Tropical Zodiac versus Sidereal Zodiac
Both the sidereal zodiac and the tropical zodiac get there basis from the constellation zodiac. This is why they are both made up of the exact same zodiac signs: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces.
Both the sidereal zodiac and the tropical zodiac get there basis from the constellation zodiac. This is why they are both made up of the exact same zodiac signs: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces.
(However, neither the sidereal zodiac nor the tropical zodiac line up exactly with the constellations because the actual constellations are of unequal size. The sidereal zodiac, however is closer to the original constellation zodiac because it is a zodiac based on ‘the stars or constellations’ (sidereus).)
The main difference between the tropical zodiac and the sidereal zodiac is how they are aligned:
- The sidereal zodiac is based upon 0º Aries being opposite to the position of the star Spica at the year of 285 AD (Lahiri ayanamsa method.)
- The tropical zodiac is aligned exactly with the seasons. 0 degrees Aries of the tropical zodiac  begins precisely at the moment of the vernal equinox (the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere).
- The current difference between the tropical and sidereal zodiacs (known as the ayanamsa) is about 24 degrees. This difference is due to the precession of the equinoxes.
(However, neither the sidereal zodiac nor the tropical zodiac line up exactly with the constellations because the actual constellations are of unequal size. The sidereal zodiac, however is closer to the original constellation zodiac because it is a zodiac based on ‘the stars or constellations’ (sidereus).)
The main difference between the tropical zodiac and the sidereal zodiac is how they are aligned:
- The sidereal zodiac is based upon 0º Aries being opposite to the position of the star Spica at the year of 285 AD (Lahiri ayanamsa method.)
- The tropical zodiac is aligned exactly with the seasons. 0 degrees Aries of the tropical zodiac  begins precisely at the moment of the vernal equinox (the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere).
- The current difference between the tropical and sidereal zodiacs (known as the ayanamsa) is about 24 degrees. This difference is due to the precession of the equinoxes.
