1. Vedic (Indian) Astrology:
Zodiac: Uses the sidereal zodiac, which is aligned with the constellations, differentiating it from the tropical zodiac due to the “ayanamsa.”
Planetary Yogas: Special combinations of planets that can enhance or diminish certain areas of life, e.g., Raj Yoga indicates elevated status.
Kundali Matching: Used in arranged marriages, two birth charts (kundalis) are compared for compatibility using the ‘Ashtakoota’ system.
Vargas: Harmonic divisional charts for specific life areas. The Navamsa (D9) is used for marital insights, but there are many others, like D10 for career.
Remedies: Astrologers recommend gemstones, mantras, or rituals to mitigate adverse planetary influences.
Dashas: Planetary periods predicting significant life events, with the Vimshottari Dasha, a 120-year cycle, being the most popular.
Drishti (Aspects): Planets influence certain houses from their positions. For example, Saturn aspects the third, seventh, and tenth houses from where it’s placed.
2. Western (Tropical) Astrology:
Zodiac: The foundation of Western astrology is the tropical zodiac, which is synchronized with the Earth’s seasons. This is why zodiac signs are commonly associated with specific calendar dates. The zodiac begins with Aries at the vernal equinox.
Sun Sign Astrology: This is the most widely recognized form, where astrological forecasts are based on one’s Sun sign. It’s often found in newspapers and magazines, offering generalized insights for each of the 12 signs.
Moon Sign: While the Sun sign represents the ego and outer self, the Moon sign reflects the emotions, subconscious, and instinctual reactions. It’s considered the second most important factor after the Sun sign.
Rising Sign (Ascendant): This is the zodiac sign that was rising on the eastern horizon at the exact moment of birth. It plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s personality, physical appearance, and how they present themselves to the world.
Houses: The sky is divided into 12 sectors or houses, each governing different life areas, such as self (1st house), possessions (2nd house), communication (3rd house), and so on. The layout of these houses in one’s birth chart is determined by the Ascendant.
Planetary Aspects: Planets in the birth chart form angles with each other, indicating relationships between different parts of the personality. Common aspects include conjunctions (0°), sextiles (60°), squares (90°), trines (120°), and oppositions (180°).
Planetary Dignities: Planets have places where they are more or less powerful, such as domicile (home sign), exaltation, fall, and detriment. For example, Mars is said to be in domicile in Aries and Scorpio.
Modern Planets: In addition to the traditional seven “planets” (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn), Western astrology incorporates Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. These planets represent societal change, dreams, illusions, and transformation, respectively.
Transits: One of the primary predictive techniques where current planetary positions are compared to one’s birth chart to forecast potential events or psychological shifts.
Progressions: Another predictive technique where each day after birth equates to a year in life. For instance, the positions of planets ten days after birth would influence the events of the tenth year of life.
Retrogradation: At times, planets appear to move backward in the sky, called retrograde motion. When planets are retrograde, their energies are said to be internalized or operate differently.
Elements and Modalities: The signs are categorized by their element (Fire, Earth, Air, Water) and modality (Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable). For instance, Aries is a Fire sign with a Cardinal modality.
Astrological Ages: Western astrology also observes vast epochs called astrological ages, each lasting around 2,160 years. We are currently transitioning from the Age of Pisces to the Age of Aquarius.
Prominent Figures and Texts: Ptolemy’s “Tetrabiblos” is one of the foundational texts of Western astrology. Throughout history, figures like Johannes Kepler, William Lilly, and more recently, Dane Rudhyar, have made significant contributions.
3. Chinese Astrology:
Zodiac Animal Signs: Chinese astrology is predominantly known for its 12-year cycle of animal signs: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat (or Sheep), Monkey, Rooster (or Chicken), Dog, and Pig. Each of these animals is associated with specific personality traits and characteristics.
