Glossary
Sidereal: meaning in astrology
The sidereal zodiac measures signs from the fixed stars. Vedic astrology uses it, as do some Western astrologers. Because the zodiac's starting point is tied to the stars rather than the seasons, sidereal signs sit about 24 degrees behind tropical ones right now, and the gap slowly grows.
Practically, most people find their sidereal Sun is one sign earlier than their tropical Sun. Nakshatras, padas and dashas are all calculated in the sidereal zodiac.
Where does "Sidereal" come up on this site?
543 guides use the term. The ones that use it most:
- Aries zodiac sign: dates, traits and the Vedic view
- Nakshatra list: all 27 lunar mansions, lords and deities
- Taurus zodiac sign: dates, traits and the Vedic view
- Krittika nakshatra: Agni, the Sun and two signs
- Chiron in Sagittarius: Western and Vedic readings
- Lilith in Gemini: Western and Vedic readings
- Lilith in Sagittarius: Western and Vedic readings
- Lilith in Virgo: Western and Vedic readings
How we calculate
Is astrology a guarantee of what will happen?
No. These calculations locate celestial bodies; astrology is a reflection and timing tradition, not evidence of guaranteed health, financial or relationship outcomes.
How are these results calculated?
Positions come from Astronomy Engine, an open-source astronomy library, and are checked against Swiss Ephemeris in our methodology tests. Western readings use the tropical zodiac; Vedic readings subtract the Lahiri ayanamsa. Terms are defined in the glossary.
Next: compare your birth chart, see today's sky, or make a private vision board.