Why Do I Use the Tropical Zodiac? The Abandonment of Determinism in Astrology and Discussions on Scientific Validity

Why Do I Use the Tropical Zodiac? The Abandonment of Determinism in Astrology and Discussions on Scientific Validity

The tropical zodiac, which defines the signs in relation to the Spring Equinox, is based not on the actual positions of the planets and stars, but on their relative positions according to the Spring Equinox. Here, the focus is on the seasonal cycles on Earth and the Sun’s position in the sky throughout the year. The sidereal zodiac, on the other hand, takes into account Earth’s axial precession and is based on the actual physical positions of the constellations. Because it is based on fixed stars, the beginnings of the signs differ from the tropical zodiac due to the effect of precession. There is a difference of about 24 degrees between the sidereal and tropical zodiacs (this difference is called the “ayanamsa”). Therefore, while Aries season in the tropical zodiac begins on March 21 and ends on April 19, in the sidereal zodiac it begins on April 14 and ends on May 14. Since this 24° difference can be strongly felt, astrologers using the tropical zodiac may report that Mercury is retrograding in Aries, while astrologers using the sidereal zodiac may claim that Mercury is actually in Pisces. The tropical zodiac has been criticized by siderealists for not taking into account the actual placements of the planets and stars. There are objections that tropicalists do not know astronomy and that they misinterpret astrology. But is that really the case? Do tropicalists truly not know astronomy, or do they simply not care? Of course, the latter—they simply do not care. But why? Before answering this question, let’s take a look at the philosophical roots of astrology.

The period from Aristotle in Ancient Greek philosophy to the emergence of Neoplatonism is called Hellenistic philosophy. Although there were various philosophical schools that influenced Western esotericism, Stoicism, Neo-Pythagoreanism, and Neoplatonism are considered the most prominent. Neoplatonism, in particular, plays a key role here. Among the common ideas preserved by the Neoplatonists is the doctrine that all reality can be derived from a single principle, “the One.” They do not believe in the independent existence of darkness; they think of it as the absence of light rather than something that exists on its own. The “One” here is seen not as a material god, but as the source of the universe. The central theory of this philosophy is the theory of emanation—the idea that everything comes from the divine source. Accordingly, a scorpion made of clay belongs to a series that includes both artificial and natural arthropods, but it transcends these and ascends to a super-divine scorpion. Although there are many other scorpions at various degrees in between, one of them is the Scorpius constellation seen among the stars. A person who understands what these celestial scorpions are will be able to connect with them through stones, plants, colors, scents, tastes, and sounds. This theory opens doors to magical practices, and more specifically to theurgy. And of course, it also influences Kabbalistic ideas, particularly Hermetic Kabbalah, and from there Hermetic astrology.

The essence of the above explanation is that what we call Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, etc., are not seen as mere planets, but as cosmic powers on the divine plane. These cosmic powers take the form of what we call planets only when they descend into the realm we inhabit. This can also be thought of as akin to Plato’s world of ideas. What we call the “planet” Mars is, in fact, a degraded, impure copy of the essence of Mars as a cosmic power—a mere imitation. Therefore, the planet is nothing more than an indicator. It is nothing more than a symbolic element, a sign. The real issue lies in the “cosmic power” behind the planet. In the mysticism of the classical world, since the human soul is made of the same substance as the soul of the universe, each of these cosmic powers exists within the human as well. In other words, each of us has within us a Mars, a Venus, a Mercury… According to Hermetic philosophy, as above, so below; as below, so above. The main idea in the Hermetica is that our outer world is a reflection of our inner world. And what does this mean? It means that not only do these cosmic powers influence humans, but humans also influence these cosmic powers. This esoteric perspective completely eliminates the deterministic understanding on which astrology is usually based. Rote interpretations like “When Saturn squares the Sun, this or that will happen” lose their functionality. Because what will happen is determined, at least in part, by the individual. Since it is not only that the above reflects the below; the below also reflects the above. In this perspective, the aim is to help the individual gain control over their own life by becoming aware of these cosmic powers.

In a 1954 letter, Carl Jung, founder of analytical psychology, said that the zodiac is “a structure corresponding to a specific moment in the speech of the gods, that is, to the psychic archetypes.” Astrological charts created for a specific moment are symbolic depictions of universal principles—the cosmic powers—that were once personified by the gods and goddesses of ancient mythology. Jung associated various archetypes with certain planets and believed that natal charts could form archetypal patterns that provide information about a person. His theory of the “Collective Unconscious” overlaps with the Hermetic theory of the “Universal Mind.” “As above, so below; as below, so above; as within, so without; as without, so within.” The “above” refers to the macrocosm or the World Soul, while the “below” refers to the Earth, the physical plane, the microcosm, or the human soul. The “without” is the outer reality—the realm where we live, eat, pay bills, and interact with others. The “within” is our dream landscape, where we can encounter our partner (anima/animus), our shadow, our ego, our self, and other inner characters. Jung believed that the future of psychology lay in rebuilding the lost connection between modern man and the cosmos that appears in Hermetic teachings. From this perspective, what Jung called the collective unconscious can ultimately be seen as embedded within the cosmos itself.

Now let’s return to our question: Are the actual physical positions of the planets really important? Astrology is not based on the positivist philosophy of Auguste Comte, so we can’t say it matters in that sense! This is an important point because astrology is not a “positive science” like mathematics or physics—it is a “mystical art!” The influence of the planets on us does not depend on them pushing or pulling us, but on the “cosmic power” or “metaphysical idea” behind them. Mars, above all else, is a “symbolic expression.” Therefore, its retrogradation is symbolic too! Not because it is physically retrograding! People ask: “If Pluto was demoted from planetary status, why do you still include Pluto in interpretations?” Whether astronomers consider Pluto a planet or not, the “cosmic power” or “metaphysical idea” behind it does not change! Pluto, as an archetype, has always existed! What was that archetype? Transformation or death. And what was the cosmic power behind transformation? The sphere of Daath on the Tree of Life. All these explanations are not to criticize the sidereal logic, but to explain the logic of the tropical zodiac. Those who follow the sidereal system and focus entirely on actual placements may be more tied to science but may give less importance to symbolism. Indeed, I have found that sidereal interpretations are not felt as strongly or clearly as the tropical (seasonal) method. But this does not mean that sidereal astrology does not make accurate predictions! I believe sidereal interpretations have their own subtleties and can offer a different perspective on the same subjects. At this point, it would be an appropriate stance for siderealists to understand and respect the logic of the tropical system. Since these two systems use different reference points, neither is “more correct.” Which zodiac system to use depends on one’s view of astrology and which astrological and philosophical tradition one aligns with. With love.