I-Ching: The Book of Changes

I-Ching sometimes known as the Book of Changes, is the world’s oldest known book as well as an intuitive decision-making system. I-Ching was developed over 4,000 years ago and is a very intricately numerical based oracle. The creation of I-Ching is attributed to the Chinese sage Fu Hsi. I-Ching is based on the logic of yin/yang and much like astrology, can help you gain insight about your life by answering important questions.

You can consult the oracle by using sticks to get six lines then interpreting the results. The I-Ching contains predictions based on a set of 64 abstract line arrangements. These 64 line arrangements are known as hexagrams. Before you begin, think of a question for the oracle. This should be a question that is important to you. I-Ching cannot foretell the future, but rather help you to make important decisions about a situation.

How to Use the Sticks

The fifty sticks used for I-Ching readings are normally made of bamboo or wood and are stored above one’s head so they are closer to the gods. When performing a reading, kneel before a table and spread a special cloth over it. Often, incense sticks are burned as an offering to the gods.

In a respectful manner, ask your question of the oracle, then take one of the fifty sticks and place it to the side. Use your right hand to divide the sticks into two groups separated by a few inches. With your right hand, take one stick from the pile on the right and place it between your ring finger and your little finger on your left hand. Remove four sticks at a time from the pile on the left until there are four or less sticks. Place those remaining sticks between your left hand’s middle finger and ring finger. Remove four sticks at a time from the pile on the right until there are four or less sticks. Place those remaining sticks between your right hand’s index finger and middle finger. You have either five or nine sticks in your left hand. Lay these aside. Gather the discarded sticks (except the first one) and divide them again as you did before. When finished, you should have between four and eight sticks between the fingers of your left hand. Put these aside, but separate from the first pile you laid aside. Once again, gather the discarded sticks and divide them, ending up with either four or eight in your left hand. Now you should have three piles of sticks that came from your left hand. The first contains either five or nine sticks and the second and third piles contain either four or eight sticks.

You will need to look up the numbers of sticks to see if you have a yang line (a solid line) or a yin line (a broken line). The following is a table to determine what type of line you have:

5+4+4 = Old Yang line
9+8+8 = Old Yin line
5+8+8 = Young Yang line
9+8+4 = Young Yang line
9+4+8 = Young Yang line
5+4+8 = Young Yin line
5+8+4 = Young Yin line
9+4+4 = Young Yin line

The old lines are important because they change into their opposites to form a second hexagram. Old lines are considered to be at the end of their cycle and starting a new one. These are also known as moving lines. The young lines are considered to be at the start of their cycle and moderately stable. Write down your three numbers, as this is the bottom line of your hexagram. To get the other five lines, you will need to work through the process again five more times, writing down your results each time. Once you have the results, you will need to consult an I-Ching book for the interpretation.

I-Ching has been used for thousands of years as a tool to help guide people through important phases of their lives. Through proper usage and interpretation, I-Ching can help give you warnings, advice, and wisdom.

Driving Signs and Astrological Rankings

Most people are aware that astrology and their astrological sign can affect many aspects of their lives. However you may never stop and think about how your astrological sign can affect your driving habits. Lee Romanov, the president of InsuranceHotline.com has written a new book titled “Car Carma.” In “Car Carma,” Lee talks about how your zodiac sign can affect personal driving habits and how that can in turn increase or decrease your chances for being involved in an accident, getting a ticket, or paying a higher premium for car insurance.

To see why there was a variance between the insurance companies high and low rates, Lee compared 100,000 drivers from North America. He looked at their driving records, including number of tickets and accidents they had been in and then took a look at their astrological sign. He saw a pattern – drivers of certain signs were more likely to get tickets or be in an accident than others.

What signs were prone to get most driving tickets? Number one was Pisces followed by Aries, Aquarius, Capricorn, and Libra. The least likely to get tickets were Virgo, Sagittarius, and Gemini. Libra was the most likely sign to be involved in an accident, followed by Scorpio, Capricorn, Aries, and Aquarius. Least likely to be in an accident was Gemini, Cancer, and Leo.

