Vedic astrology, which is also known as Indian astrology or Hindu astrology, takes its name from Jyotishya Vedanga, a branch of the Vedas that dates from the Vedic period. For this reason, it is also known as Jyotish or Jyotisha, a Sanskrit word meaning "science of light".
Vedic astrology deals with practical matters and people's karmic patterns, as opposed to Western astrology's focus on character traits.
Astronomy and the Vedic Zodiac
The science of astronomy defines the zodiac as the ring of constellations that lines the ecliptic, which is the path the Sun appears to take across the sky over the course of the year. The Earth's Moon and all of the planets in the solar system lie within the ecliptic.
Vedic astrology divides the year in to 12 segments, whose names are known as the signs of the zodiac, or the sun signs. They Sanskrit word for sign is Rashi. Vedic astrology uses same names for these signs as the Western astrology signs of the zodiac, although they also have Sanskrit names.
Sidereal Zodiac and Tropical Zodiac
The sidereal system divides the ecliptic into 12 segments relative to fixed stars, whereas the tropical system divides it into 12 segments relative to the vernal (spring) equinox. Due to the procession of the equinoxes, that is the movement to the west of the equinoxes relative to the fixed stars, the two systems drift apart by about 1.4 arc degrees per century.
Vedic astrology uses the sidereal system to divide the ecliptic, and Western astrology uses the tropical system. Consequently, the dates of zodiac signs are different in Vedic and Western astrology.
Names and Dates of the Vedic Zodiac Signs or Sun Signs
The 12 Vedic signs of the zodiac, with their Sanskrit names in parentheses, are:
- Aries, The Ram (Mesha): April 15 - May 15
- Taurus, The Bull (Vrishaba): May 16 - June 15
- Gemini, The Twins (Mithuna): June 16 - July 15
- Cancer, The Crab (Karkata): July 16 - August 15
- Leo, The Lion (Simha): August 16 - September 15
- Virgo, The Virgin (Kanya): September 16 - October 15
- Libra, The Scales (Tula): October 16 - November 15
- Scorpio, The Scorpion (Vrishchika): November 16 - December 15
- Sagittarius, The Archer (Dhanus): December 16 - January 14
- Capricorn, the Goat (Makara): January 15 - February 14
- Aquarius, The Water Carrier (Kumbha): February 15 - March 14
- Pisces, The Fishes (Meena): March 15 - April 14
The Navagraha, or 9 Planets
Vedic astrology recognizes the Navagraha as the cosmic influencers of the living beings on the Earth. The Sanskrit word Navagraha is derived from two words, Nava meaning nine and Graha meaning seizing or holding. They are often known as the 9 planets, inaccurately as they are neither all planets, nor even celestial bodies as the two lunar nodes are positions in space.
The Navagraha, with their Sanskrit names in parentheses, are:
- Sun (Surya)
- Moon (Chandra)
- Mars (Mangala)
- Mercury (Budha)
- Jupiter (B?haspati)
- Venus (Shukra)
- Saturn (Shani)
- North Lunar Node (Rahu)
- South Lunar Node (Ketu)
Ruling Planets, or Planetary Lords, of the Zodiac Signs
Each Vedic zodiac sign has a ruling planet from amongst the celestial bodies in the Navagraha. These ruling planets, or Planetary Lords, are said to exert a greater influencer of people from that zodiac sign than the other Navagraha.
The ruling planets of the Vedic zodiac signs are:
- Aries - Mars
- Taurus - Venus
- Gemini - Mercury
- Cancer - Moon
- Leo - Sun
- Virgo - Mercury
- Libra - Venus
- Scorpio - Mars
- Sagittarius - Jupiter
- Capricorn - Saturn
- Aquarius - Saturn
- Pisces - Jupiter
Sources:
Introduction to Indian Vedic astrology, accessed August 15, 2011
Vedic Astrology: An Introduction, accessed August 15, 2011
Mark Tibbits - A professional writer and educator who writes about Astrology, South Asia/China, the UK, the British Royal Family, and Religion.
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