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Western Astrology is based on Ptolemy’s Tetrabiblos and originated in Greece and Rome. It is based on the orientation of the Earth to the Sun and uses ‘Tropical Zodiac’. In this astrology it is assumed that every year the Sun at the first degree of Aries and Libra is at the spring and autumnal equinoxes respectively and at the first degree of Cancer and Capricorn at the summer and winter solstices. By this assumption, the tropical zodiac ignores the Precession of the Equinox.
Vedic Astrology can be traced back to the Rig Vedas. It originated from the insight and the knowledge of the rishis and seers. This knowledge was passed down through the ages unaltered and hence has a strong base. Vedic astrology uses ‘sidereal zodiac’ i.e. it uses the real positions of the planets as specified by the astronomers against a backdrop of fixed stars.
The following are the difference between Vedic Astrology and Western Astrology-
- THE ZODIACS
Western astrology uses “Tropical Zodiac’. This means that the beginning of the 12 signs is determined by the Sun’s orbit around the earth. It depends on the start of the four seasons i.e. the movement of the Sun when it crosses the equator and its uppermost and lowermost points (the summer and winter solstices). When the Sun crosses the equator and goes north during spring it indicates the beginning of Aries and when the Sun goes south during fall it indicates the beginning of Libra.
Vedic astrology uses ‘Sidereal zodiac’. This means that it is based on the physical position of the constellations and planets in the sky. They take a starting point which is determined by the position of the moon when a child is born. This becomes the beginning of Aries and proceeds in segments of 30 degrees for the signs that come after that.
- PLANETS
Western astrology uses all of the ten planets from Sun to Pluto. The astrologers use even the outer planets i.e. Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. According to them Uranus is the natural ruler of Aquarius, Neptune is the natural ruler of Pisces, and Pluto is the natural ruler of Scorpio.
Vedic astrology on the other hand use only 9 planets which includes all the planets from the Sun to Saturn and the shadowy planets i.e. the Moon’s north node (Rahu) and south node (Ketu). These nodes are points on the ecliptic path of the Sun, which the Moon cuts every month as it circles the Earth at a 5° inclination to the Earth’s orbit. They do not use Uranus, Neptune and Pluto because they consider these planets to be too far from the earth and too small to have any real influence in the human affairs. Also, according to them Aquarius is ruled by Saturn, Pisces by Jupiter, and Scorpio by Mars.
- THE HOUSES
Western astrologers use the 12 house wheel system with the first house placed at the Ascendant. Each house is equally sized as the other. There are four angles i.e. the Ascendant, Descendant, Imum Coeli, Medium Coeli where the planets are considered to have more influence.
In Vedic astrology whole sign houses are used where the Ascendant can fall anywhere in the First House, and each house comprises all of one sign. Many of the astrologers also use Bhava/Shri Pati houses for a portion of their work. The four angular houses i.e. the 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th houses are called ‘kendras; and the planets have the clear power here. [ Also Read, 12 Houses of Vedic Astrology ]
- THE CHARTS
The Western astrologers use a circular wheel type chart to work on. In this chart the 1st house is placed at the position of 9:00 on a clock below the ascendant and the subsequent houses progress in an anti-clockwise manner.
The Vedic astrologers use a square chart. In this chart the four kendras i.e. 1, 4, 7 and 10 are in focus at the centre. The rest of the houses are placed sequentially in an anti-clockwise manner.
- ASPECTS
Western astrologers use different types of aspects. It includes the five Ptolemaic aspects that are conjunction, sextile, square, trine, and opposition. These are in tight orbs of 10 degrees or less, determined by the type of aspect. Planets only aspect other planets and the angles (Ascendant and Midheaven). Western astrologers also place importance upon aspect patterns like Grand Trines, T-squares etc. In western astrology, the smaller the orb the stronger the aspect.
Vedic astrologers use whole-sign aspects. Therefore, any planet in Libra is in aspect to any planet in Aries, no matter what their degree positions are. Many Vedic astrologers do pay attention to aspect orbs, but they don’t use as tight orbs as do Western astrologers. Unlike Western astrology, where the type of aspect adds meaning (e.g., squares are challenging), Vedic aspects are neutral. What makes an aspect positive or negative is not the type of aspect but whether the aspecting planet is a benefic or a malefic. The benefic planets are: Jupiter, Venus, and also Mercury (unless aspected only by malefics), and the Moon. The malefics are: Rahu and Ketu (the Moon’s North and South Node, respectively), Saturn, Mars, and the Sun. In Vedic astrology the strength of the planet making the aspect is important.
- PRIMARY FOCUS
Western astrology uses tropical zodiac which is largely ‘Sun’ based. Aries, Taurus, Gemini etc. are all called ‘solar houses’. It is primarily focused on and concerned with the solar side (personality and character) of our life.
Vedic astrology uses ‘Sidereal astrology’ which can also be called “Cosmic astrology” for it measures the relationship of the fixed stars and the solar system to ourselves. Vedic Astrology covers all areas of life – our desires, talents, responsibilities, financial resources, creativity, likelihood of marrying and having children, and the potential for spiritual growth. It can also indicate times of ill-health, failures, emotional and physical difficulties; and confinement in a hospital, prison or monastery, etc
- HOUSE CLASSIFICATION
In Western astrology the houses are classified as angular, succedent, cadent, Fire, air, water and earth.
In Vedic astrology the houses are classified as angular, succedent, cadent, fire, air, water, earth, maraka, upachaya, good/bad, kendra/trikona etc.
- LUNAR PHASES
Western astrology has 8 lunar phases
Vedic astrology has 16 tithis.
- RETROGRADE PLANETS
Retrograde planets are those planets that are at closest approach to the earth and are hence bright and large.
Western astrologers see retrograde planets as weak.
Vedic astrologers on the other hand view retrograde planets strong as they depend on how the planets are seen in the sky.
- CONCEPT OF COMBUSTION
Concept of Combustion is when the planet is near the sun.
Western astrology doesn’t use the concept of combustion.
Vedic astrology considers the planets that are within 6 degree of the sun to be weak.
- ASSESSING COMPATIBILTY
Western astrologers see the interaspects between charts, cross-house placement, and composite charts.
Vedic astrologers use Kuta analysis and Navamsha assessment.
- SYSTEMS TO DETERMINE TIMING OF AN EVENT
Western Astrology makes use of progressions (any method of advancing the planets and house cusps of a natal horoscope to a particular time after birth) and transits (the position and movement of the planets on a given day; used in reference to planets passing over a natal planet or crossing a natal house).
Vedic astrologers might apply this system, but their primary system is the use of planetary periods, called dashas. There are 32 such systems outlined by Parashara in his treatise. The most commonly used Dasha is the Vimshottari Dasha system. In this each of the nine planets is given a particular time span, periods varying from 6 to 20 years, giving a total of 120 years, when their particular influence will have a predominant effect on an individual’s life. These periods can be divided into sub-periods and sub-sub periods to show the planetary influences operating on a particular day. Secondary transits by Sturn and Jupiter are also used.
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