The origins of astrology arose in ancient times, when people first began to think about the structure of the universe. It was then that the assumption arose that the whole life of a person is closely connected with the cosmic processes that accompanied the moment of his birth. So there was a horoscope and its various options. Some of them, such as the zodiac circle and the eastern calendar, are popular to this day.
What is a horoscope
You can answer the question "what is a horoscope" using different concepts. For example, it is often defined as the totality of the relative positions of celestial bodies in a certain period. In antiquity, this concept was designated the so-called. "Ascendant", or the ruling planet at the time of the birth of man. And at present, the description of the horoscope is usually implied - zodiac signs or specific forecasts.
The term itself is of Greek origin and translates as "observing time." The first evidence of making predictions dates back to the 5th century BC. e. It is believed that the beginning of horoscopic astrology was laid in Mesopotamia, and it was further developed in Egypt, Greece and Byzantium.
The most famous version today appeared at the beginning of the XX century. It was then that a famous British astrologer named Alan Leo created an accelerated method of description based on the cyclical movement of the Sun, which each year passes through the same constellations every year. Since that time, the zodiac sign of a person is determined mainly through the position of the star at the time of his birth.
How to make a horoscope
All schemes, whether it is a weekly horoscope or a natal chart, are compiled according to a certain methodology, based on geometric constructions and mathematical calculations. For a specific point in time (it can be any date), the astrologer calculates the position of celestial bodies, he also uses the geographical coordinates of the event.
To understand what a horoscope is, you need to imagine the ecliptic - a circle on which the projection of the planets is applied. It is divided into 12 sectors, each of which is assigned a specific symbol. An analysis of the position of the celestial ones shows that each of them falls into one of the segments of the ecliptic, i.e., into a particular zodiac sign. The set of data on the coordinates of the stars and planets forms a cosmogram of the horoscope.
The basis of the astrological description is the interpretation of the scheme obtained in the symbolic image of the firmament. As a rule, the process of its construction takes a rather long time and requires thorough training of a specialist in horoscopes.
Natal chart
The fact that the decisive role in the fate of man is played not only by the position of the Sun, but also of all the planets of the system, is best demonstrated by the natal chart. It is a kind of personal horoscope related to the moment of birth. When compiling it, not only the date is taken into account, but also the geographical coordinates and the most accurate time of day. It is believed that even because of the difference in several minutes, people born on the same day can have completely different traits of character and fate.
Professional astrologers are able not only to correctly draw the layout of the planets, but also to subject the received information to "decryption", resulting in a complete and detailed description. This is what allows us to understand what a horoscope is in its present meaning. The natal chart helps to reveal the character of a person, his inclinations, “weaknesses” and to predict important life circumstances and turning points in fate.
Other types of horoscope
In a similar way, a local horoscope is calculated. However, it no longer refers to the date of birth, but to the coordinates of the person’s actual location. It makes sense to draw up a local map, for example, when changing your place of residence, in order to assess the possible consequences of this decision. There are other versions of the horoscope:
- horary - used to get an answer to a question;
- mundane - refers to historical events, the fate of entire states and future large-scale events;
- thematic (one of its most popular varieties is the marriage horoscope) - allows you to calculate the possible success or failure in a particular area;
- karmic - aimed at revealing the circumstances of past lives;
- compatibility horoscope - calculated on the basis of two natal charts and characterizes the essence of the relationship;
- by year of birth (one of the versions is the eastern calendar).
Zodiac circle
The most popular kind of horoscope is the so-called. "Zodiac circle." Each of its 12 sectors corresponds to a certain symbol, which is under the auspices of one of 10 celestial bodies. The zodiac circle allows you to determine the sign of a person by the constellation through which the sun passed on his birthday.
An early version of the system was invented around the 7th century BC. e. For the designation of 12 signs, the symbols of the constellations through which the Sun passes during the calendar year were taken. Half of them depict animals, the other part are characters of ancient Greek myths (according to one version, all the names arose on the basis of legends about the deeds of Hercules). The astrological cycle begins with the constellation Aries, and ends with Pisces.
It is noteworthy that once in the zodiac circle another, 13th sign was isolated. He is known as Ophiuchus and, according to the calendar, his period - from October 30 to November 16 - is between the sectors of Scorpio and Sagittarius. At present, astrology does not include it in the circle due to the inconsistency of the modern arrangement of signs with the scheme that existed 2.5 thousand years ago.
Zodiac signs
The characteristics of each of the 12 zodiac representatives are greatly influenced by several factors. In particular, this is the ruling element and its degree of severity. In addition, it is believed that people born "on the border" of the zodiacal periods will also have the features of a neighboring constellation. At the same time, representatives of the “middle” are carriers of the clearly expressed qualities of their sign.
Representatives of the zodiac circle can be divided into groups according to several criteria. So, in astrology, each of them can be attributed to “dominant” or “subordinates”, “masculine” or “feminine”, “northern” or “southern”, etc.
Each of the 12 "solar" signs is also under the auspices of one of the 4 natural elements. These allows you to divide them into special groups - trigons. Fire is represented by Aries, Leo and Sagittarius, Earth - Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. Under the influence of Air are Gemini, Libra and Volodya, and the trigon of Water symbolize Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.
