Here’s your introduction to Vedic astrology (warning: it might shake up the way you read your horoscope). “Vedic astrology contains within it the rich spiritual traditions and myths of ancient Indian culture,” explains founder of Moondance Vedic Astrology and author of Vedic Astrology for Beginners, Pamela McDonough. “Even today, throughout much of India, Jyotish is an accepted science and, for many, is part of their lifestyle.” In its earliest days, Vedic astrology was used to determine important dates for sacrifices and rituals. Over time it became increasingly personalized; people started studying its planetary movements in an effort to understand their own destiny. It’s related to other ancient Indian practices including yoga and Ayurveda, and similar to Western astrology, it “offers us a guide or road map to a better understanding of our physical, emotional, spiritual, and even monetary experiences,” McDonough says. So, if you swear by the identity prescribed by your Western sun sign, prepare to have your boat rocked a little. The Vedic sign dates are as follows and you can calculate your complete Vedic chart here: Vedic astrology also tends to provide insight into personal dharma, or life path, and reveal our innate gifts and challenges. “It can help us better understand our relationships with our family, friends, and life partners. Having this fundamental understanding really helps to ease and relieve stress and our emotional ups and downs,” she says. “All planets in Western astrology share the same type of aspect, such as a square, trine, sextile, or opposition,” McDonough notes. “Vedic astrology utilizes special aspects—each planet has a specific aspect or set of aspects, along with different strengths that are applied to that specific aspect.” Vedic astrology also considers your rising sign to be more important than your sun sign.
