https://jksastrology.com/an-introduction-to-vedic-astrology/#more-2209

An Introduction to Vedic Astrology

Vedic astrology can be more than 10000 years old and no one clearly knows which the accurate date of the Vedic period is.   Even though there are debates going on about the accurate time period of this Vedic life, it definitely was rooted in the Indian subcontinent.    Unlike modern science and technology, this Vedic period was the time frame where people used Vedic knowledge in their daily life. There was a set health care system named Ayurveda, now also Ayurveda is a very big industry. Astrology or Jyotish is a branch in that Vedic lifestyle. Jyotish means nothing but knowledge of light.

Veda means a lot in Sanskrit. It means sacred knowledge, sacred lore, finding, perception, true knowledge and much more.   The knowledge about Vedas have spread in four texts Rig veda, Yajur veda, Sama veda and Atharva veda. There are so many scriptures from these books mentions   astrology.

Even though there are many texts available about Vedic astrology, Vedanga Jyotish can be considered as main text which is supposed to be originated in the later part of the Vedic era. It is all about astronomical calculations and astrology as well. There are so many other books giving detailed descriptions about astrology like Brihat Parshara Hora Sastra, Jaimini Sutras, Phaldeepika, Uttara Kalaamrit, and Bhrigu sutras.

In Western astrology is ahead of Vedic astrology by 23 degrees in the calculation. In a birth chart if Sun is at 20 degrees Sagittarius, according to Vedic chart, in Western chart Sun will be in early degrees of Capricorn. So, the calendar also changes. Accordingly, the dates of the months also change.

 

Western Calendar

Aries    March 21 – April 20

Taurus    April 21 – May 21

Gemini    May 22 – June 21

Cancer    June 22 – July 22

Leo    July 23 -August 23

Virgo    August 22 – September 22

Libra    September 24 – October 23

Scorpio    October 24 – November 22

Sagittarius    November 23 – December 21

Capricorn    December 22 – January 20

Aquarius    January 21 – February 19

12: Pisces    February 20- March 20

 

Eastern Calendar

Aries    April 14 – May 15

Taurus    May 15 – June 15

Gemini    June 15 – July 16

Cancer    July 16 – August 17

Leo    August 17 – September 17

Virgo    September 17 – October 17

Libra    October 17 – November 16

Scorpio    November 16 – December 16

Sagittarius    December 16 – January 14

Capricorn    January 14 – February 13

Aquarius    February 13 – March 14

Pisces    March 14 – April 14

 

In the Vedic system of astrology, prominence is given to nine planets. Which are known as Nava Grahas.  They are here with their Sanskrit names

Sun: Soorya

Moon: Chandra

Mercury : Budha

Venus : Shukra

Mars : Mangala

Jupiter: Brihaspati

Saturn: Shani

North Node: Rahu

South Node : Ketu

 

Even though these planets can indicate us about our destiny, the true results are derived from the placement of Nakshatras or Lunar Mansions which lies behind the planets. At this point, Western astrology students may get confused.  There are 12 signs; planets are traveling through these signs. There are other constellations which behind these planets other than these 12 signs. These constellations are 28 in number. They are known as lunar mansions or nakshatras. Among these 28 nakshatras 27 are known as feminine nakshatra and the 28th one is considered as the male entity. So, for astrology consultation, only 27 nakshatras are taken into consideration.

These 27 lunar mansions or nakshatras makes Vedic astrology more detailed while Western astrology is very easy to understand. In the next chapters, we will study more about Vedic astrology. Vedic astrology chart has 12 houses like the western chart. The matters allotted to each house are almost all the same, but there is much more in Vedic astrology.