“the chart discrepancy will be related to our recent Time Zone Database switch, as our chart services recently switched from the ACS Atlas to tzdb. We rely on time zone databases for all time zone boundaries, UTC offsets, and annual information on daylight saving times and dates used to calculate all charts. We used ACS Atlas timezone data for many years but eventually discovered that much of their post-1970 timezone data was not as accurate as we’d hoped. Therefore, we made the change to tzdb which allows the community to suggest edits and which was more accurate than ACS Atlas. Our only goal is to ensure that any chart created using our chart calculator services will use the most accurate timezone data possible, generating the most reliable chart. Regrettably, this comes with rare instances of chart changes.
Time Zone Database (“tzdb”) by IANA is an open-source project, which means anybody can contribute, and individuals have the option to correct mistakes or omissions. All new charts created at MaiaMechanics.com, Jovian Archive, or myBodyGraph use the tzdb for time zone conversion.
All the charts generated using any of our chart calculators (myBodyGraph, Maia Mechanics, Get Your Chart) as well as the IHDS’, will generate the most up-to-date chart using the new timezone database. The only software still waiting to have the timezone database updated is our desktop MMI Software, which will receive the update shortly.” -Customer Support, Jovian Archive Media
…and should probably read ‘pre-1970’…
In case of doubts go to https://www.timeanddate.com/
They seem to have the exact time zone archives. Then find the location and the year. It gives the exact UTC time. Then make a chart in any software with UTC time.
Reply:
Notice regarding the Source of Time Data and Human Design Chart Calculations | February 20, 2023
Time data refers to the conversion from local time in a particular place—taking into account timezone and Daylight Saving Time (DST)—to UTC (Coordinated Universal Time), which is required to calculate a Human Design Chart. There are approximately 200,000 birth locations worldwide, each of which may be determined geographically or politically—by country, state, county, or town depending on the year.
Concern has recently been expressed about time data in chart calculations. The issue stems from a difference in data provided by official sources, and with this notice we hope to clarify the situation.
MMI for Windows was released in 2004, and has since relied upon the ACS Atlas by Alabe for time data. The ACS Atlas was the most reputable source of time data available at the time, and to this day is used by numerous astrological applications. And while ACS Atlas data is for the most part reliable, based on user feedback and our own investigations, it unfortunately does have its flaws. Most importantly, it is not maintained to a level of degree that provides us with enough confidence for the future.
During the development of our online application, MaiaMechanics.com, we decided to implement the Time Zone Database (TZ) by IANA. TZ is an open source database which is constantly reviewed and updated. We are now confident that TZ data is 100% reliable for birth data calculation since 1970, while pre 1970’s data has only a 1% chance of a faulty result, which we will continue to monitor and refine. For this reason, TZ is the best solution moving forward.
As our focus was on the development of the online application—and on verifying that we were satisfied with TZ data—we did not manage to streamline the shift from ACS Atlas to TZ across all applications simultaneously. We apologize for any troubles this may have caused. Moving forward, MMI for Windows will receive an update to implement TZ, but will be phased out by the end of the year as we focus on continuing development of MaiaMechanics.com. The online application is about to be available in 8 languages and will include a BG5 edition later this month, while DreamRave and the classic BodyGraph will be implemented later this year.
In the meantime:
• Anyone can verify general chart properties and time data using MaiaMechanics.com’s free calculator (find time data from within Properties > Birth Data) or by creating a free account at myBodyGraph.com.
• Until MMI has been converted to TZ, users of MMAI (Advanced Imaging for MMI) are eligible for free access to the Advanced plan of MaiaMechanics.com which allows the creation of Advanced Imaging charts using TZ data. Create your account now and then contact us for free access (please include the email address of your Jovian account to verify MMAI ownership, and the email address you used to sign up at MaiaMechanics.com)
Loki S. Krakower-Riley
Jacqueline Riley
Co-directors, Jovian Archive Media Pte. Ltd.
