Fact: There's more to astrology than stars and planets.
Fact: Horoscopes in daily newspapers are just the tip of a huge iceberg.
Fact: For the rest of the iceberg, a good place to go is online.
Most astrology on the Web will tell you that Vedic (note, not Indian) astrology is called Jyotish, which comes from the word Jyoti (light) and sounds like joe-teesh.
Indianastrology.com is different. It updates the Indian astrology community on news, astrology-related seminars, workshops and other events, and also features a Hindi edition.
While relevant Panchang (ephemeris) calculations and articles help practising astrologers, curious visitors can check out Tarot predictions or go a step further and learn how to calculate Sidereal time and the Ascendant.
Rediff Astrology also offers a Hindi edition. The site is particularly unique for its simultaneous predictions by two astrologers, while a Kundali Matcher adds utility.
Less business-like in design, Cyberastro.com is for the lay man. It has horoscope predictions, personal colours, birthstones, and even a pictorial explanation of Rahu Kalam. Another highlight is an excellent introduction to the Chinese I-Ching philosophy, which may not predict, but helps in understanding life's patterns.
The tip here, is to search, search, and search. Because you never know what you'll find. Panchang.com, for example, has its panchang calculator, muhurta list, rahu kalam chart, vratham days, and a list of Indian festivals. More in sync with the exotica of astrology, Starteller.com delves into topics like 'The splendour of the sacred shankh' and 'How snake worship in Mannarasala removes Sarpa Dosha'. Vedic Astrology has predictions on personalities like Bill Gates and Margaret Thatcher.
As you wander around, your astrological search will, sooner or later, bring you to religion. Which is where Goravani.com comes in. Founder Das Goravani exhorts you to "be humble, not kill and serve Vishnu." Then, he says, "vision will come."
Kagabujandar.com is consecrated to the semi-divine saint Sre Kagabujandar. It focuses on a vital non-vedic stream of Indian Astrology called Nadi. The Nadi astrologer studies you, and answers by giving you a relevant poem from ancient Tamil palm-leaf literature. This poem expounds specific life-truths that you, as an individual, need to learn and grow. The site also offers dream interpretations.
Want Tantric astrology? Go for Siddhashram dedicated to Dr Narayan Dutt Shrimalli, known amongst ascetics as Paramhansa Nikhileshwaranandji. Want scientific methodology?
Nandanastrovoice.com is the site of psychoastrologer, Nandan Thapliyal, and stands out amongst scores of individual websites in its attempt to demystify a subject usually made appealing only in its mystery.
Now for the savvy. Namely, Marjorie Orr. Her Star4cast leans heavily towards political astrology, where intuition plays no role. "I am a scientist's daughter, and I rely only on the Ephemeris," she explains.
Lindagoodman.net carries on the books' popularity. Predictions apart, its mythical associations of each sun sign reveal some fascinating facts, while the well-visited Lover's Garden is a fun-to-read user forum.
Back to India, where Jagjituppal.com and Bejandaruwalla.com are, largely, online addresses of the respective astrologers.
At the end of the day, what you get is a vast array of sites, pages and opinions to choose from, in your quest for the truth or your future. Some may have the answers, others may not. All you can do is listen to everyone, study different philosophies, and find what you best connect to.
Or simply go by what psychic astrologer, Diana Collins, says: "First you learn all the rules, and then you throw them away..."
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