Astrology and You  
by Runa Chatterji

To most of us today, Astrology means the daily, weekly or monthly free horoscope predictions published in newspapers and magazines according to the Zodiac Sign under which we were born. So let's say you are an Aires since you were born between March 20th and April 21st of any given year. Does that mean that the same predictions that apply to you, can also apply to half a billion people in the world and that all people born under the Aries sign will have the same things apply to them?

Obviously not-so what is Astrology? And how does it affect you?

The term astrology is derived from the Greek words astron and logos, which literally means "stars" and "study". Legitimate astrology is founded on logical observation and deductive reasoning and is not superstition or magic. It is a body of knowledge or science that charts the positions of the planets at the exact time and place of a person's birth and determines the overall effect of celestial electromagnetic forces on a given individual's personality and behaviours throughout the course of his or her lifetime based on thousands of years of cumulative research. It is this study of planetary positioning at the time of a person's birth that allows astrologers to predict the future, for instance, an intensive study of a person's birth chart would allow an astrologer to predict horoscope love match by birthdate.

It is a proven fact that celestial bodies that make up our solar system affect life on Earth. The ocean tides are the result of the gravitational pull exerted by the Moon as it revolves round the Earth. In the same way human beings are electrochemical beings and are subtly and profoundly affected by any changes in the solar system's electromagnetic field. There are studies even by the philosopher Carl G. Jung on this subject.

Astrology is not a young science. In fact, astrology gave birth to the more modern science of astronomy, as astrologers were the first scientists to document the planet's motions with mathematical accuracy. The oldest written documents of astral observations were discovered in India and China and are over five thousand years old.

So why do modern-day, realistic world leaders, corporate CEO's, physicians, physicists as well ordinary working people consult personal astrologers about critical situations before acting or reacting? What is it that leads highly educated individuals around the world to turn to such an ancient science looking for guidance and to consult a horoscope at critical crossroads in life?

The term horoscope comes from the Greek word "horo" indicating "time" and "scop" meaning "to look at" and it literally means a birth diagram of the specific astronomical pattern in the heavens based on each individual's time and place of birth and this diagram is unique for each and every single person in the whole world.

This sky model of the map of the heavens and planetary positions is recorded from a distinct geographical position and this planet-earth-sky pattern is called a chart. Based on this chart, astrologers market significant features such as the following:

The exact astronomical position of the planets in the sky-by listing their location in a constellation, or Sign of the zodiac.

The location on the earth-by using latitude and longitude; these are called houses.

Which sign is on the horizon or that part of the sky east of the birth location at the time of the birth-this point is called the rising sign or ascendant.

An astrologer reviews this birth chart to find information about an individual's concern and events; they can make inferences regarding an individual's disposition and character and may foretell events in that person's life. Life patterns seen in the birth chart are matched by the astrologer against the patterns seen in historical rules and records of parallel astronomical information. For predictive purposes, a planetary almanac is used to track the location of planets from sign to sign and house to house to locate how these transits of planets will affect a person's life. We will cover each one of these subjects in greater depth in later articles.

The Different Schools of Astrology

While the information above is common and basic to astrology, there are also different schools of astrology that interpret this information in various ways. One is the Western principle of Astrology, the other the Indian or Vedic principles of Astrology. There are also the ancient Chinese, Arabian and Tibetan schools that we shall address in future articles.

Western Astrology emphasizes the relationship of the Sun to the earth and the seasons and is referred to as "tropical astrology". The position of the Sun at the time of birth plays a very important role in this principle, and hence the general advice columns or predictions published in newspapers and magazines.

Astrologically, the Sun is believed to affect how an individual manifests his or her personal form of self-expression. Coinciding with the philosophical and religious tenets of Western cultures, the concept of free will plays a very important role in this school of astrology.

As a result, interpretations of Western astrologers focus on expressions of the self and their consequences. It is presumed in this school of thinking that individuals are predisposed by planetary influences to certain patterns of behaviours, thought and emotion. As a result, Western Astrology predicts and analyzes behaviour based on birthdates.

Vedic or Indian Astrology, which is over 6,000 years old, is also an ancient behavioural analysis and forecasting system. However, it is a system that shows how behaviour might change over time. Karma or the law of cause and effect play an important role in this school of prediction.

It is believed a person is born in a specific time and place according to the record of one's karma or the results of their actions in past lives. In the birth chart of a person, there are events waiting in the storehouse of that person's destiny, which can be modified somewhat by actions performed in this life. An astrologer determines when a planet will cross a sensitive point in the birth chart, stimulating a specific event. These events are not necessarily predestined or even required to happen. However, they show a tendency to do so over time. The birth chart becomes a record of that person's karma. The astrologer's role is to match the patterns in the birth chart with the current patterns in the heavens and to analyze, synthesize and draw conclusions at hand based on ancient principles.

The accuracy of the birth chart reading is directly proportional to the experience and spiritual advancement of the astrologer, as well as to the recipient's desire and receptivity to have their birth chart read.

Vedic Astrology is considered to be a very accurate predictive form of astrology. It is the role of the astrologer to help their clients understand whether they are in a slump or a surge and what the astrological signatures indicate for them. It offers a map to guide people's lives and gives them an analytical time profile of their behaviours to help them understand what compels them to act. Its role is however, not to replace a person's responsibility to decide for them what is best, rather a tool to form their own decisions and take their own actions.

In conclusion, Kenneth Miller pointed out in a Life magazine article in July 1997:

"It turns out astrology is experiencing its biggest boom in four hundred years. According to a recent poll, just 20 percent of Americans are flat-out non-believers; 48 percent say astrology is probably or definitely valid."

Amazingly, even this interest and resurgence of interest in astrology in this new millennium is predicted in the stars. According to Western Astrology, in late 1995 the planet Pluto entered Sagittarius, commencing a 13-year period that will revive interest in spiritual, esoteric and religious subjects. In Chinese and Tibetan astrological tradition, the Year of the Rat in 1996 gave rise to a 12-year cycle that will be dominated by an overwhelming interest in philosophical studies.

CyberAstro's expert astrologers would intensively study your birth chart before making any predictions regarding your future. So whether you are interested in predictions of horoscope love match by birthdate or would like to know about your career horoscope by birthdate, contact CyberAstro.

http://www.cyberastro.com