jyotisha

Astrology

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horoscopic astrology
Natal astrology
Electional astrology
Horary astrology
Mundane astrology
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Jyotisha :-Jyotisha (jyotiṣa, in Hindi and English usage Jyotish; sometimes called Hindu astrology, Indian astrology, and/or Vedic astrology) is the Hindu system of astrology, one of the six disciplines of Vedanga, and regarded as one of the oldest schools of ancient astrology to have had an independent origin, affecting all other schools in and around India. The Sanskrit word derives from jyótis or which means "light, brightness", but in the plural also "the heavenly bodies, planets and stars".
Jyotish has historically been part of a continuous "holistic" approach to living and to spiritual practice within the life of Hindus predominant in India.
Jyotish is often discussed as the instructional element of the Rig Veda, and as such is a Vedanga, or "body part" of the Vedas, namely called the Eye of the Veda, for its alleged ability to view both phenomenal reality and wisdom itself. Part of a larger Vedic curriculum including mathematics, architecture, medical and military applications. Jyotish has its own sophisticated reference to the noumenal: the planets are "grahas", which are thought to seize or act upon created beings and influence their actions and 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.
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[edit] Foundations
Part of a series onHindu scriptures


Vedas

Rigveda · Yajurveda

Samaveda · Atharvaveda

Vedic divisions

Samhita · Brahmana

Aranyaka · Upanishad

Upanishads

Aitareya · Brihadaranyaka

Isha · Taittiriya · Chandogya

Kena · Mundaka

Mandukya · Prashna

Shvetashvatara

Vedanga

Shiksha · Chandas

Vyakarana · Nirukta

Jyotisha · Kalpa

Itihasa

Mahabharata · Ramayana

Other scriptures

Smriti · Śruti

Bhagavad Gita · Purana

Pancharatra · Tantra

Sutra · Stotra

Ramacharitamanas

Shikshapatri · Vachanamrut

Bibliography
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Jyotish's many lineages or paramparas emphasize that its study is a sadhana or technique of mental and existential development. In modern times, it is a chief source of reference for many Hindus and other astrologers. Vedic astrologers will frequently prescribe special stones or meditation techniques using mantras to those facing difficult or unclear futures as predicted by means consistent with Jyotish methodology. While in past centuries, Brahmins had been the primary practitioners of Jyotish, since the last century, a renaissance of study of Jyotish and other Vedic sciences emerged in India and the west.[citation needed]
The foundation of jyotish is the notion of bandhu of the Vedas, which is the connection between the microcosm and the macrocosm. Surya, the Sun, is a manifestation of Vishnu, a central aspect of the Supreme, and is also the Atman within man. The term "Vedic astrology" has been recently introduced by American and Western astrologers in the 1980s and 1990s, leading to collaborative organizations such as the now-international [1].
In India, Jyotish is still commonly used to aid in important decisions in life. In Hindu culture, newborns 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. Astrology is perceived to be vital in Indian culture, in making decisions made about marriage, opening a new business, and moving into a new home.
[edit] Branches of Vedic / Hindu Astrology
Vedic astrology (Aagam Shaastra / Jyotisha- futurity sciences) has three main branches:
Siddhanta (Astronomy): Astronomy & its application to astrology
Samhita (Mundane astrology): Covers Mundane astrology, predicting important events related to countries such as war, earth quakes, political events, astro - meteorology, financial positions, electional astrology; house & construction related matters (Vaastu Shaastra), animals, portents & omens etc.
Hora (Predictive astrology):
This branch has the following different styles / sub branches:-
·
Jaatak Shaastra / Hora Shaastra (Natal Astrology / horoscopy): Prediction based on individual horoscope.
Muhurt or Muhurtha (Electional astrology): Selection of beneficial time to initiate an activity to get maximum fruition from the life activities.
Swar Shaastra (Phonetical astrology): Predictions based on name & sounds.
Prashna (Horary astrology): Predictions based on time when a question is asked by querent / querist.
Ankjyotisha / Kabala (Numerology): A branch of astrology based on numbers.
Nadi Astrology: An ancient treatise having detailed predictions for individuals.
Tajik Shaastra / Varsha Phal (Annual Horoscopy): Astrology based on annual solar returns.
Jaimini Sutras: A non-conventional method of timing of events based on Famous Indian astrologer, Acharya Jaimini.
Nastjaatakam (Lost Horoscopy): Art of tracing / construction of lost horoscopes.
Streejaatak (female astrology): A special branch of astrology dealing with female nativities.
Other related branches
·
Graha Samudriki (Astro- Palmistry): Palm reading as horoscope.
Hasta Rekha / Samudrika Shaastra (Palmistry): Based on palm reading.
Padatal Shaastra (Plantarology): Based on reading of lines & signs on the sole.
Shakun Shaastra (Omens): Predictions based on omens & portents.
Swapna Vidhya : Interpretation of dreams.
Kapal Vidya (Phrenology)
Aakriti Vidya (Physiognomy): Based on structure & moles on the body.
Kerala Jyotisha: Predictions based on querrist reply regarding name of flower or colour or touching part of body.
Remedial Astrology: Various modes of propitiation of planets based on planetary positions in nativity, transits, elections & for religious functions.
