What is Vedic Astrology and How Can I Benefit?

What is Vedic Astrology?

Vedic Astrology is known in the east as Jyotish, a Sanskrit word whose root is Jyoti, or divine light. This “science of light” is at once a scientific and intuitive art whereby the condition and placement of planetary energies are thoroughly analyzed for a particular moment, most commonly for a person’s birth. Through careful scrutiny, the astrologer gathers data from the natal chart and begins to unravel the multi-dimensional story of the native. Layers of potentials are revealed: strengths and weaknesses, motivations, talents, health and financial issues or vulnerabilities, growth opportunities, career interests, relationships,  and so on. The birth chart is the map, a guiding light, a snapshot of the heavens to be deciphered and guide the personality, the mind, the heart, and the soul to whom it belongs.

Western astrology is a “tropical” system which does not take this measurable and observable motion into consideration.  So while a western ephemeris may indicate that, for example, the Moon is in Pisces, if we were to look at its visible position in the sky, the Moon would most likely appear in the stars of Aquarius.

This calculation difference means that these two astrological systems are off by roughly one zodiac sign. For instance, people with Virgo Suns in their western charts will often end up with Leo Suns in their Vedic charts. Due to the mathematics, most of the planets will shift. However, this isn't always the case. If a planet in the western chart is located in over 24 degrees of a sign, it will remain in that sign in the Vedic chart.

The appearance of the two charts is the most noticeable difference: The Western chart is circular; the Vedic chart is square.

Behind piles of charts and computer calculations, Vedic Astrology has at its foundation, a vast mythological pantheon, and a rich archetypal symbolism, which elicits deep meanings.

Despite the differences, there are common bonds shared by both systems, such as the meanings for each of the signs, the planets, and the houses. They remain, for the most part, identical. So what you may have learned about Scorpio, Mars, and the 8th house in Western astrology is effective for Scorpio, Mars, and the 8th house of the Vedic chart.

Are there things I can learn from Vedic Astrology that I can’t from Western Astrology?

There are several ‘tools’ in Vedic Astrology that are not, to the best of my knowledge, available in Western astrology. To summarize: Vedic Astrology looks for countless planetary configurations or yogas which help interpret the meat of the chart. It places more emphasis on the Ascendant and Moon rather than the Sun. It checks for the balance or imbalance between the four aims of life, the four doshas, as well as the elements. It recognizes Rahu and Ketu, the North and South Nodes of the Moon, in a much deeper, spiritual manner. It offers a more thorough time-line, derived from the Moon’s lunar station at the moment of birth, which allows the astrologer to predict up to 120 years from the birth date.

Perhaps the most important difference is the use of remedials in Vedic Astrology, often used to strengthen the planet which rules over the Ascendant or another auspicious house to fortify or promote what that house stands for, or to propitiate a challenging planet to mitigate or soften its difficult effects. The types of remedials are limitless, ranging from colors, scents, gemstones, foods and spices to more spiritual, transcendental methods such as visualization, meditation, and mantras.

What benefits might I gain by obtaining a reading?

Consider your astrological natal chart as the mathematical depiction of the celestial roadmap that is your individual karma. Yet we remind you that your true self, the Soul, is beyond all limitations of space and time, beyond all malefic or benefic planetary influences. Your reading will assist to remind you that life takes effort, it takes conscious effort to manifest the Light, the true self within. We must go forward with courage, conviction, faith, and determination, remove the sheaths that may hide our radiance.  Our journey of discovery, of re-discovery, is our divine purpose. Vedic astrology is a time-honored tool that we can readily use to authenticate our Being and our direction in life.

Often times just seeing certain situations show up in the astrologer’s analysis brings comfort, closure, understanding, or compassion. Readings are a wonderful way to understand today and prepare for tomorrow.

What areas of my life can I obtain information on?

The natal chart encompasses your entire life. If we circle around the wheel from house to house, you’ll see that every area of your life is covered, such as self-expression, finances, family and home environment, children, health, relationships, prosperity, career, goals, and spiritual aspirations.

If someone is interested in a reading, the basic life reading is where to begin. This gives us plenty of ground to cover, and it also confirms accuracy with the birth data.

If anyone has a specific issue they’d like to look at, it would most always be done with a follow-up reading, once we’ve established the story of the chart and feel comfortable with it.

Specific issues or events range anywhere from “What career options does my chart show?” to  “We’d like to get married on such-and-such a date. Is this a good time to marry?"  Many inquiries seem to focus on health, such as “When am I going to feel better?" Some people just enjoy learning more about the layers of their personality, their life expression. It all depends on each individual and what is important and pressing.

What types of Vedic Astrology readings are available?

As mentioned above, the first reading is the Basic Life Reading. This is an in-depth analysis which includes:

• An explanation of the affects of planetary conditions, placements, yogas and house condition on your personality, psyche, health, career, relationships, and more
• Additional insight from the Ascendant and Moon nakshatras (stellar positions)
• A summary of the four Aims of Life, indicating which is predominant in your make-up and motivation
• A sequence or timeline of planetary periods, called Vimshottari Dasha, showing previous and potential events and conditions from birth to the current period
• An overview of future planetary periods, indicating possible trends or conditions that may likely unfold and when
• A summary of the current transits and their affect on your natal chart
• Suggested remedials to help make the most of auspicious periods and/or help alleviate difficulties during inauspicious periods
• Easy reference print-outs that explain keywords for the Sun, Moon, planets, the zodiac signs
• A description on how the Vedic chart differs from the Western chart, as well as an introduction to the nakshatras, the lunar stations or asterisms of the Moon, the Vimshottari Dasha system, and the Vargas (divisional charts)

• Your day, month, and year of birth, the time you were born, and where you were born (Example: June 3, 1974 2:55am Long Island, NY). If you do not know the time, it is usually recorded on your birth certificate. If you do not have a birth certificate, your local government offices or the hospital in which you were born may have records. If you still do not know the time, an astrologer who specializes in chart rectification can be recommended. 
  
  
• A brief list of two or three major life events, such as graduation, marriage, birth of a child, death of a loved one, promotion, relocation… These  are used so that we can look at the time-line calculated from your birth time and verify its accuracy.
  
  
  
• A primary question; indicate your current concern or question so that it can be looked into it more closely.