HINDU ASTROLOGY

Vedic astrology

Hindu astrology, also called “Vedic astrology” differs from western astrology in that that it is based on a “sidereal zodiac” which uses the real position of the planets as per their astronomical background and the material placements of the astro.

Geoffrey Pearce

Indeed there are many differences between the two astrology systems, Hindu astrology and western astrology. Geoffrey Pearce is an expert Hindu/Vedic astrologer. He tells us on his website that Western astrology is based on the orientation of the Earth to the Sun and applies the “Tropical zodiac”.

Equinoxes

He tells us that “It “assumes” that every year the Sun at the spring and autumnal equinoxes is at the first degree of Aries and Libra respectively and at the first degree of Cancer and Capricorn at the summer and winter solstices. By this fundamental assumption, the tropical zodiac ignores the Precession of the Equinox. As the Sun moves along its apparent path as viewed from the Earth, it does not return to the same position, against the background of the fixed stars, at the spring equinox on 21 March where it was at the same time one year early. It is short by 50 seconds of one degree. Over 72 years this difference amounts to one degree and over 2160 years it grows to 30 degrees, or one whole sign of the zodiac. The whole cycle takes approximately 25,920 years.”

As technical as this might sound and as difficult to understand, Hindu astrology does have one similarity when compared to western astrology, in that it needs an accurate birth time, which is always fundamental to the reading of a personal chart.

Pearce states “Given an accurate birth time, the system can accurately show when each period of fortune or misfortune will begin and end and provide actual dates. Of two people with wonderful careers, good earnings and great accomplishments indicated in their charts, one may find his niche early in life, while the other must first navigate difficult waters before finally achieving prosperity. The system can indicate the timing of such events as well as their extent. It uses as the starting point the Moon’s position against the background of a Nakshatra in calculations of the planetary periods within the 120 year potential lifespan. Again Western astrology has no comparable system. ”

But Hindu astrology, although a complex astro art, needs a western astrologer interested in utilizing its powerful techniques to understand a little about Hindu deities and energies. Such as the darsha, which is to do with the moon placement. This understanding would be needed to read a life path as fortunate or unfortunate. Hindu astrology delineates clearly these aspects of a personal chart.

Hindu Gods

When we look at Hindu deities, the God Shiva for example, is the God of destruction and rebirth, dancing on the world, serpent in his hair, savage, primal and powerful. He is the God of purification as is Kali, another female deity, with a somewhat horrific semblance, blue tongue and skulls dangling around her waist, etc, but with a purifying mission, which is to guide humanity to the light. Notwithstanding the horrors of war, death and pestilence.

The Hindu Gods are powerful beings, archetypal energies that pervade each aspect of Hindu culture, certainly Hindu astrology. Any western astrologer who wishes to become adept at reading charts Vedic-style must seek to understand the underlying meaning of Hindu spirituality, not just Hindu astrology placements alone. In other words, search for their inner truth

Geoffrey Pearce mentions the four main aims in life according to Vedic/Hindu Astrology. The first aim is Kama, which is about our emotions and feelings. The second is Artha which is about how we achieve our ambitious and material wealth, them Dharma which refers to our responsibilities, or what our livelihood we are attracted to and lastly Moksha which refers to spiritual liberation and enlightenment and our ceaseless search for it.

Vedic or Hindu astrology believes that we constantly incarnate, being caught up in a cycle of birth and death as we are. The life lesson is to wise-up to the passing show of events and realize nothing is permanent. In this respect Hinduism bears a vague similarity to Buddhist precepts which is that the soul continues to incarnate in order to become enlightened.

Hindu astrology is a fascinating subject that many westerners are now learning, or at least becoming interested in. Certainly, astrologers like Geoffrey Pearce are a boon, in the sense they help folks understand the spiritual depths of this type astrology in both a material and metaphysical manner. Certainly, if you find a good Hindu Astrologer you can be sure they will reflect the truth of your life right back at you.