In Vedic literature guidance is given on two other branches viz, Electional astrology and Remedial astrology.
[edit] Hindu and Western astrology
The most easily referred to difference between the two lies in the method of measurement of the Zodiac. Vedic astrology uses primarily the sidereal zodiac (in which stars are considered to be the fixed background against which the motion of the planets is measured), whereas most Western astrology uses the tropical zodiac (the motion of the planets is measured against the position of the Sun on the Spring equinox). This difference becomes only noticeable over time, after the course of several centuries, as a result of the precession of the equinoxes. Synchronically, the two systems are identical, with just a shift of the origin of the ecliptic longitude by about 22 degrees or days, resulting on the placement of planets in the previous sign in Western charts about 80% of the time.
Both Jyotish and Western traditions have existed for millennia. Vedic astrology includes several nuanced sub-systems of interpretation and prediction incorporating unique sacralized elements not found elsewhere, such as its specific system of lunar mansions (called nakshatras, encompassing a pantheon of archetypal deities). The nakshatras are used to pick auspicious times of day or month for every human activity as well as to provide insight into the motivations and guiding characteristics of humans and events coming under their influence. Nakshatra cycles, or dashas, are developing a reputation in contemporary culture for the accuracy with which they time events.
A further unique concept in jyotish rarely seen in Western astrology is the concept of Dashas - a mathematical analyses that breaks down human or the subject's lifetime into various sub-periods based on the location of Moon at birth.
Predictions in jyotish incorporate various elements around the birth chart - influences of transits (similar to Western Astrology though more focused on houses or bhavas) as well as Dashas.
There is one new way of combining Astrology /Jyotish with Palimistry/hastharekha,in this Horoscope/Birth Chart or Kundli will give you your Birth details os Planetory Postions at the time of Birth,whereas Palm Reading or Palimstry will give you present Planetory Position details,combining thses two will give a very clear picture and on this basis one can solve various Astro Problems very effectively.
[edit] Modern approaches to Jyotisha
Vedic astrology includes a number of techniques and approaches that have accumulated over the eons with little consensus on what gives consistently accurate results. This collection of techniques and approaches is sometimes referred to as Classical or Traditional Jyotish. However, the march towards new insights and applications continues in the modern epoch, as in earlier times, with the objective as ever to achieve more precise analysis and accurate predictions. In the 1960s, H.R. Seshadri Iyer, introduced a system including the yoga point, which has become popular in also the West. In the early 1990s, V.K. Choudhry introduced the Systems' Approach for Interpreting Horoscopes, a simplified system of Jyotish. Another modern school of Jyotish, is KP (Krishnamurti Paddhati), developed by Shri Krishnamurti from India. It mainly bases the analyses more on the stars (nakshatras) by sub-dividing the signs (rashis).
[edit] Fundamentals of Jyotisha
Vedic astrology i.e. Jyotish contains some concepts that are not found in any other school of astrology. Some of the important building blocks are discussed below.
[edit] Graha - the planets
Graha literally means any heavenly body or point that can cast an impact on human affairs. It may be translated as planet for ease. Graha also includes lunar nodes (Rahu and Ketu) and sub-planets (upgrahas) which are not planets but no less effective than planets. The extra-saturnine planets (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) are not included in the category of Graha.
Here are the list of nine grahas (heavenly bodies or "planets"):
Abbreviation
Sanskrit Name
English Name
Represents
Sy or Su
Surya
Sun
Soul
Ch or Mo
Chandra
Moon
Mind
Ma
Mangala or Angaraka or Kuja
Mars
energetic action, confidence and ego
Bu or Me
Budha
Mercury
Communication
Gu or Ju
Guru or Brihaspati
Jupiter
the great teacher
Sk or Ve
Sukra
Venus
wealth, pleasure and reproduction
Sa
Sanaiscarya, Shani, or Śani
Saturn
learning the hard way. Career and Longevity
Ra
Rahu
Ascending/North Lunar Node
often described as a demon who does his best to plunge any area of one's life he controls into chaos
Ke
Ketu
Descending/South Lunar Node
supernatural influences
[edit] Rashi - the signs
Sidereal zodiac is also an imaginary belt of 360 degrees (like tropical zodiac), divided into 12 equal parts. Each twelfth part (of 30 degrees) is called sign or rashi.
They also recognize twelve zodiac signs, or Rashis:
Number
Sanskrit Name
Western Name
1
Mesha
Aries
2
Vrishabha
Taurus
3
Mithuna
Gemini
4
Karka
Cancer
5
Simha
Leo
6
Kanya
Virgo
7
Tula
Libra
8
Vrishchika
Scorpio
9
Dhanus
Sagittarius
10
Makara
Capricorn
11
Kumbha
Aquarius
12
Meena
Pisces
One's Ascendant, or lagna, the rashi which is rising on the eastern horizon at the time of one's birth, is the most influential and important one. Of lesser importance but still some impact is the Janma Rashi, the rashi in which the moon lay while one was born.
There are three different Jyotish chart notations, which are functionally equivalent but quite different in appearance. The following images show the same birth chart in the two main notations - North Indian and South Indian. The third notation is followed in Eastern parts of India.