Zodiac Legend: The order of the zodiac animals was determined by the Jade Emperor’s race. According to legend, the Rat used its cunning to ride on the Ox’s back and jumped ahead at the finish line, thus securing its place as the first sign.
Four Pillars of Destiny (BaZi): This method provides a comprehensive analysis of a person’s character and fate. It considers the year, month, day, and hour of birth, with each pillar consisting of a Heavenly Stem and an Earthly Branch.
Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches: The combination of the ten Heavenly Stems and the twelve Earthly Branches creates a 60-year cycle, which is fundamental to Chinese astrology and calendrics. These combinations provide deeper insights into one’s birth chart.
Five Elements: In addition to the animal signs, each sign is also linked to one of the Wu Xing, or Five Elements: Wood (木 mù), Fire (火 huǒ), Earth (土 tǔ), Metal (金 jīn), and Water (水 shuǐ). The elements introduce another layer of characteristics and are associated with specific years, influencing the nature of the animal sign.
Yin and Yang: Integral to Taoist philosophy and Chinese cosmology, all zodiac signs are classified as either Yin (passive, receptive, and feminine) or Yang (active, creative, and masculine). This dual concept further nuances the interpretation of the animal signs.
Lunar Calendar: Chinese astrology and its festivals, including the Lunar New Year, are based on the lunisolar Chinese calendar. This means the dates of zodiac sign shifts aren’t fixed to Gregorian dates; they change annually, usually between January 21 and February 20.
Compatibility: Much like the West’s zodiac sun sign compatibility, Chinese astrology also delves into which animal signs are most compatible and which might face challenges together.
Shēngxiao (生肖): This is the term used for the Chinese zodiac relating to both the calendar cycle and the 12-year cycle of animals.
Feng Shui: Though not strictly astrology, Feng Shui is a traditional Chinese practice of arranging the environment harmoniously. Astrological data, particularly birth details, can influence Feng Shui practices.
Prominent Texts and Figures: The “Book of Documents” (Shujing) and the “Spring and Autumn Annals” (Chunqiu) are ancient texts that contain some of the earliest references to Chinese astrology.
4. Greek (Hellenistic) Astrology:
Zodiac: A similar 12-sign system, which possibly predates or coincides with Babylonian traditions. The Greeks have significantly contributed to the naming and mythological backgrounds of the zodiac signs we recognize today.
Lots (Arabic Parts): These are specially calculated points based on two planetary positions and the Ascendant, providing insights into various life topics. The “Part of Fortune” is a well-known example.
Dodekatemoria: This involves further division of each sign, which refines the interpretation of planetary placements. Each zodiac sign is divided into 2.5° segments, each associated with another zodiac sign.
Time Lords: A chronological system that determines which planet governs specific periods in a person’s life. This is akin to the Dasha system in Vedic astrology but has its unique methodology.
Whole Sign Houses: In this system, each sign corresponds entirely to a house. So, if Aries is the Ascendant, the entire sign of Aries becomes the first house, Taurus the second, and so on. This provides a straightforward and clear system for astrological interpretation.
Terms or Bounds: Within each zodiac sign, there are unequal segments, each ruled by a planet. This adds another layer of rulership and nuance to chart interpretations.
Decans: Every zodiac sign is divided into three decans, each consisting of 10°. Each decan has a ruling planet that provides additional insights into the sign’s interpretation.
Aspects: Just like in later Western traditions, the Greeks used planetary aspects. These are specific angular relationships between planets, like conjunctions, sextiles, squares, trines, and oppositions.
Influential Texts and Figures: The “Tetrabiblos” by Claudius Ptolemy is one of the foundational texts of Hellenistic astrology. Other significant figures include Vettius Valens and Dorotheus of Sidon.
5. Egyptian Astrology:
Decans: One of the unique features of Egyptian astrology, the zodiac was divided into 36 decans, each corresponding to ten days of the year. These decans were associated with specific stars or star clusters and were initially used for timekeeping, especially for marking the hours of the night.
