mercredi 22 mai 2019

A Brief History Of Hindu Or Vedic Astrology

By Jose Edwards


Most people use astrology to discover personal assets, personality traits, predictions and other factors based on astrological signs and readings. Although, the Western or tropical zodiac is the most commonly used, there are different aspects and zodiacs depending on whether using Western or Vedic astrology. While both forms have been around for quite some time, the term Vedic has only recently become associated with Hindu astrology.

Although the practice had been ongoing for quite some time, it was not until the 1970s in which Vedic became the common term for this type of practice. Whereas, there are some horoscopic astrologists whom suggest this form of Indian astrological practice was derived from Hellenistic influences, thus post-dating the Vedic period. While a number of astrologists and authors believe that the myths of Maharharata and Ramayana forms of the practice only included information found in physiognomy, dreams and omens, there are far many more whom associated astrology with the zodiacal signs of the universe, often known as the Rashi form.

Both forms of the practice were originally thought to be part and parcel to the occult. While this may have once been the case, Indian universities are now offering advanced degrees in Vedic astrological practices. In the beginning, the offerings were not without protest from local scientists whom see the practice as nothing more than a pseudoscience. However, the High Court favored the practice in a 2001 court case, thus allowing the universities to continue providing such degrees.

The practice is also considered one of the six disciplines which support Hindu observances and rituals. In the beginning, the Hindu form used a calendar to determine sacrificial ritual dates and had nothing to do with planets. While this is the case, demons were mentioned in some forms of the practice. Then, later the term graha, the word formerly recognized as demon became known to mean planet which led to new interpretations of the zodiac.

Hindu astrology comes from a basic foundation which focuses on the connection between the macrocosm and microcosm. As such, current practice relies on the sidereal zodiac which is different from the more popular tropic zodiac now used in Western astrological practices. In addition, the Hindu form includes nuances and sub-systems of prediction and interpretation of the elements not generally found in Western forms.

The zodiac known as sidereal or Nirayana consist of a 360 degree imaginary belt which like the tropical zodiac is divided into twelve equal sections. Each part being called a rasi or sign. While this is the case, Western and Hindu forms differ when it comes to measurement methods.

Both forms appear to be synchronously identical though this is not the case. For, the Western zodiac measures the location of the planets against the Sun at the Spring equinox. Whereas, the Vedic form uses the stars which are fixed in place to measure the position of the planets. As such, while often appearing to be identical, each form often provides different interpretations and predictions at the same time of year.

In addition, Hellenistic astronomy and astrology have always transmitted the 12 zodiac signs beginning with Aries. Whereas, the first introduction to Greek astrology to India was through the Yavanajataka, meaning sayings of the Greek which date back to the earliest centuries known to man. While this is the case, the only version to survive being the Indian astronomical text to define the weekday dating back to 476 A.D.




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