WESTERN ASTROLOGY

| WESTERN ASTROLOGY |

Thousands of years ago, Astrology has taken its roots in Western Countries. Egyptians know Astrology 4000 years before Christ. They prepared ephemeris. At the same time, Chinese too studied Astrology. King Hoyangutee built a Planetarium in 2608 BC. Babylonians practiced Astrology a few centuries before Christ. Pythagoras (530 BC) propounded that the Earth is rotating on its own axis. Aristarchus (around 275 BC) claims that Earth revolves around the Sun. Aristilan and Timoris (320 - 260 BC) prepared an index of positions of several stars.
Ptolemy (120 - 180 AD) has written Sinatyxis, based on the writings of Hiporcus (150 BC). This book on Astrology and Astronomy has been given highest regard for centuries together. Arabs praised this book as "Alamygest" means the great book. This book contains information on shape of Earth, orbit of Earth, planetary orbits along with a description of eclipses and milky way are seen.

In 1209 AD Cambridge University was founded and Astrology was taught there from 1250. Copernicus (1473 - 1543 AD )developed helio-centric theory. He said that Earth is revolving around the Sun. Nostradamus (1503 - 1566 AD) gave his prophecies. Tychobrahe (1546 - 1601 AD) and Kepler (1571 - 1630 AD) also contributed significantly to Astrology. Galileo built Telescope in 1609 and observed physically all the planets and constellations. Newton (1642 - 1727 AD) worked on Astronomy and Astrology and compiled a list of 2884 stars.

What ever the places and people are, Astrology is practiced and praised by every one on the Earth. The fundamental facts like division of Zodiac and planets: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn and Venus remain same.

Theory says that Zodiac wheel starts with Aries 0 degrees, and is constant. When a top is rotating , it bends slightly and rotates. If a point is imagined on the top , it make circles. These circles will not coincide each other. There will be some deviation between each circle. Similarly, the Zodiac is also deviating slowly from its constant position. It is calculated to be around 51 seconds per year. This deviation is called Precession of equinoxes, or Ayanamsa. Indian Astrologers are not taking this Ayanamsa into account when they calculate Planet positions. So their system is called "Nirayana". But westerners apply this correction in their calculations. So western system is called 'Sayana' system. This is the major difference in Indian and Western Astrological worlds.

Sayana = Nirayana + Ayanamsa.

Western Astrology is always ready to accept any new ideas coming from astronomical observations. Thus in 1781 William Hershel discovered planet Uranus. Dr. Persival Lofvello discovered Neptune in 1846. Tambaugh discovered Pluto in 1930. Thus there are 3 more planets added. And Western Astrologers started updating their knowledge about the influence of these planets on human beings. A new planet Chiron is being added to the list.

Uranus indicates sudden happenings, extremism, impulsive actions, high speed, explosives, electricity, television, computers etc.

Neptune gives intuition, meditation, hidden affairs, reflections, colors, water resources, coffee, tea, photography, etc.

Pluto represents destruction and regeneration, change of sex, modernization, waste material, unrest, life insurance, etc.

Western Astrology gives more stress on the aspects of planets. The aspects are based on the distances of planets.

• Conjunction: Represents 0 degrees longitude between planets. Its effect is determined by the nature of planets involved.
• Opposition: 180 degrees. The effect is as above.
• Sextile: 60 degrees. It yields beneficial results for the native.
• Square: 90 degrees. It is an evil aspect.
• Trine: 120 degrees. It is a good aspect.

While the above are major aspects, we can have minor aspects which give minor impact.

• Semi Sextile: 30 degrees. Slightly beneficial.
• Semi Square: 45 degrees. Slightly bad.
• Sesquiquadrate: 135 degrees. Slightly bad.
• Quincunx: 150 degrees. Slightly evil.

Progressed Horoscope is another great invention of Western astrologers. After a lot of research Astrologers found that when a person is born on a particular date, that day's planetary positions will affect the first year of that person. The second year is influenced by second day's planetary positions. Thus we can calculate progressed chart for any year of a person and predict his destiny in that year.

Predictions are based on: the Natal Chart ( drawn for the birth date and time), the Progressed Chart (prepared for a particular year of prediction) and the Transit Chart (representing current transits of planets in that year). Aspects between the planets and their lordships in a chart are taken into account, and cross aspects between each chart are also observed and then the events are foretold.

Introduction about "INDIAN ASTROLOGY"

| INDIAN ASTROLOGY |

Vedas are the oldest literature and compendium of multitude of Knowledge. The history of Astrology traces back to Vedic times, lakhs of years ago from now. Astrology can be divided broadly as Siddhanta Bhaga (Calculation part) and Phalita Bhaga (Predictive part). In Rigveda, the year is divided into 12 months, the special 13th month called extra month correlates the Solar and Lunar months. In Taittireeya Brahmana, the 6 seasons are described. The details of planets as gods, solar and lunar eclipses are available in Rigveda.
[south indian astrology indian vedic]
The oldest available book on Astrology is ‘Rigjyothisha’, written by Lagadha. In this book, there are 5 types of years described, along with the ruling deities. The 2 ayanas (parts) of the year are also mentioned, along with their starting stars. Precision of equinoxes are explained. And the 27 stars are also given in this book.

