What Is Astrology?
Where does Astrology Originate?
Astrology is one of the Greatest Wisdom Teachings available to us. It has been around for about 5,000 years. My work with clients include Western Astrology as well as the Ancient style from India called Jyotish. Jyotish is the sanskrit word for “Science of Light.”
Where does Astrology Originate?
Astrology has its origins in (get ready for this) Mesopotamia, Babylonia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, Arabia, and Europe. Which ultimately all leads back to the country of India. There are two types of studies of Astrology. Western and Vedic. Western astrology is most prevalent in all Western countries. It is also said to have been founded by Ptolemy, the great mathematician, and astrologer. They wrote Tetrabiblos (four-part book) in the 2nd century AD, the most important surviving ancient book about Astrology. Astrology was also formed to continue Hellenistic (sun-centered) astrology and ultimately Babylonian (the first organized) astrology. Western astrology is primarily based on constructing a horoscope for an exact moment in time, such as a person’s birth in which the various planets have an influence. The chart below is an example of a Western Astrological chart.
During the Dark Ages in Europe, knowledge of astrology was lost and forgotten along with much other learning. It was revived and extended by Arab and Persian scholars and reimported into Europe in the Middle Ages. Astrologers often made crucial political and military decisions in medieval Europe. Nowadays, astrology is used primarily for making personal decisions or attaining information about an individual through the natal chart. Today, astrology has become distinct from astronomy. Mainstream scientists, in general, dismiss astrology as a form of pseudoscience. But astrology and astronomy used to be studied together and seen as profound support systems of each other. I am not sure when or why, or how they were separated.
How is Western Astrology different from Jyotish or Vedic Astrology?
There are many differences, but one of the main differences is that Western Astrology is derived from the Tropical Zodiac, which follows our Western Calendar. Vedic Astrology follows the Sidereal Zodiac, which follows the placement of the planets as they are located and found in the sky. Therefore you might notice a change when you have your Vedic chart done in that the constellations are in different astrological signs. Do not worry about this because the two systems are read and understood entirely differently. A Jyotishi (or Vedic Astrologer) will read your character as it applies to Vedic Astrology rules. A Western Astrologer will read your personality as it applies to the rules of Western Astrology. I do both kinds of Astrology and can explain that in more detail to you. Below is an example of a Vedic Chart.
Albert Einstein’s Vedic Chart
What is Jyotish or Vedic Astrology?
Vedic Astrology, which is called Jyotish, is one of the six disciplines of Vedanga and is called the “eyes of the Vedas.” Jyotish is the original Sanskrit name of Vedic Astrology, and Jyotish means “The Science of Light.” Vedic Astrology has its origins in Divine Inspiration & Human Ingenuity – much like the origin of the Yoga Asanas or Postures. Jyotish is an ancient system of divination derived from studying the relationship and effects between the planets of our solar system and the terrestrial beings and things of the earth plane.
The “light” of Jyotish gives an individual a birds-eye view of their possible experience in each year and epoch of life. This knowledge is precisely calculated and helps individuals adjust their expectations, refine their endeavors, and focus on success and progress in all areas of life.
Jyotish may, at one level, can be interpreted to signify a “science of heavenly bodies. ”However, as the singular purpose of Jyotish and the Vedas is to dispel the darkness of ignorance, it is more commonly taken to signify the “science of light” and bring light to all of its seekers. Hence, Jyotish has historically been part of a continuous “holistic” approach to living and spiritual practice within the life of Hindus in India.
Why do you work with both kinds of Astrology?
Besides being insatiably curious and having studied both systems quite thoroughly, there are precise concepts and tools in each system that are only available in that system. I love that they are similar but substantially different. I also want to provide both kinds of astrology for you so that I am very thorough in my work and can get to the root of any issue more quickly and effectively. Many people decidedly take sides in the Astrological Community and conclude that one type of Astrology is better or more profound than another. I have not found this in my work.
My experience is that they both serve to “enlighten” and “illuminate” in their way. I have personally had many readings with both Western and Vedic Astrologers and can say through my experience that both systems are profoundly profound and vastly informative.
