Indian astrology is one of the oldest systems of prediction. It is about 7000years old and also called Vedic astrology in recent terms. Astrology is a system which includes 9 stars and 12 signs every star has some importance in our life. Every star represent his own affects sometimes its bad sometimes is good. Astrology helps to reduce ill effect of negative stars & gives benefit of good stars.
Vedic astrology follows a rational procedure based on the following five factors
- Solar System: Our solar system is centered around the Sun. Nineplanets viz. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto along with a belt of asteroids revolve in elliptical orbit around the Sun. In Vedic astrology, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto fined no place. On the other hand, the classics recognize the Moon and two shadowy points known as Rahu & Ketu. The planets Mercury and Venus orbit in the space between the Sun and the earth and are known as a inner planet or inferior planets. Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, whose orbits are on outer side of the earth, are known as outer planets or superior planets. Rahu & Ketu always move in reverse direction, i.e., they have retrograde motion.
- Zodiac: The Sun’s annual path is known as ecliptic. The belt of heavens extending 8 degrees on either side of ecliptic is known as the zodiac. In this belt the Moon and the planets appears to move. The Zodiac is divided into 12 equal parts of 30 degree each which are called the signs or rashi of the zodiac. These have been named as Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces.
- Star or Nakshatras: The entire zodiac has been divided into 27 equal parts of 13 degrees and 20 minutes each known as nakshatra or constellation. Every constellation has been assigned a planetary ruler. Ketu is the ruler of first constellation starting from 0 degree Aries and then the ruler ship of Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury follows in the sequence till the end of sing cancer. The Same Sequencestarts from 0 degree Leo and Sagittarius and continues till end of Scorpio and Pisces respectively.
- Time: All are aware of time measure known as local mean time, standard time for any country or zone and Greenwich Mean Time. There is another system/measure of time known as sidereal time that is derived from earth’s rotation with respect to fixed stars. The duration of sidereal day is 23 hour 56 minutes. Whenever the time is reckoned with reference to sidereal day, it is called sidereal time. The sidereal time is zero hour when the beginning of Aries crosses he observer’s meridian.
In astrology, the first house is reckoned from legna point. The lagna or the ascendant is the rising sign in the eastern horizon at a particular epoch. It is the point of intersection of ecliptic at given time with the horizon of place. The lagna is dependent on the rotation of the earth on its axis and so it is dependent on the sidereal time of a place at a given moment. The longitude of lagna point thus calculated forms the middle point (cusp) of the first house.
- The Houses: There are 12 houses. The sign where lagna point falls is known as the first house or lagna. The next sign is second house, next the third and so on. In Vedic system the sign and the house are deemed synonymous. However, in western astrology the cusp of the house is commencing point and the first house is constituted by space covering about 30 degree beyond the cusp; but in Vedic astrology, the cusp is the mid point of house and extends to 15 degrees on either side. Zodiac is constantly moving and all the 12 signs get an opportunity to become lagna in 24 hours comprising a day.
ASTROLOGY AND THE ASTROLOGICAL HOUSES
An Introduction
An Astrology Chart is divided into twelve sections which are referred to as the Astrological houses. Each house is related to a Zodiac Sign and is concerned with a different area of your life. Observe the Zodiac Sign glyph and house number on the Natural Chart below.The houses are grouped into 3 main categories.
Angular Houses
These are the 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th houses. These Astrological houses show how you initiate things. It’s where the action begins. The house cusps of all 4 angular houses are very important points on an Astrology Chart. The most important of the 4 points are the Ascendant and Midheaven.
Succedent Houses
These are the 2nd, 5th, 8th and 11th houses. These Astrological houses show the outcome of whatever was started in the angular houses.
Cadent Houses
These are the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th houses. These Astrological houses show how you maintain what was begun in the angular houses.
Starting at the Ascendant, the Astrological houses are counted counter-clockwise one through twelve.
House 1 – Angular – Rising Sign / Ascendant
Natural Sign-Aries…………………………………Natural Planetary ruler-Mars
The 1st house is the house of Self (Identity). It takes part in your appearance and outward personality, going as far as influencing physical characteristics and possible health concerns.
House 2 – Succedent
Natural Sign-Taurus……………………..Natural Planetary ruler-Venus
The 2nd house is the house of Material Possessions. It deals with your money, investments, possessions, self worth, as well as your inner resources.
