The Vedic word is derived from Vedas [meaning] sacred knowledge. It is a large body of religious texts originating in ancient India. Vedic astrology, also known as Jyotish Shastra, is an ancient system of astrology that originated in India. The word "Jyotish" means "science of light" or "science of heavenly bodies," and the modality seems to have first appeared in the Rigveda, an ancient Indian text (though some assert it's been around since 10,000 B.C.). It is based on the concept that the positions of the planets and stars at the time of a person's birth can influence their personality, behavior, and life events. It is based on the concept of the interconnectedness of the cosmos and the idea that the movements of celestial bodies can have a profound impact on human affairs.

Have you ever wondered why your astrological sign does not feel true to your nature? Maybe you were technically born during Gameni season but feel like a fiery Leo. 

Because you follow Western astrology which is based on the tropical zodiac. 

In Vedic astrology, the sidereal zodiac is used, which is based on the actual positions of the stars relative to the Earth's orbit, rather than the tropical zodiac used in Western astrology, which is based on the position of the Sun relative to the Earth's orbit.

Vedic astrology is based on the understanding that the human body is made up of five elements. Vedic Astrology is more aligned with your elemental makeup. 

The Vedic system is thought to be a more refined system. Vedic astrology is made up of 27 constellations, 12 zodiac signs(very similar to Western astrology, the dates are slightly different), 9 planets, and 12 houses, with each representing an aspect of the human life form. The 12 zodiac signs of Vedic astrology are also classified based on their ruling element, and the qualities of these elements are reflected in the individual personality traits of these zodiac signs. For example, fire is a predominant element of Aries and Leo signs, and this is reflected in the fiery temperament of these individuals. 

Vedic astrology places great emphasis on the Moon's position in the zodiac at the time of a person's birth, as well as the positions of the other planets in relation to the zodiac signs. Each planet is believed to have a certain influence on the individual's life, and the overall configuration of the planets at the time of birth can indicate certain strengths and challenges that the person may face in their life.

One of the unique features of Vedic astrology is the concept of the "Dasha" system, which divides a person's life into specific periods of time, each ruled by a different planet. These periods can have a significant impact on the individual's life events and experiences.

In Vedic astrology, the zodiac is divided into 27 nakshatras or lunar mansions, and each nakshatra is associated with a specific set of qualities and characteristics. The positions of the planets in relation to these nakshatras at the time of a person's birth are believed to have a significant influence on their life and destiny.

Vedic astrologers use a variety of techniques and tools to make predictions and provide guidance, including birth charts, horoscopes, and planetary transits. They may also recommend certain rituals or remedies to help individuals overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

Vedic astrology also places great emphasis on karma and spiritual growth and may use remedial measures such as gemstones, mantras, and rituals to mitigate negative astrological influences and promote positive ones.

Celestial bodies are natural objects that exist in outer space, outside of Earth's atmosphere. They can include stars, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and other types of space debris. These objects can vary greatly in size, shape, composition, and other characteristics.

Stars are massive, luminous celestial bodies that generate their own energy through nuclear fusion. They can vary in size, color, and temperature, and are often organized into galaxies. Planets, on the other hand, are relatively small celestial bodies that orbit stars and do not generate their own light. They can be rocky or gaseous, and some may even have moons or rings.

Moons are natural satellites that orbit planets and are often made up of rock and ice. Asteroids are rocky or metallic objects that orbit the Sun and can range in size from small rocks to dwarf planets. Comets are icy bodies that orbit the Sun and release gas and dust as they heat up.

Celestial bodies can have a profound impact on the Earth and its inhabitants. For example, the gravitational pull of the Moon creates tides, and the radiation emitted by the Sun can affect the Earth's climate and weather patterns. Understanding the properties and behavior of celestial bodies is therefore an important area of study in fields such as astronomy, astrophysics, and planetary science.

The zodiac is a band of the sky that extends approximately 8 degrees on either side of the ecliptic, the apparent path of the Sun across the sky as viewed from Earth. It is divided into 12 equal parts, each of which is associated with a constellation and represented by a symbol.

The zodiac signs, in order, are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Each zodiac sign is said to have certain personality traits and characteristics that are influenced by the position of the Sun, Moon, and planets at the time of a person's birth.

