An Introduction To Vedic Astrology
Most people in the western world are not family with Vedic astrology. This articles provides an introduction to Vedic astrology and its history.
Vedic astrology is more than 10000 years old, but no ones knows exactly how old the Vedic period is. The Vedic time period is still debated, but is considered to have originated in the Indian subcontinent. Unlike modern science and technology, this Vedic period was the time frame where people used Vedic knowledge in their daily life. There was a set health care system named Ayurveda. This system is now a very big industry. Astrology or Jyotish is a branch in that Vedic lifestyle. Jyotish means nothing but knowledge of light.
Veda means a lot in Sanskrit. It means sacred knowledge, sacred lore, finding, perception, true knowledge and much more. The knowledge about Vedas have spread in four texts Rig veda, Yajur veda, Sama veda and Atharva veda. There are so many scriptures from these books mentions astrology.
Even though there are many texts available about Vedic astrology, Vedanga Jyotish can be considered as main text which is supposed to be originated in the later part of the Vedic era. It is all about astronomical calculations and astrology as well. There are so many other books giving detailed descriptions about astrology like Brihat Parshara Hora Sastra, Jaimini Sutras, Phaldeepika, Uttara Kalaamrit, and Bhrigu sutras.
The western astrology system is ahead of Vedic astrology by 23 degrees. For example, if the Sun in a Vedic birth chart is at 20 degrees Sagittarius. A western birth chart will show the Sun to be within the early degrees of Capricorn. So, the calendar is quite different between the two systems. Accordingly, the dates of the months also change. The two systems are name western and eastern calender’s.
Western Calendar
Aries Western Zodiac Sign
March 21 – April 20
Taurus Western Zodiac Sign
April 21 – May 21
Gemini Western Zodiac Sign
May 22 – June 21
Cancer Western Zodiac Sign
June 22 – July 22
Leo Western Zodiac Sign
July 23 -August 23
Virgo Western Zodiac Sign
August 22 – September 22
Libra Western Zodiac Sign
September 24 – October 23
Scorpio Western Zodiac Sign
October 24 – November 22
Sagittarius Western Zodiac Sign
November 23 – December 21
Capricorn Western Zodiac Sign
December 22 – January 20
Aquarius Western Zodiac Sign
January 21 – February 19
Pisces Western Zodiac Sign
February 20- March 20
Eastern Calendar (Vedic)
Aries Vedic Zodiac Sign
April 14 – May 15
Taurus Vedic Zodiac Sign
May 15 – June 15
Gemini Vedic Zodiac Sign
June 15 – July 16
Cancer Vedic Zodiac Sign
July 16 – August 17
Leo Vedic Zodiac Sign
August 17 – September 17
Virgo Vedic Zodiac Sign
September 17 – October 17
Libra Vedic Zodiac Sign
October 17 – November 16
Scorpio Vedic Zodiac Sign
November 16 – December 16
Sagittarius Vedic Zodiac Sign
December 16 – January 14
Capricorn Vedic Zodiac Sign
January 14 – February 13
Aquarius Vedic Zodiac Sign
February 13 – March 14
Pisces Vedic Zodiac Sign
March 14 – April 14
Vedic Planetary System
In the Vedic system of astrology, prominence is given to nine planets. Which are known as Nava Grahas. They are here with their Sanskrit names
Sun
Soorya
Moon
Chandra
Mercury
Budha
Venus
Shukra
Mars
Mangala
Jupiter
Brihaspati
Saturn
Shani
North Node
Rahu
South Node
Ketu
Even though these planets can insight into our destiny. The true results are derived from the placement of Nakshatras or Lunar Mansions which lies behind the planets. At this point, Western astrology students may get confused. There are 12 signs; planets are traveling through these signs. There are other constellations which behind these planets other than these 12 signs. These constellations are 28 in number. They are known as lunar mansions or nakshatras. Among these 28 nakshatras 27 are known as feminine nakshatra and the 28th one is considered as the male entity. So, for astrology consultation, only 27 nakshatras are taken into consideration.
These 27 lunar mansions or nakshatras makes Vedic astrology more detailed. However, Western astrology is more easy to understand. In the next chapters, we will study more about Vedic astrology. Vedic astrology chart has 12 houses like the western chart. The matters allotted to each house are almost all the same, but there is much more in Vedic astrology.
This introduction to Vedic Astrology was written by Jaya Shree, a guest poster.
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