"The sages saw a relationship between the position and movements of the planets and the destiny of man, the sorrow and happiness experienced by him. There is a branch of astrology called 'hora-skandha'. If we know the planetary position at the time of commencing a job or enterprise, with its help, we should be able to find out how it would take shape, how we would fare in it. If our horoscope is cast on the basis of the configuration of the planets at the time of our birth, our fortunes over the entire period of our life can be predicted."

"Different reasons are given for the ups and downs in a man's life, for his joys and sorrows. It is similar to finding out the different causes of the ailment he suffers from. [The physicians, mantravadins, pandits, and psychologists will give different reasons.] ... All these different causes may be valid. All of them go to create an experience. ... Many outward signs manifest themselves as the fruits of our past karma. They are all related to one another. The course of planets governing our life is in accordance with our karma. We come to know the consequences of our actions in previous births in various ways. Astrological calculations help us to find out such consequences as indicated by the heavenly bodies."

Terms used in Indian Astrology

Indian Astrology uses the Sidereal system or fixed zodiac while Western astrology uses the Tropical system or moving zodiac. The difference between both zodiac (Ayanamsa) is now roughly 23 degrees which is almost a whole sign. For example, if the western zodiacal Sun sign is Taurus, it is most likely that the Indian astrological signl be an Aries, a sign one step back.  Western astrology deals with one's psychological patterns and personality while Indian astrology deals with practical matters and one's karmic patterns.

Gochara: Planetary transits over natal chart.
Karma: Destiny as determined by one's actions.
Janma: Current life in the reincarnation theory.
Atma Bhala: Strength of soul.
Lagna Lord: The planet governing the ascendant.

Natal Chart: Chart indicating position of planets and ascendant at the time of birth; also called horoscope, in astrology, a chart of the heavens, showing the relative positions of the Sun, the Moon, the planets, and the ascendant and midheaven signs of the zodiac at a specific moment in time. A horoscope is used to provide information about the present and to predict events to come. An individual horoscope usually plots the moment of birth and is used by astrologers to analyze character, as well as--in conjunction with other astrological data--to predict the future. This is in accordance with the belief that each celestial body has its own mythological character, modified according to its geometric relationship with the other celestial bodies at a given moment. Everything in the universe being interrelated, these bodies exert an influence, particularly on the newborn. In casting a horoscope, the heavens are commonly represented by a circle divided into 12 intersections, called houses. Each of these houses is assigned several departments of human life, such as wealth or marriage. The planet that falls within a particular house is said to influence matters pertaining to that house.

Rahu and Ketu are the ascending and descending nodes of the moon.

Sample horoscope

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