Blackdragon666
Well-known member
The Vernal Equinox has another name which is ‘The First Point of Aries’. This is because there was a time when the Vernal Equinox was in the constellation of Aries (Age of Aries). Back in the times of Hipparchus (over 2100 years ago), on Spring Equinoxes when the Sun is on the Vernal Equinox, the Sun was observed to be at the beginning point of the constellation of Aries. As the Sun enters the constellation of Aries from Pisces through that end, it was defined as the ‘First Point of Aries’. Since it coincided with the Vernal Equinox, the name was given to this point and has stuck to this day.
From this, the Vernal Equinox is represented with the symbol of Aries (︎) on the celestial sphere. The opposite point which is the Autumnal Equinox is in effect called the ‘First Point of Libra’ and is represented by the symbol of Libra (︎). The Autumnal Equinox was at the beginning of the constellation of Libra back at the time hence the name.
The Babylonians began the tradition of dividing the ecliptic into twelve equal parts based on the twelve zodiac constellation. These equal parts are 30 degrees each and are called the signs. The Greeks would develop this further with their extensive mythologies into the modern zodiac we know.
The signs follow the order; Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. The sign of Aries begins exactly on the Vernal Equinox and the sign of Libra begins exactly on the Fall Equinox.
The above image shows the 12 zodiac signs. Always keep in mind that there is a difference between the signs and constellations. The zodiac signs are equal divisions of the ecliptic that are based on the zodiac constellations. The zodiac constellations are a group of twelve constellations that lie on the Sun’s path, that is the ecliptic plane.
Each sign has an object that represents it. These are also from the mythology behind the zodiac constellations (from the ancient Greeks) which we will cover in a later chapter.
The sign of Aries is represented by the ram. Its symbol is ︎. It is at the point 0˚ from the Vernal Equinox. 'Aries' means 'ram' in Latin.
The sign of Taurus is represented by the bull. Its symbol is ︎. It is at a point 30˚ from the Vernal Equinox, moving eastward. 'Taurus' is Latin for 'bull'.
The sign of Gemini is represented by twins. Its symbol is ︎. It is at the point 60˚ from the Vernal Equinox. 'Gemini' is plural of the Latin word 'geminus' which means 'twin'. 'Gemini' is therefore Latin for 'twins'.
The sign of Cancer is represented by the crab. Its symbol is ︎. It is at the point 90˚ from the Vernal Equinox. 'Cancer' has a Latin ('cancri') and older Greek root ('carcinos' or 'karkinos') that means 'crab'.
The sign of Leo is represented by the lion. Its symbol is ︎. It is at the point 120˚ from the Vernal Equinox. 'Leo' is Latin for 'lion'.
The sign of Virgo is represented by the virgin (a virgin Goddess). Its symbol is ︎. It is at the point 150˚ from the Vernal Equinox. 'Virgo' is from the Latin 'virginis' which means 'virgin'.
The sign of Libra is represented by the scales (the scales of the Goddess of justice). Its symbol is ︎. It is at the point 180˚ from the Vernal Equinox. It is also exactly opposite the sign of Aries. 'Libra' is from Latin and means ' a pair of scales'.
The sign of Scorpio is represented by the scorpion. Its symbol is ︎. It is at the point 210˚ from the Vernal Equinox. Scorpio is opposite the sign of Taurus. 'Scorpio' is from Latin, which was from the Greek 'Skorpius', which referred to a legendary scorpion.
The sign of Sagittarius is represented by the archer (a centaur or a satyr with a bow). Its symbol is ︎. It is at the point 240˚ from the Vernal Equinox. Sagittarius is opposite the sign of Gemini. 'Sagittarius' is from Latin and means 'archer'.
The sign of Capricorn is represented by the goat (a sea goat; half goat, half fish). Its symbol is ︎. It is at the point 270˚ from the Vernal Equinox. Capricorn is opposite the sign of Cancer. 'Capricorn' is from a compound Latin word, 'Capri-cornus', that means 'horned like a goat' or 'horned goat'.
The sign of Aquarius is represented by the water-bearer/carrier. Its symbol is ︎. It is at the point 300˚ from the Vernal Equinox. Aquarius is opposite the sign of Leo. Aquarius has a Latin root that means 'water carrier'.
The sign of Pisces is represented by the fishes (two fishes swimming in opposite directions while connected by a cord). Its symbol is ︎. It is at the point 330˚ from the Vernal Equinox. Pisces is opposite the sign of Virgo. 'Pisces' is the plural of the Latin 'piscis' which means 'a fish'.
If you are new to some of the words used here like 'satyr', feel free to look them up on the internet. Don't worry as we will delve deeper into all this in future lessons.
The next image shows the zodiac signs on the celestial sphere.
Tropical Astrology (also known as Western Astrology), which is a continuation of Greek Astrology, uses the signs. Thus, every Spring Equinox in March, we say the Sun has entered the sign of Aries. In terms of constellations, it depends on which constellation is aligned with the Vernal Equinox. As we enter the Age of Aquarius, the Sun will be in the constellation of Aquarius every Spring Equinox, but always in the sign of Aries.
In India, they have their own Astrology system called Jyotish or Vedic Astrology. They don’t use the signs but just the constellations. If you’re born on the day of the Spring Equinox, in Tropical Astrology you’re an Aries Sun but in Vedic Astrology you’re a Pisces Sun (as the Vernal Equinox enters the constellation of Aquarius, said individual will be an Aquarius Sun).