Astrologers use the zodiac signs as a tool for understanding human behavior and predicting future events. They believe that the position of celestial bodies in relation to the zodiac signs can have a profound impact on a person's life and destiny.

However, it is important to note that the scientific validity of astrology, including the zodiac signs, is widely disputed. While astrology has a long history and remains popular in many cultures, it is not recognized as a valid scientific practice by most mainstream scientists.

The ecliptic plane is the plane of Earth's orbit around the sun. It is the imaginary flat surface that marks the apparent path of the sun in the sky throughout the year as seen from Earth. The ecliptic plane is inclined at an angle of approximately 23.5 degrees relative to Earth's equatorial plane.

The position of the sun on the ecliptic plane changes throughout the year, as Earth orbits around it. The sun appears to move through the 12 zodiac constellations along the ecliptic plane, which is why the zodiac signs are based on the position of the sun in the sky.

The ecliptic plane also plays an important role in astronomy, as it is the reference plane for measuring the positions of objects in the solar system. Astronomers use the ecliptic plane as a reference to define the celestial coordinates of planets, asteroids, and other objects in the solar system.

If the sun's path is observed from the Earth's reference frame, it appears to move around the Earth in a path which is tilted with respect to the spin axis at 23.5°. This path is called the ecliptic. It tells us that the Earth's spin axis is tilted with respect to the plane of the Earth's solar orbit by 23.5°. The ecliptic plane then contains most of the objects which are orbiting the sun. This suggests that the formation process of the solar system resulted in a disk of material out of which formed the sun and the planets. The 23.5° tilt of the Earth's spin axis gives the seasonal variations in the amount of sunlight received at the surface. 

The ecliptic is the apparent path of the Sun across the sky as seen from Earth. It is the intersection of the Earth's orbital plane around the Sun with the celestial sphere.

Since the Earth orbits the Sun in an elliptical path, the Sun's position in the sky appears to move throughout the year, creating the changing seasons. The ecliptic plane is inclined at an angle of approximately 23.5 degrees to the celestial equator, which is the projection of the Earth's equator onto the celestial sphere.

Because the Moon and the planets also orbit the Sun, their apparent positions in the sky can be traced along the ecliptic as well. In fact, the zodiac signs are defined as the 12 constellations that lie along the ecliptic.

The ecliptic is an important concept in astronomy and astrology, and is used to predict the positions and movements of celestial objects.

The apparent path of the Sun's motion on the celestial sphere as seen from Earth is called the ecliptic. The ecliptic plane is tilted 23.5° with respect to the plane of the celestial equator since the Earth's spin axis is tilted 23.5° with respect to its orbit around the sun. The ecliptic plane intersects the celestial equatorial plane along the line between the equinoxes.

The tilt of the Earth's axis with respect to the ecliptic is responsible for Earth's seasons.

Nakshatras are the 27 lunar mansions in Hindu astrology. They are considered to be a fundamental aspect of the Vedic astrological system, and are used to make astrological predictions based on a person's birth chart. Each nakshatra represents a particular energy or quality, and is associated with a specific deity, planet, and symbol.

The nakshatras are divided into four groups or padas, each with its own characteristics and ruling planet. They are used to determine important dates and times for various activities, such as marriage, travel, and business ventures.

The 27 nakshatras are:

1. Ashwini

2. Bharani

3. Krittika

4. Rohini

5. Mrigashira

6. Ardra

7. Punarvasu

8. Pushya

9. Ashlesha

10. Magha

11. Purva Phalguni

12. Uttara Phalguni

13. Hasta

14. Chitra

15. Swati

16. Vishakha

17. Anuradha

18. Jyeshtha

19. Moola

20. Purva Ashadha

21. Uttara Ashadha

22. Shravana

23. Dhanishta

24. Shatabhisha

25. Purva Bhadrapada

26. Uttara Bhadrapada

27. Revati

Each nakshatra has its own unique qualities and characteristics, and studying them can provide insights into a person's personality, strengths, and weaknesses.

A constellation is a group of stars that appear to form a recognizable pattern or shape when viewed from Earth. These patterns are often named after mythological figures, animals, or objects and have been used for thousands of years as a means of navigation and storytelling.

There are 88 official constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), which is the governing body for astronomical nomenclature. These constellations cover the entire sky and are used by astronomers to locate and study celestial objects such as stars, galaxies, and planets.