In the North Indian notation, the house positions are fixed (1st house top middle, with the rest following in counterclockwise order) and the signs of the zodiac are indicated by numbers in the chart (1 for Aries, and so on).
Conversely, in the South Indian notation, the signs of the zodiac have fixed positions (Aries always occupies the 2nd box from the left in the top row, with the rest following in clockwise order), and the first house is marked "As" (for ascendant) with the rest following in clockwise order.
The charts are broken into twelve sections, houses or Bhavas, each of which is related to a rashi in an equal house system.
[edit] Bhava - the houses
Two house system is in practice among follower of Jyotish. First one is what Western astrologers call the whole sign house system while the second one is Sripathi akin to Porphyry house system. KP also incorporates Placidus house system. The significance of 12 houses are as follow.
1st house Native, Appearance, Character, Purpose of Life
2nd house Wealth, Family, Meal, Early Education
3rd house Younger coborn, Communication (phone, sms, chatting etc)
4th house Mother, Education, Home, Property, Vehicle
5th house Children, Lover, Recreation, Devotion, Creativity
6th house Health, Maternal uncle and aunt, Litigation, Servants
7th house Spouse, Business partner, Death, Trade, Agreement
8th house Sex, Longevity, Failure, Family of spouse, Dowry
9th house Luck, Higher learning, Travelling, Religion, Mentor
10th house Profession, Status, Power, Father, Mother-in-law
11th house Friends, Hopes, Earnings, Elder coborn, Daughter/Son-in-law
12th house Expenses, Sleep, Donation, Foreign stay
[edit] Nakshatra - the lunar asterism
Like sign or rashi, zodiac may also divided into 27 equal parts (of 13 degree 20 minutes each). This division of zodiac is called Nakshatra. Traditionally nakshatra position of Moon is computed for native's mental make up and calculations of planetary periods (dashas). Each nakshatra is further partitioned into four equal segments known as charan or pad. Nakshatra contains an important place in Astrological match making, Mahurtha, Panchanga and Prashana affairs.
See Nakshatra for list of lunar mansions
[edit] Veshaish Lagna - Special Ascendants
Sage Parasara mentioned a few special lagnas before mentioning the results of various divisional charts and houses. His mention that houses can be counted from special lagnas clearly indicates that he wanted special lagnas to be used instead of lagna for some clear purposes. Some important special lagnas are follows.
Chandra Lagna (ascendant counted from natal Moon sign - very important langa)
Surya Lagna (ascendant counted from natal Sun sign)
Karak Lagna (significator taken as ascendant for all grahas)
Varnada Lagna (for social company)
Shri Lagna (for prosperity and marriage)
Indu Lagna (for wealth)
Hora Lagna (for financial prosperity)
Gati Lagna (for name and fame)
[edit] Varga - the divisional charts
The term Varga means Division and refers to the various divisions of a sign, based on which Divisional Charts (or simply D-Charts) is constructed. Divisional charts (Vargas or Amsas) are very peculiar to Jyotish, and they are not found in other systems of astrology. Ancient Indian Mentor and Expert, Maharishi Parashara describes 16 divisional charts which are as follows;
Rasi D-1: Body, Phyiscal Matters and All Generall Maters
Hora D-2: Wealth, Family
Drekkana D-3: Siblings, Nature
Chaturthamsa D-4: Fortune and Property
Saptamsa D-7: Children/Progeny
Navamsa D-9: Wife, Dharma and Relationships
Dasamsa D-10: Actions in Society, Profession
Dwadasamsa D-12: Parents
Shodasamsa D-16: Vehicles, Travelling and Comforts
Vimsamsa D-20: Spiritual Pursuits
ChaturVimsamsa D-24: Education, Learning and Knowledge
SaptaVimsamsa D-27: Strengths and Weakness
Trimsamsa: D-30 Evils, Failure, Bad Luck
KhaVedamsa D-40: Maternal Legacy
AkshaVedamsa D-45: Paternal Legacy
Shastiamsa D-60: Past birth/Karma
Maharishi Jaimini explaines 4 more divisional charts. They include;
Panchamsa D-5: Fame & Power
Shasthamsa D-6: Health
Ashtamsa D8: Unexpected Troubles
EkaDasamsa/Rudramsa D-11: Death and Destruction
Apart form Rashi (D-1); Navamsha (D-9), Drekkana (D-3), Dasamsa (D-10) and Trimsamsa (D-30) are considered significant divisional charts.
[edit] Drishti - the aspect
Aspect is one of the most important phenomena that not only interlinks the planets with each other but also playing a role of bridge between signs. In Jyotish the word Drishti is tantamount to Aspect, means glance or sight. It is the transfer of influences to another graha or rashi as a result of their situation in relation to each other.
