Date of Birth Vs. Hindu Zodiac
The Western zodiac as we know it today has been around since at least 2300 B.C., originating in ancient Mesopotamia. The word "zodiac" is a Latin word meaning "circle of animals," and refers to the figurative circle in the sky divided into 12 30-degree sections. As the Earth rotates, the Sun, moon and all other celestial bodies travel through these 12 sections.
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Similarities
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Your zodiac sign is determined by the location of the Sun in respect to one of the 12 segments at the time of your birth. Chinese astrology goes by what year you were born in, but Western and Hindu astrology both go by what month you were born in. Hindu, or Vedic, astrology have 12 signs: Mesha (Aries), Vrisha (Taurus), Mithuna (Gemini), Karka (Cancer), Simha (Leo), Kanya (Virgo), Tula (Libra), Vrikchika (Scorpio), Dhanu (Sagittarius), Makara (Capricorn) and Meena (Pisces). The Vedic astrological system dates back over 6,000 years.
Charts
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In astrological terms, a "chart" is a map of what the heavens looked like during a certain period of time or specific moment. It can even get as specific as the very moment you were born, in which case this would be your birth chart. Someone that knows how to interpret a chart looks at all the different aspects: houses, planetary alignment and degrees, and combines all of this knowledge to predict your personality and what your future holds.
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Differences
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Both Western and Vedic astrologers compose astrological charts, but have different methods of doing so. A chart made in the Western system is a circle divided into 12 slices like a pie. A chart made in the Vedic system of astrology is square and is divided into 12 triangles that alternate pointing up and down.
Sidereal vs. Tropical
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Vedic astrology uses the "sidereal" method, which means it is aligned with 27 constellations. Western astrology uses the "tropical" system, and its "starting-point" is the Earth's equator. As a result of this significant difference, the dates of when the signs begin and end are different. As a result of this difference-- and the fact that the signs shift one degree every 72 years-- there is a 23-degree difference between Vedic and Western astrological charts.
Benefits
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Some astrologers may follow the Western style of the zodiac with all the traditional Western names (Aries, Gemini, etc.) but do so in the sidereal format. They believe that since the sidereal system is based on constellations that it is more accurate for predicting future events. Vedic astrology also focuses on an individuals "karmic tendencies." Karmic tendencies are considered more accurate than just "predicting the future" because they take into account that your future is made up of the choices that you make.
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References
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