25 degrees Sagittarius, around which our solar system revolves. Based on this, the beginning of the new zodiac can be defined as the direction in which the Sun moves in its orbit. This corresponds to 25 degrees of Pisces. (see the picture in the header)
It is noteworthy that when Claudius Ptolemy, in his treatise “Almagest,” fixed the beginning of the tropical zodiac by tying 0° Aries to the day of the vernal equinox, this event occurred with a relatively small discrepancy with the galactic zodiac. At that time, the beginning of the galactic zodiac, as we understand it today, corresponded to approximately 2° of Pisces. This difference, which is less than one zodiac sign, suggests that empirical observations of that time could point to the approximate position of the beginning of the zodiac.
It is likely that in those times, when knowledge of the center of the Galaxy was absent, and the beginning of the constellation Aries corresponded to approximately 2° of Aries (in the tropical understanding), Ptolemy, relying on his own observations, decided to fix this reference point specifically to the seasons of the year. He argued his choice by stating that the reference to the vernal equinox was the most rational.
Let's return to the galactic zodiac.
Such a zodiac would have the following advantages:
Universality
Applicable at any point in the solar system, regardless of the planet, satellite, or space station.
Objectivity
It does not depend on the subjective perception of the observer and the peculiarities of their location.
Fundamentality
Based on real astronomical realities – the position of the Sun and its movement in its orbit around the center of the Galaxy.
Applicability
The principle itself will allow the construction of astrology on the planet of any star, which will become the reference point.
Geocentric or Heliocentric?
Answer: both. Imagine a map of the area. The heliocentric perspective is like a satellite image, giving an objective picture of the location of roads and objects. The geocentric perspective is like your personal perception of this area when you walk down a specific street. Both views are important for understanding the full picture.
Einstein's theory of relativity, along with the work of scientists in the field of quantum mechanics, in particular, concerning the observer effect, indicates that reality consists of objective (heliocentric) and subjective (geocentric) components.
Consider this example: a person may believe that everything is fine with them, while in reality, things are not as they seem to them. This illustrates how subjective perception can, in a certain sense, seem even more significant than objective reality. In addition to the observer effect, observation also causes a collapse of the wave function (event trigger), which plays a key role in assessing the time of an event. However, the outcome of a prediction cannot be interpreted in isolation from objective reality.
In astrology, the heliocentric perspective provides an objective structure of the arrangement of planets and their orbital cycles in the Solar System. The geocentric perspective, on the other hand, reflects the subjective experience of an individual perceiving these celestial events from their specific location on Earth. Both perspectives are necessary for a complete understanding. While the heliocentric view gives what — the actual position and movement of celestial bodies, the geocentric view gives how — these events are perceived and experienced by people on Earth, shaping their unique reality.
The Author
Thus, the Galactic zodiac, based on the direction from the Sun to the center of the Galaxy, becomes a universal coordinate system applicable at any point in the Solar System.
The Astrologer
I never thought about it, especially about heliocentricity! I was also surprised by this difference of 5 degrees between the tropical and galactic zodiacs! Many questions arise...
The Skeptic
If we do not take into account my skepticism towards astrology itself, then I cannot find fault with the choice of the galactic zodiac as a coordinate system
to be continued...

The Author
So, we are embarking on a journey into space. But with what coordinate system? For millennia, astrology has operated with the concept of the zodiac. But which zodiac should be considered "true"?
The Astrologer
Of course, the one used in classical astrology!
The Skeptic
The tropical one, tied to the vernal equinox point? Or the sidereal one, tied to the stars. Well, you’ve tied yourselves, so what? I only see shortcomings.
The Author
You are right. Both the tropical and sidereal zodiacs are topological systems that describe the relative positions of objects in the celestial sphere from the perspective of an observer on Earth. They are suitable for earthly conditions, but lose their validity when going beyond our planet.
Tropical or Sidereal Zodiac?
Short answer: neither one nor the other.
The tropical zodiac, most common in Western astrology, is tied to the vernal equinox point. This choice, made in ancient times, is due to the fact that the vernal equinox marks the beginning of a new agricultural cycle in many cultures. However, this approach creates a number of problems:
Seasonal discrepancies
The vernal equinox point, which marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, occurs in autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. This creates confusion and makes it impossible to universally apply the tropical zodiac to the entire planet.
Difference in the visibility of constellations
Due to the tilt of the Earth's axis, the visibility of constellations varies significantly at different latitudes. The tropical zodiac, based on observations of the sky from a specific geographical point, ignores this fact.