[edit] Types of Aspect
The hierarchy of aspect can be categorized into two types as;
1- Aspect based on Planet or Sign’s Nature
2- Aspect based on Relative Distance
1- Aspect based on Planet or Sign’s NatureThis is the system of aspect studied in Vedic Astrology. This holds that certain planet or sign sights another planet or sign depends on its nature. This can also be divided into two kinds, namely;
Graha Drishti
Rashi Drishti
Graha Drishti should prefer when analyzing
Nakshatra Dasha
Chart with respect to the Moon
Sahams i.e. Arabic Parts
Rashi Drishti should prefer when analyzing
Rashi Dasha
Chart with respect to Special Lagnas (AL GL, HL etc)
Vargas i.e. Divisional Charts
2- Aspect based on Relative DistanceThis is the same method in vogue in Western Astrology. Tajik Varshphal (Vedic Solar Return Chart) applies this technique to erect 14 different types of aspects also known as varshphala yogas.
[edit] Argala - the intervention
Significations of various houses are interlinked. Support provided by one house to another is called Argala and the obstruction offered to supporting houses is called Virodha argala.
Graha (planets) in 2nd, 4th and 11th house cause argalas on a given house, whereas the planets in 12th, 10th and 3rd cause virodha argalas to 2nd, 4th and 11th respectively.
Banefic generally give shubha argalas, malefic offer papa argalas. If however a malefic has an argala on house of which it is a significator, such an aragala can be termed as shubha. For example a malefics in 10th house cast papa argala to 9th house as 10th house is second from 9th. This may make the native non religious and give bad relations with boss/teacher, provided there is no virodh argala from 8th.
[edit] Arudha - the mounted image
The term Arudha Pada is also known as "Pada". Arudha literally means "mount" and refers to the IMAGE of a sign falling on another due to "reflection of the rays emanating from it and being reflected by its lord.
Keeping the reflection in view, the Karaka (Significator) can be taken to be the Moon. Count from a sign to its lord. Then count as many signs from the lord to arrive at the ARUDHA PADA. For example, if the Lagna Lord is in the fifth house, then count five signs from the Lagna lord to arrive at the ninth house. This ninth house becomes the arudha Pada for the Lagna.
Exception: The Arudha Pada cannot be in the same sign or the seventh from it. In case this happens, then choose the tenth house therefrom. For example, if the Lagna Lord is in the 4th house, then the Arudha lagna should be in the 4th from the 4th house i.e. the 7th house. But since this is not allowed, the tenth therefrom should be chosen. The tenth from the 7th house is the 4th house and the 4th house becomes the Arudha Lagna.
Arudha of 1st house is also called PADA LAGNA or ARUDHA LAGNA. Arudha lagna stands for "manifestation of self, in this maya (illusory) world". In this manner Arudha Pada can be computed for all the houses. They are called Dhana Pada (2nd), Bhratripada (3rd), Matri Pada (4th), Mantrapada (5th), Satrupada (6th), Dara Pada (7th), Roga pada (8th), Bhagyapada (9th), Rajyapada (10th), Labhapada (11th) and Upapada (12th). Jaimini discussed Arudha lagna (AL) and Upapada (UL) extinsively in his classical treatise.
[edit] Yoga - the planetary combinations
In Jyotish, Yoga means yoka or combination. Yogas are certain planetary combinations. Jyotish classics explaines hundred of thousands of yogas. Chandra (lunar combinations for general luck), Dhana (wealth related) and Raja (power and success related) yogas are often studied.
[edit] Shadbala - the sixfold strength
Shadbala means sixfold strength. Although these strengths are combinedly used for finding the effect of planets on the lives of the natives, there is more use of the strengths and we get the clue of those uses from their names. These strengths need not be used only predicting the results of the dasa, however, can be used for normal horoscopic interpretation.
Shad Bal consists of the following strengths
1. Sthan Bal (Positional strength)
2. Dig Bal (Directional strength)
3. Kaal Bal (Temporalstrength), inclusive of Ayan Bal (Equinoctial strength)
4. Chesht Bal (Motional strength)
5. Naisargika Bal (Natural strength)
6. Drik Bal (Aspectual strength)
These strengths are computed for the seven Grahas from Sun to Saturn. The lunar nodes (Rahu and Ketu) are not considered.
[edit] Criticism
Members of the scientific community believe that astrology is a form of pseudoscience[2] and has no academic standing of any worth[2].
