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On Vedic Astrology (Jyotish)
The horoscope is a map of the heavens at the time and place of birth showing the position of the planets in relation to the newborn child. Astrology studies the combined influences of these planets as fields of energy that influence the lives of human beings.
Vedic Astrology (called "Jyotish," or the Science of Light) comes to us from India and goes back thousands of years before Christ to the ancient Vedic culture. It is based on the Vedas, the original scriptures that were brought to us by enlightened sages. It assumes the law of karma, which is the principle of cause and effect. Vedic astrology is more predictive in nature, gives a better view of a person’s karmic tendencies while defining a person's psychological nature, and puts focus on understanding when certain events are likely to take place. In terms of analyzing relationship compatibility and auspicious timing of events, it offers some of the most sophisticated tools of prediction and analysis. It puts emphasis on the spiritual development of the individual and how one's quality of life can ameliorate through self-improvement and higher thought.
Some Differences Between Vedic
and Western Astrology
Tropical versus sidereal zodiac:
Vedic Astrology is based on the sidereal zodiac.
According to Western astrologers using the tropical zodiac, the Vernal Equinox is the day that the Sun enters the constellation of Aries. However, astronomical observations have found that the Earth's precession makes this astrological prediction incorrect. The Earth's rotation axis is not fixed in space. Like a rotating toy top, the direction of the rotation axis goes through a slow precession with a period of 26,000 years for the entire ecliptic of our planetary bodies to travel around our sun, a trip of 360 degrees. Because of the Earth's precession, the dates of the Equinoxes gradually change over a 26,000-year cycle. Since the rotation axis is precessing in space, the orientation of the Celestial Equator also precesses at the same period. This means that the position of the equinoxes is changing slowly with respect to the stars. Every 72 years we actually move back by one degree. After 2100 years we move out of one age and into another. The Tropical (Western), and the Vedic Aries were on the same zodiacal plane around 285 AD but this is no longer the case today. Astronomically, the vernal equinox no longer corresponds to the sign of Aries but to that of Pisces.
Click here to find your Vedic Sun Sign.
Vedic Astrology gives special importance to the Moon sign, the Fixed Star Groups (nakshatras) and the Ascendant (lagna)
Whereas, in Western astrology emphasis is placed on the Sun sign, in Vedic astrology the ascendant and the Moon sign along with the nakshatras (fixed star groups) have special importance. There are 27 of them. The Moon enters a nakshatra approximately each day of the month. Furthermore, the other planets also go through the nakshatras. The meaning of the nakshatras in a chart will clearly show the major life themes of a person. This does not mean that the Sun Sign is not important but the speed at which the ascendant changes (approximately every two hours) as well as the Moon’s path through the different nakshatras and signs give a more individualized overview of the natal chart.
Vedic Astrology uses the powerful tool of the planetary periods (dasas).
Another unique feature of Vedic astrology is its quality of precision in revealing the periodic ups and downs in an individual’s life. The natal chart shows the potentials in one’s life. But when those potentials materialize and the order of events takes place, are predicted under the dasa (planetary period) system. Each planet has a determined period during which it comes into prominence and shows its inherent potential during the course of one’s life.