Here is a brief breakdown of each signs driving traits from worst to best:

Libra
Sept 23-Oct 22
Libra craves balance and does not like to make rash decisions. This is not a good driving characteristic, as rush hour often requires quick reactions.

Aquarius
Jan 20-Feb 18
Aquarius is almost the exact opposite of Libra. While Libras do not like to make rushed decisions, Aquarius is quite impulsive. Add to that fact that they are ruled by the planet of speed and rebellion and that just spells automobile trouble.

Aries
Mar 21-Apr 19
Aries the Ram has a “me first” nature, taking the lead before giving others the opportunity. This makes an eventual accident almost unavoidable.

Pisces
Feb 19-Mar20
Pisces is not forceful like Aries, but more of a daydreamer. Driving requires complete attention, something many Pisces cannot give it.

Scorpio
Oct 23-Nov 21
Scorpios are often perfect examples of road rage, given their instinct to seek revenge on people who wrong them. Cut them off in traffic and they may just follow you to cut you off as well.

Taurus
Apr 20-May 20
Taurus suffers an animal sign problem, just like Aries. Taurus the Bull can be bullheaded and their stubbornness may cause them to charge at a red light.

Sagittarius
Nov 22-Dec 21
Sagittarius likes to take risks. Fortunately, they are experienced at taking risks, but they also like to talk, so you may often see a Sagittarius on the phone while driving. This means they are not devoting 100% of their attention to driving.

Capricorn
Dec 22-Jan 19
Capricorns are often goal orientated. They may be more concerned about their final destination than how they get there. They may feel road rules are for the other drivers, not them.

Virgo
Aug 23-Sept 22
Virgos are very detail orientated. While they do not mind slamming on their breaks to avoid hitting something, they may not be considering the pileup it might cause behind them.

Cancer
June 21-July 22
Cancers are homebodies and even while out on the road, they may consider other drivers part of their extended family. However, they are extremely moody. They may beep without any provocation.

Gemini
May 21-June 20
Geminis are great at multi-tasking. They may be able to drive while applying makeup, changing the radio station, and drinking a coffee, but this not the optimum driving scenario.

Leo
Jul 23-Aug 22
Leos are generous and sharing on the highway, but it may be their ego that drives them to be the best drivers on the road.

Each person is an individual and these are only generalisations based on astrological signs. Of course, if you are a Libra, you may recognise from this article that an area of your driving needs work. Remember that despite what driving traits your astrological sign may give you, you have the free will to overcome them.

Hitler's Germany and Astrology

It was one of the most feared regimes in the 20th century – Nazi Germany. The Third Reich began in 1933 and ended only in 1945 after Germany was defeated in World War II.

Many individuals were persecuted in Nazi Germany. Routinely the German police would arrest astrologers for fortune telling. However, an interest in astrology grew, with many Germans recognising the importance of astrology not only as an art, but also for its importance to psychoanalysis. Numerous specialised books and pamphlets on astrology were published in Germany including Dr. Karl-Gunther Heimoth’s work – an astrological study of homosexuality.

Many astrology conferences were held in Nazi Germany until 1934, when the Nazis officially banned fortune telling. This made the publication of any almanacs and astrological journals illegal. Dr. Heimoth had befriended Ernst Rohm, who was the chief of Hitler’s private army, the Sturm-Abteilung. Even so, he was murdered in June 1934 for his belief and publication of astrology works.

Wulff

Some astrologers supported Hitler and his regime while others were more or less forced to cooperate. Wilhelm Theodor H. Wulff was a German astrologer who was required to work on the Ahnenerbe project. The project was founded by Heinrich Himmler, commander of the Schutzstaffel, also known as the SS. The project was to research the anthropological and cultural history of the Aryan race as well as search for mythical connections with Nordic ancestors and harness supernatural forces.
Wulff eventually became Himmler’s personal astrologer. But Himmler was not the only Nazi fascinated with astrology and the occult. Rudolf Hess, Hitler’s deputy, also believed in astrology. However, Hess became disillusioned with the war and fled to Scotland to try to make a peace deal with the Brits. Hess was quickly arrested. Hitler stated that Hess had gone insane, and quickly had the Gestapo arrest all known astrologers. The belief was that the astrologers had misguided Hess, eventually conspiring against him. Wulff was among those arrested and spent four months in a German concentration camp before being taken out to work on the Ahnenerbe project

Did Hitler Believe?

