Vedic Astrology

Vedic Astrology refers to Indian or Hindu astrology, a system that originated in ancient India, and was documented by sages in the Vedic scriptures. Also known as "Jyotish" -- the science of light, Vedic astrology deals with astral light patterns that are thought to determine our destiny. Astrology is the science of the effects of planetary movements on our lives. Astrology is based on astronomy, and astrologers need to know the correct positions of the planets at any given time, as well as the correct positions of the zodiacal fixed star signs in relation to any place on earth at any given time. Once the correct positions of the signs and planets are known, astrologers can construct charts representing these positions. And using his knowledge, the astrologer can study the charts and can make a wide range of conclusions about the moment the chart was cast for. Primarily, astrology is used to understand one's self, and our karma for this life.
The basic premise of this astrology is that all things are linked. Your karma or fortune is determined by a predestined cosmic design. You are a soul incarnating in a body at a very specific time and place, and your life is a reflection of the greater whole into which you are born just as flowers bloom at certain times, say during spring time, when all conditions are perfectly congenial. So is the case with our births on this palnet.
In Jyotish, the main item is your chart. It's a map of the planets in the signs of the zodiac. Charts are cast based on an exact moment at an exact place on earth. Therefore, the moment you were born and the place you were born has a chart, and that is your "birth chart" or "natal chart".
By reading the chart of the heavens for the time and place of your birth, claim astrologers, they can know much about you. The positions of the planets in the real star-based zodiac are taken and your "dashas" (predictive timeline) are arranged. Your Vedic chart will most likely reflect your real life and your dashas are probably operating the way they should. The Vedic astrologer looks at these planets, signs and house placements in your chart and can "see" your personality, as well as life events and possibilities - both the good and the bad times in your life. The dashas are then used to determine "when" the events will unfold in the life.
Dashas give a greater predictive accuracy to Vedic astrology than Western astrology. These "planetary ruling periods," which are unique to this system, give Vedic astrologers a tool for quite accurately predicting the trends, changes and events in your life with amazing precision. Therefore, Vedic astrologers are less limited to talking about your general overall self and can get more deeply into what's going to happen in your life.
Vedic astrology differs from Western or Tropical astrology mainly in that it uses the fixed zodiac as opposed to the moving zodiac. Because of the gradual tilting of the earth in space on its axis, the zodiac, if you calculate it from the sun's relationship to the earth, appears to be moving at the rate of a little less than 1/60th of a degree per year. Currently, the relative or movable zodiac is off or out of alignment with the fixed or real star-based zodiac by roughly 23 degrees, which is almost one whole sign of the zodiac. Because the two systems are skewed from each other by nearly one whole sign, most people's "Sun Sign", that which you can get from the newspaper each day, is usually one sign back when the chart is refigured using Vedic astrology. So, the first surprise of using the Vedic system is that you are no longer the Sun Sign you always thought you were. However, if you were born in the last 5 days or so of the Western sign month, then you will probably still be the same sign in the Vedic system.
Vedic Astrology is one of the most interesting artifacts of intelligent life on earth. I mean, it's one of the greatest things we can share with each other. It's like understanding how the whole darn big picture is swirling in unison with the dance of life. What I'm saying is, "This system really works!" It's amazing! No wonder it comes from the books of the Vedic era. I've personally found no greater source of profound knowledge than Vedic literature.

Getting Started with Astrology

Astrology is the observation of the planets and the patterns of energy they create at any given moment. Modern astrology emerged out of an ancient awareness that we're both part of these energies, and influenced by them. While not everyone agrees that these energies exist, this kind of skywatching has gone on since time began.
Early cultures followed the movements closely, linking them to seasonal changes, and observing the Sun's annual journey through the Zodiac. This knowledge has been used to ponder fate, predict events and even chose a marriage partner. As the search for meaning in the patterns of stars and planets, a system of Astrology is found in every culture and tradition, with some having an unbroken lineage. There's a kind of renaissance underway in the West, with Astrology's insights being used to better understand the self and others.
What do the movements of the planets have to do with me?
Your birth (or natal) chart is the position of the planets at the moment of your birth. The psychologist Carl Jung wrote that "like vintage years of wine, we have the qualities of the year and of the season in which we are born." Your birth chart reveals built-in gifts and struggles for this lifetime, along with insights about your personality.
What are horoscopes based on?
Most horoscopes are based on the Sun sign, which are the twelve signs of the Zodiac that most people are familiar with. The Sun sign is your basic nature and can be a great starting point for learning about Astrology. If you're curious, try observing people you know to see how whether or not their Sun sign qualities shine through.
After the Sun sign, what's next in Astrology?
To find out your other planets, you'll need to get your hands on your birth chart. When you know the time you were born, you're able to cast an accurate chart with the rising sign in place on the wheel. When you're ready to go deeper, your Moon sign reveals your emotional nature, the intimate side that only a trusted few are able to see.
Astrology and Relationships
To investigate a potential love partner, look first at how well the Sun signs traditionally get along. Each of us is a complex blend of all our planets, so add dimension to your astro analysis by looking at the Moon and Rising signs. Venus reveals what kinds of friends and lovers you are attracted to, and what makes you attractive to others. Mars reveals what revs up your mojo, and how you pursue the object of your desire.
The Message of Mercury
Mercury usually follows the Sun closely, and may be in the same sign. This planet and its aspects to other planets in your birth chart shows your unique communication style. It describes the life of the mind, and what gets those wheels turning.
Understanding Astrology
Astrology doesn't make much sense when approached solely through the intellect. There's a lot of synthesis involved, and there's always more to learn. It's a field that's said to have shallow brooks and deep fjords, and my advice is to dip your pinkie toe in -- stick with Sun signs -- and keep going deeper, as your interest grows. Learning about the grouping of the signs by elements (fire, water, air and earth) and qualities (cardinal, fixed and mutable) is a good foundation for futher study.