The introduction of Vedic astrology as a 'scientific discipline' to be pursued as a subject of study in universities in India, was severely criticised by many scientists.
A statement signed by many eminent Indian scientists read, "We the members of the Indian scientific community feel that the proposal by the UGC to introduce Vedic Astrology (Jyotir Vigyan) and Vastushastra in Indian universities is a giant leap backwards, undermining whatever scientific credibility our country may have so far achieved. We request the UGC to abandon this ill judged course of action."[3]
Romila Thapar, the eminent historian claimed that, "to call astrology 'scientific knowledge' and to say that this 'important science needs to be exported to the world' is to make fun of scientific knowledge, for, however important astrology may claim to be, its fundamentals are not in conformity with scientific knowledge."[3]
[edit] Classical Jyotish / Vedic astrology Treatises/Books/Texts
[edit] Treatises on Nativity
Skanda Hora or Jyotishmati(God Brahma)
Brihat Prajapatya (Daksha Prajapati)
Vasishta Hora (Sage Vasishta)
Garga Hora (Sage Garga)
Kousika Hora (Sage Viswamitra)
Sounaka Hora (Sage Sounaka)
Brihat Parasara Hora Sastram (Sage Parasara)
Jaimini Sutram (Sage Jaimini)
Brigu Sutram (Sage Brigu)
Vedanga Jyotish (Lagadha)
Yavaneswara Hora or Yavanajataka "Saying of the Greeks" (Sage Yavaneswara, "Lord of the Greeks")
Sphujudwaja Hora (King Sphujidwaja)
MeenarajaHora or Vridha Yavana Hora (King Meenaraja)
Saravali (Kalyana Verma)
Brihat Jatakam (Varahamihira)
Phala deepika (Mantreswara)
Hora Saram (Prithu Yasas)
Sarvartha Chintamani (Venkatesa Daivajna)
Hora Ratna (Acharya Balabhadra)
Jataka Parijatam (Vaidyanatha Deekshita)
Chatkara Chintamani
Kashyapa Hora
Poorva Kalamritam (Ganaka Kalidasa)
Uttara Kalamritam (Ganaka Kalidasa)
Suka Nadi
Deva Keralam or Chandra Kala Nadi (Achyuta)
Tajaka Neelakanthi (Neelakantha)
Pranasanushata Padhati
Prasna Ratna
Prasna Margam (Panakkattu Sankaran Nambootiri Brahmin)
Daivajna Vallabha (Varahamihira)
Kaalaprakashika
[edit] Treatises on Hindu Electional Astrology
Adbhuta Sagaar
Brihannarad
Brihatdaivygyaranjan
Brihatjyotisaar
Daivygyamanoranjan Daivygyamanohar Granth
Ganak Mandan
Gian Manjari
Hindu Electional Astrology (V K Shridhar)
Jaganmohan Granth
Jyotiprakash
Jyotirnibandh
Jyotish Ratan
Jyotishsaar
Jyotish Chintamani
Jyotirvidabharnam
Kaal Khanda
Kaal Nirnaya Deepika
Kaal Prakashika
Madhaveeyam
Muhurtarnava
Muhurt Bhaskar
Muhurt Chintamani (Daivygya Ram)
Muhurt Chudamani
Muhurt Darpaan
Muhurt Deepak
Muhurt Deepika
Muhurt Ganpati
Muhurt Kalpadrum
Muhurt Maala
Muhurt Manjari
Muhurt Martanda
Muhurt Muktaavali
Muhurt Prakash
Muhurt Padavi
Muhurt Saagar
Muhurt Sangraha
Muhurt Tattva
Muhurt Tattvapradeep
Muhurtarnava
Muktaavali
Narpatijacharyaaswarodaya
Naardeeya
Nibandh Chudamani
Poorva Kaalamrit (2)
Rajmartanda
Ratan Koosh
Ratanmaala
Samarsaar
Shiv Swarodaya
Vaivahaar Pradeep
Vivah Kautuhal
Vivah Patal
Vivah Pradeep
Vivah Saar
Vivah Vrindavan
Vyvahaarochchya
Yoga Yatra
Vyvaharsaar
[edit] Samhitas — treatises on mundane, portents, omens, meteorology etc.
Brahmarshi Samita
Brihaspati Samhita
Brihat Samhita
Parasara Samhita
Garga Samhita
Rishiputra Samhita
Guru Samhita
Kashyap Samhita
Lomasha Samhita
Maanav Samhita
Naagarjun Samhita
Narad Samhita
Shakalya Samhita
Samaas Samhita
Samhita Pradeep
Samhita Sidhhanta
Satya Samhita
Sur Samhita
Vaikhaan Samhita
Vasist Samhita
[edit] Siddhanta — Astronomy and Mathematics and its application to astrology
Ancient Surya Sidhata (Maya)
Brahma Sidhanta (God Brahma)
Lomasa Sidhanta (Sage Lomasa)
Poulisa Sidhanta (Sage Poulisa)
Pitamaha Sidhanta (God Brahma)
Vasishta Sidhata (Sage Vasishta)
Vridha Vasishta Sidhanta (Sage Vridha Vasishta)
Garga Sidhanta (Sage Garga)
Parasara Sidhanta (Sage Parasara)
Pancha Sidhantika (Varaha Mihira)
Modern Surya Sidhanta (Aryabhata II)
House (astrology)
Most Western astrological systems divide the horoscope into a number (usually twelve) of houses whose positions depend on time and location rather than on date. According to astrological theory, celestial phenomena reflect or govern human activity on the principle of 'as above, so below'. In astrological terms, therefore, the houses of the horoscope represent different spheres of life, described in terms of physical surroundings as well as personal life experiences. The placement of a planet or zodiac sign in a house will determine to a large degree the area of life, and the goals and activities on which its drive or impulse will be focused.

