Difference Between Vedic Astrology and Western Astrology

Vedic Astrology has been practised for thousands of years in India and is a well-respected science
recognised by the government of India. The vaidyas (doctors) of Indian ayurvedic health may
consult the astrological charts of their patients for further information, as do practitioners of vastu.
You can go to Club Cyber Astro for free calculation of your Vedic astrology chart. Vedic Astrology is
also known as Jyotisha or Agam Shastra.

What is the difference between Vedic Astrology and Western Astrology?

Vedic Astrology is also known as Sidereal Astrology because it tracks the position of the Sun, Moon
and planets against the position of the stars. Western Astrology is also known as Tropical Astrology
because it tracks the Sun, Moon and planets in relation to the Earth and its seasonal points.
Over the last millennium, the points where these two different systems start the astrological year
have drifted apart by approximately 24 degrees. In other words, the Spring or Vernal Equinox which
marks the start of the Zodiac begins at 6º Pisces rather than at 0º Aries as in the Tropical Zodiac.

The difference between these two starts of the astrological year is called the ayanamsa. You will
find that unless you were born between the 15th and 20th of the month, your sign will have moved
back by one in Vedic Astrology.

In fact, every 72 years the Vernal Equinox shifts back (or precedes) by 1º. The Age of Aquarius will
start when the Sun rises in Aquarius on the morning of the Vernal Equinox in about 430 years.
Vedic Astrology will recognise this but Western Astrology will start the year at 1º Aries. That is not
to say that there are not different systems within Vedic traditions. The official calculations of
ayanamsa are based on the calculations of N. C. Lahiri but there are also systems in use based on
Raman, Krishnamurti and Sri Yukteswar.

Vedic Astrology generally uses the equal house system. There are also 27 signs based on the
movement of the Moon called nakshatras. Each sign covers about one day. The key planets or
graha are the Sun (Surya/Ravi), Moon (Chandra/Soma), Mars (Mangala/Angaraka/Kuja),
Mercury(Budha), Jupiter (Guru/Brihaspati), Venus (Sukra), Saturn (Sanaiscarya/Shani), Rahu and
Ketu (the North and South Nodes of the Moon). Rahu indicates your material destiny and karma,
while Ketu indicates enlightenment. The Sun, Mars, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu are malefic planets. The
Ascendant is known as the Lagna Rasi.

PANCHANG

The Hindu calendar or almanac is known as the panchang. In the panchang the majority of
information is derived from calculations based on the Moon. This information is used to determine
the right time to celebrate traditional Hindu events and to determine auspicious and inauspicious
days and times to perform or avoid certain activities. Panchang means five limbs in Sanskrit and
this refers to the five ways used to divide the span of a day -- rashi, nakshatra, tithi, karana and
vara. (See below for lists of the rashi and nakshatra.) The nakshatra are divided into 4 subsections
each of 3 degrees 20 minutes called pada (foot). The Hindu lunar month, which starts from the day
after the full moon and ends on the next full moon, is divided into a dark and a bright half. Each of
these halves is divided into 15 tithi or lunar days. Each tithi is further subdivided into 2 parts called
karana. The vara are the days of the week.

Vara or Weekdays Sunday Ravivara Sun

Monday Somvara Moon
Tuesday Mangalvara Mars
Wednesday Budhvara Mercury
Thursday Guruvara Jupiter
Friday Sukravara Venus
Saturday Shanivara Saturn

The Vedic Signs or Rashi (Nirayana/Sidereal) Rashi Western Name Samvata (lunar
month) Dates
1. Mesha Aries Vaishakha 13 Apr - 14 May
2. Vrishabha Taurus Jyeshta 15 May - 14 Jun
3. Mithuna GeminiAshadha 15 Jun - 14 Jul
4. Karka CancerShravana 15 Jul - 14 Aug
5. Simha Leo Bhadra15 Aug - 15 Sep
6. Kanya Virgo Ashwina 16 Sep - 15 Oct
7. Tula Libra Kartika16 Oct - 14 Nov
8. Vrishchika Scorpio Mrigasirsa 15 Nov - 14 Dec
9. Dhanus Sagittarius Pausha 15 Dec - 13 Jan
10. Makara Capricorn Magha 14 Jan - 12 Feb
11. Kumbha Aquarius Phalguna 13 Feb - 12 Mar
12. Meena Pisces Chaitra 13 Feb - 12 Apr

The Nakshatras or Lunar Mansions (Moon Signs)

