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Thursday, November 25, 2010

The Difference between Western and Chinese Astrology

Horoscopes have been part of people’s everyday life. In our daily periodicals, a portion has been designated for it so that people can view their forecasts for the day. Some people start their day by checking what their horoscope tell them as a guide for their daily life activities. Some check their horoscopes to help them decide about certain matters that put them in a quandary. Some check them out of curiosity, which at times get them hooked if the prediction becomes true a couple of times, or they ignore if it is really far from their reality. For whatever reasons people check their horoscopes, the zodiac signs have always been and will always be here to stay.


There are two sets of horoscopes in existence and those are the Chinese and the Western. Some people get confused about what both horoscopes are all about while some subscribe and staunchly believe each one. Both horoscopes tell of predictions about people’s future, but are there any differences in what they say? How do both horoscopes find about what will happen to people’s daily or future lives?


A horoscope is a map of space and time, a reading of a chart which explains the relationships between the moon, the sun, the planets, and a particular space on earth, at an exact time. Both Western and Chinese astrology are interested about how heavenly bodies move and what the relationship of those movements are in people’s lives. However, they had different ways of interpreting those movements because they have different methods in tracking the planets through the night sky.


The Westerns use the ecliptic, or the imaginary line in the sky traced by the sun, as their reference in observing stellar positions. The Chinese, on the other hand, find reference from the celestial north pole and the celestial equator in locating the positions of the heavenly bodies. As a result, Western astrology bases their readings of the chart on the ecliptic or the zodiac, while the Chinese rely more on the lunar zodiac. Thus, the Chinese find stars and constellations to be more important.


Chinese astrology states that a person’s destiny is determined by the positions of the planets, the sun, moon, and comets during the person’s birth. The person’s horoscope sign is determined by the year of birth and the symbol is assigned from the 12 animals from their Star Sign.


Because fate is already determined in the Chinese astrology, their forecasts are usually focused on working on how to “cure” or change of a person. Western astrology’s forecasts are more about a person’s internal psychology, thus its twelve signs are said to represent the twelve basic personality types or characteristic mode of expressions. The said signs area assigned based on a person’s date of birth.


Some astrologers use Western astrology to predict people’s compatibility in love. Two people are compatible when their horoscope signs belong to the same element, which may be fire, water, air, or earth. There is also the use of sun and moon signs. Both sun and moon signs are compared then the sun sign is compared with the moon sign and the other way around. There should have at least 2 matches in the 4 comparisons to say that two people are compatible.


 


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Valentine's Day Customs

Romantic festival of St Valentine's Day is celebrated with passion and fond regard in several countries around the world. Here we will mainly discuss about the traditions and customs followed on this day.

1.Searching for dates
One of the most admired customs of Valentine's Day practiced worldwide is to go on a date with sweetheart. Those without a date start looking for one before the festival. The custom originated from the popular English belief that birds chose their partners on February 14.

2.Wishing 'Happy Valentine's Day'
In the start, Valentine's Day was connected with romantic couples only but in modern times the festival is seen in much larger viewpoint. Now, people take opportunity of this day to wish 'Happy Valentine's Day' to anyone they love be it father, mother, teachers, siblings, friends, co-workers or just anyone special to them.

3.Exchanging Notes
One of the most commonly observed Valentine's Day customs is the exchange of love notes called 'Valentines'. Initially people used to exchange handwritten notes but starting with the 19th century, the practice of sending hand written notes was replaced by the exchange of mass-produced greeting cards.

Most commonly used pictures in Valentine's Greetings include images of popular Valentine's Day symbols like red roses, hearts and Cupid - the pudgy, winged son of Venus, the goddess of love.

4.Tradition of Exchanging Gifts
Exchanging gifts is an integral part of Valentine's Day. Some of the most popular gifts exchanged between lovers on Valentine's Day are fresh flowers - mainly roses, chocolates and teddy bears. Fine jewelry is increasingly becoming a popular St Valentine's Day gift for women. Candies, showpieces besides several other things are also gifted to dear ones including grandparents, parents, siblings, teachers and friends.

5.Occasion to Dine and Wine
Another most usual way to celebrate Valentine's Day is to go for romantic candlelight dinners with one's Valentine. Many also choose to propose their dates in such a romantic atmosphere and say the golden words, 'I love you'. The other most emerging tradition is to participate in Valentine's Day balls and dance parties organized by various societies, clubs and restaurants. Many people also organize Valentine's Day Couple's parties in their homes where lovers have a blast in the company of friends.

6.Celebrations in Schools
In several countries including United States and Canada there is a tradition to organize Valentine's Day classroom parties in schools. In such parties children exchange chocolates and Valentine's Day cards with their friends. British children sing special Valentine's Day song and receive candies and chocolates as reward.

These are some commonly followed traditions and customs of Valentine's Day.


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