Constellations and sidereal signs.
Most of the Sidereal astrologers I know of, or the few I have met, use the Sidereal Zodiac (SZ) for measurement and placement purposes, but they do not use the signs for interpretive purposes. Nor do they use constellations for any purpose except possibly historical research when ancient records indicated certain stars or signs rising as a means of noting the calendar's progress.
Relative to correcting for precession in charts, I'll answer this in two parts:
FIRST, there is no real difference between a natal chart in the Tropical Zodiac (TZ) and one cast in the SZ except for the sign-degree designations. The planets have the identical orientation to the angles of the chart and to each other, the aspects are the same. It is only how we use the chart that may be different----meaning signs, sign rulers, dignities, etc.
SECOND, when it comes to forecasting or prediction using Solar Returns, one quickly discovers that TZ Solar Returns are very poor in saying what will happen and on what day something specific will happen. There have been many books written on this subject and they are rule-bound, have various ways to fudge on their answers and are generally weak and ineffective. I say that to you and to any professional who reads this.
However, once one corrects for precession, one actually "siderealizes" the solar return chart---the chart is for a different time and has different angles and can be read very differently (and simply) compared to a TZ chart. The differences are due to the Earth having to travel further, taking more time, to reach its actual birth alignment (between the Earth, Sun, Star background). This difference int time and rotation, and the resulting chart makes all of the difference in the world, all of a sudden astrology works in a very clear, simple direct manner.
So, to summarize the second point, the natal chart can be be read and used as it is, as can secondary progressions, solar arc directions and transits to the natal chart. This is because these charts are all based on static positions or positions that occurred within a few days of the birth chart. But once we go to solar returns, as one example, we are casting charts for a time far in the future relative to the birth chart. In that time, precession has slid the TZ backwards some part of a degree from its natal position. Since it takes the Sun a whole day (plus a bit) to move that full degree, the actual Solar Return will not occur for several/many hours after the out-of-alignment TZ indicates it has occured. This is why TZ Solar Returns are not useful.
Now, before anyone asks me how to do these types of charts, I need to say a few things. First, its simple but it is too complicated to convey the methods here for the typical cross section of early-studies students on this list. (I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but only a few have shown the deeper understanding of astrology needed to do this more advanced work). Second, I have a blog where worked examples of these methods are shown and where it can be talked about.
http://ninthhouse.wordpress.com/
Third, I'm writing a book which I may be able to publish this fall which goes into this very well with lots of examples, diagrams, etc.
Dave