Ashwini (Possessing Horses) - Good time for fast action, getting more wealth, buying or selling
vehicles, travelling, starting studies.
Bharani (Bearing) - Time for unpleasant but necessary duties, burning things, drilling for water.
Krittika (Cutters) - Time for boldness, audaciousness and warlike approach, good for driving.
Rohini (Red One) - Good for all new undertakings, marriage, lay foundations of buildings.
Mrigasira (Deer's Head/Path) - Time for marriage, new friends, gardening, receiving sacred thread,
travel.
Ardra (Moist One) - Time for dirty work, going against others, fighting back.
Punarvasu (Two Good-Again) - Time for starting over, making repairs, searching for a home,
marrying.
Pushya (Nourishing) - Time for imroving health, parties, music and dancing, travel but not for
marrying.
Aslesha (Clinging) - Good for fighting, getting rid of old and unwanted things in your life, taking a
stand, taking a chance.
Magha (Mighty One) - Time for grandiose actions, taking risks, influential people.
Purva Phalguni (Former Red One/Fig Tree) - Time for restraining your enemies, using subterfuge,
gamble but don't take physical risks.
Uttara Phalguni (Latter Red One/Fig Tree) - Good for new beginnings, marriage, new home,
promises and vows.
Hasta (Hand) - Time for stabilisation or new approaches, for enduring results.
Chitra (Bright) - Good for improving health, gardening, new clothes, repairing mechanical things.
Swati (Self Going) - Good time to make advances and progress in your affairs, not so good for
travelling.
Visakha (Forked One) - Time for construction, land deals, dealing with cars, healing.
Anuradha (Additional Radha) - Good for marrying, commitments, vows, holidays, housewarming
parties.
Jyeshta (Eldest) - Time for maturity, confronting enemies, asking for forgiveness.
Mula (Root) - Good for gardening and agriculture, working with water, breaking agreements.
Purvashada (Former Unconquered) - Good for releasing someone, paying off debts, forgiveness, not
good for travel.
Uttarashada (Latter Unconquered) - Time for planning for the future, redecoration, new homes,
repairs, marriage.
Shravana (Trident) - Time for healing, preventative measures, religious ceremonies, favourable
actions.
Dhanistha (Wealthiest) - Good for travel, new car, self-defence, gardening.
Satabisha (100 Healers)- Time for signing contracts for home and land, good for business deals and
health cures.
Purva Bhadrapada (Former Lucky Feet) - Time for dangerous or risky actions, agriculture, new pets.
Uttara Bhadrapada (Latter Lucky Feet) - Time for commitments, vows, marriage, new homes.
Revati (Wealthy) - Good for trade and business, marriage, new homes, religious buildings.
THE HOUSES
House Name Translation Description
First House Tanu Bhava The House of the Body Appearance and basic disposition, health
Second HouseDhana Bhava The House of Wealth Finances, family happiness, food/drink, study.
Third House Sahaja Bhava The House of Brothers Courage, strength, effort, neighbours,
writing, communication, fun.
Fourth House Matru Bhava The House of the Mother Mother, the home, education, hobbies,
happiness.
Fifth House Putra Bhava The House of Children Romance, intelligence, speculation,
pregnancy, games, business, past-life credit.
Sixth House Ripu Bhava The House of Enemies Competitors, enemies, weaknesses,
injuries, servants, pets, employees.
Seventh House Kalatra Bhava The House of the Partner Marriage, love affairs, business
partnerships, foreign residence or travel for business.
Eighth House Ayu Bhava The House of Life Life and death, mystical matters, sex, loss,
dreams, wealth of the partner, cheating.
Ninth House Bhagya Bhava The House of FortuneLuck, wisdom, religion, boss.
Tenth House Dharma Bhava The House of Right Action Career, fame, reputation,
commerce, business, compassion.
Eleventh House Labya Bhava The House of Gains Opportunities, money, friends, wishes,
profits.
Twelfth HouseMoksha Bhava The House of Enlightenment Loss, poverty, liberation, sexual
pleasures, long journeys, betrayal, self-sacrifice, confinement.

There are three main systems of charts used in India, the North Indian Chart, the South Indian Chart
and the Eastern Indian Chart.

The North Indian Chart is read from right to left (counter-clockwise) and the houses are fixed. It
looks quite similar to the house chart used in Medieval times in Europe. However unlike the
European version, the Ascendant is top centre. The signs are indicated by numbers. When this
chart is used, a separate chart will often also be constructed that has the Moon as the Ascendant.

The South Indian Chart is read from left to right (clockwise) and the signs are fixed. Mesha (Aries) is
placed in the second from the top left. The Ascendant is often shown by small or large diagonal
lines in the house.

The Eastern India Chart is read from right to left (counter-clockwise) and the signs are fixed. Mesha
(Aries) is placed top centre. The Ascendant is often shown by L for Lagna.

GEMSTONES AND METALS AS TALISMANS

There are two types of planets in every horoscope. Anukul-graha are favourable planets, and
pratikul-graha are unfavourable planets. Careful examination by an expert practitioner in both
jyotish and ayurveda can establish which planets are favourable and can be further influenced to
have a beneficial effect by the use of the appropriate gemstone or metal.

Anukul, or a planet that is beneficially placed in the horoscope is either strong in its own sign, in a
good house, ruler of houses which will bring positive results, or otherwise has a positive influence.

Pratikul designates a planet that has a negative influence over the life of a person according to his
or her horoscope. For example, a weakened planet may be in dusthana and be an enemy of the
lord of the lagna. Unfortunately, you cannot improve a pratikul-graha (negatively disposed planet)
by wearing the gem, this only produces increased suffering.

Gemstones & Metals of the Planets

Planet Precious Gem Semi-Precious Gem
Metals
Sun Ruby Star Ruby, Garnet Copper
Moon Pearl Moonstone (Gems)
Mars Red Coral Red Coral, Garnet Gold
Jupiter Yellow Sapphire Golden Topaz Silver
Mercury Emerald Onyx Alloy of Metals
Venus Diamond, White Sapphire White Zircon, White Coral (Pearls)
Saturn Blue Sapphire Amethyst Iron
Rahu Gomedha (Zircon) Gomedha (Zircon)/Agate
Ketu Cat's Eye Cat's Eye/Agate