I took an interest in astronomy when very young, maybe ten, but didn't get a telescope until I was about 21, when I also took an interest in astrology, emphasised by my study of the Kabbalah as retorted mostly by Aleister Crowley.

There is little difference in the math and science, except that astronomy mostly studies the mass of the planets and their effect on each other, and of what use mankind as a whole make of it, whereas astrology considers the historical meaning and impact upon culture and personality. Both make predictions.

As astrology is based upon the the culture and the state of a persons mind it can be used to manipulate individuals and groups that adhere to rituals based upon the apparent relative position of the planets aka moving stars to places and times of human endeavour, the most notable being birth.

The more obvious of the birth relativities are those of where the sun and moon are, and what other planets may be at notable locations, such as rising in the east, at mid-heaven, setting in the west and at a point of occultation, most notably at nadir, the opposition to mid-heaven.

It is the notion of relativity to other persons birth data that is used to project personally upon oneself and others, often not to a beneficial outcome. The cause fo concern is that astrology appears to enhance the sense of importance of polarity, though such is coloured like the rainbow very well.

So I would not indulge a person is their astro investigation without some serious discussion, what is the purpose.

One of the major polarities in the data is what is known as tropical or sidereal positioning.
Tropical astrology is positioning of solar objects relative to the seasons, which are denoted by the lines of tropic of Capricorn and Cancer. The first sign of the zodiac, Aries being denoted by the first 30 degree arc of space that ascends after the northern hemisphere spring equinox.

This version is the more common in the west and is that used in newspaper columns for example.

Sidereal astrology compares the position of the objects of the solar system to those deep space constellations. If enough astronomy is understood a person can see the relevance in the procession of the equinoxes. The procession means that each year our solar system and all measurements to deep space are continually modified by the angle our planet and system tilt relative to the more apparent stable objects.

Although all move the notion in the sidereal is that there is more stability for personal and cultural meditation as the stars seem to be closer to 'God' that the nearby planets.

Sidereal astronomy angular measurement is the same as geocentric astronomy and is still used to predict earthly environment factors such as when the next rain will fall in Sudan. Over thousands of years adjustments are made. Some 2000 years ago and more, groups of stars where associated under a name, Aries being one such group. In the band of space the sun and planets appear twelve groups were, the reason for twelve i will deal with later. So twelve groups of stars, each allocated to 30 degrees of rotation where used to denote the passage of planets through the heavens, though some of the primary stars in some groups may only cover 10 degrees.

Since the fashioning of the signs of the zodiac where some 200 years ago the beginning of the zodiac was 0 degrees Aries the Procession now means that at the beginning of the zodiac year, around the 21st March, which tropically is the beginning, ) degrees Aries, siderealy the stars are some 26 degrees advanced.

So a siderealist astrologer would add 26 degrees to the tropical setting.

For example someone born on the 15th March, which is tropically the middle of Aries is siderealy 11 degree Taurus. Such adjustment s for sidereal astrology apply to all planets relative to constellations.

Sidereal astrology does not effect star signs which are linked to seasons not does ir effect relative angles between the planets.

So what is it you are lookin for when you look out at the stars or inwards to your dubiou culture.