Astrology is one of the most ancient of Chinese philosophies. With a complex mix of calendar cycles and associations to animals, Chinese astrology is as mysterious as it is effective.Chinese astrology is widely believed to be the most evolved and accurate form of horoscope in existence. The art is deeply rooted in classical Chinese philosophy and uses many of the same concepts as Chinese medicine and religion. Whereas western astrology is based on the elliptical solar year and constellations.

Twelve zodiac animals, also known as terrestrial branches, represent the sixty-year cycle of Chinese years: dog, horse, pig, ox, rat, dragon, tiger, rabbit, snake, sheep, monkey, and rooster. Depending on day of the year and hour of birth, these signs are combined with one of the five elements, or phases, to determine what is favorable to an individual and effective in terms of his or her feng shui (life force). The five elements in Chinese philosophy are wood, fire, metal, water, and earth.

According to Chinese astrology, a person’s entire future can be determined through complex calculations derived from Chinese philosophy, the Chinese calendar, and their relations with the stars, planets, and other heavenly bodies. These calculations are known as the Purple Star system. Given the date and hour of birth, the positions of certain stars are recorded in each of the prescribed sectors of the Chinese astrological chart. The chart as a whole maps an individual’s journey through life.

Each sector, or zone, in the Chinese astrological chart represents a major aspect one’s life. The main structure zone predicts one’s physical appearance, natural talents and abilities, and overall success or failure. The stars’ positions in other sectors foretell relationships, wealth, property and assets, health, career, opportunities for travel, and level of happiness that are predestined at birth. A person’s zodiac animal indicates the individual’s personality and character.

Perhaps the most important factor in Chinese astrology is the concept of yin-yang. Yin-yang describes the diametrically opposed forces that govern and create harmony and equilibrium in the universe. Yin and yang complement each other and are bound together, creating the whole. They are constantly changing places, transforming each other.

Yin and yang are dynamic, yet always equal in relation to one another. Since yin-yang describes all natural phenomena, a person is part of one or the other polarity determined by the year of birth: even Chinese years are yang, odd years are yin. Yang is active, aggressive, focused, passionate, and masculine; associated with creativity, daylight and sun, spring and summer, and the element fire. Yin is passive, receptive, tranquil, negative, and feminine; associated with winter and fall, birth and fertility, night and moon, and the element water.

Ancient philosophers truly believed that the fundamentals of Vedic Astrology were inspired by its creator, who was Brahma. Through Rishis to modern man, this knowledge has been passed down through the ages to its current form. Several thousand years ago Vedic Astrology was created, which followed the ancient India concept of the repeating of time cycles. Prior to being added into written form, Vedic Astrology was taught only in oral form for thousand of years before ever being created into written form.

The entire purpose of learning about Vedic Astrology is to enable individuals the ability to avoid problems before they arise in their life. The idea is simply to avoid any type of danger prior to it becoming real. Many modern day astrologers will use the tools needed in Vedic Astrology to enable them to predict events that might happen within an individuals life. Astrologers who actually use Vedic Astrology are not considered to be fatalists, instead they are considered to simply have the correct and proper tools to be able to point out any useful indications within the life of an individual that could help them prevent certain actions from occurring.

There always seems to be the debate of whether or not we are given the ability of free will within our lives and those individuals that do not believe in Vedic Astrology definitely believe there is no such thing as free will. However, individuals that believe in Vedic Astrology know that it is important to be aware of the effects that certain actions can keep us from danger through studying the astrological charts. Anyone who is dedicated as a Vedic astrologer can give other individuals who are sincere with their teaching the guidance that is need to make the most effective changes in their lives for better living.

Vedic Astrology is based on the simple study of the stars and knowing that the various calculations are different than those of Western Astrology. Each of these calculations are adjusted for each Zodiac sign that individuals may be born under. In the more modern Western Astrology, the position of the planets do not effect the Zodiac signs, but instead focus on the seasons. No matter which astrology is used, whether it is Vedic or Western, the focus of the Zodiac signs are twenty-three days apart from each other beginning with the Zodiac sign of Aries.