Zodiac Coordinate Systems - Starting Points

This section describes what are zodiac coordinate systems and starting points.

In Western and Indian astrology, the zodiac circle is divided into 12 equal zodiac signs. But where is the starting point?

Ancient astrologers used two coordinate systems to define the zodiac sign starting point:

1. Tropical zodiac coordinate system is used in Western astrology. In tropical zodiac, the starting point of zodiac, the first point of Aries, is defined as the vernal equinox, when the Sun is cross the celestial equator from south to north.

Vernal equinox, also called spring equinox, usually happens on March 21 each year. This is why Aries sign starts on March 21 in Western astrology.

2. Sidereal zodiac coordinate system is used in Indian astrology, Jyotisha. In sidereal zodiac, the starting point of zodiac, the first point of Aries, is defined using two fixed stars, Aldebaran and Antares, on two opposites sides of the ecliptic circle. Aldebaran is defined as the middle point of the Taurus sign; while Antares is defined as the middle point of the Scorpius sign. The rest of the zodiac signs are defined accordingly.

As you can see, the sidereal zodiac coordinate system is a fixed coordinate system. But the tropical zodiac coordinate system is a relative coordinate system. In ancient time, about 2000 years ago, the tropical zodiac coordinate system matches well with the sidereal zodiac coordinate system.

However, due the precession of Earth's axis, the tropical year is about 20 minutes and 24 seconds shorter than the sidereal year. This makes the vernal equinox moving backward 1 degree every 71.57 years. But this small difference can be accumulated into a big gap over time. As of year 2007, this gap is about 24 degrees.

This 25-degree difference is about 24 calendar days. This is why sidereal zodiac Aries sign starts on April 14 in 2007, which is 24 days after the tropical zodiac Aries sign start date, March 21.

The following table shows you the dates when Sun enters different zodiac signs in tropical zodiac coordinate and sidereal zodiac coordinate systems:

Sun Sign      Tropical Zodiac   Sidereal Zodiac

Aries         Mar 21 - Apr 19   Apr 14 - May 14
Taurus        Apr 20 - May 20   May 15 - Jun 14
Gemini        May 21 - Jun 21   Jun 15 - Jul 16
Cancer        Jun 22 - Jul 22   Jul 17 - Aug 16
Leo           Jul 23 - Aug 22   Aug 17 - Sep 16
Virgo         Aug 23 - Sep 22   Sep 17 - Oct 17
Libra         Sep 23 - Oct 22   Oct 18 - Nov 16
Scorpio       Oct 23 - Nov 21   Nov 17 - Dec 15
Sagittarius   Nov 22 - Dec 21   Dec 16 - Jan 14
Capricorn     Dec 22 - Jan 19   Jan 15 - Feb 12
Aquarius      Jan 20 - Feb 18   Feb 13 - Mar 14
Pisces        Feb 19 - Mar 20   Mar 15 - Apr 13

Table of Contents

 About This Book

 Quick Introduction to Astrology

 Basics of Astrology and Astronomy

 Stars

 Constellations

Introduction to Western Zodiac Signs

 What Is Western Zodiac

 Zodiac Signs and Zodiac Constellations

Zodiac Coordinate Systems - Starting Points

 Aries, The Ram, The First Zodiac Sign

 Taurus - The Bull, The Second Zodiac Sign

 Gemini - The Twins, The Third Zodiac Sign

 Cancer - The Crab, The Fourth Zodiac Sign

 Leo - The Lion, The Fifth Zodiac Sign

 Virgo - The Virgin, The Sixth Zodiac Sign

 Libra - The Balance, The Seventh Zodiac Sign

 Scorpio - The Scorpion, The Eighth Zodiac Sign

 Sagittarius - The Archer, The Ninth Zodiac Sign

 Capricorn - The Goat, The Tenth Zodiac Sign

 Aquarius - The Water Bearer, The Eleventh Zodiac Sign

 Pisces - The Fish, The Twelfth Zodiac Sign

 Horoscope and Horoscopic Astrology

 Horoscope and Planets

 Chinese Astrology and Horoscope

 Chinese Zodiac Animal Signs

 References

 Full Version in PDF/EPUB