Zodiac Energy

As you access our app, you can see that the Moon — like the other planets — is passing through a certain constellation or Zodiac sign. Depending on their positions, the luminaries and planets have different influences and bring unique energy flows to each day. In this section, you will learn about the three main approaches to determining the Zodiac sign of the Moon, the Sun, and other planets: the Tropical (Western or Solar), the Sidereal (Indian or Jyotish), and the Astronomical systems.

What is Zodiac?

The Zodiac belt is a band of the sky through which the Sun, Moon, and planets appear to move from Earth's perspective. In the Tropical system, the Zodiac is divided into twelve equal signs of 30 degrees each, aligned with the seasons and starting from the Spring Equinox — not the actual star constellations. The Sidereal system, used in Vedic astrology, also divides the sky into twelve equal 30-degree segments, but aligns them with the fixed positions of the background constellations. Finally, the Astronomical system follows the real constellations in the sky as defined by modern astronomy. These constellations vary in size and shape, and there are actually thirteen of them along the Sun’s path — including Ophiuchus, which lies between Scorpio and Sagittarius.

The Path of the Luminaries

As the Moon or a planet moves along the Zodiac belt, it is said to enter a particular sign or constellation. In reality, this means it appears in the sky against a certain section of the Zodiac. These three systems offer different ways to define that position.

Tropical Zodiac

The Tropical Zodiac is based on the position of the Earth relative to the Sun, with its starting point defined by the Spring Equinox on March 20. This marks the moment when the Sun enters 0° Aries and begins its symbolic annual cycle. In the tropical system, the positions of the Moon and planets are calculated in reference to the Sun's position, not the constellations. As this system is tied to the calendar and seasonal changes, its twelve signs remain fixed, even though they gradually shift away from the actual constellations. That’s why it is referred to as the “mobile” zodiac.

Sidereal Zodiac

The Sidereal Zodiac is based on the position of a celestial body against the actual fixed stars. So when a practitioner of the sidereal tradition says that the Moon is in Aries, it means that the Moon appears in the section of the sky aligned with the Aries constellation. Since our Solar System is constantly shifting in relation to the stars, the apparent position of constellations also drifts slightly over time. The sidereal zodiac is called “immovable” because it relies on the relatively stable star positions forming the zodiac constellations.

Astronomical Zodiac

The Astronomical Zodiac is based purely on the actual constellations observed in the sky, as defined by modern astronomy. Unlike the Tropical and Sidereal systems, which divide the sky into twelve equal 30-degree segments, the astronomical system follows the true boundaries and sizes of the constellations established by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). These constellations are not evenly spaced — some are wide, like Virgo, while others are narrow, like Scorpius. Importantly, the Sun's path — known as the ecliptic — crosses thirteen constellations, not twelve. In addition to the traditional twelve, it also passes through Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer, located between Scorpio and Sagittarius. The astronomical approach is observational and descriptive rather than symbolic or interpretive, and it forms the basis for scientific star mapping and modern planetary tracking.

What Is the Difference?

As the Solar System is moving constantly, the difference between the symbolic signs and the actual constellations is growing slowly but inevitably. At this point, the offset between the Tropical and Sidereal Zodiacs has reached about 24 degrees — nearly one full sign. So when someone using the Tropical system says the Moon is in Aries tonight, in the Sidereal system it may already be in Pisces. And astronomically, the Moon at that same moment may be located in the constellation of Pisces, Cetus, or even still in Aries, depending on its exact coordinates — because the constellations are irregular in size and shape, unlike the even 30° divisions used in astrology. The Astronomical Zodiac does not rely on symbolic meaning. It is a scientific model based on direct observation and precise measurement. It is used by astronomers for star mapping, navigation, and planetary tracking — not for interpretation, but for objective celestial reference.

Can We Ever Have a Unified Approach?

The Tropical and Sidereal systems align only once every 25,800 years, due to the precession of the Earth's axis — a slow wobble that shifts the apparent position of the stars over time. The last time these two zodiacs fully matched was around the 2nd century CE. Meanwhile, the Astronomical system is not affected by symbolic divisions or seasonal reference points — it reflects the real-time sky and remains consistent with what astronomers observe today. Each system — Tropical, Sidereal, and Astronomical — offers its own unique lens for understanding celestial movements: symbolic, spiritual, or scientific. All three are valid in their own right, depending on the context and intention behind their use. We’re happy to include all of them in the app, so you can explore their differences and discover which one resonates with your personal path.