Elements
The natural element determines mainly the personal characteristics of its “wards”. The “fiery” signs of the horoscope are distinguished by a strong-willed character and leadership qualities. Representatives of the elements Air are outgoing and have a developed imagination. “Earthly” signs are endowed with a calm temperament and a tendency to rational thinking. People born under the influence of Water are emotional and have developed intuition.
It is also believed that the "fiery" and "airy" signs are predominantly extraverts. As for Water and Earth, they basically correspond to introversion.
The first constellations of the zodiac circle possess the most striking features of the ruling elements. This applies to Aries, Taurus, Gemini and Cancer. At the same time, in Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces, the features of their patronizing natural forces are manifested with the least force. As for the "average" signs of the zodiac circle (Leo, Virgo, Libra and Scorpio), they have moderately expressed characteristics of their element.
Compatibility horoscope
Clients of professional astrologers most often request not only a natal chart, but also a relationship forecast. The compatibility horoscope is very popular and is calculated by comparing individual characteristics obtained by date of birth. After a series of calculations, the astrologer can give a detailed picture of the relationship: the similarity of two people, the nature of their interaction and further prospects.
A similar forecast can be made not only for a romantic union, but also for colleagues and friends. It is important to understand that even a not very favorable compatibility horoscope does not sign a “sentence” for a relationship. Rather, it helps to predict and warn their weaknesses in advance.
Today, the horoscope of compatibility on the signs of the zodiac is widely known. It is based mainly on the nature of the interaction of different elements. Of course, such a forecast is somewhat useful. But to get a much more accurate and detailed picture of the relationship, the conclusion about the compatibility of two people should be done on the basis of their natal charts.
Astrological predictions for every day
The horoscope for today or any other specific day may contain the advice of astrologers drawn up for each sign. A similar forecast is based on the diurnal lunar phases and the position of the planets in relation to a particular zodiac sector. In it you can get information about the success of a particular undertaking, possible dangers and the general emotional and even physical condition on a particular day.
The horoscope for tomorrow can often be heard in radio programs and found on the Internet. For many people, the idea of astrology is formed precisely on the basis of these "express tips", to which they are very skeptical. Meanwhile, when planning especially significant events, a horoscope for one day can really be very useful. Especially if it is compiled in detail, taking into account not only the zodiac sign, but also the natal chart of a person and the exact coordinates of the upcoming event.
Eastern (Chinese) calendar
The Chinese horoscope by year of birth has a very ancient history, much longer than the zodiac circle. It was compiled about 4.5 thousand years ago during the reign of the legendary Juan di. The eastern horoscope over the years is based on astronomical observations of the movement of the Sun, Earth, Moon and two planets: Jupiter and Saturn.
With the emergence of the Chinese version, several legends are associated. She tells of them that once the Buddha called all the animals to celebrate the New Year. He promised everyone who came to present as a gift a whole year of rule. However, only 12 animals responded to the invitation, which then became symbols of the Chinese horoscope, moreover, in the order in which, according to legend, they appeared for the holiday. Thus, the Rat opens the cycle, and the Pig completes.
According to the calendar, each sign can "rule" under the auspices of the energy "yin" or "yang" and a certain natural element: wood, fire, water, metal or earth. 5 primary elements, multiplied by 12 animals, give a total of 60 years of the eastern cycle.
Oriental calendar signs
By analogy with the zodiac system, the Chinese horoscope over the years serves to characterize the personal qualities of a person. The animal symbol of the year is able to endow with its own special features, among which there are both positive and negative. All signs are divided into 4 groups: competitors, intellectuals, independents and diplomats, which determines their most striking qualities.
Of great importance is the patron element, which gives a person a special shade. Representatives of the same sign, born under different elements, will have rather dissimilar characters. It is noteworthy that for the eastern calendar there is also a version of the compatibility table containing pairs of “allies” and “antagonists”.
In addition, the Chinese horoscope allows you to get a characterization of a person based on the time of day of his birth. Every 2 out of 24 hours corresponds to one of the signs, and this cycle begins traditionally - with the Rat. All animals have the most suitable birth hours. For example, the same Rat, which was born at night, has more determination and dexterity than the “daytime” representative of this sign.
There is another very interesting variation of the eastern calendar - age. This horoscope over the years begins with the Rooster, and the last, twelfth period of a person’s life, which means the transition to death, passes under the sign of the Tiger.
Other prediction systems
The traditions of different cultures have had a significant impact on what kinds of horoscopes are. Almost every ancient civilization had its own way of predicting fate at the time of birth. Some of them have survived to our time and are known as horoscopes, although such a designation is not entirely correct. These include, for example, the calendar of the Druids, as well as numerological, Zoroastrian, Tibetan and a number of other systems.
An individually compiled horoscope is something like a “fate card”. He can provide a large amount of valuable information about a person. To get the most detailed picture, you need to rely only on professionally interpreted maps of the location of the planets.
As for the popular descriptions of the zodiac signs and daily predictions, they mainly contain too generalized information and cannot claim to be highly reliable. You can get a complete idea of what a horoscope is and how much it corresponds to the real state of things, only with the help of an experienced specialist.