There are 18 pioneers in Astrology, who contributed for its development. They are: 1. Surya, 2. Pitamaha, 3. Vyasa, 4. Vasishta, 5. Atri, 6. Parasara, 7. Kasyapa, 8. Narada, 9. Garga, 10. Mareechi, 11. Manu, 12. Angeerasa, 13. Lomasa, 14. Poulisa, 15. Chyavana, 16. Yavana, 17. Bhrigu, and 18. Saunaka.

Varahamihira (123 AD) wrote ‘Brihat Samhita’, a great work on Astronomy and Astrology. There are 105 chapters and 4000 verses in this book. He has shown how Astrology can be applied for the welfare of public.

Aryabhatta-I (476 AD) wrote ‘Aryabhateeya’, which comprise a great deal of Astronomy, Mathematics and Astrology. Even Astronomy of this book is spread to Arab countries. Aryabhatta-II (950 AD) wrote ‘Mahasiddhanta’, where he explained more clearly about calculation part of Astrology.

Bhaskara-I (629 AD) wrote ‘Mahabhaskareeya’, a book on astro-mathematics. Bhaskara-II (1114 AD) gave ‘Siddhanta Siromani’ where a lot of Mathematics can be found. Details of square, square root, cube, cube root, factorial values, factors of a number are explained. Details of planets, calculation of radius of earth , eclipses, and atmospheric layers ( 7 zones) above earth are discussed clearly.

A lot of other authors like Kalyana Varma, Kalidasa, Venkatesa, Neelakantha, Mantreswara, etc. have published books on Astrology.

Zodiac is the outer wheel from where the radiation from different celestial bodies is received, filtered and sent to earth. Indian Astrology links the planets and stars with gods. Gods are representatives of certain types of energies. The entire Zodiac chart is divided into 12 signs, starting from Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. There are 4 things to be done in a human life: Dharma (righteous path), Artha (wealth), Kaama (Desire), Moksha (Unification of soul with God). These are one by one represented by the 12 houses of the zodiac. The hidden meaning is: A man should follow righteous path to achieve wealth and fulfill his desires. At the same time he must be desirous to reach God, and find ways to finally unify himself with the super soul. The potentiality to achieve this is represented step wise by the zodiac.

Theory says that Zodiac wheel starts with Aries 0 degrees, and is constant. When a top is rotating , it bends slightly and rotates. If a point is imagined on the top , it make circles. These circles will not coincide each other. There will be some deviation between each circle. Similarly, the Zodiac is also deviating slowly from its constant position. It is calculated to be around 51 seconds per year. This deviation is called Precession of equinoxes, or Ayanamsa. Indian Astrologers are not taking this Ayanamsa into account when they calculate Planet positions. So their system is called ‘Nirayana’. But westerners apply this correction in their calculations. So western system is called 'Sayana' system. This is the major difference in Indian and Western Astrological worlds.

Sayana = Nirayana + Ayanamsa.

There are 27 stars and each star has 4 padas (quarters). Thus a total of 27 x 4 = 108 star padas will will arise, which have been distributed in the zodiac. Since 12 signs are there in the Zodiac, every sign gets 9 padas. Each pada is of 3 degrees 20 minutes duration and 9 x 3deg 20min = 30 degrees. So each sign takes 30 degrees duration.

There are planets whose role is to bestow the results of past deeds, done either in this birth or carried from previous births. Planets merely transmit the results which we earlier stored in the form of radiation. There are 9 planets identified: Sun, Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Venus , Rahu (Ascending Node) and Kethu (Descending Node). All the planets are not comfortable in all the signs. A planet is comfortable in its exaltation, or friendly or own house. Then it may give good results. A planet is not comfortable in enemy camp, and can give bad results.

Each planet aspects its opposite planet, i.e, the house and planet in 7th from it. Additionally, Jupiter has 5th and 9th aspects. Mars has 4th and 8th aspects. And, Saturn has 3rd and 10th aspects.

By observing the inter-relationships between the signs, planets, stars and their positions, we can understand the inherent capabilities of a human being, his thought process, and his weaknesses, and finally conclude what he has in store for his future. Various Dasa- systems are developed to know what planets are currently influencing a human being and promoting him to do what kind of things.

Indians call planets 'Grahas'. Graha means that which catches. Grahas are those which catch the human beings and shed their influence on them. Grahas affect all inanimate and animate objects in this world. This is the reason Grahas are also personified as gods by Indians. Another greatness of Indian Astrology lies in providing remedial measures for various problems faced by human beings. The remedies are mentioned by sages in various works and also in Vedas. But the suitability of a remedy for a case is to be judged by a competent astrologer.

Indians see Astrology in every thing. It became a part and parcel of their culture. For them Astrology is ‘VedaChakshu’, the guiding eye for molding their future and attaining self- realization.