In my experience, and as many other Astrologers will agree, Tropical Astrology is usually very accurate. Modern science tries to say that Astrology isn't accurate since we have a nonsensical system that is out of date since the equinoxes have moved from their original positions. However, when you read horoscopes using the signs, they give very accurate readings.
In closing, now that we have introduced the signs, we will cover much more about them in the next lessons.
-Blackdragon666
From this, the Vernal Equinox is represented with the symbol of Aries (︎) on the celestial sphere. The opposite point which is the Autumnal Equinox is in effect called the ‘First Point of Libra’ and is represented by the symbol of Libra (︎). The Autumnal Equinox was at the beginning of the constellation of Libra back at the time hence the name.
The Babylonians began the tradition of dividing the ecliptic into twelve equal parts based on the twelve zodiac constellation. These equal parts are 30 degrees each and are called the signs. The Greeks would develop this further with their extensive mythologies into the modern zodiac we know.
The signs follow the order; Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. The sign of Aries begins exactly on the Vernal Equinox and the sign of Libra begins exactly on the Fall Equinox.
The above image shows the 12 zodiac signs. Always keep in mind that there is a difference between the signs and constellations. The zodiac signs are equal divisions of the ecliptic that are based on the zodiac constellations. The zodiac constellations are a group of twelve constellations that lie on the Sun’s path, that is the ecliptic plane.
Each sign has an object that represents it. These are also from the mythology behind the zodiac constellations (from the ancient Greeks) which we will cover in a later chapter.
The sign of Aries is represented by the ram. Its symbol is ︎. It is at the point 0˚ from the Vernal Equinox. 'Aries' means 'ram' in Latin.
The sign of Taurus is represented by the bull. Its symbol is ︎. It is at a point 30˚ from the Vernal Equinox, moving eastward. 'Taurus' is Latin for 'bull'.
The sign of Gemini is represented by twins. Its symbol is ︎. It is at the point 60˚ from the Vernal Equinox. 'Gemini' is plural of the Latin word 'geminus' which means 'twin'. 'Gemini' is therefore Latin for 'twins'.
The sign of Cancer is represented by the crab. Its symbol is ︎. It is at the point 90˚ from the Vernal Equinox. 'Cancer' has a Latin ('cancri') and older Greek root ('carcinos' or 'karkinos') that means 'crab'.
The sign of Leo is represented by the lion. Its symbol is ︎. It is at the point 120˚ from the Vernal Equinox. 'Leo' is Latin for 'lion'.
The sign of Virgo is represented by the virgin (a virgin Goddess). Its symbol is ︎. It is at the point 150˚ from the Vernal Equinox. 'Virgo' is from the Latin 'virginis' which means 'virgin'.
The sign of Libra is represented by the scales (the scales of the Goddess of justice). Its symbol is ︎. It is at the point 180˚ from the Vernal Equinox. It is also exactly opposite the sign of Aries. 'Libra' is from Latin and means ' a pair of scales'.
The sign of Scorpio is represented by the scorpion. Its symbol is ︎. It is at the point 210˚ from the Vernal Equinox. Scorpio is opposite the sign of Taurus. 'Scorpio' is from Latin, which was from the Greek 'Skorpius', which referred to a legendary scorpion.
The sign of Sagittarius is represented by the archer (a centaur or a satyr with a bow). Its symbol is ︎. It is at the point 240˚ from the Vernal Equinox. Sagittarius is opposite the sign of Gemini. 'Sagittarius' is from Latin and means 'archer'.
The sign of Capricorn is represented by the goat (a sea goat; half goat, half fish). Its symbol is ︎. It is at the point 270˚ from the Vernal Equinox. Capricorn is opposite the sign of Cancer. 'Capricorn' is from a compound Latin word, 'Capri-cornus', that means 'horned like a goat' or 'horned goat'.
The sign of Aquarius is represented by the water-bearer/carrier. Its symbol is ︎. It is at the point 300˚ from the Vernal Equinox. Aquarius is opposite the sign of Leo. Aquarius has a Latin root that means 'water carrier'.
The sign of Pisces is represented by the fishes (two fishes swimming in opposite directions while connected by a cord). Its symbol is ︎. It is at the point 330˚ from the Vernal Equinox. Pisces is opposite the sign of Virgo. 'Pisces' is the plural of the Latin 'piscis' which means 'a fish'.
If you are new to some of the words used here like 'satyr', feel free to look them up on the internet. Don't worry as we will delve deeper into all this in future lessons.
The next image shows the zodiac signs on the celestial sphere.
Tropical Astrology (also known as Western Astrology), which is a continuation of Greek Astrology, uses the signs. Thus, every Spring Equinox in March, we say the Sun has entered the sign of Aries. In terms of constellations, it depends on which constellation is aligned with the Vernal Equinox. As we enter the Age of Aquarius, the Sun will be in the constellation of Aquarius every Spring Equinox, but always in the sign of Aries.
In India, they have their own Astrology system called Jyotish or Vedic Astrology. They don’t use the signs but just the constellations. If you’re born on the day of the Spring Equinox, in Tropical Astrology you’re an Aries Sun but in Vedic Astrology you’re a Pisces Sun (as the Vernal Equinox enters the constellation of Aquarius, said individual will be an Aquarius Sun).
In my experience, and as many other Astrologers will agree, Tropical Astrology is usually very accurate. Modern science tries to say that Astrology isn't accurate since we have a nonsensical system that is out of date since the equinoxes have moved from their original positions. However, when you read horoscopes using the signs, they give very accurate readings.
In closing, now that we have introduced the signs, we will cover much more about them in the next lessons.
-Blackdragon666