What is a horoscope and how does it make up

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. Thus appeared the horoscope and its various variants. Some of them, for example the zodiacal circle and the eastern calendar, are popular to this day.

What is a horoscope?

To answer the question "what is a horoscope" you can use different concepts. For example, it is often defined as the totality of the interposition of celestial bodies in a certain period. In ancient times this concept was denoted by the so-called. "Ascendant," or the ruling planet at the time of the birth of man. And at the present time the description of a horoscope is usually meant - zodiac signs or concrete forecasts.

The term itself is of Greek origin and is translated as "observing time". The first evidence of the compilation of predictions are in the fifth century BC. E. It is believed that the beginning of horoscopic astrology was laid in Mesopotamia, and further development it received in Egypt, Greece and Byzantium.

The most well-known version appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. It was then that a famous British astrologer named Alan Leo made an accelerated description method based on the cyclic movement of the Sun, which throughout the year each time passes through the same constellations. Since that time, the sign of the human zodiac is determined mainly through the position of the luminary at the time of its birth.

How to make a horoscope

All schemes, whether it's a horoscope for a week or a natal chart, are compiled according to a certain technique, based on geometric constructions and mathematical calculations. For a specific time (this can be any date), the astrologer calculates the position of celestial bodies, and he uses the geographic coordinates of the event.

To understand what a horoscope is, you need to imagine the ecliptic - the circle on which the planets are projected. It is divided into 12 sectors, each of which is assigned a certain symbol. An analysis of the position of celestial bodies shows that each of them falls into one of the segments of the ecliptic, i.e., into a particular sign of the zodiac. The collection 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 on the symbolic image of the firmament. As a rule, the process of its construction takes quite a long time and requires a thorough training of a specialist in horoscopes.

Natal chart

The fact that the determining role in the destiny of man is played not only by the position of the Sun, but also by all the planets of the system, is best helped to demonstrate the natal chart. It is something like a personal horoscope, referring to the moment of birth. When it is compiled, not only the date, but also geographical coordinates and the most accurate time of the day are taken into account. It is believed that even because of the difference in a few minutes, people born on the same day may have completely different traits of character and destiny.

Professional astrologers are able not only to correctly draw schemes for the arrangement of planets, but also to subject the received information to "decoding", thus obtaining a complete and detailed description. This is what makes it possible to understand what a horoscope is in its true meaning. The natal chart helps to reveal the character of a person, his propensities, "weaknesses" and to predict important life circumstances and turning points in destiny.

Other types of horoscope

Similarly, a local horoscope is calculated. However, it does not refer to the date of birth, but to the coordinates of the present person's location. A local map makes sense, for example, when changing the 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 the coming large-scale events;
• Thematic (one of the most popular of its varieties is the marriage horoscope) - allows you to calculate the possible success or failure in a particular field;
• Karmic - is aimed at revealing the circumstances of past lives;
• Compatibility horoscope - is 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).

The zodiac circle

The most popular type of horoscope is the so-called. "The zodiacal circle." Each of its 12 sectors corresponds to a certain symbol, which is under the protection of one of the 10 celestial bodies. The zodiacal circle makes it possible to determine the sign of a person in the constellation through which the sun passed on the day of its birth.

An early version of the system was invented around the 7th century BC. E. For the designation of 12 signs, the constellation symbols through which the Sun passes during a calendar year were adopted. Half of them depict animals, the other part - the characters of ancient Greek myths (according to one version all the names arose based on the legends about the exploits of Hercules). The astrological cycle begins with the constellation of Aries, and ends with Pisces.

It is noteworthy that once in the zodiac circle there was another one, the 13th sign. He is known as the Ophiuchus and, according to the calendar, his period - from October 30 to November 16 - is between the sectors of Scorpio and Sagittarius. At the present time astrology does not include it in the circle because of the discrepancy of the modern arrangement of signs to the scheme that existed 2,5 thousand years ago.

Zodiac signs

The characteristics of each of the 12 representatives of the zodiac are influenced by several factors. In particular, this is the ruling element and the degree of its expression. In addition, it is believed that people born "on the border" of the zodiacal periods will also have features of the neighboring constellation. At the same time, representatives of the "middle" are bearers of the clearly expressed qualities of their sign.

