# Why do Horoscopes...

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-horoscopes/63978>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 1, 2001, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-horoscopes/63978 "2001-05-01T19:52:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Chubbs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Chubbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chubbs)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2001, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-horoscopes/63978/1 "2001-05-01T19:52:47Z")

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start with ARIES (March 21-April 19) instead of CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)?

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**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2001, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-horoscopes/63978/2 "2001-05-01T20:34:54Z")

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Because the astrological calendar is based on “the Sun’s position in the heavens” and it starts with the Sun at the spring equinox. If you think about it, starting the year with the beginning of spring is actually a little more logical than starting it a week and a half into winter.

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**Author:** ![Chubbs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Chubbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chubbs)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2001, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-horoscopes/63978/3 "2001-05-01T20:52:05Z")

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How true. Thank You.

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**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2001, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-horoscopes/63978/4 "2001-05-01T23:48:48Z")

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Most ancient calendars started the year at or near the spring equinox. The Iranian calendar (still being used in Iran and Afhganistan) starts exactly at the equinox and the months correspond to the sun passing through each Zodiac sign. In fact, in Afghanistan, the month names _are_ the Zodiac signs.

Why they moved the beginning of the year to near the winter solstice, I have no idea, but notice one coincidence: the day considered as starting at midnight. When the year started with the spring equinox, the day started at sunrise. Meanwhile the Jewish calendar starts the year around the autumnal equinox, and the day at sunset. See the pattern there?