Astrology and The Classical Elements - Indian Astrology

Indian Astrology

Indian astrology shares the same system as Western astrology of linking zodiac signs to elements. The following table gives the correspondences:

Number Sanskrit International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration Sanskrit gloss Western name Greek Gloss Tattva (Element) Quality Ruling Planet
1 मेष Meṣa ram Aries Κριός ram Tejas (Fire) Cara (Movable) Mars
2 वृषभ Vṛṣabha bull Taurus Ταῦρος bull Prithivi (Earth) Sthira (Fixed) Venus
3 मिथुन Mithuna twins Gemini Δίδυμοι twins Vayu (Air) Dvisvabhava (Dual) Mercury
4 कर्कट Karkaṭa crab Cancer Καρκίνος crab Jala (Water) Cara (Movable) Moon
5 सिंह Siṃha lion Leo Λέων lion Tejas (Fire) Sthira (Fixed) Sun
6 कन्या Kanyā girl Virgo Παρθένος virgin Prithivi (Earth) Dvisvabhava (Dual) Mercury
7 तुला Tulā balance Libra Ζυγός balance Vayu (Air) Cara (Movable) Venus
8 वृश्चिक Vṛścika scorpion Scorpio Σκoρπιός scorpion Jala (Water) Sthira (Fixed) Mars
9 धनुष Dhanus bow Sagittarius Τοξότης archer Tejas (Fire) Dvisvabhava (Dual) Jupiter
10 मकर Makara sea-monster Capricorn Αἰγόκερως goat-horned Prithivi (Earth) Cara (Movable) Saturn
11 कुम्भ Kumbha pitcher Aquarius Ὑδροχόος water-pourer Vayu (Air) Sthira (Fixed) Saturn
12 मीन Mīna fish Pisces Ἰχθεῖς fish Jala (Water) Dvisvabhava (Dual) Jupiter

In addition, in Vedic thought each of the five planets are linked to an element (with ether as the fifth). It was said in the Veda that everything emanated from the one basic vibration of "Om" or "Aum." From "Om" the five elemental vibrations emerged representing the five different tattwas (or elements). The five planets represent these five vibrations – Jupiter for Ether, Saturn for Air, Mars for Fire, Mercury for Earth, and Venus for Water.

Read more about this topic:  Astrology And The Classical Elements

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