Vedic Astrology- What is it exactly?
You are here to know what is Vedic astrology, so without wasting much time on random topics,
we are directly starting off with the topic.
In the early times, Vedic astrology was used to determine important dates for sacrifices
and rituals in India.
Over time, it gained more popularity and become more personalized and people start studying
its planetary movements to understand their own destiny.
The founder of Moondance Vedic Astrology and author of Vedic Astrology for Beginners, Pamela
McDonough explain Vedic Astrology as, “Vedic astrology contains within it the
rich spiritual traditions and myths of ancient Indian culture.
Even today, throughout much of India, Jyotish is an accepted science and, for many, is part
of their lifestyle.”
What is Vedic Astrology?
Before then, if you're new here consider Subscribing to this channel to continue receiving great
videos like this.
Don't forget to hit that notification bell so that you can get informed every time I
publish a new video.
You must have heard about Vedic Astrology from various sources, but many of us don’t
know what it is exactly.
Vedic Astrology is relatively a new term to describe the Hindu or Indian astrology, also
known as Jyotish in Sanskrit which means “light/heavenly body”.
Just like western astrology, Vedic astrology is based on the belief that the planets and
other heavenly bodies influence a person's life.
The modality or Vedic astrology seems to have first appeared in the Rigveda, an ancient
Indian text.
Basically, Vedic Astrology is an Indian science that explains planetary motions and positions
concerning time and their effect on humans and other entities on earth.
And, this is not what we listen of modern sciences; Vedic astrology is traced thousands
of years back.
But, as we modernize, Vedic astrology is also modernizing with time.
In the early years, it was only based on the movement of planets concerning stars, but
later on, it started including zodiac signs as well.
Now, let’s have a look at what Vedic Astrology includes.
According to Vedic astrology, there are about 27 constellations that are made up of 12 zodiac
signs, 9 planets, and 12 houses.
Each house and planet represents some aspect of human life.
Furthermore, it depends on when a person is born, and the 12 signs are distributed among
the 12 houses, and 9 planets are placed in various houses.
Vedic astrology is nothing, but only the right interpretation of the meaning of these arrangements
as it applies to humans and other entities.
If we look on a deeper level, Vedic astrology provides insights and perspective on the yogi's
strengths and weaknesses, thereby providing a framework and guidance for yoga practice.
Yoga and other related practices are used to lessen or strengthen the influence of specific
planets in a yogi's life.
Moreover, Vedic astrology is one of the Vedangas of the Vedas, the ancient Hindu scriptures.
But, you must be confused about what are Vedangas, so, Vedangas actually are the six sciences
that are studied to practice and understand Vedic teachings.
In Vedic astrology, we determine a person's destiny by his/her karma, which is outlined
in the cosmic design.
Types of Vedic Astrology: After we have cleared all your doubts regarding
Vedic astrology, now it’s the turn of what are the types of Vedic astrology.
Vedic astrology or “Jyotisha” what you call it has three main branches.
The first is called Siddhanta or Astronomy.
This branch includes Astronomy and its application to astrology.
The second branch is Samhita or Mundane astrology.
This branch covers Mundane astrology, predicting important events related to countries such
as war, earthquakes, political events, Astro - meteorology, financial positions, electional
astrology; house & construction-related matters (Vaastu Shaastra), animals, portents & omens,
etc.
So, if you are trying to get some guidance regarding the mundane matters of life, this
branch of Vedic astrology is the right option for you.
Lastly, it is Hora or predictive astrology with different styles or sub-branches.
1.
Jaatak Shaastra / Hora Shaastra (Natal Astrology/horoscopy): Prediction based on individual horoscope.
2.
Muhurt or Muhurtha (Electional astrology): Selection of beneficial time to initiate an
activity to get maximum fruition from the life activities.
3.
Swar Shaastra (Phonetical astrology): Predictions based on name & sounds.
4.
Prashna (Horary astrology): Predictions based on the time when a question is asked by a
querent/querist.
5.
Ankjyotisha / Kabala (Numerology): A branch of astrology based on numbers.
6.
Nadi Astrology: An ancient treatise having detailed predictions for individuals.
7.
Tajik Shaastra / Varsha Phal (Annual Horoscopy): Astrology based on annual solar returns.
8.
Jaimini Sutras: A non-conventional method of timing of events based on Famous Indian
astrologer, Acharya Jaimini.
9.
Nastjaatakam (Lost Horoscopy): Art of tracing / construction of lost horoscopes.
10.
Streejaatak (female astrology): A special branch of astrology dealing with female nativities.
Vedic astrology covers all the aspects of human life and has special branches for each
aspect of our life.
And, these branches make it easy for people to take help from the Vedic astrologers.
Differences between Western and Vedic Astrology: Are you also wondering what the differences
between Western and Vedic astrology are?
And, what exactly are the differences?