Sothic Cycle: This is based on the heliacal rising of the star Sirius, known as Sothis in ancient Egypt. The cycle is approximately 1,460 years long and was essential for the Egyptian calendar, as it helped them predict the start of the annual Nile flood.
Planetary Deities: In Egyptian astrology, celestial bodies were directly associated with gods and goddesses. For instance, Venus was linked to Isis, the moon to Thoth, and the sun to Ra. This intertwining of deities with planets meant that astrological predictions often carried religious weight.
Zodiac Signs: While the ancient Egyptians had their system, the Dendera zodiac from the Temple of Hathor is a testament to their knowledge. This circular map showcases constellations and zodiac signs, many of which are familiar to us today, such as Leo, Capricorn, and Pisces.
Natal Charts: Just as in other astrological traditions, Egyptian astrologers cast birth charts to determine an individual’s fate. Depending on the positions of the stars and planets at the time of birth, specific deities would protect or challenge the individual throughout their life.
Houses: Similar to other astrological systems, the sky was divided into sections or houses. Each house had a specific area of life it governed, and the placement of planets or stars within these houses would influence those areas.
Oracles: Priests and astrologers often acted as oracles, interpreting the will of the gods based on celestial phenomena. Eclipses, conjunctions, and other astronomical events were seen as messages from the deities.
Temples and Pyramids: Many Egyptian structures, like the pyramids of Giza, align with specific stars. For instance, the pyramids align with the belt of Orion, reflecting the ancient Egyptians’ deep reverence for the cosmos.
Book of the Dead: While not strictly an astrological text, the “Book of the Dead” contains hymns to celestial deities and offers insights into the cosmological beliefs of the ancient Egyptians.
Legacy: The influence of Egyptian astrology extended beyond its borders. The Greeks, notably during the Hellenistic period, incorporated many Egyptian astrological concepts into their own practices.
6. Arab (Medieval) Astrology:
Lunar Mansions (Manazil al-Qamar): Similar to the Nakshatras in Vedic astrology, these are 28 divisions of the zodiac through which the Moon transits. Each division has its own characteristics, ruling planet, and interpretation.
Essential Dignities: An intricate system used to gauge the strength and quality of a planet based on its position in the zodiac. Factors considered include domicile, exaltation, triplicity, term (or bound), and face (or decan).
Almuten: A point or planet that holds the most essential dignity in a particular place in the chart, often used to determine the overall ruler of the chart.
Lots (or Arabic Parts): Mathematical points calculated from the positions of planets or angles. Derived from Hellenistic astrology, Arab astrologers expanded on the system, giving us many of the Lots (or parts) used today, like the Part of Fortune or the Part of Spirit.
Tajika Astrology: An Arab adaptation of specific Indian techniques, particularly related to annual chart readings. This system is used for annual predictions based on the solar return chart.
Revolution of the Year: Similar to the solar return chart in modern Western astrology, this chart is cast every year on one’s birthday to predict the upcoming year.
Electional Astrology (Muhurta): Drawing from Indian practices, Arab astrologers refined techniques to determine auspicious times to undertake specific activities.
House Systems: Arab astrologers worked with and developed various house division systems. The “equal house” system, where each house spans exactly 30°, was one of the preferred methods.
Planetary Temperaments: Building on Greek humoral theory, planets were associated with specific temperaments (sanguine, choleric, melancholic, and phlegmatic), which influenced medical astrology practices.
Prominent Scholars and Texts: Arab scholars made significant contributions, both in original works and in preserving ancient texts. Al-Biruni’s “Book of Instruction in the Elements of the Art of Astrology” and Abu Ma’shar’s “Great Introduction to Astrology” are foundational. Ibn Arabi, Al-Kindi, and Albumasar are other notable figures.
Transfer of Knowledge: The works of Arab astrologers were eventually translated into Latin during the European Renaissance, which rejuvenated interest in astrology in the West and integrated many Arab techniques.
