| • | Vedic Astrology Vedic astrology also popularly known as Hindu astrology or Indian astrology derives its base from the ancient Vedas which form an integral part of the Hindu sacred texts. Locally referred to as jyotisha, it is used more as a guiding factor than as a predictive factor. People generally take the help of their horoscope to enable them to take major decisions in life such as opening a new business or getting married. They also use it to understand why some events take place in life and how to reduce the negative impact by performing various rituals and prayers. Vedic astrology dates back to 3000 BC. There are many treatises in Sanskrit which deal with the intricacies of Vedic astrology including the mathematical calculations to predict the planetary position on the birth charts. Vedic astrology consists of the following main branches. |
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| • | Astronomy or Ganita : This branch is based on stellar observations or observation of the sky. It also involves a lot of mathematical calculations. |
| • | Astrology or Hora : This branch studies the movement of planets and stars as this is believed to have a profound impact on the life of an individual. Astrology is further divided into three sub sections which are Jataka or interpretation of the birth chart, Prasna or questions and muhurta which specifies an auspicious time to perform a certain deed. |
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Vedic astrology involves the comprehensive study of the position of the planets and the movement of the same which will affect the person’s life in aspects such as education, work, health, marriage and family life.
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| • | Western Astrology : This is another tradition of astrology. Here the fortune teller makes the predictions based on the horoscope only. The twelve sun signs form the basics of this form of astrology. The twelve signs of the zodiac along with the ruling planets and their characteristic traits are observed as follows. |
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| 1. | Aries The first sign of the zodiac. Symbolised by the ram and ruled by the planet mars. Fortune tellers are always of the opinion that people who come under this sign of zodiac are confident, intelligent, ambitious, individualistic, assertive, passionate, freedom loving, pioneering, active, straightforward and powerful. Negative traits include arrogance, extreme, headstrong, and violent. The ruling planet mars depicts action, passion and drive. Mars is also known to traditionally rule the zodiac sign of Scorpio. |
| 2. | Taurus : The second sign of the zodiac symbolised by the Bull and ruled by the planet Venus. Individuals falling under this sign are often practical, devoted, sensual, affectionate, thorough, patient, sometimes to the extent of being slow, cautious, artistic, strong, musical and kind. Negative traits are possessiveness, slow, indulgent and acquisitive. Their ruling planet Venus symbolises romance, craving for harmony and a good social life. |
| 3. | Gemini : The twins symbolise this zodiac sign and ruled by the planet mercury. People who come under the symbol of Gemini are usually very friendly, talkative, enterprising, lively, curious, multitasking and sociable. They tend to get in and out of relationships and can be inconstant at times. Other negative traits include restlessness and a superficial nature. Fortune tellers often predict that these individuals have a dual nature and use this to their advantage. |
| 4. | Cancer : symbolised by the crab and ruled by the moon. Individuals belonging to this sign are moody, protective, family oriented, protective, emotional, helpful and nurturing. Moon in the zodiac make them crave for emotional security and harmony. |
| 5. | Leo : Symbolised by the lion and ruled by the sun, pride, leadership qualities, achievements, creativity, passion, bright, sunny, powerful, and kingly and nobility are some of the positive traits. On the flip side, any fortune teller will tell you that sometimes individuals can be extremely egoistic, snobbish, arrogant, bossy and be overly dramatic. |
| 6. | Virgo : Symbolised by the Virgin and ruled by the planet mercury, Virgos are analytical, mentally active, very helpful and flexible. Fortune tellers will appreciate the fact that they are blessed with a lot of common sense and are extremely modest. On the flip side, they can be over critical, pedantic and fastidious. |
| 7. | Libra : Represented by the scales and ruled by the planet Venus, Librans are very diplomatic, fair, urbane and methodical. They are charming, graceful, refined and are romantic. Negative traits include indecisiveness and laziness. |
| 8. | Scorpio : Symbolised by the scorpion and ruled by the planet Pluto, Scorpios are quiet, powerful, secretive, magnetic, hypnotic and intense. They are passionate with a strong sexual drive. Looking the negative traits, these individuals can be cunning, possessive, cruel, controlling and aggressive. |
| 9. | Sagittarius : Represented by the symbol of the archer and ruled by Jupiter, these individuals crave for freedom, are fun loving, expansive, creative, optimistic, philosophical, extrovert and intelligent. Negative traits include being tactless and careless and this makes them irresponsible. |
| 10. | Capricorn : Ruled by the planet Saturn and symbolised by the goat, fortune tellers will always mention that the characteristic traits of these individuals are being practical, cautious, ambitious, prudent, competitive and authoritative. They can also be rigid, pessimistic and cunning. |
| 11. | Aquarius : Aquarius is represented by the symbol of water carrier and ruled by the planet Uranus. People falling under this sign of the zodiac are social, detached, and humanitarian, often believe in a cause and are friendly. Some can also be elitist, eccentric and aloof. |
| 12. | Pisces : The last sign of the zodiac is represented by the fish and the ruling planet is Neptune. Their characteristic traits make fortune tellers to brand them as sensitive individuals. They are creative, mystic, self sacrificing, compassionate, undiscriminating and imaginative. Negative traits include laziness and an escapist attitude. |
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| • | Chinese Astrology : The Chinese astrology uses the animals such as rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, snake, dragon, horse, sheep, monkey rooster, dog and the pig to help fortune tellers determine the qualities of the individual. Depending on which year and month, the individual is born, he is assigned the animal and this would reveal his personality traits. The symbols associated with the Chinese astrology have a story behind them. Some of the common traits observed among people falling under certain symbols are outlined below. |
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| 1. | Rat : discipline, meticulousness, systematic, charming, charismatic, shrewdness, hardworking, eloquent, industrious and sociable. Can be manipulative, cruel, dictatorial, rigid, selfish, obstinate, critical, over-ambitious, ruthless, intolerant, scheming. Negative traits being, cruel, intolerant, scheming, cunning and overly critical. |
| 2. | Ox : Dependable, patient, methodical, calm, hardworking, conventional, modest, ambitious and steady. Stubborn, materialistic and cunning. |
| 3. | Tiger : Unpredicatble, powerful, demanding, rebellious, daring, impulsive, sincere and vigorous. Can be restless, selfish and obstinate too. |
| 4. | Rabbit : Gracious, kind, friendly, mild disposition, assured, compasionate, and flexible. They can also be moody and opportunistic. |
| 5. | Dragon : vigorous, magnanimous, self assured, eager, passionate and disciplined. Arrogance, tyrranical, egoistic and self centred. |
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These are some symbols which we have discussed. To know more about which sign your date of birth falls under, you can visit many sites offering such information on the internet. One point to be noted is that these traits are just suggestive and need not be necessarily present in a person. Zodiac signs of both Chinese and western astrology enables fortune tellers to give a basic outline of an individual’s personality.
Some of the other methods emplyed by fortune tellers to make the prediction are described below. These forms too are ancient, some have been found to be existing since age of the Egyptian civilisation. Let us take a look at these common methods.
This is similar to the Greek method of astrology. Fortune tellers use the four basic elements to interpret the birth chart. This form of interpretation is not that common among fortune tellers these days.