Vedic Astrology or Jyotish uses the Sidereal Zodiac, which is using the fixed constellation of stars called Aries, Taurus, Gemini, etc., as a backdrop to calculate the positions and movements of the planets. This is also what astronomers use in their calculations.

Western Astrology uses the Tropical zodiac, which is based on the premise that the Sun will be at zero degrees Aries annually on the 21st March. The Tropical system was created (based on the equinox), about 1900 years ago, when the Sun was actually at zero degrees Aries. The assumption was made that the Sun would return to this position every year on the spring equinox.

The Earth takes approximately 365 and 1/4 days to orbit the Sun. It is astronomically impossible for the Sun to be at zero degrees Aries every year at the Spring equinox. Therefore, after many years of discrepancy there is about a twenty-three degree difference between the constellations and the signs of the same names. Making the Tropical system completely inaccurate.

The Vedic system, said to be over five thousand years old, takes into account a phenomenon called (in Sanskrit) the Ayanamsha. This is the gradual rotation of the Earth’s axis over thousands of years. Called the precession of the equinox, it is central to modern astronomy, as well as to Vedic Astrology. This means that the actual positions of the planets are constantly getting further behind the “imaginary” tropical placements.

What IS the precession of the Earth’s axis?

The Earth’s axis ‘wobbles’ slightly, performing a complete rotation over a period of some 25,800 years rather like a spinning top. This is caused by the combined gravitational forces of the Sun and Moon acting on the Earth’s Equator (the Earth being an oblate spheroid rather than a sphere – it bulges slightly at the Equator).

No astronomical body can appear in the exact same place more than once every 25,800 years…Yet the Western system of Astrology calculates its charts and fails to take this into account.

Lastly, Vedic astrology can offer remedial measures, such as gem therapy, mantra and yantra. Western astrology has no such system of self-help to strengthen weaknesses in the horoscope.