The Kalachakra New Year
and the Tibetan Sun Signs

The Kalachakra New Year can also be called the Planetary New Year, because it is defined by the Suns cycle in the Zodiac. The Tibetan astronomical system and calendar making is based on the Sri Kalachakra Tantra (Wheel of Time Tantra).

The Kalachakra New Year starts when the Sun enters into Aries and is also an astrological New Year for planetary calculations in Tibetan astrology. Tibetan, Indian and most oriental astrologers use the Sidereal Zodiac of fixed stars, where the positions of astrological Sun signs are located by an astronomical fixpoint. The position of Aries is calculated by using its opposite sign, Libra. The 0° of Libra is defined by the position of the fixed star, Spica, in the constellation of Libra and from this point 180° is then calculated to find 0° Aries. From 0° of Aries twelve astrological houses is counted, and each of them is 30°, forming a circle of 360° running from Aries to Pisces.

Western astrology uses the Tropical Zodiac, and the start point for Aries is precisely at the moment of Vernal Equinox. About 2000 years ago, both the Sidereal and the Tropical Zodiac had the same starting point. But because of the tilting of the Earth's rotating axis there is today almost a 24° difference between the two Zodiacs and this difference increases 0° 00' 50" every year. When the Sun has already entered into Aries in Western astrology, in Tibetan astrology it is still in Pisces and will enter into Aries about 23 days later. Therefore, if your Western sun sign is Aries, you will most likely be a Pisces in the Tibetan horoscope. Only if you are born in the six or seven last days of the Western Aries, you will remain an Aries in the Tibetan horoscope.

Aries

20. Mar. - 
19. Apr.

Lug

Lamb

12. Apr. - 
12. May

Taurus

20. Apr. - 
20. May

Läng

Two Bulls in plough

13. May - 
12. Jun.

Gemini

21. May - 
20. Jun.

Khrig

Husband and wife

13. Jun. - 
13. Jul.

Cancer

21. Jun. - 
21. Jul.

Kata

Frog

14. Jul. - 

13. Aug.

Leo

22. Jul. - 
22. Aug.

Senge

Snow Lion

14. Aug. - 
14. Sep.

Virgo

23. Aug. - 
22. Sep.

Bhumo

Virgin

15. Sep. - 
13. Oct.

Libra

23. Sep. - 
22. Oct.

Sang

Balance

14. Oct. - 
14. Nov. 

Scorpio

23. Oct. - 
21. Nov.

Dhig

Scorpio

15. Nov. - 
14. Dec.

Sagittarius

22. Nov. - 
20. Dec.

Shü

Game

15. Dec. - 
12. Jan.

Capricorn

21. Dec. - 
19. Jan.

Chusin

Crocodile

13. Jan. - 
11. Feb.

Aquarius

20. Jan. - 
18. Feb.

Bhumpa

Water bearer

12. Feb. - 
12. Mar.

Pisces

19. Feb. - 
19. Mar.

Nya

Fish

13. Mar. - 
11. Apr.