Solunars by Aldebaran Sidereal Academy

Is there a baby beginner thread for the most basic things here? I searched a bit, but could not find one....

If I read basic beginner stuff in Tropical astrology, will the basic info transfer to Sidereal?

I can't follow some of the threads here, they are over my head. How do I get started?

Thank you

Welcome to Solunars

No, there isn't a beginners' thread as such. It would help to know where you'd like to start. For example:

This thread especially distinguishes Sidereal Astrology from other forms you may have encountered: https://solunars.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2259

If you are looking for Sidereal Sun and Moon sign interpretations, they (and other sign threads) are here: https://solunars.com/viewforum.php?f=13
They are also included in a free book you can download here: https://solunars.com/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=6015

I gave a beginners class a few years back and, though not much more than an outline, thew PowerPoints for the class are here: https://solunars.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=4709

Those are just some ideas. Where would YOU like to start?

Tornado wrote:

I can't follow some of the threads here, they are over my head. How do I get started?

Tornado, I may be able to help you get started with Sidereal Astrology charts. What astrological software are you using? I go back to the days when I started Sidereal Astrology after studying Tropical astrology for 10 years, and like you found it very difficult to understand, but when I realized certain differences with Sidereal charts vs Tropical charts, it made me realize things that prolonged my long tedious/detailed study of Sidereal Astrology. How long have you been studying astrology and how did you find this forum?

Hi Tornado,

I had a very poor understanding of astrology, I still feel way over my head about things too. Studying Astrology has helped me live a happier life.
You may want to check out this thread here, and especially the book Taking the Kids Gloves Off which you can find for free as a download on this site.
https://www.solunars.com/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=118

Thank you all, I am going through the links you posted.

I can't find the free download for "Taking the Kid Gloves Off Astrology" - where is it please?

Is there free software for sidereal astrology?

Tornado wrote: Mon Apr 24, 2023 11:11 pm I can't find the free download for "Taking the Kid Gloves Off Astrology" - where is it please?

A download of this is in the Planets sub-forum here:
https://www.solunars.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=28

Is there free software for sidereal astrology?

Yes - I thought I gave this earlier. Mike Nelson has written a wonderful free program called Time Matters - Sidereal Astrology (TMSA). Though it's still in evolution, it has long covered the calculation basics and is in my day-to-day use. It runs on any computer with Windows 10 or later. You can download the current version here:
https://www.solunars.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=6076

Thank you so much, Jim.

I now have "Taking the Kid Gloves Off Astrology" along with the other downloads you suggested earlier.

However, I cannot get the TMSA software to work. I download a zip file, and in it is just some thing that doesn't open, it's frustrating.

I used to use https://www.astro.com/cgi/ade.cgi?ract= ... cgi;lang=e but they changed their format, and I can't figure out how to use it anymore. I do already have my own sidereal chart from before they changed their format, so I can use that for myself while I learn. It would be good if I could get a free source for making sidereal charts though.

Astrology is intimidating to me, but I think I can get started now.

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Tornado wrote: Tue Apr 25, 2023 6:52 am However, I cannot get the TMSA software to work. I download a zip file, and in it is just some thing that doesn't open, it's frustrating.

Let's try to sort this out. (I think there was once a separate thread on installation, but I can't find it now.)

You only need the file listed as Installer. Ignore the Source Code link. Therefore, here are two links that should work (you only need one: the second is a backup in case there is a problem with the first one):
https://mega.nz/file/UVdHjAqa#-FkvlzzHU ... pFvpJrrpnA
Or: https://solunars.org/TMSA/tmsa-0.4.9.2-install.zip

You probably don't have to unzip the file, but you CAN do that if you prefer. I never have to unzip it, but some computer security settings may work differently. Either by clicking into the zip file, or by unzipping it first, you will see a file named tmsa-0.4.9.2-install.exe. That's the one you have to click to install (and it should work pretty automatically after that, just asking you a couple of questions along the way).

Speaking of security settings, the one complication known to me when installing this is that many antivirus programs fight with you on any software that comes from a private programmer. This is understandable: One of the biggest security risks is software that sneaks onto computers from the web or downloads, so a few years ago the security software (antivirus etc.) started blocking any software installations that didn't come from a large software manufacturer. (They measure this by whether the software has an embedded purchased security certificate. Mike isn't in a place to have an expensive security certificate, so we have to tell our computers that his program is safe and we really mean it. )

My method of handling this is that I created a special folder on my computer and told my antivirus software to ignore that folder. I put the installer in that location and run it. Windows still pops up a warning and I still have to tell it to go ahead and install.

But if your computer is blocking this, it should notify you somehow so you can take action to correct it.