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[edit] Description

This 18th century Icelandic manuscript drawing shows the twelve astrological houses with signs for the locations of the planets, the Sun, and the Moon.
The houses are divisions of the ecliptic plane (the path of the sun across the sky) as seen from the earth at the time and place of the horoscope in question. They are numbered counter-clockwise from the position of the eastern horizon (the cusp of the first house) at the time of the subject being charted. Houses one through six, are below the horizon, while houses seven through twelve are above the horizon.
There are a range of approaches to calculating these divisions and different opinions among astrologers over which house system is most accurate. To calculate the houses, it is necessary to know the exact time, date, and location of the event being charted. In natal astrology, some astrologers will use a birth time set for noon or sunrise if the actual time of birth is unknown. An accurate interpretation of such a chart, however, cannot be expected.
[edit] The Twelve Houses
The Babylonians were the first to set out the twelve houses used today by the majority of astrologers. [1] The houses were numbered from the east downward under the horizon, and represented areas of life on the following pattern with their areas of influence. These are their traditional Latin names first with their translations followed by other associated influences: 1. Vita Life ; 2. Lucrum Profit and loss; 3. Fratres Brothers ; 4. Genitor Parents ; 5. Nati Children ; 6. Valentudo Health and illness; 7. Uxor Spouces; 8. Mors Death; 9. Iter Journies and journey like things i.e. religion, education10. Regnum Kingdom and dignities; 11. Benefacta Friendship; 12. Carcer Prison and enmity. These represent the basic outline of the houses as they are still understood today.
The twelve houses are usually interpreted as follows [2] :
1st House: The self, one's appearance, the body, physical characteristic etc. The Ego. The start of anything.
2nd House: Money and Possessions, values and priorities. Growth of anything.
3rd House: Communications, siblings, neighbors and neighborhood matters, local travel and transport, education, everyday matters.
4th House: The home and family, the mother or mother figure, caring for someone or something. Conservation. The beginning and end of life.
5th House: Pleasures and leisure, holidays, games and gambling. Children. Creativity. Love affairs and sex for fun rather than a deep relationship.
6th House: Work, duties and chores. Employers, employees and one's job. Health and well-being.
7th House: Relationships, marriage and business partnerships. Agreements and treaties. Also open enemies and war.
8th House: Birth, death, beginnings and endings. Sexual relationships and deeply committed relationships of all kinds. Joint monies, taxes, legacies, and corporate finances. The occult and psychic matters.
9th House: Foreign travel and foreign countries and cultures. Religion, the law and higher education. All things which seek to expand one's experience. Freedom.
10th House: Aims and ambitions, direction in life. Your status in society, your career. The house of celebrity.
11th House: Detached relationships such as friends and acquaintances. Groups, clubs and societies, especially with a charitable or humane aim.
12th House: Mysticism, the occult, psychic matters. Places of seclusion such as hospitals, prisons and institutions. Retreat and reflection and self-sacrifice.
Many modern astrologers assume that the houses relate to their corresponding signs, i.e. that the first house has a natural affinity with the first sign, Aries, and so on.
In quadrant systems houses are classified as:Angular (1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th)Succedent (2nd, 5th, 8th, and 11th), andCadent (3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th).Angular houses are points of initiation and represent action.Succedent houses are points of purpose and represent stabilization.Cadent houses are points of transition and represent change and adaptation.
Further, houses are grouped together by Triplicity, one of four elements (fire, earth, air, and water) in which the zodiacal sign that rules the house is placed. There are three zodiacal signs that fall within one of these four elements, hence the moniker, "The Triplicities".The Fire Houses are: the 1st House (the house of Aries), the 5th House (the house of Leo), and the 9th House (the house of Sagittarius).The Earth Houses are: the 2nd House (ruled by Taurus), the 6th House (Virgo), and the 10th House (Capricorn).The Air Houses are: the 3rd House (Gemini), the 7th House (Libra), the 11th House (Aquarius).Finally, there are the deep and powerful Water Houses: the 4th House (Cancer), the 8th House (Scorpio), and the 12th House (Pisces).
In old astrological writings (e.g. William Lilly), house could also be used as a synonym for domicile or rulership, as in the sentence "The Moon has its house in Cancer" meaning that Cancer is ruled by the Moon. It may be helpful to think of a ruling planet, in this case the Moon, as the "owner of the 4th House", and the sign, e.g.Cancer, as the CEO or landlord who runs the house. In an individual horoscope, whatever sign occupies any given house can be thought of as the house's tenant. [See section heading Rulership below.]
In Vedic (Indian) astrology, the twelve houses are called Bhava and have meanings very similar to their Western counterparts.
[edit] House systems