It is not known for sure if Hitler himself believed in astrology. However, his name became linked with Karl Ernst Krafft, with many believing that Krafft was indeed Hitler’s personal astrologer. Krafft was a Swiss astrologer who became friendly with many officials in the Nazi party. He wrote to Dr. Heinrich Fesel on November 2, 1939 with a prediction. Fesel was in charge of the Reichssicherheitshauptamt, a department that investigated enemies of the Third Reich including communists, freemasons, Jews, and astrologers. Krafft told Fesel that there would be an attempt on Hitler’s life. Fesel ignored the letter, but on November 8th, a bomb exploded in a Munich beer hall. Hitler was unharmed, but Fesel contacted Hess, who had Krafft arrested. He was found innocent of any crime, but once he was released, Dr. Josef Goebbels, leader of the Reich Propaganda ministry, contacted him. Goebbels had recently become interested in Nostradamus and wanted Krafft to decipher the quatrains to have a pro-German outlook. There were thousands of pamphlets distributed with Krafft’s interpretation of the quatrains, assuring Germans of a victory.

However, Krafft too was arrested after Hess’ flight and he spent a year in prison. He wrote to a German official with a prediction that British bombs would destroy the Propaganda ministry in Berlin. When the ministry was destroyed, the official passed the letter on to the Gestapo, who decided to send Krafft to the Buchenwald concentration camp. Krafft, already in bad health, contracted typhus and died in 1945 on his way to the camp.

Wulff made it though the war and in 1968 published Zodiac and Swastika: Astrologer to Himmler’s Court. It will probably never be known the full affect astrology had on Hitler’s Germany or the decisions of Nazi leaders such as Hess and Himmler.

Vedic Medical Astrology

Medical Astrology is that branch of Astrology dealing with Health. The 12 Signs of the Zodiac are linked to the Twelve Limbs of the body. The Ascendant rules the Head and the 12th House, the Feet. The Law of Correspondences of Classical Philosophy has another term " The Doctrine of Signatures". This doctrine states that objects - animate and inanimate - are governed by planets and Classical Astrology has taken this concept beyond " The Law of Cause and Effect " and has defined it as Archetypal or Psychological.

Reflections of the intrinsic qualities of the planets can be seen in people, plants, animals & minerals. All that we see, touch, consume & harvest has a correspondence. By knowing our own planetary signature, we can consume those materials which correspond to our planetary signature and thus a healthy balance can be maintained. ( In my horoscope, Jupiter is posited in Cancer and hence powerful in positional as well as directional strength. If I am afflicted by any sort of disease, the escape route is the Jupiterian Way - viz consuming more vegetables and fruits, as he rules fruits and vegetables. If I do that, I will be implementing what the Great Seers said long ago " Naturopathic food is medicine and medicine is food " )!

Since the Zodiacal Signs represent the Five Elements ( Ether , Fire, Air, Earth & Water ), the ancient astrological savants assigned everything in the Universe to a planetary ruler, and considered all as the manifestation of the Elemental Five and their respective qualities - hot and dry, cold and dry, hot and humid , cold and humid. Jupiter rules "Kapha" and the Sun "Pitta' ( the three humors of Ayurveda ). These elements were understood in a physical & metaphysical sense, as per the principle " As Above, So Below ". Many body constitutions are defined in Ayurveda. The Phlegmatic ( predominance of Kapha), the Bilious ( preponderance of Pitta ) & the Windy ( predominance of Vata ). There are 4 types of Body Constitution in Western Holistic Medicine - Sanguine, Phlegmatic, Choleric and Melancholic.

