Hindu astrology v/s Western astrology
Indian astrology is also known as Hindu astrology or Vedic astrology. Vedic or Hindu astrological charts based on the Rig, Artharva, Sama, Yajur and Veda. This astrology is an ancient astrology, which was originated thousands of years ago. There are similarities and difference between Indian and western astrology. These both systems based on horoscopic system astrology. Fixed or constellational zodiacs and 12 houses in horoscope are used in Hindu astrology, where as seasonal or tropical zodiacs are used in western system.
A Hindu astrology birth chart shows the person’s karma and the consequences that are related to him. A picture of Karmic influences is also shown through a Hindu astrology natal chart. There are some differences between a Hindu natal chart and a western birth chart. In this reading Vedic astrologers use sidereal zodiac, while the western astrologers use tropical zodiac. The twelve symbols or signs of zodiac in Indian astrology depends on the actual position in the sky, where as the western symbols are based upon the sun-position.
In Hindu or Vedic astrology there are twelve zodiac signs. They are called rasis. Twelve rasis are, Kanya (that means Virgo), Tula (that means Libra), Vrischik (that means Pluto), Dhanu (that means Sagittarius), Makar (that means Capricorn), Kumbh (that means Aquarius), Meen (that means Pisces), Mesh (that means Aries), Vrishbh (that means Taurus), Mithun (that means Gemini), Kark (that means Cancer), and Simh (that means Leo). These rasis are represented in the chart by some pictures or signs. These pictures or signs may vary chart to chart, but the names are same. A virgin girl is on a boat and she is holding corn and fire in her hands, this picture represents the zodiac Kanya. A man is holding a balance; this picture symbolizes the rasi Tula. Meen is represented by a pair of fish. A deer-faced crocodile represents the rasi Makar. Dhanu is represented by the picture where a man is holding a bow. Vrischik is represented by the image of a scorpion. Ox and lion represent the Rasis Vrishabh and Simh. Kark rasi is represented by the image of a crab.
The astrologers collect the information of birth of a client. Then according to the birth date, place and time they determine the positions of different planets, stars, the sun and moon. At first, they determine the astrological time unit, called Ishtkaal. By this they correct the local time and make a horoscope. Then they try to explain the influences of those planets and stars to the activities of the clients’ life. Though there is a proverb that what is lotted can not be blotted, but the Indian astrologers say that they can influence or change someone’s fate. They will give instructions and suggestions to his clients to overcome the obstacles that are shown by the reading of his birth chart.
In short, the Hindu and Western astrology has four elements, they are Earth, Water, Fire and Air; where there are five elements in Chinese astrology, and the elements are Metal, Wood, Fire, Earth and Water. The characteristics and conceptions of elements are correlated in the systems in the case of Jupiter, Mars and Saturn. The cycle of the elements in Chinese astrology operates in a different way than the Western astrology.