House 3 – Cadent
Natural Sign-Gemini……………………..Natural Planetary ruler-Mercury
The 3rd house is the house of Communications. This house deals with all forms of communication, transportation, local travel, early education, your conscious mind and your siblings.
House 4 – Angular – Imum Coeli (I.C.)
Natural Sign-Cancer……………………..Natural Planetary ruler-Moon
The 4th house is the house of Domestic Affairs. It deals with your home and real estate in general. It also deals with a parent (usually the Mother), genealogy, your early years, as well as the latter part of life.
House 5 – Succedent
Natural Sign-Leo……………………..Natural Planetary ruler-Sun
The 5th house is the house of Pleasure. It deals with children, romance, fun, speculation, hobbies, vacations, and all forms of creative abilities.
House 6 – Cadent
Natural Sign-Virgo ……………………..Natural Planetary ruler-Mercury
The 6th house is the house of Health and Service. It deals with your health, work, and service to others, your daily routines, small pets, and your habits.
House 7 – Angular – Descendant
Natural Sign-Libra……………………..Natural Planetary ruler-Venus
The 7th house is the house of Partnerships. It deals with all forms of associations such as: marriage partnerships, business partnerships, divorce, open enemies, the public in general, law courts and grandparents.
House 8 – Succedent
Natural Sign-Scorpio……………………..Natural Planetary ruler-Pluto
The 8th house is the house of Others’ Resources. It deals with taxes, wills and estates, inheritances, alimony, hidden assets, insurance. This house also deals with sex, investigations, occult, physical and psychological regeneration and death.
House 9 – Cadent
Natural Sign-Sagittarius……………………..Natural Planetary ruler-Jupiter
The 9th house is the house of Higher Mind. It deals with all forms of higher learning, philosophy, religion, law, publishing, long distance travel, foreign countries and in-laws.
House 10 – Angular – Midheaven
Natural Sign-Capricorn……………………..Natural Planetary ruler-Saturn
The 10th house is the house of Career and Public Image. It deals with your profession and reputation. It also deals with the government and all people who may have authority over you, as well as the other parent (usually the Father).
House 11 – Succedent
Natural Sign-Aquarius……………………..Natural Planetary ruler-Uranus
The 11th house is the house of Social Activities. It deals with friendships, acquaintances, hopes, wishes, money obtained from career, step-children, adopted children, clubs and groups you belong to, humanitarian interests, as well as situations or circumstances that are out of your control.
House 12 – Cadent
Natural Sign-Pisces……………………..Natural Planetary ruler-Neptune
The 12th house is the house of Illusion. It deals with dreams, hidden resources or talents, psychic phenomena, clandestine affairs, hidden enemies, and addictions.
THE PLANETS AND THEIR MEANINGIN ASTROLOGY
In Astrology each of the 10 planets rules a Zodiac Sign and a Zodiac House.
The following is a brief interpretation for each planet.The Sun rules Leo and the 5th house.
The Sun defines your personal identity, your ego and your unique self expression. It represents what you are trying to become. It’s the core of who you are…your spirit…your soul…your consciousness…your basic drive, are all represented by the Sun.
It takes the Sun one year to complete its cycle through the Zodiac Signs.
The Moon rules Cancer and the 4th House.
The Moon helps define our emotional development, or express the unconscious side of our personality. It explains why you do what you do. The Moon also influences our senses depending on its placement in the birth chart and is said to represent your instinctual self, which many people keep hidden.
The Moon spends 2-1/2 days in each sign and takes approximately 30 days to complete its cycle.
Mercury rules both Gemini and Virgo. It also rules the 3rd and 6th House.
Mercury defines our mind and the way we use it. Intelligence, language, speech, writing and all forms of communication are under the influence of Mercury.
Mercury completes its rotation in a mere 88 days.
Venus rules both Taurus and Libra. It also rules the 2nd and 7 House.
In Astrology, Venus represents the qualities of love, romance, sensuality, culture, beauty, affection and social appeal. The planet is therefore very prominent in aspects of love; influencing how you attract love as well as how you act in a relationship.
The Venus cycle takes 227.4 days.
Mars rules Aries and is sub-ruler of Scorpio. Mars also rules the 1st house and sub-rules the 8th.
Mars indicates a sense of impulsiveness, aggressiveness, courage, action, will-power, enthusiasm, and even negative traits such as impatience, temperament, violence and conflict. Mars’ energy also motivates and drives a person to accomplish their dreams and goals in life.