Ayurvedic Therapy

The Seven Planets correspond to the Three humours ( Doshas ) in Ayurveda. In the Ayurvedic Model, the Seven Revolving Heavens are classified thus ( Vatam Pittayutha Karothi Dinakrith)

Jupiter Kapha
Sun Pitta
Moon Vata & Kapha
Mars Pitta
Mercury Pitta, Vata & Kapha
Venus Vata & Kapha
Saturn Vata

The seven planets correspond to the Seven Gross Tissue- elements ( dhatus) thus

Jupiter Fat
Saturn Veins
Mars Bone Marrow
Sun Bones
Moon Blood
Mercury Skin
Venus Seminal Energy

By analysing the horoscope, the astrologer can discern the badly placed planet and the corresponding Dhatu which has caused the problem and can prescribe Ayurvedic remedial measures ( " Dushthithasyadi Dhatustho Rogeenam Roga Eeryatham " ) Medical Astrology's perspective about the 12 Houses of the Zodiac

House Organ
Ist House Head
2nd House Face
Third House Throat
Fourth House Heart
Fifth House Place beneath the heart
Sixth House Stomach
Seventh House Generative Organ
Eighth House Upper Thigh
Ninth House Thigh
Tenth House Knee
Eleventh House Calf
Twelfth House Feet

If the 6 H is afflicted, there can be digestive tract disorders. Natural malefics in the 6 H may create hyperacidity and gas trouble. Affliction either to the 7th house means disorders of the digestive tract, hyperacidity and gas trouble ( Papa Saptamagah Tadodara Ruja ). The same holds good for the 6 H ( Papa Shashtagatha Tadodararuja ). If the 6 H or the 7 H is afflicted, one should be very careful about the body's acidity level. The body's PH value should be kept at 7. Anything less than 7 is dangerous. The 80% alkaline nature of the body should be kept up & acidity should not be above 20%. The best foods to be taken are Vedic Foods, which are low acidity, low cholesterol diet.The Acidity- Alkalinity ratio should be kept at 80% -20%. That ratio can be maintained if you consume 100 grams fruits and 300 grams vegetables daily and avoid non-natural food. Natural foods are alkaline and non-veg basically acidic. From experience, it can be discerned that not only malefic planets bring in problems from enemies, but also problems to the stomach ( Pape Shashtopagathe Vrina Bhayaschora Satru Peeda Cha ).
If the 12 H is afflicted by malefic planets, there can be affliction to the feet. We have seen many a patient suffering from 12 H affliction and which manifests as problems on the feet.

Similarly, 4 H affliction means trouble to the Heart. I knew one patient with heart problem who had the North Node in the Fourth. He had a heart surgery. The North Node in the Heart region in the horoscope had effectuated this problem.

There are some astrologers who take this from the Horoscope of the Cosmic Man, that is from His Ascendant Aries. This method also yields results but from our experience, we follow the dictum of Natal Astrology that it is the Ascendant of the native which is the head and the Descendant the stomach region. I know many an astrologer who follow this from Aries Asc & if a malefic is posited in Virgo, in the 6 H of the Kalapurusha ( Cosmic Man ), he predicts stomach problems for the native. ( Kalanarasya Avayavath Purushanam Kalpayeth ). Or if a malefic is posited in Taurus, he predicts wounds on the face for the native.

Affliction to any house indicates affliction to the corresponding part of the body. North Node - or any other malefic - in the Sixth is indicative of stomach trouble & ulceration. Fourth house affliction means that the heart is afflicted and first house affliction means that the head is afflicted. ( Pape Lagnagathe Parajaya Bhaya Siroruja )

The planets correspond to the different systems of Man thus

Sun The Bone System
Moon The Circulatory System
Mars The Muscular System
Mercury The Veins
Venus The Reproductive System
Jupiter The Digestive System
Saturn The Excretory System

From experience, Vedic Medical Astrology is found to be very accurate. In my father's horoscope, he had a specific yoga for Arthritis with Jupiter in Libra Asc and Saturn in Aries. My mother has Saturn in the 12 H; she has a problem in the leg. My co-brother has Mars in the 12 H; he is suffering from some nerve problem on the feet. I personally have the North Node in the 6 H and I have hyperacidity and gas trouble ( Papa Shashtagatha Tadodararuja ) !

