Astrology

Astrology is a group of systems, traditions, and beliefs in which knowledge of the relative positions of celestial bodies and related information is held to be useful in understanding, interpreting, and organizing knowledge about personality, human affairs, and other terrestrial events. The History of astrology encompasses a great span of human history and many cultures. The belief in a connection between the heavenly bodies and the lives of people has also played an important part in human history. A practitioner of astrology is called an astrologer, or, less often, an astrologist. Historically, the term mathematics was used to denote a person proficient in astrology, astronomy, and mathematics.

Although the two fields share a common origin, modern astronomy is entirely distinct from astrology. While astronomy is the scientific study of astronomical objects and phenomena, the practice of astrology is concerned with the correlation of heavenly bodies (which historically involved measurement of the celestial sphere) with earthly and human affairs. Astrology is variously considered by its proponents to be a symbolic language, a form of art, science, or divination. The scientific community generally considers astrology to be a pseudoscience or superstition as it has failed empirical tests in controlled studies

Astrology is a scientific study and application of the language of the heavenly bodies. These heavenly bodies, determined on the basis of astronomy and mathematics, are mapped in the form of a horoscope. Their specific locations in the horoscope indicate specific happenings in the case of individuals, of multitudes and of geographical regions. Whether the Sun, the Moon, the planets and the stars themselves influence the terrestrial phenomena, or they only indicate such phenomena by their various dispositions in immaterial. What is important to us is that variations in their disposition determine variations in the events on the earth; the correlations are only too strong to be brushed aside by the critics of astrology.

Astrology is widely used as an indicator of compatibility with family, friends, bosses, or lovers, whoever you'd like to know more about. Individual natal horoscopes are compared to see how the two charts interconnect to affect the relationship. In astrology, a horoscope is a chart or diagram representing the positions of the planets, other celestial bodies, and sensitive angles at the time of any event, such as a person's birth. Horoscope often refers to an astrologer's interpretation through a system of sun sign astrology. Other commonly used names for the horoscope in English include horoscope chart, natal chart, natus, birth chart, astrological chart, astro-chart, celestial map, sky-map, nativity, star-chart, cosmogram, Vitasphere, soulprint, radical chart, radix or simply chart, among others. It is used as a method of divination about events relating to the point in time it represents. These may be significant times in a person's life, or any other events on Earth such as storms or earthquakes. Horoscopes usually focus on marriage, friendship, health, work, travel, love and death. Horoscopes help to cure an individual's desire to know what lies ahead. Horoscopes are a very interesting way to find out about yourself.

History of Astrology

ASTROLOGY is the science that suggests that the LIFE and BEHAVIOUR of human beings are influenced by stars and planets. By analysing the positions of these heavenly bodies at the TIME of a person's birth, at any given time whenever required, astrologers predict the course of events in the life of an individual. Astrology is a type of divination based upon the idea that information either about the future or about a person’s personality, it is a way of life for many people and cultures.

This science can claim an antiquity of five thousand years and was prevalent in ancient India, Mesopotamia, Greece and China . Now it is popular all over the world. As it is the case in every branch of science, Astrology also developed in accordance with changing times.

It is common knowledge that astrology as practiced in India, especially Kerala, is the most reliable and comprehensive. It has scriptural sanction since it is a limb of the Vedas, ‘vedaangaa' as it is called. It forms the eyes of the vedas, ' Veda-nayanam'. Nayanam or eye is perhaps the most important organ in One's body, giving guidance to those who use them. Astrology in short gives guidance, taking advantage of which human beings can plan their future.

Indian astrology is primarily based on the Lunar system. Both the Sun and the Moon expert influence on the earth. The waxing and waning of the moon cause tides in the oceans. During eclipses the behavioral Pattern of human beings as well as animals and plants undergo noticeable changes. Influence of these Celestial biddies thus cannot be ignored. The word ‘lunacy' evolved out of ‘lunar' and one can notice that in the case of the mentally deranged, the intensity of lunacy fluctuates during full moon and new moon days.

The system of casting horoscopes based on the BIRTH STAR was not at all adopted by the western culture, but it is slowly catching up. A fascinating phenomenon not generally observed is that a person's birth – star may very often be close to those of his or her's parents. There is no rational explanation for this. In the case of animals, death often occurs near about full moon or new moon.

Modern astrologers heavily rely on scientific equipments to scan the sky whereas our forefathers did it wits naked eyes and deep meditation.

The importance of seasons in agricultural operations cannot be over-emphasised. Seasons are caused by changing planetary positions and the claim that such changes can influence living beings and plants appears credible. Our sages must have concluded that by analysing the planetary constellations at the time of an individual's birth, a reasonably accurate picture of his or her's life could be forecast. For this, an intensive and thus astrology is comprised of two factors; (a) Astronomy combined with mathematics (golaganitham) and (b) analysis cum interpretation (astrology or Jyothissasthra). Predictions are aligned with the latter.

Indian astrology was at one time looked down upon as manifestations of superstition, but the situation, has changed. Once a phenomenon in the domains of the Hindus, it has now been accepted universally , even cutting across religious barriers. Daily and weekly forecasts carried by newspapers and periodicals have wide readership.

Though analystical forecast of possible events in life is the core of astrology, common people tend to ignore the mathematical part on which interpretations are based. The forecast phase consists of 1. General Horoscope spanning one's lifetime and 2. Interpretations based on current happenings.

