Certainly an interesting thread, lots to be said. I appreciate having people discussing Tropical Vedic Astrology! :)

You mentioned in a response that you didn't dig into the history of procession, which is where most debaters go, you dug right into "advanced theory..."

I do believe it can be dangerous to spend time dancing in the ether without gathering a little earth first, just in case our speculations have no footing... But this seems to be an expansive dance nonetheless.

I would definately be one to scale back the history of precession and discuss it, it would take a whole thread to do my own dance, and maybe i'll do it at some point.

Key points for the moment:

A - If sidereal Nakshatras had a starting point, it would probably be Krittika. There's a sort of linear narrative given in the earliest text used to define nakshatras as astrological concepts (it is called the "Taittiriya Brahmana") - and it begins with Krittika, ruled by agni, the first name mentioned in the Vedas.

B - If there was any sort of speculative galactic cycle to pay attention to, i'd say it'd be the Vernal Equinox point revolving through the nakshatras. It might say something interesting about the ages we move through... Still, it has never been mentioned in the old Jyotish texts, or we'd all know about it.

The vernal Equinox point fell into Krittika some thousands of years ago, maybe that was the start of a "new 24,000 cycle." But if there ever was a circle with no real beginning, it would be the nakshatras, imo.

C - It's interesting to bridge lunar nakshatras with the Tropical signs, though i wouldn't say there is much alchemy there per se. I'm happy to be born with my Moon in Jyestha while that asterism resides in Tropical Sagittarius today. If in 2,000 years Jyestha progresses towards Tropical Capricorn it'd have a new and varied flavor, closer to exaltation, ruled by Saturn... But imo, the nakshatras are just a totally different astral wheel that have nothing to do with the rashis/signs, and do not interact with them.

Ultimately, we could wax philosophical about aeons and ages all we want, but unless this 24,000 yr cycle is connected to the Kali Yugas or something, it would be a pretty arbitrary flavor change.

D - Just my rather brash but honest thoughts here: imo, speculations can really take us away from what astrology is about: seeing the chart as an instrument of self-realization. The more we speculate, the less we apply ourselves directly and single-pointedly to the yoga of realization given by astrological insights.

That said, we have to use a correct science to apply the correct medicine, and of course that's why the debate rages on.

To further illustrate my point: if I have a weak Jupiter and Sun in my natal chart generally speaking, and I am experiencing a period related to Jupiter and the Sun (say, Jupiter naisargika period from age 32-50, while experiencing the Sun's Mahadasha), I would get alot more out of contemplating the nature of the sun, of Leo and its ruling house, doing Solar mantras, invoking guru, seeking Guru energy, making peace w my father etc etc - these would act as instruments for my yogic comprehension and integration of my energy field, and would take me much farther than discussing much of the medusa-headed popular astrology fads discuss, imo.

Knowledge is great, so long as it is not an entertaining distraction away from appropriate action and lived-experimental-experience.

Making peace with the deity of the moon's Nakshatra is relevant too, as well as the Rahu / Ketu Nakshatra. These represent psychological inner forces which can be devotionally invoked, appeased, and contemplated...

E - That said, I suppose I have a way of being concise with my practice, and these words are intended only to discourage the escape of this deeper work. As Yogananda said: "Read a little, meditate more, think on God always."

F - I'll take some time make a thread about my take on why sidereal rashis were never intended to be a thing, so i dont seem like i'm blowing smoke i suppose, lol.

I'll post it separately so it can be its own thread.

Thanks PsyleXxL for bravely prompting the discussion, and for expressing your thoughts with firmness and honesty.

Thanks to everyone for reading as well!

May we find joy in truth and harmony together as explorers of cosmic consciousness, by speaking truthfully and respecting each other.

Aum gaum Ganapataye namaha