Ayurvedic Gem Therapy

The following stones are prescribed in Ayurveda for specific disorders

Cancer Emerald
Allergy Hessonite
Skin Diseases Cat’s Eye, Lapis Lazuli
Insomnia Pearl
Paralysis Amethyst
Nervous Blue Sapphire
Rheumatism Blue Sapphire, Ruby
Arthritis Blue Sapphire
Impotence Topaz Coral
Diabetes White Coral, Diamond, Emerald, Topaz
Liver problems Coral
Jaundice Coral, Emerald, Topaz
Hyperacidity Hessonite
Gastric Ulcer Blue Sapphire
Flatulence Jade, Lapis Lazuli
Dyspepsia Jade
Dysentry Emerald
Colic Cat’s Eye
Cholera Cat’s Eye, Topaz
Abdominal Complaints Emerald
Heart Troubles Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Lapis Lazuli
Penumonia Diamond
Palpitation Topaz
Tuberculosis Blue Sapphire
Chest Pain Emerald, Ruby

Love is in the Stars - Relationship Astrology part 2 - The Sun and Moon

The Vedic Sciences, which include Yoga, Ayurveda and Astrology have long known the relationship to our inner and outer environments and the impact and interrelatedness of both. Central to this interrelatedness is our relationship with other people, and primarily our partner. Vedic Astrology has been helping couples relate in empowering ways for thousands of years. The archetypes of Male and female are shown in Astrology as the relationship between the Sun and the Moon.

Man and Woman – Sun and Moon

In Brihat Parashara Hora Sastra, the Sun and Moon are described. Masculine energy is related to the Sun. Feminine energy is related to the Moon

Description of Surya. (The Sun) Surya's eyes are honey-colored. He has a square body. He is of clean habits, bilious, intelligent and has limited hair (on his head).

Description of Chandra (The Moon) Chandra is windy and phlegmatic. She is learned and has a round body. She has auspicious looks and sweet speech, is fickle-minded and very lustful.

Attributes of the Sun and Moon (Man and Woman) are compared:

* Body: The man has a square body; the woman has a round body.
* Process: The man is filled with intelligence; the woman is filled with knowing.
* Looks: Sun, The man has honey colored eyes; the woman has auspicious looks.
* Constitution: The man is bilious (fiery); the woman is watery and windy.
* Psychology: The man is consistent; the woman is fickle minded

Let’s explore these characteristics:

The Moon is the most changeable of all the planets. It is the fastest moving; it is different everyday. The round body of the Moon shows the woman's changeability and creativity. She is susceptible to rolling here and there, depending on which way the wind is blowing or other environmental conditions. Yet this changeability also makes her creative and adaptable, which helps the man not stay so fixed so as to become rigid. His square body shows the consistency of his actions. A square is a structure of support upon which other objects can be placed. This allows for vertical growth.

The intelligence of the man is of the mind. The knowing of the woman is of the heart. Intelligence comes from a rational perspective then moves forward. Knowing comes from an emotional place and generally reflects backward. This is why women tend to rely on memories. Men tend to want to move forward, looking for solutions, which are of the future. Their needs to be balance and a sharing of both attributes, a thoughtful consideration of the past combined with an intelligence course of action for the future.

The woman's auspicious looks, attracts the man's honey colored eyes. Women want the man's attention and like attracting it. Men like to look at women. The woman's sweet speech and knowing attracts and supports the man's intelligence.

Man has a fiery constitution, which is related to competition, passion and digestion. The nature of fire is independent. It has the capacity to illuminate, purify and provide warmth. The nature of water is connective. It has capacity to sensitize, nourish and heal. Yet fire can also lead to anger and excessive desire. Water can also lead to excessive emotion, drowning in a flood of dependency.

She is fickle minded. The square body of the man reassures her. A square is solid and not so easily moved, thus when she is rolling around she would like to knock into a solid surface.

