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How Accurate is the Vedic Astrology Method

At some point, you’ve probably mapped your birth charts or looked up your astrological compatibility with a love (or other) interest. It turns out, doing so hasn’t just been a western tradition with zodiac signs…

Vedic astrology is Hinduism’s unique take on astrology, termed as ‘Jyotisa’ in the Sanskrit language, which is derived from the word ‘Jyoti’ meaning ‘illumination.’ According to Hinduism, knowing one’s Vedic astrology birth chart can provide a blueprint for the choices they will make, illuminating one’s life path—past, present, future.

Both Vedic and Western forms of philosophy aim for similar goals and are primarily famous in their places of origin. 

However, there are many critical differences between the two. In this article, we’ll question their accuracy and find out what sets them apart. 

Among believers in astrology, the Vedic side is more effective and accurate than its western counterpart. This may be because of the advanced techniques used in Vedic astrology and its high level of complexity. 

Vedic astrology uses divisional charts, Nakshatras, and the Dasha System for directions. As compared to the western systems of astrology, Vedic astrology appears to be firmer due to the strict astronomical principles it follows.  

Which is more accurate Vedic or western astrology?

While Vedic astrology wins in perceived accuracy due to its inherently complex nature, it’s also based on one’s Moon sign which gives an even bigger edge to ‘Jyotisa’ (the Vedic method) to the zodiac system because the sun changes its sign in about a month. In contrast, the moon takes 2.25 days to change its sign. 

Astrology experts believe that moon-based predictions are more likely to be accurate as our circumstances and moods may frequently change, in which case the moon-based predictions would be more updated than those of the sun.

The moon is also believed to reflect one’s emotions, state of mind, and temperament. Thus, basing interpretations on the moon’s placement can lead to more relevant analysis and predictions. 

These factors provide Vedic astrology an upper hand in precision and highly detail-oriented tools to draw conclusions and make predictions. It’s thus believed to be more reliable than its western alternative.

Is Vedic astrology scientific?

Astrology is based on an in-depth understanding of star positions, and the process itself can be perceived as a scientific pursuit. However, it misses out on the ‘proven through experimentation and observation’ side of the definition of a scientific method.

To put it clearly, there’s no scientific evidence to back up the claims made by Vedic or western astrology, such as the positions of stars having a direct impact on our lives and personality.

The scientific community has always rejected astrology as having absolutely no proof for explaining the universe the way it does. However, this is not because of the lack of scientific experimentation.

Extensive scientific testing has taken place on the subject of astrology, and no evidence has been found in favor of the effects outlined in astrological beliefs.

So far, astrologers have not proposed reliable proof to explain its working mechanism to the scientific community, through which star positions and motions can affect events and people on the Earth. 

Though widely regarded as a pseudoscience among the mainstream, astrology retains a significant position in particular political, religious, and legal contexts, especially in modern India.

What does Vedic astrology mean?

Vedic astrology is one of the oldest future-prediction techniques, originating from ancient India, that links planetary positions and motions with time. It describes its effects on the events, entities, and humans on Earth. 

The traces of this study date back thousands of years. In its earlier years, Vedic astrology purely consisted of planetary movements concerning star positions; however, it later began including zodiac signs.

Essentially, it is similar to western astrology in terms of its architecture, goals, and scope. However, it follows different algorithms and formulas to draw conclusions and tends to be more future-focused than Western astrology that’s more drawn to assessing the present moment and circumstances. 

Why is Vedic astrology so negative?

As Vedic astrology tends to be more future-focused, it may result in pessimistic predictions regarding the upcoming events in a person’s life. This has earned Vedic astrology a notorious rep for being too negative, while the western zodiac predictions seem lighter and more relatable.

A significant part of this contrast can be attributed to the stereotypes that have evolved around zodiac signs in horoscopes based on western astrology. 

The horoscopes you find on social media websites tend to be on the ‘fun’ side. At the same time, Vedic astrology takes its predictions very seriously, basing every conclusion on a strict set of rules and calculations, leading to projections that are not-so-fun.

What’s the difference between Vedic astrology and western astrology?

Vedic astrology differs from western astrology in many ways. Here are five key areas where the two studies hold their unique positions.

1. They have different origins

As the name suggests, Vedic Astrology traces its origins back to the Vedas, which is amongst the earliest scriptures on Earth. 

This ancient form of astrology was created by ancient sages and seers thousands of years ago in the Indian subcontinent. It’s believed to be based upon God’s word, passed on to and from the region’s wisest people.

Whereas Western astrology, on the other hand, has completely different origins. Anthropologists can trace it back to intellectual development and ancient life in Greece. It’s also said to be influenced by the Egyptian Civilization. 

As a whole, western astrology can be seen as an outcome of exploring the European mind and evolved intellect.

2. Different methods and calculations to reach conclusions

The Vedic tradition’s astrology system revolves around a fixed zodiac, with a particular planet (Nakshatra) in the background. It’s also known as the “sidereal zodiac.”

The Sidereal year is the duration in which the Earth completes an entire orbit around the sun, with relation to Chitra (a fixed star). This duration happens to be about twenty minutes longer than the tropical year.

On the other hand, Western astrology works on a movable zodiac, as it’s based on Earth’s orientation to the Sun—also termed as the ‘tropical zodiac’.’

3. Reference planets differ

There are nine heavenly bodies considered in Vedic astrology, including the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and the two nodes of the Moon (Rahu-Ketu). 

Vedic astrology also makes use of 27 constellations and 12 signs. The 27 constellations are collectively called Nakshatras in Vedic terminology. Each constellation covers a span of 20 minutes and 13 degrees.

Western Astrology, unlike Vedic tradition, also includes Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto in their calculations to predict the future. Western Astrology does not consider the 27 constellations called Nakshatras in Vedic Astrology, which plays a part in making it significantly simpler.

4. Based on different time systems

Vedic Astrology applies a unique approach to measure the planetary system’s timeline, referred to as the ‘Vimshotarri Dasha’ while predicting future events by analyzing planetary transits. 

Western Astrology does not use the Dasha system. Instead, it studies planetary transits based on their movements and advances.

5. Solar vs. Lunar System

The Vedic system of astrology, or the sidereal system, is dominantly moon-based, covering all living areas perceived by astrologers. 

On the other hand, the placement and movement of the Sun play a crucial role in Western calculations of astrology. Here, the emphasis is focused more on one’s character, personality, and psychology at any point in time.

In Closing: Combining Vedic and western astrology

Both forms of astrology discussed in this article differ in countless ways, but their primary motive remains somewhat similar. 

In several areas, each has even taken inspiration from one another over time, such as the inclusion of Zodiac signs into modern Vedic astrology and some advances in considering moon-based factors in western astrology.

Regardless of the differences in procedures, both astrology techniques, and studies were devised with a common purpose: to attempt to minimize the sadness and sorrows from life and maximize prosperity, satisfaction, and happiness.