Horoscope in Sanskrit is JAATHAKAM, ‘jaatha' is emergence and ‘kam' is head. The birth-star is identified by noting the exact time when the whole head of the infant emerges out. Another school of thought has it that the exact time of birth is when the infant has the first breath of fresh air containing oxygen or starting.

Horoscope gives general guidance but for minute details, further analysis of planetary positions during periods of stress/calamity, failures in office/ventures etc. are imperative. Here verifications in consultation with competent astrologers are indicated. Forecasts appearing in print/audio-visual media usually generalise matters.

All over the western world, people bestow importance only on the date of birth and not the time of birth. Most are ignorant about the stars and phases of the moon when the birth actually takes place. If accurate astrological analysis is to be undertaken, another aspect known in Kerala parlance as' KOORU ' has also to be reckoned with.

KOORU EVOLVES CUT OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE SUN, STARS AND THE MOON.
Rasi indicates the apparent shift of the SUN.

In short, birth star and Kooru are the two most important factors in astrological verifications and predictions. This aspects has to be understood by those seeking advice.

In Hindu methodology there are twenty-seven stars and they are; Aswini, Bharani, Krittika, Rohini, Mrigasire, Aaroodham, Punarvasu,Pushya, Aslesha, Maka, Poorvaphalguni, Uthara phalguni, Hastha, Chitta, Swathi, Vishaka, Anuradha, Jyeshta, Moola, Poorvashaadhe, Utharaashaadha, Braavana, Dhanishtha, Sathabhishag, Poorva bhadrapada, Uthra bhadrapada and Revathi.
These are subsequently clubbed into twelve RASIs and certain overlappings also occur.
Aswini, Bharani, Karthika ¼ Mesham - Aries
Krittika ¾, Rohini, Mrigasire ½ Rishabha - Taurus
Mrigasire ½, Aaroodham, Punarvasu ¾ Midhunam - Gemini
Punarvasu ¼, Pushya, Aslesha Ketaka - Cancer
Makha, poorva phalguni, Uthra Phalguni ¼ Simha - Leo
Uthra phalguni ¾, Hasta, Chitta ½ Kanya - Virgo
Chitta ½, Swathi, Vishakha ¾ Thula - Libra
Vishakha ¼, Anuradha, jyeshta Vrischiga - Scorpio
Moola, Poorvashade, Utharashada ¼ Dhanus - Sigittarius
Utharashade ¾, Sraavana, Dhanishtha ½ Makara - Corpricorn
Dhanishtha ½, Sathabhishag, Poorvabhadrapada ¾ Kumbha - Aquarius
Poorvabhadrapada ¼, Utharabhadrapada, Revathi, Meena - Pisces
Nine birth stars thus have two kooru each and this has to be taken into consideration while casting horoscopes. For example Krittika is divided into four parts. Those born during the first quarter will have Aries as Kooru and those born during the remaining three quarters will have Taurus Kooru. This problem will continue in the case of the remaining eight also.

The division followed by westerners as Aries, Taurus ..etc. will not exactly correspond to the Kooru of Kerala system since the former is arrived at by taking into account the dates of birth whereas the latter is arrived at by looking at the star at the time of birth, the Birth Star. The Indian system emphasises the importance of the birth star and also correlates the positions of the birth star and also correlates the positions of the Moon, stars and the most important factors, the SUN , including its planets. If western and Indian systems are compared dispassionately, it will be proved beyond doubt that the Kerala system is much supeior. Astrologers use astronomical observations of the movements of the night sky for divinatory purposes. Divination is the attempt of ascertaining information by interpretation of omens or an alleged supernatural agency. Astrology or Astrologic can be used to understand a person's personality, successes and failures and to forecast how someone will feel or behave over a period of time. It can even be used to plan the best time to do various things astrologers chart the positions of the Sun and planets in relation to the zodiacal signs. The horoscope is used to associate properties of a sign with the properties of planets positioned in that sign. The planet is said to influence events on Earth but the way in which it does this is modified by the influence of the sign in which it is positioned. Traditional Hindu astrology has a siderial coordinate zodiac system with twelve signs. Astrology is represented by the astrological signs. The names of the Hindu zodiacal signs are "ram" (Aries), "bull" (Taurus),"a pair" (Gemini) , "crab" (Cancer) , "lion" (Leo) , "girl" (Virgo),"balance" (Libra), "scorpion" Scorpius) , "armed with a bow" (Sagittarius) , "sea-monster" (Capricornus), "pitcher, water-pot" (Aquarius) , "fish" (Pisces). Jyotisha is the Hindu system of astrology . In India, Jyotish is still commonly used to aid in important decisions in life. In Hindu culture, new borns are traditionally named based on their jyotish charts, and jyotish concepts are pervasive in the organization of the calendar and holidays as well as in many areas of life. As Hindus believe that humans have fortune and misfortune in life because of karma, many use Jyotish to understand the downs in life due to the influence of planets, i.e., Navagraha and perform religious ceremonies to mitigate bad karma. Astrolgy is perceived to be vital in Indian culture, in making decisions made about marriage, opening a new business, and moving into a new home.

Astrology comes into its own when someone has a problem, perhaps a relationship problem, or a worry about employment, or any particular thing. A detailed astrological investigation can so often help find an answer to a question, or help a person to come to a greater understanding. Astrology is a useful and viable tool for helping you understand who you are, why you are, and how you fit into the world.