Relationship Astrology Attributes

These are essential truths, stripped of artifice and modern political correctness. Of course all people have both qualities of the Sun and Moon within them. But in relationships, the woman wants to surrender her Moon to the man's Sun and he wants to give his Sun to her Moon. She surrenders her heart to him and he surrenders his power to her - or NOT.

Each gender ultimately seeks to assimilate attributes of both male and female; but until our essential gender strength is validated in the partnership, we will not be able to relax and evolve toward our opposite. We all want to merge with that opposite energy, to assimilate the qualities inspired by our opposite and to inspire assimilation in them. We all want to be free and unburdened of the responsibilities of the limiting qualities of our gender, but this unburdening must come from a position of strength, not confusion.

Learning how to do this dance gracefully without the woman feeling abused and/or the man feeling powerless is the trick.

Sam Geppi (Sadasiva) is a certified Vedic astrologer and author of "The Ascendant". He offers a free email course "Stellar Relationships" - Horoscope Compatibility Astrology which elucidates Vedic relationship astrology.

Astrology: History and Beliefs

Some questions about life and death seem to have no answers. There is always a great amount of uncertainty associated with one's future; life is extremely unpredictable and so are we! What is the reason behind this uncertainty? Why is life so unpredictable? No one has ever been able to find answers to these questions. And perhaps for the very same reason, pseudosciences like astrology have come into existence. Yes, many prefer to describe astrology as a set of false beliefs. However, there are many others who do not agree with this perception. They believe in the impact that celestial bodies bear upon the life on Earth and I am one of them. Unknowingly, this mysterious science has drawn my interest towards its history and beliefs. This is an attempt to share my findings with you.

Astrology: History and Beliefs

The concept of astrology dates back to ancient times. Beliefs about astrology vary across different regions and cultures. In general, astrology can be classified into two broad categories, namely, natural and judicial. Natural astrology involves the charting of planetary positions, while judicial astrology is based on the study of the effects of celestial bodies on human life. On the basis of regions and cultures, astrology is categorized as Western, Indian and Chinese. Western astrology is said to have been practiced, for the first time, by the people of Babylonia, from where it spread to other countries. In the 4th century BC, it reached Greece and soon after, Rome. Between 7th and 13th century BC, the Arab population began to believe in astrology. Within the next few centuries, the Mayans, the Aztecs and other cultures and civilizations also developed new forms of astrology.

The Babylonians believed in the existence of five planets, each representing a God. Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Mercury and Mars were the five planets identified by the Babylonians. They thought that the movements of the sun, moon and other planets were associated with the activities of God. They believed in being able to predict the activities of these Gods, in order to predict the events on Earth. The Babylonian priests predicted the events in human life, based on their interpretations of the heavenly activities.

Chinese astrology is based on astronomy and closely related to Chinese philosophy. The Chinese also believe in the existence of five major planets, each bearing a distinct symbolism. Venus stands for the metal element and is associated with the white tiger. Mercury represents the water element and is symbolic of the black tortoise. Mars, representing the fire element, is associated with the Vermilion bird. Saturn represents the Earth element and is linked to the Yellow Dragon, while Jupiter represents the wood element and is associated with the Azure dragon. The Chinese zodiac forms an important constituent of Chinese astrology.

After the occupation of Egypt by Alexander the Great, horoscopic astrology was introduced to the world. Horoscopic astrology is a form that is based on the concept of a horoscope. Horoscope is a birth chart of an individual, plotted on the basis of the positions of planets and stars at the time of his/her birth. The introduction of horoscopes was a major breakthrough in the field of astrology. The methodology of tracing horoscopes has undergone very little change, which signifies the degree of perfection the astrologers of ancient times had achieved.

As astrology is closely related to astronomy, significant achievements in the field of astronomy are worth a mention. The Arabs have made a notable contribution to the world's knowledge about astrology. They are credited with the discovery of many stars. Also, Arabs were the first to bring out the ideas of favorable and unfavorable astrological predications.