In this natal chart, the twelve houses are numbered close to the central circle containing the colored aspect lines; this particular horoscope uses the Topocentric House System (see below for more details)
There are many systems of dividing the ecliptic into houses. In most systems, the ascendant (eastern horizon) marks the cusp, or beginning, of the first house, and the descendant (western horizon) marks the cusp of the seventh house. In addition, quadrant systems (i.e. most systems except equal) use the midheaven (medium coeli) as the cusp of the tenth house and the nadir (imum coeli) as the cusp of the fourth house.
The equal house system defines houses as 30-degree sectors of the ecliptic. Except along the equator, the ascendant/descendant and midheaven/nadir axes can vary from being perpendicular to each other. As a result, equal houses counted from the ascendant cannot in general place the midheaven on the tenth house cusp, where it would be symbolically desirable. Attempts to reconcile the concept of "quadrants" with the varying angle between midheaven and ascendant lead to more complicated house systems. These became more relevant as astrology spread from subtropical regions to higher latitudes.
In Southern Europe, first the Porphyry system was developed, and soon after it the Equal system. They were later replaced by the Arab-originated Alcabitius system. In Northern Europe, the Regiomontanus system was developed, later to be replaced by Placidus - which remains the most popular system among English-speaking astrologers. The Koch system is very popular among German speakers.
Goals for a house system include ease of computation; agreement with the "quadrant" concept (ascendant on the first house cusp, nadir on the fourth, descendant on the seventh, and midheaven on the tenth); defined and meaningful behaviour in the polar regions; acceptable handling of heavenly bodies of high latitude (a distinct problem from high-latitude locations on the Earth's surface); and symbolic value. It is impossible for any system to satisfy all the criteria completely, so each one represents a different compromise. The extremely popular Placidus and Koch systems, in particular, can generate undefined results in the polar circles. Research and debate on the merits of different house systems is ongoing.
[edit] Placidus
This is the most commonly used house system in modern Western astrology. It is thought to have been first mentioned about 13th century in Arab literature, but the first confirmed publication was in 1602 by Giovanni Antonii Magini (1555-1617) in his book "Tabulae Primi Mobilis, quas Directionem Vulgo Dicunt". Later it was popularized by Catholic Church as an argument for Ptolemy's geocentric theory of the Solar System, in the campaign against the heliocentric theory. Placidus, a professor of mathematics, was named as its author to give it credibility to his contemporaries.
The system is based on a division of time rather than space. The times taken for each degree of the ecliptic to rise from the nadir to the ascendant, and from the ascendant to the midheaven, are trisected to determine the cusps of houses 2, 3, 11, and 12. The cusps of houses 8, 9, 5 and 6 are opposite these.
The Placidus system is sometimes not defined beyond polar circles (latitudes greater than 66°N or 66°S).
[edit] Alchabitius
The predecessor to the Placidus. The difference is that the time that takes asc to reach meridian is divided equally into three parts. The Alchabitius houses have been very popular before the introduction of the Regiomontanus houses.
[edit] Porphyry
Each quadrant of the ecliptic is divided into three equal parts between the four angles. This is the oldest system of quadrant style house division. Although it is attributed to Porphyry of Tyros, it appears that this system was actually first described by the astrologer Antiochus of Athens, and later was cited by proponent of equal house system Vettius Valens in his 2nd century work The Anthology.
[edit] Equal
In this system, the ecliptic is divided into twelve divisions of 30 degrees. This system can be computed for all locations on earth, though it's usabality in latitudes higher than 35 degrees was highly disputed in history, which led to proposal of all the others house systems as alternatives to it.
One popular criticism of this method, however, concerns the location of the Medium Coeli (Midheaven), the highest point in the chart. Since this point is associated with ambition, career, and public image, it has been linked with the tenth house and, by extension, Capricorn (the tenth sign of the zodiac). The argument is that the Midheaven, therefore, must be the cusp of the tenth house. Because the Equal House system does not take the Midheaven into account (and relies on the location of the Ascendant), it can be found anywhere between the 1st and 12th houses.
[edit] Whole sign
In the whole sign house system, the houses are also 30° each, but instead of beginning at the ascendant, the first house begins at zero degrees of the zodiac sign in which the ascendant falls. In other words, each house is wholly filled by one sign. This is the system used in Jyotish (vedic astrology), and Hellenistic astrology. It is believed to be the oldest system of house division.
[edit] Regiomontanus
The celestial equator is divided into twelve, and these divisions are projected on to the ecliptic along great circles that take in the north and south points on the horizon. Named after the German astronomer and astrologer Johann Müller of Königsberg.
[edit] Meridian
Similar to the above, except that the east point is taken as the ascendant.
[edit] Campanus
The prime vertical (the great circle taking in the zenith and east point on the horizon) is divided into twelve, and these divisions are projected on to the ecliptic along great circles that take in the north and south points on the horizon. It is named after Johannes Campanus.
[edit] Koch
A rather more complicated version of the Placidus system, built on equal increments of Right Ascension for each quadrant. The Koch system is defined only for latitudes between 66°N and 66°S. This system is popular among research astrologers in the U.S., but in Central Europe lost some popularity to the Krusiński house system.
[edit] Topocentric
This is a recent system, invented in Argentina, that its creators claim has been determined empirically, i.e. by observing events in people's lives and assessing the geometry of a house system that would fit. The house cusps are always within a degree of those given in the Placidus system. The geometry is somewhat complicated and the reader is referred to this site for an explanation. The topocentric system can also be described as the an approximation algorithm for the Placidus system.
[edit] Krusinski
A recently published (1995) house system, based on a great circle passing through the ascendant and zenith. This circle is divided into 12 equal parts (1st cusp is ascendent, 10th cusp is zenith), then the resulting points are projected to the ecliptic through meridian circles (circles passing through the equatorial north and south poles, perpendicular to equator, see: meridian (geography)).
The house tables for this system were published in 1995 in Poland. This house system is also known under the name Amphora in the Czech Republic, after it was scholarly proposed there by Milan Píša after the study of Manilius's "Astronomica" under this name ("Konstelace č. 22" in: "AMPHORA - nový systém astrologických domů" (1997) and in the booklet "Amphora - algoritmy nového systému domů" (1998)).
[edit] Rulership
In Hellenistic, Vedic, Medieval and Renaissance astrology each house is ruled by the planet that rules the sign on its cusp. For example, if a person has the sign Aries on the cusp of their 7th house, then the planet Mars is said to "rule" their 7th house. This means that when a planet is allotted a house, its nature comes to have some bearing on that specific topic in the person's life, and that planet is said to be very important for events specifically pertaining to that topic. The placement of this planet in the chart will have at least as much influence on the chart as the planets within the house. In traditional Western & Hindu astrology, each sign is ruled by one of the 7 visible planets (note that in astrology, the Sun and Moon are considered planets, which literally means wanderers, i.e. wandering stars, as opposed to the fixed stars of the constellations).
In addition, some modern astrologers who follow the planet=sign=house doctrine, which was first taught by Alan Leo in the early part of the 20th century, believe that certain houses are also "ruled" by, or have an affinity with, the planet which rules the corresponding zodiacal sign. For instance, Mars is ruler of the 1st house because Aries is the first sign, Mercury rules or has an affinity with the 3rd house because Gemini is the 3rd sign, etc. This is sometimes referred to as "natural rulership", as opposed to the former which is sometimes called "accidental rulership".
[edit] Why Twelve Houses?
Babylonians divided houses into twelve, and zodiac into eighteen signs. Later in Alexandria astrologers reduced the number of signs to fit the number and meanings of houses, and named constellations after them. Nowadays, practising astrologers use a 12 house division. Most theoreticians attribute 8 fold division for misinterpretation of old texts only, but one theoretician Patrice Guinard [1] has argued, contrary to that prevailing opinion, that there is a basis for an 8 house division. One prominent astrologer, Marc Penfield, uses 8 houses - dividing each quadrant using the same technique as in Koch & Placidus.
Ecliptic

