Astronomy Relevant to Astrology: Indian Astrology Lessons

Publisher Marketing: ZODIAC "It is a broad band or belt in the heavens extending 9 degrees on either side of the ecliptic, and known to the Hindus as Bhachakra or the Circle of Light. It is a circle and as such it knows no beginning or end. In order to measure the distance, an arbitrary point is established, which is called the first point of Aries. The zodiac revolves once in a day on its axis, from east to west." --Dr. B. V. Raman, A Manual of Hindu Astrology So the Zodiac is an imaginary road in the sky, stretching about 8o north and 9o south of the apparent path of the Sun in the sky, within which the planets move around the Earth, once in a day, from east to west. The zodiac is divided into twelve equal parts called Signs ( Rasis ) (30o x 12 = 360o.). These twelve divisions are called Aries (Mesha), Taurus (Vrisha) etc. Signs of the Zodiac 1. 0o - 30o Aries Mesha Medam 2. 30 - 60 Taurus Vrishabha Edavam 3. 60 - 90 Gemini Mithuna Mithunam 4. 90 - 120 Cancer Kataka Karkatakam 5. 120 - 150 Leo Simha Chingam 6 150 - 180 Virgo Kanya Kanni 7. 180 - 210 Libra Thula Thulam 8. 210 - 240 Scorpio Vrischika Vrischikam 9. 240- 270 Sagittarius Dhanus Dhanu 10. 270 - 300 Capricorn Makara Makaram 11. 300 - 330 Aquarius Kumbha Kumbham 12. 330 - 360 Pisces Meena Meenam There are two zodiacs: one moving (Tropical) and the other fixed (Sidereal). . In the case of the Tropical Zodiac, each of these signs formerly occupied the similarly named constellations (groups of stars), but now, by precession of the equinoxes, they coincide with the constellations that bears the names of the preceding signs, that is, the constellation Pisces is now in Aries Sign. The zodiac ( rasi chakra ) which reckons the Aries 0o (imaginary starting point of the zodiac) from the equinoctial point and which has precession, is the 'movable', 'tropical' or 'sayana' zodiac. Modern astronomy follows this zodiac. But the zodiac considered in India for astrological purposes is a fixed one. In this case, the first point or 0o is based on a fixed star. In the Chitra paksha ayanamsa, it is a point between Revati and Aswini nakshatras, ie., 180o from Chitra nakshatra. So the zodiac considered in India for astological purposes is 'fixed', 'sidereal' or 'nirayana'. This book contains: 1) Introduction (General information about Indian astrology). 2) Astronomy relevant to Astrology 3) Mathematical Astrology 4) Predictive Astrology, prepared with reference to the original classical texts, Brihat Jataka, Phaladeepika and Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra. Contributor Bio:  Parameswaran, Mullappilly Not known