Vedic astrology

Vedic astrology, or Jyotish, comes from India. It uses the sidereal zodiac, aligned with the constellations, which shifts the signs by about 24 degrees compared with Western astrology.

It gives a central role to the Moon and the 27 nakshatras, or lunar mansions, and divides life into major planetary periods, the dashas.

Where it comes from

The word Jyotish comes from the Sanskrit jyotis, meaning light. In ancient India, Jyotisha is one of the six auxiliary disciplines of the Vedas, the Vedangas, and was first used to measure time and set the timing of rites. The oldest texts connected with it concern the calendar and astronomy more than the reading of an individual destiny.

Horoscopic astrology, centred on the birth sky, developed in India at the beginning of the Common Era. Historians see in it exchanges with Greek astrology, as shown by certain technical terms, combined with elements specific to India such as the nakshatras. Authors such as Varahamihira, in the 6th century, set out its rules, and tradition attributes a foundational treatise to the sage Parashara.

Jyotish has remained very present in Indian social life, notably for choosing wedding or ceremony dates. The expression "Vedic astrology" spread in the West in the late 20th century, alongside interest in yoga and Ayurveda. It denotes a learned tradition, but its horoscopic texts are much later than the Vedas themselves.

What it is based on

Jyotish works with nine grahas: the Sun, the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, along with Rahu and Ketu, the lunar nodes, regarded as shadow points. Traditionally it does not use Uranus, Neptune or Pluto. The lagna, the equivalent of the ascendant, determines the first house, and each house often takes the whole of a sign.

Alongside the main chart, the astrologer consults divisional charts, the vargas, which divide each sign into finer parts to shed light on a specific area. The best known is the navamsa, associated with partnership and maturity. The most widespread system of periods, the Vimshottari, distributes one hundred and twenty years among the nine grahas according to the nakshatra of the Moon at birth.

How it is practised

The chart is calculated as in Western astrology, but on the sidereal zodiac; the astrologer then reads the current dashas.

The consultation begins with the calculation of the kundali, the Indian chart, often drawn as a square or a diamond. The astrologer asks for the date, time and place of birth, then places the person within their current planetary period. Questions often concern career, marriage, studies or a family decision. A session usually lasts about an hour.

In India, a common practice is the comparison of two kundalis before a marriage, known as kundali milan. Elsewhere, consultations take place mainly by telephone or video call. Some astrologers finish with recommendations, called remedies: reciting a mantra, fasting on certain days, making a donation or wearing a stone associated with a planet.

What to expect

Jyotish offers a structured framework for reflecting on the stages of life, with a notion of periods that helps some people make sense of a difficult moment or a change. It is a cultural and religious tradition, and its predictions have not been scientifically validated. It is no substitute for medical, legal or financial advice, nor for psychological support, and should not be the sole basis for deciding on a marriage.

Remedies call for vigilance. A gemstone sold at a high price as essential, a paid ritual to neutralise a "dosha", or the announcement of a misfortune that can only be avoided by payment are warning signs. The most common traditional remedies, such as a prayer or a donation, cost almost nothing.

Glossary

Graha

A celestial body or point that "seizes", according to the Sanskrit etymology. Jyotish counts nine, including the lunar nodes Rahu and Ketu.

Lagna

The sign that was rising on the horizon at birth, equivalent to the ascendant. It sets the first house of the chart.

Ayanamsa

The value of the gap between the tropical zodiac and the sidereal zodiac. Several calculations exist, the one most used in India being known as Lahiri.

Navamsa

A divisional chart that divides each sign into nine parts. It is read in addition to the main chart.

Dasha

A period of life governed by a graha, itself divided into sub-periods. It is used to place tendencies in time.

Mangal dosha

A configuration linked to Mars, regarded by tradition as delicate for marriage. Its weight varies greatly from one astrologer to another.