Man has been looking at the heavens with wonder and awe. Our ancient sages in their wisdom, ascribed certain functions and virtues to the planets. They believed that “the star above us governs our condition,” and obviously gave us the science of Astrology.
ZODIAC & SOLAR SYSTEM
Hindu Astrology is sidereal. Zodiac is a diagram used by astrologers to represent the circular movement of the planets & stars and their positions in space at particular times. It is the belt of the heavens limited by lines about 80from the ecliptic on each side, including all apparent positions of the Sun, Moon and planets as known to the ancient. It is divided into twelve equal sections or signs (e.g., Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius & Pisces). Zodiac is used by astrologers to calculate the influence of the planets on people’s lives.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE RAAASHIS OF THE ZODIAC AND THEIR NAMES
The ancient Hindus and Egyptians divided the year into spring, summer, autumn and winter and assigned to each season three constellations through which the sun passed. They gave amusing but apt names to the various signs of the Zodiac.
| RAASHI | NAME | DATE ON WHICH SUN ENTERS THE CONSTELLATION | REASON FOR ASSIGNING THE NAME |
| AriesTaurus
Gemini
Cancer |
RamBull
Twins
Crab
|
March 21-April 20April 21-May 20
May 22-June 21
June 22-July 22 |
At this time the sheep produce their youngAgriculture depended on the bull as it tilled the land.Domestic goats usually produce two young ones during this month.
Sun turns back towards equator i.e., the crab crawls backwards. |
| LeoVirgo
Libra
Scorpio
Sagittarius Capricorn
Aquarius
Pisces |
LionVirgin
Scales
Scorpion
Archer Crocodile Or goat Water Carries Fish |
July 23-august 23Aug 24-sept 23
Sept 24-oct 23
Oct 24-Nov 22
Nov 23-Dec 22 Dec 23-Jan 20
Jan 21-Feb 19
Feb 20-March 20 |
Sun is at its zenith and powerful like a lion.In the harvest season girl gleans the ears of corn.
Day and night of equal strength i.e., like the two scales having equal weight.
It is the hunting time. Sun retreats and gives rise to diseases; hence poisonous. Rainy season; hence pitcher full of water Time for fishing as the fish enjoy gliding downwards. |
HINDI EQUIVALENTS OF PLANETS
| ENGLISH NAME OF PLANETS | EQUIVALENT IN HINDI | EQUIVALENTIN URDU | COLOUR |
| JUPITERSUNMOONVENUS
MARS(BENEFICIAL) MARS(MALEFIC) MERCURY SATURN RAHU(NODE) DRAGON’S HEAD KETU(NODE) DRAGON’S TAIL |
GURU, BRIHSPATIRAVICHANDERSHUKRA,BHRIGU
MANGAL,BHAUN MANGAL,BHAUN BUDH SHANI RAHU
KETU |
MUSHTRISHAMSHQAMERZOHRA
MARIAKH MARIAKH ATTAROO ZUHAL RAAS
ZUNAB |
YELLOWCOPPER REDWHITE(MILK)WHITE(CURD)
RED BLOOD RED BLOOD GREEN BLACK BLUE
BLACK & WHITE |
HINDI EQUIVALENTS OF Rashis
Hindi Equivalent of Rashis
Heavenly sphere being of 3600, each of the above signs (Raashis) covers 300 of the Zodiac, e.g., Aries (first 300), Taurus (300-600), Gemini (600-900), Caner (900-1200) – so on and so forth.
In some of the ancient texts the author has done away with the Raashis (signs) Nakshatra (Asterisms) etc. and the Houses are the most important. It may however, be noted that Planets are exalted or debilitating according to their signs and placement in the houses. This is based on my personal experience and research.
Raashis (Signs) are equally important and their significance cannot be under-esti-mated. Exaltation & debilitation of a planet depends entirely upon its sign e.g., Jupiter in the 4th house is exalted provided it is in Cancer sign or its own Rashi or in a friend’s Rashi. If it is in Capricorn (10th sign) or in enemy’s Rashi, even in the 4th house it is debilitating. Similarly Saturn is in the 7th house is exalted or benefic only if it is in its own sign or in friend’s Rashi, but if it is in Aries or in enemy’s Rashi, it is debilitating and malefic. Sign means the foundation of the house and the planet indicates the house built on it, e.g., Saturn is the Lord of Aquarius (11th sign), but Jupiter is the Lord of 11th house. It means that the foundation of the house is controlled by Saturn & Jupiter is the tenant dwelling in that house.
EXAMPLE: According to Astrology the following horoscope has been prepared:
horoscopechartexample1
We have changed the above horoscope as under, taking the Ascendant or lagana as the first house:
horoscopechartexample2
For general predictions see 2,3,7,9 &11th houses, but Raashi results should also be taken into account, while making predictions. Similarly, annual predictions should be made according to the Annual Charts.