The most common and understandable difference is that Vedic astrology principles are based
on lunar and planetary movements as stated earlier, whereas Western astrology considers
only the date of birth to predict various events of a person's life.
Western astrology is a bit more modern than Vedic astrology because Vedas are practiced
for centuries.
Although they have differences, there are some similarities as well.
The foremost similarity between Western and Vedic astrology is the 12 signs of the zodiac.
But, unlike western astrology, Vedic astrology emphasizes the rising sign at the precise
moment of birth rather than the 30-day sun sign.
Also, the difference between the sun signs in the two systems of astrology is said to
be 24 degrees, meaning that one might identify with a different constellation.
Another easily referred difference between the two lies in the method of measurement
of the Zodiac.
The Vedic astrology primarily uses the sidereal zodiac.
Another zodiac term!
You must be asking what the sidereal zodiac is.
Basically, the sidereal zodiac is in which stars are considered to be the fixed background
against which the motion of the planets is measured.
The sidereal year is the time taken by earth to revolve around Sun concerning the fixed
star Chitra, and this duration is apparently 20 minutes longer than the tropical year.
While, on the other hand, most Western astrology uses the tropical zodiac, which is the motion
of the planets and is measured against the position of the Sun on the spring equinox.
The tropical zodiac considers earth to be the center and the celestial bodies to be
revolving around it.
Moreover, it is based on the idea that the Sun comes back to the same point of vernal
equinox post completion of its circle around the earth.
The vernal equinox is the celestial event during which the Sun is overhead the equator
and it is generally on March 22 each year when day and night are of equal length.
And, according to Western Astrology, that is the point in time dictating the first sign,
Aries.
It is then further followed by the rest of the signs.
This difference only becomes noticeable over some time, after several centuries and as
the result of the precession of the equinoxes.
Due to this phenomenon, the Aries of Western Astrology drifts away farther from the Aries
point of Vedic Astrology at a rate of 1 degree every 72 years.
But, if we look at both the astrology’s closely and synchronically, the two systems
are identical.
With just a shift of origin of the ecliptic longitude by about 24 degrees or days only,
results on the placement of planets in the previous sign-in Western charts about 80%
of the time.
The Scientific Basis of Vedic Astrology: As the ancient Hindu literature is full of
mythology related to zodiac signs, constellations, known as Nakshatras, and planets, that is
enough to explain a lot of astrological rules.
However, it is a popular opinion that mythology was just a method that our ancient seers used
to explain some very complex physical laws, which were beyond the comprehension of common
people, and unfortunately even today’s modern science has not been able to fully understand
those physical laws behind this ancient method.
The current understanding of the science of astrology lies in statistics and probability.
The certain combinations in the Vedic astrology chart of a person result in a prediction,
which turns out to be correct in 70-80% of the charts having that combination.
We cannot explain why it happens, but the evidence is pretty strong that events can
be predicted with very reasonable statistical significance.
What is more accurate?
Vedic Astrology or Western Astrology?
This is a common question that often comes to the mind of people, and we are sure while
you were watching this video, you must have thought about it as well.
And, we have the answer to your query.
Since the planetary movements shift, the Universe expands, and nothing remains still, Vedic
Astrology is believed to be more rational and reliable because they use the phenomena
of planetary movements.
The system of Astrology that uses the fixed zodiac is called Sayana, while the one that
uses a movable zodiac is called Nirayana.
Although, the signs and planets in both the systems generally have similar interpretations
and symbolic meanings.
Vedic Astrology has more accurate calculations and detailed methods involved, thus making
it more reliable.
If we compare the western system to the Vedic one, Vedic astrology seems upright because
it relies on more accurate astronomical principles.
Vedic Astrologers or “Jotyshi” not only assess the natal chart but also the dasas,
the periods of different planets transiting through different signs and their influence
in real-time.
Furthermore, Vedic astrology is based on the moon sign over the sun sign, because the sun
changes its sign in around a month while Moon changes its sign in 2.25 days, which is why
predictions based on Moon are more close and accurate since our moods and circumstances
change frequently.
Lastly, to confirm why these are more accurate, we have another reasoning.
The moon reflects the mind and emotions, our temperament, and the correct interpretation
of the moon's placement leads to more relevant predictions and analysis.
Vedic astrology is also equipped with more precise and detail-oriented tools and methods
of predictions than western astrology.
“Jyotish will provide insight to one's dharma, or life path, and reveal our innate gifts
and challenges.
It can help us better understand our relationships with our family, friends, and life partners.
Having this fundamental understanding really helps to ease and relieve stress and our emotional
ups and downs.”
McDonough says.
Do tell us what are your opinions about it?
Do you believe in Vedic astrology?
And, if you liked our video, don’t forget to drop a Like on the video and hit the bell
icon to get more content like this.
I know this video was exciting, and you loved it.
Don't forget to hit the subscribe button.
Until next time, have a great day!!