How Astrology Works

While there are times that astrologers are unable to explain exactly how astrology is being done, they believe that celestial interactions and positions can influence the terrestrial events and the personality of an individual.

The three major types of astrology -- the Western, Indian, and Chinese astrology -- are all based on the 12 astrological signs that classify individuals. Animal signs are used to represent each month of the zodiac. This is true for the mentioned types of astrology. The months used for the three, however, do not coincide with one another. The Western and the Indian traditions differ by about one month, while the Chinese tradition (which is based on the lunar calendar) overlaps the two by up to two weeks.

Apart from the animal representing the months of the zodiac, elements are also used to identify the months. The four elements used in the Western and Indian zodiacs are fire, earth, air and water. The months of the zodiac are ruled by one of the seven planets, which influence their characteristics. Aside from the planets and the elements, the months are also classified into three groups based on the qualities (cardinal, fixed and mutable). The signs are also grouped into three types as personal, social and universal.

While the Western and Indian zodiacs begin with Aries in the month of March and April, the Chinese zodiac begins in November, which is the month of the Rat (Sagittarius in Western Astrology). The Western and Indian zodiacs are named based on the constellations in which they used to coincide.