A Brief Overview Of Western And Vedic Astrology

By Jose Edwards


When it comes to astrology, there are a number of different forms and aspects. In one case, Vedic Astrology, also known as the Jyotisha or Hindu form is one of the most popular. For, the practice has been around since the 19th century. While this is the case, the term Vedic is a far more recent term.

While the Hindu practice has been going on for quite some time, it was not until the 1970s when the practice became known as a Vedic practice. Whereas, there are some astrologists whom suggest that the Indian astrological practice came from previous Western influences, thus dating the practice back to the Vedic period. In addition, while a number of authors claim that the myths associated with Ramayana and Maharharata forms of the practice had nothing to do with planetary alignment.

Both forms of the practice were originally thought to be part and parcel to the occult. While this may have once been the case, Indian universities are now offering advanced degrees in Vedic astrological practices. In the beginning, the offerings were not without protest from local scientists whom see the practice as nothing more than a pseudoscience. However, the High Court favored the practice in a 2001 court case, thus allowing the universities to continue providing such degrees.

The practice is also considered one of the six disciplines which support Hindu observances and rituals. In the beginning, the Hindu form used a calendar to determine sacrificial ritual dates and had nothing to do with planets. While this is the case, demons were mentioned in some forms of the practice. Then, later the term graha, the word formerly recognized as demon became known to mean planet which led to new interpretations of the zodiac.

Original Hindu astrological practices came from a basic belief focusing on a connection between the microcosm and macrocosm of the universe. Today, the practice relies on the sidereal zodiac which is somewhat different from that of the tropical zodiac used in Western astrology. The Hindu form also uses a number of subsystems related to interpretations and predictions based on the elements not generally found in Western forms.

For, the Western zodiac is divided into twelve equal parts. Whereas, the Nirayana or sidereal zodiac consist of a imaginary belt of 360 degrees which is also divided into 12 sections known as rasi. However, the forms differ when it comes to methods used to measure the position of the planets. As such, while appearing the same, the two offer different definitions and meanings on astrological charts.

Both the Hindu and Hellenistic forms appear to be identical on a synchronous level. While this may appear to be the case, the Vedic form primarily uses the sidereal zodiac in which stars are fixed to measure the position of the planets. Whereas, measurement in the Western zodiac is based on the motion of the planets against the Sun at the Spring equinox.

Western astronomy has always transmitted the twelve signs of the zodiac beginning with Aries. However, the first introduction to Grecian astrological practices to India was through Greek sayings dating back to the beginning of time. Regardless, the earliest version of any type of astrological chart known to survive was one known to be an Indian text which defined the weekday beginning in 476 AD.




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