The difference between astrology and astronomy was first brought out by Abu Rayhan al-Biruni, a Persian Muslim astronomer. Arguments over whether astrology had a scientific base, led the Muslims to disbelieve in astrology. There were also other religious reasons for which the Muslims refused the existence of astrology as a science.

The Hindu astrology dates back to the Mauryan period. It is known as Jyotisa and is divided into 3 branches, namely Siddhanta, Hora and Samhita. The traditional Indian astronomy is referred to as Siddhanta, while Hora is predictive astrology, which is based on the analysis of natal horoscopes. The predictions of important events such as the occurrence of natural calamities or events in fields of the nation's finance and politics, are classified under Samhita.

Since historical times, there have been people who have not only claimed to predict future with accuracy, but have also proved their expertise. There have been accounts of astrologers forecasting the future of the world; of mankind, basing their predictions on both scientific and non-scientific evidences. Narratives of fortune-tellers and astrologers, are a part of many folklores. Perhaps there is no written evidence about their authenticity, but there is also no concrete proof that can deny it.

The basic idea behind the faiths and beliefs in astrology is that rays from planets and other celestial bodies affect life on Earth. While some disagree with this proposition, there are others who believe in it. They argue saying, "If the forces of gravity have a direct effect on Earth, why shouldn't other planetary forces influence the earthlings?" Do you dare to disagree?

Astrology in America and the World

The main forms of astrology which are predominantly in current practice are Indian astrology, Western astrology, and Chinese astrology. In the United States, Western astrology is the most popular. The most well-known aspect of Western astrology is the zodiac sign; based on the belt of constellations, each of which was interpreted as resembling various figures, the zodiac signs (or, also referred to as the astrological signs) are called Aries (the ram), Taurus (the bull), Gemini (the twins), Cancer (the crab), Leo (the lion), Virgo (the virgin), Libra (the scales), Scorpio (the scorpion), Sagittarius (the archer), Capricorn (the goat), Aquarius (the water-bearer), Pisces (the fishes).

Horoscopes, which are the most basic interpretations, are based on which sign was in effect when a person was born; and whether a person was born on the "cusp," which means the very beginning or very end of the particular sign. In addition to utilizing a sign to determine life events and predict one's future, a sign is also thought to be relevant to learning about specific characteristics of one's personality and even predisposition toward various potential health conditions, as one's sign is believed to govern certain parts of one's body. Odd as it may sound, many who have carefully studied this type of information have found it to be quite accurate. For example, while every Virgo is not "practical," "fastidious," and "strong-minded," this trait is indeed a common factor amongst many who were born under this sign; and while all who were born under the sign of Virgo do not develop stomach, intestinal, or reproductive difficulties, many Virgos are indeed more prone to these problems than other people.

Another form of astrology is Indian astrology, which is also called Jyotisa, or Vedic astrology. Its foundation is the belief of connection between the microcosm and the macrocosm the smaller parts and the universal. Although interest in Vedic astrology is widespread, as it is currently practiced in India it is a significant part of their culture, as people rely on it for all of the important decisions in their lives, from business to marriage.

During the last few decades, Indian astrology has become internationally popular, but it has been a part of India's culture for centuries. Vedic astrology is said to have first been revealed more than 7000 years ago. Thus, what is said to have originated with the Brahma has spread in popularity to such places as Arizona, which is the home of the American College of Vedic Astrology, currently offering online courses for those interested in learning how to become certified astrologers. Most astrologers offering Vedic astrology readings, however, are located in India.

Chinese astrology is based on the calendar cycle, rather than on constellations. In this form of astrology, the zodiac signs are named after animals the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Going by the Chinese calendar, each of these animals are assigned to the lunar months. The animals are also assigned to the time of day during which the individual person was born.

In addition to the animals, there are five elements wood, fire, earth, metal, water which are believed to modify the characteristics of the animals signs. One of the main purposes and functions is to achieve balance, and to affect whatever changes are necessary in order to achieve that balance. Chinese astrology, also, has begun to attain widespread popularity in America.