Representatives of the zodiacal circle can be divided into groups on several grounds. So, in astrology, each of them can be referred to as "dominant" or "subordinate", "male" or "female", "northern" or "southern", etc.

Each of the 12 "sunny" signs is also under the auspices of one of the four natural elements. These allow them to be divided into special groups - trigons. Fire is personified 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 symbolizes Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.

Elements

The natural element determines mainly the personal characteristics of its "wards". "Fiery" signs of the horoscope are characterized by strong-willed character and leadership qualities. Representatives of the elements of the Air are communicative and have a developed imagination. "Earth" signs are endowed with a calm temperament and a propensity for rational thinking. People born under the influence of Water are emotional and have developed intuition.

It is also believed that "fiery" and "airy" signs are predominantly extroverts. 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 "middle" signs of the zodiacal circle (Leo, Virgo, Libra and Scorpio), they have moderately expressed characteristics of their element.

Compatibility horoscope

Clients of professional astrologers often apply not only to create a natal chart, but also a forecast of relations. The compatibility horoscope is very popular and is calculated by comparing the individual characteristics obtained by birth dates. 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.

Such a 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 horoscope of compatibility does not sign a "verdict" relationship. Rather, it helps to anticipate and warn their weaknesses in advance.

Today the horoscope of compatibility on 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 in some ways useful. But to get a much more accurate and detailed picture of the relationship, a conclusion about the compatibility of the two people should be made on the basis of their natal charts.

Astrological predictions for every day

A horoscope for today or any other specific day can contain the advice of astrologers compiled for each sign. A similar prediction is made on the basis of the diurnal lunar phases and the positions of the planets with respect to the individual zodiacal sector. In it you can get information about the success of a given undertaking, possible dangers and a general emotional and even physical state for a certain day.

A 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 councils", to which they are very skeptical. Meanwhile, when planning a particularly significant event, a horoscope for one day can really be very useful. Especially if it is compiled in detail, taking into account not only the sign of the zodiac, but also the natal chart of the person and the exact coordinates of the upcoming event.

Eastern (Chinese) calendar

The Chinese horoscope by birth year has a very ancient history, much longer than the zodiacal circle. It was compiled approximately 4,5 thousand years ago in the epoch of the reign of the legendary Huang-di. The eastern horoscope is based on years of astronomical observations of the movement of the Sun, Earth, Moon and two planets: Jupiter and Saturn.

With the appearance of the Chinese version is associated with several legends. She from them narrates that once the Buddha called all the animals for the New Year celebration. He promised all the visitors that he would be presented as a gift for a whole year of government. However, only 12 animals responded to the invitation, which then became symbols of the Chinese horoscope, and in the order in which, according to legend, they appeared on the holiday. Thus, the cycle of the Rat opens, and the Pig completes.

According to the calendar, each sign can "rule" under the protection of the "yin" or "yang" energy and a certain natural element: wood, fire, water, metal or earth. 5 primary elements, multiplied by 12 animals, give in the end 60 years of the eastern cycle.

Signs of the eastern calendar

By analogy with the zodiac system, the Chinese horoscope by years serves to characterize the personal qualities of a person. Animal-symbol of the year is able to give its own special features, among which there are both positive and negative. All signs are divided into 4 groups: competitors, intellectuals, independent and diplomats, which determines the brightest of their qualities.

Of great importance is the patron element, which gives the person a special shade. Representatives of the same sign, born under different elements, will have quite different 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 description of a person based on the time of day of his birth. Every 2 of 24 hours correspond to one of the signs, and this cycle begins traditionally - with the Rat. All animals have the most suitable birth clock. For example, the same Rat, born at night, has more determination and dexterity than the "day" representative of this sign.

There is another very curious version of the eastern calendar - the age. This horoscope begins with the Rooster by years, and the last, the twelfth period of a person's life, signifying the transition to death, passes under the sign of the Tiger.

Other systems of predictions

Traditions of different cultures had a significant impact on what kinds of horoscopes exist. Almost each of the ancient civilizations had its own way of predicting fate at the moment 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 Druid calendar, as well as numerological, Zoroastrian, Tibetan and a number of other systems.

An individually compiled horoscope is something like a "card of fate". He can report 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 zodiac signs and daily forecasts, they mostly contain too general information and can not claim high reliability. To get a full idea of what a horoscope is and how much it corresponds to the real state of things, it is possible only with the help of an experienced specialist.