Vedic Astrology

Astrology is the study of the energetic influences of celestial bodies. Vedic Astrology is a system of astrology that employs the Sidereal zodiac House system in its analysis of charts.

Historical Background

Vedic Astrology is based on the ancient Indian texts called the Vedas. There are four Vedas: the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. The Rig Veda, the oldest of the four Vedas, was composed about 1500 B.C., and codified about 600 B.C.. The Vedas in turn have six supplementary appendixes known as the Vedangas which translates as limbs of the Vedas. Vedic Astrology and Astronomy stems from the Jyotish Vedanga. Vedic astrology was passed on to the population over the course of thousands of years thru oral tradition. Key Indian sages such as Vashita, Garag, Bhrigu are acknowledged as having been instrumental of preserving the ancient knowledge.

Vedic astrology has been influenced by the some of the same sources as western astrology, but the methods of calculation vary, being based on a different prime meridian, among other things. According to Mary Stevenson,

"… In the beginning of time all the planets were said to be assembled at the beginning point of the zodiac, at 0 degrees of Aries. It is due to the precession of the Equinoxes each year, that the two zodiacs have been moving further apart over time. The western system relies upon the movable, or Tropical zodiac, whereas the Vedic system utilizes the fixed or Sidereal zodiac."

In practice, a vedic chart is generally offset by one sign, so if you are a Cancer in western astrology, you usually end up being the sign before it (Gemini) in Vedic astrology. This tends to hold true for most of the rest of a person's chart as well. The center of Vedic astrology is also somewhat focused on past lives and karmic lessons, and how those influence your current life. Since Vedic astrology is primarily associated with Hinduism and Indian culture, this is not surprising.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why would you use Astrology?
As Vedic astrology is strongly connected to Hinduism, there is also a strong connection to the idea of karma and past lives. Thus, it is used to look at a person's karmic lessons for this life, and why those lessons are in place.

2. What are the benefits of Astrology?
Vedic astrology can be quite helpful in understanding why a pattern may be in place, as we cannot change patterns without understanding where they originate from.

3. What should you consider regarding Vedic Astrology?
What should be considered with Vedic astrology is to balance the concepts of Karma and Destiny with the opportunities for growth of the soul. Astrological analysis provides tools which can enable changing of patterns and encouraging evolution of the spirit.

Types of Astrological Analysis

There are various divisions of the assortment of ways of using astrology that include the following.

Astrocartography

A type of Astrology where a person's natal chart is overlaid on a map of the world.

Electional Astrology

Used to determine the best time for an event such as a marriage, new business, travel, etc.

Horary Astrology

A chart cast to answer a particular question. The person asks a question, and the astrologer creates a chart for that exact moment to answer the question.

Natal Astrology

Calculated based on a chart set to the exact moment and location of a person's birth. This type of astrology tends to focus on what a person is like, their talents and areas of challenge, and what energies they came into life with.

Progressed Astrology

A type of astrology which determines the timing and flavour of how a person grows throughout their life. In short, it looks at when and how you will learn throughout your life. Since the movement of progressed planets is extremely slow, it is primarily the inner planets that tend to create large changes within the chart, although there are instances when the outer planets do so as well.

Transits

A type of astrological chart that looks at where celestial bodies are, or will be, either at a specific time, or across a period of time such as a year in relation to a person's natal chart.

References

1. Bloomfield, Andrew. How to Practice Vedic Astrology. Rochester: Destiny Books, 2003.
2. Miller, Anistatia R., and Jared M. Brown. The Complete Astrological Handbook for the Twenty-First Century. New York: Schoken Books, 1999.
3. www.indiayogi.com.
4. www.vedicstarcharts.com.