Mars’ journey through all the Zodiac Signs takes approximately two years.
Jupiter rules over Sagittarius and the 9th House. It also sub-rules Pisces and the 12th House.
Jupiter is considered the planet of luck. It symbolizes expansion, development and good fortune. Jupiter can also show areas where you go to excess.
A Jupiter cycle takes twelve years to complete.
Saturn rules over Capricorn and the 10th House. It also sub-rules Aquarius and the 11th house.
In Astrology Saturn is the learned Sage; the planet that teaches through experience, challenges, problems and situations. Saturn’s influence provides the endurance, patience and determination to overcome all odds.
Saturn moves slowly through the Zodiac Signs taking 29 years to complete one cycle.
Uranus rules Aquarius and the 11th House.
Its expression is in the form of revolution, change, unpredictability and disruption. Uranus is associated with electricity, computers, astrology, inventions and Society as a whole.
Slow moving Uranus takes 84 years to complete its cycle; spending about 7 years in each sign.
Neptune rules over Pisces and the 12th House.
Neptune expresses itself through mystical, spiritual and psychic forces. It also rules over drugs, alcohol, medication, the sea, photography, dreams and the subconscious.
Neptune spends about 14 years in each Sign and 168 years to complete one cycle.
Pluto rules over Scorpio and the 8th House.
The energies associated with Pluto are power, death, rebirth, transformation, crime, secrets and that which is hidden.
Pluto is the slowest of all the planets. It takes approximately 246 years to make its way through all the Signs of the Zodiac.
CLASSIFYING ZODIAC SIGNS
Classifying Zodiac Signs by Duality
Each Sign has a Duality. Astrologers use different names such as assertive/passive, yin/yang, and male/female to describe the dualities. Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius and Aquarius are all assertive (extroverted) Signs while Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn and Pisces are passive (introverted) Signs.
Classifying Zodiac Signs by Modality
There are three modes: Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable. The Cardinal Signs are efficacious and self starters. Fixed Signs are focused and determined. Mutable Signs are flexible and adaptable.
Classifying Zodiac Signs by Element
The Signs are further grouped into one of the four Elements. The Elements Fire, Earth, Air and Water each have its own temperament. The Fire Signs are vital and intense. Earth Signs are practical and stable. Air Signs are social and intellectual. And last but not least the Water Signs are intuitive and
emotional.No two Zodiac Signs are exactly alike. Try to familiarize yourself with the three classifications. It will give you a better understanding later on when interpreting an astrology chart.
Now that you have an understanding of the different ways to classify the Zodiac Signs it’s time for a practical exercise.
Save the blank astrology chart below and print it out. Put the planets and Zodiac Signs correctly on the chart just like you did in Step 1.
Now I want you to write each Sign’s duality, modality and element in the correct section on the chart.
When you are finished your natural astrology chart should look like the chart posted below. Don’t be concerned about making your chart look perfect; just keep practicing until you have everything put to memory
Astrology Symbols
Astrology Symbols – Glyphs – Dates
There are 12 Zodiac Signs and you need to memorize the Astrology symbol, glyph and date for each Sign, as well as the correct order they are listed in below. This will help immensely later on.
There are 10 Planets in astrology. For simplicity we refer to the Sun and Moon as planets but really they are called luminaries. Now put to memory each planet’s Astrology glyph.
Copy or save the images above and print them out. Practice drawing the symbols.
Take your time. For older individuals (like me) this may seem like a daunting task but stick with it. Once you have mastered the basic language of astrology (the symbols and glyphs) you are ready to place them on an astrology chart.The Natural Astrology Chart
The natural astrology chart, or flat chart, always starts at 0.00 degree of Aries (the natural Ascendant of the Zodiac) and works its way counter-clockwise until it ends at 29.59.59 degrees Pisces. This is because the Western Tropical Zodiac aligns with the ecliptic and begins at the moment of the vernal (spring) equinox.
The yearly cycle is likened to a circle and just like the circle it has 360 degrees. There are 12 Zodiac signs and each sign is precisely 30 degrees of arc.
Below is a picture of the natural astrology chart. Study it carefully.
Save the blank astrology chart below and print it out. Practice putting the planets and Zodiac Signs correctly on the chart exactly like the picture above. Don’t worry if you don’t quite understand everything just yet. The important thing right now is for you to learn the symbols and their correct placement on the natural astrology chart.
Good Luck!