Compare
Three astrological traditions, compared honestly
Not a ranking of which is 'true' — three different systems with different histories and different rules.
How this table is built.
- What it's based on
- Zodiac reference point
- Main unit of reading
- Where it's most practiced
| Western tropical | Vedic (sidereal) | Chinese zodiac | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it's based on | Sun, moon, planets, houses, aspects at birth | Same bodies, different zodiac reference and added lunar techniques | Birth year (lunar calendar) and a five-element cycle |
| Zodiac reference point | Fixed to the seasons (spring equinox = 0° Aries) | Fixed to the visible constellations (adjusts for precession) | Not planetary — a 12-year animal cycle plus 5 elements |
| Main unit of reading | The full natal chart: sun, moon, rising, houses, aspects | The natal chart plus dashas (planetary time periods) | Birth year sign, often paired with birth hour and month signs |
| Where it's most practiced | North America, Europe, most Western media | India and the Indian diaspora, growing Western interest | China and the Chinese diaspora, widely known globally |
What this table cannot tell you. This table can't tell you which tradition will feel true to you, or resolve the underlying disagreement about predictive validity — it only compares what each system is built from and how it's practiced.
Next step
Where to read further on each tradition
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