Vedic astrology

Vedic astrology, also known as Jyotisa or Hindu astrology, is an ancient system which is still widely used today.

Vedic astrology is interested in the connections between the macrocosm and microcosm and the concept of bandhu from the Vedas. The sidereal zodiac is used (rather than the Western tropical zodiac) as this allows for the precession of the vernal equinox.

The Vedic system tends to look at Rashi (zodiac), Bhava (houses) and Graha (planets). The Bhava is a zodiacal division based on local time and location.

The Rashi

• Mesa – Ram; Western Name: Aries; Element: Fire
• Vrsabha – Bull; Western Name: Taurus; Element: Earth
• Mithuana – Twins; Western Name: Gemini; Element: Air
• Karka – Crab; Western Name: Cancer; Element: Water
• Simha – Lion; Western Name: Leo; Element: Fire
• Kanya – Girl; Western Name: Virgo; Element: Earth
• Tula – Balance; Western Name: Libra; Element: Air
• Vrscika – Scorpion; Western Name: Scorpio; Element: Water
• Dhanus – Bow; Western Name: Sagittarius; Element: Fire
• Makara – Sea-monster; Western Name: Capricorn; Element: Earth
• Kumbha – Pitcher; Western Name: Aquarius; Element: Air
• Mina – Fish; Western Name: Pisces; Element: Water

The Bhava

• Lagna – Health, purpose of life, appearance
• Dhana – Inheritance, wealth, family
• Parakrama – Short journeyes, education, younger siblings
• Suhrda – Home, mother, property
• Suta – Lover, gambling, recreation, children
• Roga – Enemies, foreigners, servants
• Kama – Trade, death, honour, reputation
• Mrityu – Dowry, sexuality, occult, suffering
• Bhagya – Father, travel, luck
• Karma – Power, status, business
• Aya – Elder siblings, hopes, friends
• Vyaya – Sleep, secret enemies, liberation, expenses

The Graha

• Surya – the Sun; king, father, senior
• Chandra – the Moon; queen, mother, mind
• Mangala – Mars; ego, confidence
• Budha – Mercury; examination, communication
• Brihaspati – Jupiter; the great teacher, master
• Shukra – Venus; pleasure, reproduction
• Shani – Saturn; career, education, school of life
• Rahu – Ascending North Lunar Node; Head of the Demon Snake; an Asura intent on chaos
• Ketu – Descending South Lunar Node; Tail of Demon Snake; supernatural and occult influences

In Pure Spirit

Have you made use of Vedic astrology? How did it compare? Is it significant that Vedic astrology uses sidereal zodiac rather than tropical?