Compatibility in Western astrology

This principle was most clearly demonstrated in modern times by the work of Carl
Jung in his book Synchronicity. Jung was exploring the nature of coincidence for a
study. He was offered a collection of over 400 pairs of horoscopes of married
couples for this purpose. Jung randomized half of the pairs of horoscopes and
attempted to find the couples who were actually married. Jung found a correlation
between the married couples that matched astrological prediction. Astonished, he
questioned his influence in the study and repeated the experiment with the same
results. He again changed his methods and again arrived at the results astrologers
predicted. He could not find a causal relationship to explain his correlations, so
he termed Synchronicity an acausal principle.[1]

Compatibility in Indian astrology

The Hindu/Indian system of examining compatibility based on horoscopes of the
aspirant couple is unique. The fundamental concept of matching horoscopes emanates
from constellations occupied by the Ascendant/Lagna (Lagna) at the time of births
of bride and bridegroom. Individuals inherit qualities of the birth constellation.
Various constellations represent different nature in respect of their casts,
animals presented by them, sex, Gana (God/man/demon), humour, birds ruled,
primordial elements, Gotra, directions ruled, consonants and vowels, mutual harmony
and repulsion with certain stars, beneficence to the other stars by virtue of
mutual distance etc.

In addition, a host of other factors such as longevity of the individuals,

character (sexual), widowhood, poverty, progeny, body status, radical strengths and
indications, planetary nature and afflictions, currency of major and minor periods,
Marakaas (death inflicting planets), placement of Mars in their nativity (Mangal
Dosha), time of query, omen (Shagun), antidotes, propitiations, auspicious time for
marriage etc. should be examined to arrive at a suitable union of the couple.

Based on the birth constellations, the following aspects are examined Varna,
Vashya, Tara, Yoni, Gana, Graha Maitri, Bhakoota, Nadi, Mahendra, Vedha, Rajju,
Stree Deergha, Linga, Gotra, Varga and Yujja for checking compatibility.

In another system, only eight of these factors are given importance and are
assigned numeric values - Varna (1 point), Vashya (2 Points), Tara (3 points), Yoni
(4 points), Graha Maitri (5 points), Gana (6 points), Bhakoota (7 points) and Nadi
(8 points). The total of these factors adds up to 36 points and a horoscope is
considered to be matched only if the compatibility score is more than 18[2]

Significance of various aspects in compatibility are as follows:

Varna: Grade of spiritual development, obedience

Vashya: Mutual control � friendship.
Tara: Mutual beneficence-luck-auspiciousness
Yoni: Sexual aspects, affinity, urge, compatibility.
Graha Maitri: Psychological disposition, friendship.
Gana: Nature: Dev � Manush � Raakshas
Bhakoota: Children, growth of family.
Nadi: Temperaments, hereditary (astrological), affliction and death to other
Mahendra: Promotes attachments, increase in longevity.
Stree � Dergha: Service to husband.
Rajju: Felicity and duration of married life.
Vedha � Varga: Mutual repellence and enmity.
Varga: Mutual friendship/enmity judged from their names
Yujja: Type of mutual love � from one side � both sides.
Based on the above aspects, mathematical computation is performed to find a match.
The logic is this - when two persons from different backgrounds come together, one
has very little information on their compatibilities. This, using a statistical
algorithm of planets and their positions are used to figure out. In certain cases
need based matching is done and the astrologer has to use his skills in examining
compatibility. It is felt essential to match the horoscopes before further marriage
negotiations are done.

However it is explicitly mentioned in the ancient books that these matches are to
be looked at only in the case of an arranged marriage. In a love marriage the match
of minds is already existing and love overrides all these matches. If the minds are
matching, horoscope matching has little relevance. Even if all the matches above
are present or absent, the love marriage can proceed auspiciously. The above system
is in practice for the last two millennia.