Vedic astrology originates from India while Western astrology has its roots in ancient Greece and Rome. While both systems aim to provide insights into human behavior and destiny through the study of celestial bodies, they differ significantly in their methodologies, calculations, and interpretations.
Vedic astrology, also known as Jyotish, is believed to have originated around 1500 BCE in India. It is deeply rooted in the Vedas, ancient Indian scriptures that form the foundation of Hindu philosophy, religion, and culture. Vedic astrology is considered a sacred science, and its practitioners often view it as a spiritual tool for understanding one's karma and life path.
Vedic astrology uses the sidereal zodiac, which is based on the actual constellations in the sky. This system takes into account the precession of the equinoxes, a slow shift in the orientation of the Earth's axis that affects the position of the stars over time. As a result, the sidereal zodiac is approximately 24 degrees behind the tropical zodiac used in Western astrology.
Vedic astrology divides the sky into 12 zodiac signs, known as Rashis, and 27 lunar mansions, or Nakshatras. Each Nakshatra is associated with specific qualities and characteristics, adding another layer of complexity to the interpretation of a birth chart.
In Vedic astrology, great importance is placed on the nine planets, known as Navagrahas. These include the Sun (Surya), Moon (Chandra), Mars (Mangala), Mercury (Budha), Jupiter (Guru), Venus (Shukra), Saturn (Shani), Rahu (the North Node of the Moon), and Ketu (the South Node of the Moon). Each planet is associated with specific attributes, energies, and deities, and their positions in the birth chart are considered crucial for understanding an individual's life path and karmic influences.
Vedic astrology offers several predictive techniques to forecast events, the most prominent being the dasha system. The dasha system divides an individual's life into periods ruled by different planets, each influencing various aspects of their life. The most widely used dasha system is the Vimshottari Dasha, which spans a total of 120 years and allocates specific time periods to each of the nine planets.
Another predictive technique in Vedic astrology is the use of transits (Gochara) and the study of planetary aspects and conjunctions. Additionally, Vedic astrologers often employ Prashna (horary astrology) to answer specific questions based on the time the question is asked.
Jyotish is known as “the eye of the Veda,” meaning the awareness of the universal order of life.