The plane of the ecliptic is well seen in this picture from the 1994 lunar prospecting Clementine spacecraft. Clementine's camera reveals (from right to left) the Moon lit by Earthshine, the Sun's glare rising over the Moon's dark limb, and the planets Saturn, Mars and Mercury (the three dots at lower left).
The ecliptic is the apparent path that the Sun traces out along the sky, in relation to the stars, throughout the course of the year. More accurately, it is the intersection of the celestial sphere with the ecliptic plane, which is the geometric plane containing the mean orbit of the Earth around the Sun. It should be distinguished from the invariable ecliptic plane, which is the vector sum of the angular momenta of all planetary orbital planes, to which Jupiter is the main contributor.
The name ecliptic is derived from being the place where eclipses occur.

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[edit] Ecliptic and equator
As the rotation axis of the Earth is not perpendicular to its orbital plane, the equatorial plane is not parallel to the ecliptic plane, but makes an angle of about 23°27' which is known as the obliquity of the ecliptic. The intersections of the equatorial and ecliptic plane with the celestial dome are great circles known as the celestial equator and the ecliptic. The intersection line of the two planes results in two diametrically opposite intersection points, known as the equinoxes. The equinox which the Sun passes from south to north is known as the vernal equinox or first point of Aries. Ecliptic longitude, usually indicated with the letter λ, is measured from this point on 0° to 360° towards the east. Ecliptic latitude, usually indicated with the letter β is measured +90° to the north or -90° to the south. The same intersection point also defines the origin of the equatorial coordinate system, named right ascension measured from 0 to 24 hours also to the east and usually indicated with α or R.A., and declination, usually indicated with δ also measured +90° to the north or -90° to the south. Simple rotation formulas allow a conversion from α,δ to λ,β and back (see: ecliptic coordinate system).
[edit] Ecliptic and stars
The ecliptic serves as the center of a region called the zodiac which constitutes a band of 9° on either side. Traditionally, this region is divided into 12 signs of 30° longitude each. By tradition, these signs are named after 12 of the 13 constellations straddling the ecliptic. The zodiac signs are very important to many astrologers. Modern astronomers typically use other coordinate systems today (see below).
The position of the vernal equinox is not fixed among the stars but due to the lunisolar precession slowly shifting westwards over the ecliptic with a speed of 1° per 72 years. A much smaller north/southwards shift can also be discerned, (the planetary precession, along the instantaneous equator, which results in a rotation of the ecliptic plane). Said otherwise the stars shift eastwards (increase their longitude) measured with respect to the equinoxes (in other words, as measured in ecliptic coordinates and (often) also in equatorial coordinates.
Using the current official IAU constellation boundaries — and taking into account the variable precession speed and the rotation of the ecliptic — the equinoxes shift through the constellations in the Astronomical Julian calendar years (in which the year 0 = 1 BC, -1 = 2 BC, etc.) as follows:[1]
The March equinox passed from Taurus into Aries in year -1865, passed into Pisces in year -67, will pass into Aquarius in year 2597, will pass into Capricorn in year 4312. It passed along (but not into) a 'corner' of Cetus on 0°10' distance in year 1489.
The June solstice passed from Leo into Cancer in year -1458, passed into Gemini in year -10, passed into Taurus in December year 1989, will pass into Aries in year 4609.
The September equinox passed from Libra into Virgo in year -729, will pass into Leo in year 2439.
The December solstice passed from Capricorn into Sagittarius in year -130, will pass into Ophiuchus in year 2269, and will pass into Scorpius in year 3597.
[edit] Ecliptic and Sun
Due to perturbations to the Earth's orbit by the other planets, the true Sun is not always exactly on the ecliptic, but may be some arcseconds north or south of it. It is therefore the centre of the mean Sun which outlines its path. As the Earth revolves in one year around the Sun, it appears that the Sun also needs one year to pass the whole ecliptic. With slightly more than 365 days in the year, the Sun moves almost 1° eastwards every day (direction of increasing longitude). This annual motion should not be confused with the daily motion of the Sun (and the stars, the whole celestial sphere for that matter) towards the west in 24 hours and along the equator. In fact where the stars need about 23h56m for one such rotation to complete, the sidereal day, the Sun, which has shifted 1° eastwards during that time needs 4 minutes extra to complete its circle, making the solar day just 24 hours.
The mean Sun crosses the equator around 21 March in the vernal equinox, its declination, right ascension, and ecliptic longitude are all zero then (the ecliptic latitude is always). The March equinox marks the onset of spring in the northern hemisphere and autumn in the southern. As such the term "spring equinox" should be avoided. The actual date and time varies from year to year because of the occurrence of leap years. It also shifts slowly over the centuries due to imperfections in the Gregorian calendar.
Ecliptic longitude 90°, at right ascension 6 hours and a northern declination equal to the obliquity of the ecliptic (23.44°), is reached around 22 June. This is the June solstice or summer solstice in the northern hemipshere and winter solstice in the southern hemisphere. It is also the first point of Cancer and directly overhead on Earth on the tropic of Cancer so named because the Sun turns around in declination. Ecliptic longitude 180°, right ascension 12 hours is reached around 23 September and marks the second equinox or first point of Libra. Due to perturbations to the Earth orbit, the moment the real Sun passes the equator might be several minutes earlier or later. The southern most declination of the sun is reached at ecliptic longitude 270°, right ascension 18 hours at the first point of the sign of Capricorn around 22 December.
In any case it must be stressed that although these traditional signs (in western tropical astrology) have given their names to the solstices and equinoxes, in reality, (as from the list in the previous chapter) the cardinal points are currently situated in the constellations of Pisces, Taurus, Virgo and Sagittarius respectively.
[edit] Ecliptic and planets
Most planets go in orbits around the sun which are almost in the same plane as the Earth's orbital plane, differing by a few degrees at most. As such they always appear close to the ecliptic when seen in the sky. Mercury with an orbital inclination of 7° is an exception. Pluto, at 17°, was previously the exception until it was reclassified a dwarf planet, but other bodies in the Solar System have even greater orbital inclinations (e.g. Eris 44 degrees and Pallas 34 degrees).
The intersection line of the ecliptical plane and another planet's orbital plane is called the nodal line of that planet, and the nodal line's intersection points on the celestial sphere are the ascending node (where the planet crosses the ecliptic from south to north) and the diametrically opposite descending node. Only when an inferior planet passes through one of its nodes can a transit over the Sun take place.
Inclination and nodal lines, as almost all other orbital elements, change slowly over the centuries due to perturbations from the other planets.
[edit] Ecliptic and Moon
The orbit of the Moon is inclined by about 5° on the ecliptic. Its nodal line is not fixed either, but regresses (moves towards the west) over a full circle every 18.6 years. This is the cause of nutation and lunar standstill. The moon crosses the ecliptic about twice per month. If this happens during new moon a solar eclipse occurs, during full moon a lunar eclipse. This was the way the ancients could trace the ecliptic along the sky; they marked the places where eclipses could occur.
[edit] Ecliptic and star coordinates
Up to the 17th century, starmaps and positions in star catalogues were always given in ecliptical coordinates. It was not until astronomers started to use telescopes to measure star positions that equatorial coordinates came in use, and so exclusively that nowadays ecliptical coordinates are no longer used. This is not always desirable. A planetary conjunction for example would be much more illustratively described by ecliptic coordinates than equatorial.