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Vedic & Western Astrology Compared |
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Western astrology uses the tropical zodiac, while Vedic astrology uses the sidereal zodiac. The zodiac is the constellation of stars that encircle the earth, sometimes referred to as the zodiacal band. Tropical astrology is based on the Sun's movement around the Earth. The Sun creates the seasons. The sidereal system is based on the planets' relationship to the fixed stars and constellations. The stars are like a backdrop to the planets. They seem fixed, while the planets move across this backdrop. This backdrop, called the fixed stars, is not really fixed. Within a lifetime it seems to hardly move. Because of what is called the precession of the equinoxes, its rate of movement is approximately 1 degree every 72 years backwards.
 The starting reference point of 0 degree of Aries is called the vernal point. In the Western system, the vernal equinox always marks the first day of Spring (March 21st spring equinox). The Sun on this day will always be at 0 degrees of Aries. But in Sidereal astrology this reference point to the constellation of Aries (the grouping of fixed stars in Aries) has shifted over time because of precession, which is due to a slight wobble or shift of the earth. At one point in time the two zodiacs did line up. Now the variation between the two is about 23 degrees 51 minutes. This is called the Ayanamsha. Of course there are different methods for calculating the ayanamsha, and the variation is small, but can make a major difference in chart calculation. I use the Lahiri system, which is the one most commonly used. The precession will continue to move backwards through the entire 12 constellations creating the ages of mankind.
From 0 degrees of Aries backwards 23 degrees 51 minutes will put the sidereal starting point at around 6 degrees 50 minutes of Pisces at this point in time (the year 2,001). The 12 signs surround the earth each 30 degrees, makes a perfect 360 degree circle called the Zodiac. Since it takes 72 years to move 1 degree backwards in the zodiac with precession we have around 6 degrees to finish out the sign of Pisces. Then 6 x 72 will equal around 432 years before we enter into the sign of Aquarius. This is what is referred to as the dawning of the Age of Aquarius. The Galactic center is the center of the universe. It directs the play of the 7 rays of creation. It is the creative force that emanates truth, life and intelligence.
This was the point of the greatest darkness on earth. Because of the precession of the equinoxes, we have further advanced nearing the constellation of Aquarius and getting somewhat closer to the galactic center, which will bring the age of enlightenment.
According to the Rig Veda we are currently in the Kali Yuga, which in Vedic text is a very Dark Age. There are 24,000 years in an entire cycle of humanity or ages of mankind. It takes about 12,000 in the ascending cycle towards a spiritually enlightened age, and another 12,000 in a waning or descending stage away from enlightenment. We are currently about 2,000 years into the ascending cycle, meaning we have 10,000 to go to come to the most enlightened stage or age of this planet. Western astrologers recognize the precession of the equinoxes in reference to the ages of mankind but do not relate it to an individual's natal chart.
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