Western Astrology & Horoscopes

The Western Zodiac, also known as European Astrology or Western Astrology, is a system of astrology that primarily uses a horoscope. The horoscope uses the alignment of the planets at the moment of a person's birth to interpret the meaning behind, and insight into, life events and questions. This astrology sometimes uses the position of the sun at one's birth (solar year) to determine a horoscope. The signs in the Western Zodiac that rely on the position of the sun are called "sun" signs and are divided into twelve separate signs.

Twelve Signs of the Western Zodiac

Though determined by the position of the sun, the twelve signs of the Western Zodiac are believed to represent twelve different personality types. Each one of these signs is named after constellations found in the sky through which the sun, moon, and planets travel. The twelve signs are also divided into four elements of fire, earth, air and water, which help explain the way nature behaves.

Using the Zodiac Signs associated with a person's date of birth and the elements the sign represents, a horoscope is created.

Sign		Dates
	Aries, the Ram	March 21 to April 20
	Taurus, the Bull	April 21 to May 20
	Gemini, the Twins	May 21 to June 20
	Cancer, the Crab	June 21 to July 21
	Leo, the Lion	July 22 to August 22
	Virgo, the Virgin	August 23 to September 22
	Libra, the Scales	September 23 to October 22
	Scorpio, the Scorpion	October 23 to November 21
	Sagittarius, the Archer	November 22 to December 21
	Capricorn, the Fish-Tailed Goat	December 22 to January 20
	Aquarius, the Water Bearer	January 21 to February 19
	Pisces, the Fish	February 20 to March 20

Differences Between Western Astrology & Chinese Astrology

Astrologers can use the Western Zodiac or the Chinese Zodiac when creating horoscopes. Although they are both based on a person's date of birth and use symbolism to formulate horoscopes, they have many differences:

	Western Zodiac	Chinese Zodiac
Started	1st to 2nd century BC	2nd century BC
Interval for 12 Signs	Monthly	Yearly
Zodiac Based On	Solar Calendar	Lunar Calendar
Zodiac Icons	Constellations	Earth Creatures
# Elements Comprise Earth	Four (Fire, Earth, Air, Water)	Five (Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, Wood)
Emphasis	Three Qualities (Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable)	Four Lunar Phases (New Moon, Waxing Moon, Full Moon, Waning Moon)

There's no right or wrong zodiac to use when formulating a horoscope as they both use an ancient system that is similar to the other. Zodiac Heartology uses the Zodiac to help match your sign with others who fit you best. These personalities and characteristics will guide you to meet those people, and how to use these relationships to lead you to future love, good friends, great jobs, and fun places to visit!