Horā (
Sanskrit
Sanskrit (; attributively , ; nominally , , ) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cultural diffusion ...
: होरा)
[The '' '' etymologizes the word as ''ahorātra'' with the first and last syllables dropped (BPHS.4.1-2). However, derivation of Sanskrit horā from ahorātra is not very likely, since it does not follow common rules of Sanskrit word formation. In ancient Greek, this word was part of common language since old times whereas in Sanskrit it can only be found as an astrological jargon.
]) is a branch of the Indian system of
astrology
Astrology is a range of divinatory practices, recognized as pseudoscientific since the 18th century, that claim to discern information about human affairs and terrestrial events by studying the apparent positions of celestial objects. Di ...
known as
. It deals with the finer points of predictive methods, as distinct from ''
Siddhānta'' (
astronomy
Astronomy () is a natural science that studies celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and evolution. Objects of interest include planets, moons, stars, nebulae, g ...
proper) and ''
'' (
mundane astrology
Mundane astrology, also known as political astrology, is the branch of astrology dealing with politics, the government, and the laws governing a particular nation, state, or city. The name derives name from the Latin term ''mundus'', 'world'.
...
).
The various aspects of ''hora'' are:
* ''Jātaka Shāstra'' / Hora Shāstra (
Natal astrology
Natal astrology is also known as Genethliacal Astrology, which implies nativity. It is a system of astrology that claims to shed light on an individual’s personality or path in life. This concept is based on constructing a horoscope or natal c ...
br>
horoscopy): Prediction based on individual
horoscope
A horoscope (or other commonly used names for the horoscope in English include natal chart, astrological chart, astro-chart, celestial map, sky-map, star-chart, cosmogram, vitasphere, radical chart, radix, chart wheel or simply chart) is an as ...
.
* ''Muhurta or Muhurtha'' (
Electional astrology): Selection of beneficial time to initiate an activity to get maximum fruition from the life activities.
* ''Swara Shāstra'' (
Phonetical astrology): Predictions based on name & sounds.
* ''Prashna'' (
Horary astrology
Horary astrology is an ancient branch of horoscopic astrology in which an astrologer attempts to answer a question by constructing a horoscope for the exact time at which the question was received and understood by the astrologer.
The answer t ...
): Predictions based on time when a question is asked by querent / querist.
* ''Ankjyotish / Kabala'' (
Numerology
Numerology (also known as arithmancy) is the belief in an occult, divine or mystical relationship between a number and one or more coinciding events. It is also the study of the numerical value, via an alphanumeric system, of the letters in ...
): A branch of astrology based on numbers.
*
''Nadi'' Astrology: An ancient treatise having detailed predictions for individuals.
* ''
Tajika Shāstra / Varsha Phal'' (
Annual Horoscopy): Astrology based on annual solar returns.
* ''Jaimini Sutras'': A non-conventional method of timing of events used by Indian astrologer
Acharya Jaimini.
* ''Nastjātakam'' (
Lost Horoscopy): Art of tracing / construction of lost horoscopes.
* ''Streejātaka'' (
female astrology): A special branch of astrology dealing with female nativities.
* ''Graha Samudriki'' (
Astro-Palmistry):
Palm reading as horoscope.
* ''Hasta Rekha / Samudrika Shāstra'' (
Palmistry
Palmistry is the pseudoscientific practice of fortune-telling through the study of the palm. Also known as palm reading, chiromancy, chirology or cheirology, the practice is found all over the world, with numerous cultural variations. Those who ...
): Based on palm reading.
* ''Padatala Shāstra'' (
Plantarology): Based on reading of lines & signs on the sole.
* ''Shakuna Shāstra'' (
Omens
An omen (also called ''portent'') is a phenomenon that is believed to foretell the future, often signifying the advent of change. It was commonly believed in ancient times, and still believed by some today, that omens bring divine messages fr ...
): Predictions based on omens & portents.
* ''Swapna Vidya'' :
Interpretation of dreams.
* ''Kapala Vidya'' (
Phrenology
Phrenology () is a pseudoscience which involves the measurement of bumps on the skull to predict mental traits.Wihe, J. V. (2002). "Science and Pseudoscience: A Primer in Critical Thinking." In ''Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience'', pp. 195–203. C ...
)
* ''Ākriti Vidya'' (
Physiognomy
Physiognomy (from the Greek , , meaning "nature", and , meaning "judge" or "interpreter") is the practice of assessing a person's character or personality from their outer appearance—especially the face. The term can also refer to the genera ...
): Based on structure & moles on the body.
* ''Kerala Jyotisha'': Predictions based on querrist reply regarding name of flower or colour or touching part of body.
*
Remedial Astrology: Various modes of propitiation of planets based on planetary positions in nativity, transits, elections & for religious functions.
See also
*
Horology
Horology (; related to Latin '; ; , interfix ''-o-'', and suffix ''-logy''), . is the study of the measurement of time. Clocks, watches, clockwork, sundials, hourglasses, clepsydras, timers, time recorders, marine chronometers, and atomic clo ...
*
Hindu astrology
Jyotisha or Jyotishya (from Sanskrit ', from ' “light, heavenly body" and ''ish'' - from Isvara or God) is the traditional Hindu system of astrology, also known as Hindu astrology, Indian astrology and more recently Vedic astrology. It is one ...
*
Notes
{{Hindu astrology
Hindu astrology