Precession
The Earth's axis is not static; it slowly changes its direction, making a full revolution in approximately 26,000 years. This phenomenon is called precession. As a result of precession, the vernal equinox point gradually shifts relative to the stars.
Vedic astrology (Jyotish), unlike Western astrology, takes precession into account and uses the sidereal zodiac, which is tied to fixed stars. Such an approach is certainly more logical from an astronomical point of view, which led to its high popularity, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. However, it does not solve the problem of differences in the visibility of constellations at different points on the globe.
Imagine future space settlements on orbital stations or other planets. Which zodiac should be used there? The tropical zodiac, tied to the change of seasons on Earth, or the sidereal one, oriented to the stars visible from Earth – both lose their meaning far from our planet.
In addition, the basic principle of the correctness of any theory states that it must be applicable at any point in space.
Galactic Zodiac: a universal reference point
Postmodern Astrology sets itself the task of choosing a zodiac system that is valid for any point in the solar system. The solution to this problem lies on the surface: it is necessary to choose a single, universal reference point that does not depend on the location of the observer.
The most obvious and logical guideline would be the Sun itself – the central object of our system. We will take the direction of reference from the Sun to the center of our Galaxy. Currently, this direction points to 25 degrees Sagittarius, around which our solar system revolves. Based on this, the beginning of the new zodiac can be defined as the direction in which the Sun moves in its orbit. This corresponds to 25 degrees of Pisces. (see the picture in the header)
It is noteworthy that when Claudius Ptolemy, in his treatise “Almagest,” fixed the beginning of the tropical zodiac by tying 0° Aries to the day of the vernal equinox, this event occurred with a relatively small discrepancy with the galactic zodiac. At that time, the beginning of the galactic zodiac, as we understand it today, corresponded to approximately 2° of Pisces. This difference, which is less than one zodiac sign, suggests that empirical observations of that time could point to the approximate position of the beginning of the zodiac.
It is likely that in those times, when knowledge of the center of the Galaxy was absent, and the beginning of the constellation Aries corresponded to approximately 2° of Aries (in the tropical understanding), Ptolemy, relying on his own observations, decided to fix this reference point specifically to the seasons of the year. He argued his choice by stating that the reference to the vernal equinox was the most rational.
Let's return to the galactic zodiac.
Such a zodiac would have the following advantages:
Universality
Applicable at any point in the solar system, regardless of the planet, satellite, or space station.
Objectivity
It does not depend on the subjective perception of the observer and the peculiarities of their location.
Fundamentality
Based on real astronomical realities – the position of the Sun and its movement in its orbit around the center of the Galaxy.
Applicability
The principle itself will allow the construction of astrology on the planet of any star, which will become the reference point.
Geocentric or Heliocentric?
Answer: both. Imagine a map of the area. The heliocentric perspective is like a satellite image, giving an objective picture of the location of roads and objects. The geocentric perspective is like your personal perception of this area when you walk down a specific street. Both views are important for understanding the full picture.
Einstein's theory of relativity, along with the work of scientists in the field of quantum mechanics, in particular, concerning the observer effect, indicates that reality consists of objective (heliocentric) and subjective (geocentric) components.
Consider this example: a person may believe that everything is fine with them, while in reality, things are not as they seem to them. This illustrates how subjective perception can, in a certain sense, seem even more significant than objective reality. In addition to the observer effect, observation also causes a collapse of the wave function (event trigger), which plays a key role in assessing the time of an event. However, the outcome of a prediction cannot be interpreted in isolation from objective reality.
In astrology, the heliocentric perspective provides an objective structure of the arrangement of planets and their orbital cycles in the Solar System. The geocentric perspective, on the other hand, reflects the subjective experience of an individual perceiving these celestial events from their specific location on Earth. Both perspectives are necessary for a complete understanding. While the heliocentric view gives what — the actual position and movement of celestial bodies, the geocentric view gives how — these events are perceived and experienced by people on Earth, shaping their unique reality.
The Author
Thus, the Galactic zodiac, based on the direction from the Sun to the center of the Galaxy, becomes a universal coordinate system applicable at any point in the Solar System.
The Astrologer
I never thought about it, especially about heliocentricity! I was also surprised by this difference of 5 degrees between the tropical and galactic zodiacs! Many questions arise...
The Skeptic
If we do not take into account my skepticism towards astrology itself, then I cannot find fault with the choice of the galactic zodiac as a coordinate system
to be continued...