How to Calculate Precession Astrology

In addition to Western and Sidereal astrology, there is Chinese astrology.

Whether you want to find your sign to learn more about your personality or you want to use astronomy to debunk astrology, learning about precession astrology can benefit you. In "regular" (also called tropical or western) astrology, astrologers determine your sign using a set number of dates which divide the year into twelve, relatively even parts. With Sidereal (or "precession" astrology), according to the UK Skeptics website, your sign is determined by the position of the zodiacal constellations at the time of your birth.

Things You'll Need

• Astrology book

Instructions

1. Write down your birthday (month and day.)

2. Check your birthday against the following dates, provided by the LiveScience website: April 18 through May 13 for Aries; May 13 though June 21 for Taurus; June 21 to July 20 for Gemini; July 20 through August 10 for Cancer; August 10 through September 16 for Leo; September 16 through October 30 for Virgo; October 30 through November 23 for Libra; November 23 through November 29 for Scorpio; November 29 through December 17 for Ophiuchus; December 17 through January 20 for Capricorn; Aquarius; and March 11 through April 18 for Pisces. The sign your birthday falls under is your Sidereal sign.

3. Look up the characteristics of your new sign in your astrology book.

   Precession astrology incorporates an additional sign: Ophiuchus. According to OphiuchusTraits.com, this sign typically has the following traits: the ability to understand dreams, spirits and blessings; idealistic; peaceful; tenacious and intelligent. When it comes to your family, you are possibly surrounded by envious people, although your relationship with your father is strong.

References

• Live Science: Your Astrological Sign may not be What You Think it is; Pedro Braganca; October, 2007.
• Astrodienst: Precession and Zodiac
• UK Skeptics: Astrology and Precession; 2006.
• Ophiucus Traits: Ophiuchus History