astroYogi differentiates Western and Vedic Astrology

Astrology is one of the oldest occult art known to humans. It has been blended into different cultures and has imbibed some changes according to the culture and region it prevails. Astroyogi's expert astrologers differentiates the two prominent forms of astrology, Western and Vedic astrology.

Vedic astrology is the more recent name given to Hindu astrology or Indian astrology which originated in ancient India. It is also known regionally as 'Jyotish' which translates to the 'science of light', as it deals with the astral light patterns, which is reflected on the Earth. Vedic astrology emanated from the Vedas, which are the oldest books in existence. According to Vedic astrology, there are 12 Zodiac signs, 9 planets, and 12 houses, with each house and planet representing some aspect of human life. The birth chart or 'Kundli' of a person would map the 12 signs positioned among the 12 houses and 9 planets are placed in various houses. The planetary movements and positions would be analyzed in a horoscope analysis by an astrologist. Consult an expert astrologer for your horoscope analysis.

Western astrology, also known as Tropical astrology, is based on the belief that sun is the Centre of the Solar system and so is more important than stars. Here the Solar-based calendar is considered. Stars are grouped into constellations and each of these constellations are personified and named in accordance with their shapes as observed from earth, the sun moves slowly in a large circle for a year, passing through the constellations. This circle is divided into twelve equal portions and each portion is named after the constellation present in it (Called the Zodiac signs). The Zodiac signs according to western astrology are- Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces.

These signs are divided equally in a year and so any person's birth date that falls under a certain sign is supposed to possess the personality traits and characteristics unique to the zodiac sign. Western astrology works with the Tropical Zodiac, based on the equinoxes which places the planets in their own signs and not into the signs of the constellations into which they are placed.

The basic difference between the two methods is that the Vedic zodiac is Sidereal while the Western is Tropical. The two horoscopes are visibly different too - While Vedic is square, the Western horoscope is round. For an expert consultation click here.