What is Vedic Astrology by Jyotishraj Suvrajit

 What is Vedic Astrology

Vedic Astrology is an ancient Indian science which explains planetary motions and positions with respect to time and their effect on humans and other entities on earth. Vedic astrology can be traced thousands of years back. Early Vedic astrology was only based on the movement of planets with respect to stars, but later on it started including zodiac signs as well. According to Vedic astrology, there are 27 constellations made up of 12 zodiac signs, 9 planets and 12 houses with each house and planet representing some aspect of human life. Depending on when a person is born, the 12 signs are distributed among the 12 houses and 9 planets are placed in various houses. This visual representation of the snapshot of the signs and planets is called a horoscope chart. Vedic astrology is nothing but interpreting the meaning of these arrangements as it applies to humans and other entities.

Origin of Vedic Astrology

Vedic astrology has been practiced since before recorded history. For instance, ancient Indian culture used a calendrical system that relied on accurate tracking of the moon, stars, and planets. The ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata, which is believed by many to be over 5,000 years old, includes many references to astrological signs and calculations. Astrology was not only used to judge a person’s character and destiny, but also for practical daily necessities, such as planting grains, harvesting, and planning weddings and other festivals.

Virtually the same system of astrology as is seen in ancient Indian culture was also used in various places across the world. In the Middle East, there was the Babylonian Empire of the 3rd and 2nd millennia B.C, which utilized astrology to predict natural disasters and other major events. In what is now known as Central America, there was the Mayan Empire of the 2nd millennium B.C, which based the architecture and design of their temples on the movements of the planets.

Perhaps the most famous historical event that involved astrology was the birth of Jesus Christ. It was three astrologers who saw a celestial sign in the sky that indicated the birth of a great soul, a king of kings. By accurately interpreting the stellar and planetary positions, they were able to understand the exact time and location when Jesus would be born.

Today, many cultures use astrology, and especially the movement of the moon, to measure the passage of time, and to determine the dates of holidays and festivals. Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, and other traditions all base their traditional holy days on a lunar calendar.