for a marriage ceremony.” Raman concludes that Pushya is “a constellation par excel-
lence that can be universally employed for all purposes, excepting of course marriage.”
—Dennis M. Harness, Ph.D.Sources:
Behari, Bepin. Myths and Symbols of Vedic Astrology.Salt Lake City: Passage Press, 1992.
Harness, Dennis. The Nakshatras: The Lunar Mansions of Vedic Astrology.Twin Lakes, WI: Lotus
Press, 1999.
Raman, B. V. Muhurtha (Electional Astrology).New Delhi: UBS Publishers, 2001.
Sastri, P. S. Acharya Varahamihiras Brihat Jataka.New Delhi: Ranjan Publications, 1995.
NATA LASTROLOGY
Natal astrology is the branch of astrology that deals with the astrological forces that
influence individuals at the moment of birth. It is the more contemporary term for
what traditional astrologers called genethliacal astrology. Natal astrology is to be dis-
tinguished from such other branches of astrology as mundane astrology, which inter-
prets the significance of celestial events for cultural trends and national world affairs.
NATA LCHART(BIRTHCHART; NATIVITY)
When most people talk about their astrological chart, they are usually referring to
their natal (from the Latin word natus,meaning “born”) chart. A natal or birth chart
is a map of the solar system, with respect to Earth (in traditional, geocentric astrology)
at the moment an individual was born. Because the planets and signs are usually rep-
resented by symbols (referred to by astrologers as glyphs) rather than by words, a natal
chart appears confusing to anyone unfamiliar with astrological codes. To the experi-
enced astrologer, however, a natal chart reveals a great deal about the person for
whom it was constructed.
The expression natal chart is used exclusively to refer to the birth chart of an
individual. It is thus distinguished from such terms as horoscope and radix, which can
refer to the chart of an event or to other nonpersonal phenomena. The natal chart is
also distinguished from such secondary charts as progressed charts.
NATIONALCOUNCIL FORGEOCOSMICRESEARCH
National Council for Geocosmic Research, Inc. (NCGR), is a nonprofit (501-C)
organization incorporated in Massachusetts in 1971 for the purpose of raising the stan-
dards of astrological education and research. Its membership of over 3,000 is mostly
from the United States, though international membership is growing. Most members
affiliate with NCGR’s local chapters; as of April 2003, there were 40 established chap-
ters worldwide in 26 countries. Additionally, several special interest groups (SIGs)
cross wide geographical areas to foster dialogue among people of similar astrological
specialties. A code of ethics, to which members are accountable, provides guidelines
for the practice of astrology. NCGR annually publishes two journals—Geocosmic Mag-
THEASTROLOGYBOOK [483]
National Council for Geocosmic Research