have a different method for determining
each sign’s starting point, causing some
discrepancies between the two systems.
Aside from the sun, moon, and five visi-
ble planets in Western astrology, Indian
astrology has two additional planets,
Rahuand Ketu, which are both consid-
ered inauspicious and malevolent. In
addition to the twelve signs of the solar
zodiac, Indian astrology also has a lunar
zodiac with twenty-seven “lunar man-
sions” (nakshatras), each of which has
particular qualities. Although at the
most basic level astrological reckoning
is fairly simple, it can quickly become
highly complex and is thus generally left
to professional astrologers. This is still a
viable profession throughout much of
India, since the generally accepted
belief that some times are auspicious
and others inauspiciousmeans that
ordinary people will hire specialists to
keep them informed of these times.
Jyotisha