Some well-known constellations include:

• Orion: named after a mythical Greek hunter, it is one of the most recognizable constellations in the night sky, with its distinct "belt" of three stars.

• Ursa Major: also known as the Big Dipper, it is one of the most recognizable patterns in the northern hemisphere, consisting of seven bright stars.

• Cassiopeia: named after a queen in Greek mythology, it is a distinct "W" shape in the northern sky.

• Scorpius: named after a scorpion, it is a constellation in the southern hemisphere that includes the bright red star Antares.

Constellations have been used for thousands of years by different cultures around the world to navigate, tell stories, and interpret the cosmos. They continue to inspire and fascinate people today, both as a means of scientific discovery and as a cultural legacy.

Zodiac signs are a popular system of astrological interpretation that are based on the position of the Sun at the time of a person's birth. The zodiac is a belt of the sky that extends approximately eight degrees on either side of the ecliptic, which is the path that the Sun appears to take across the sky over the course of a year.

The zodiac is divided into 12 equal parts, each corresponding to a different astrological sign. These signs are:

Please ignore the date ( the below mentioned dates are fixed in western astrology, not in Vedic astrology)

1. Aries (March 21 - April 19)

2. Taurus (April 20 - May 20)

3. Gemini (May 21 - June 20)

4. Cancer (June 21 - July 22)

5. Leo (July 23 - August 22)

6. Virgo (August 23 - September 22)

7. Libra (September 23 - October 22)

8. Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)

9. Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)

10. Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)

11. Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)

12. Pisces (February 19 - March 20)

Each zodiac sign is associated with specific personality traits, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as with particular elements (fire, earth, air, water), ruling planets, and symbols. Astrologers use the positions of the planets, as well as the zodiac sign and house they occupy at a particular time, to make predictions about a person's future, relationships, and other aspects of their life.

It is important to note that while many people find astrology to be a useful tool for self-reflection and personal growth, it is not a scientifically validated method of prediction or analysis.

The celestial sphere is an imaginary sphere that surrounds the Earth, onto which all objects in the sky are considered to be projected. It is a useful tool for visualizing the positions and motions of celestial objects, such as stars, planets, and the Sun and Moon, as seen from Earth.

The celestial sphere is centered on the observer's position on Earth, with the North and South celestial poles located directly above the Earth's North and South poles. The celestial equator, an imaginary circle on the celestial sphere that is directly above the Earth's equator, divides the celestial sphere into northern and southern hemispheres.

Because the celestial sphere is a two-dimensional representation of the three-dimensional sky, celestial objects appear to move in circular arcs around the observer's position on the celestial sphere, regardless of their actual motion in space. This apparent motion is known as diurnal motion and is caused by the rotation of the Earth on its axis.

The celestial sphere is a useful tool for astronomers and navigators, who use it to measure the positions and motions of celestial objects, as well as to locate and track objects in the sky. It is also used in celestial navigation, where the positions of stars are used to determine the observer's position on Earth.

The stars can be imagined to be points of light on a sphere which rotates about the Earth. Projecting the Earth's poles and equator out onto this imaginary sphere provides a framework for celestial measurement. Formal measurements of viewing direction from the Earth are usually expressed in terms of right ascension and declination, the analogs to longitude and latitude on the surface of the Earth. 

Equinoxes and solstices are astronomical events that occur as a result of the Earth's orbit around the Sun and its tilt on its axis.

An equinox occurs twice a year, around March 20th and September 22nd, when the Earth's axis is tilted neither towards nor away from the Sun, resulting in nearly equal amounts of daylight and darkness at all latitudes.

A solstice occurs twice a year, around June 21st and December 22nd, when one of the Earth's poles is tilted closest to or furthest from the Sun, resulting in the longest or shortest day of the year for the respective hemisphere. The solstice marks the beginning of summer or winter, depending on the hemisphere.

During the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky, resulting in the longest day of the year and the shortest night. Conversely, during the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun reaches its lowest point in the sky, resulting in the shortest day of the year and the longest night.

In summary, equinoxes mark the two points in the year when the day and night are nearly equal in length, while solstices mark the two points in the year when one hemisphere receives the most or least amount of sunlight.

The points where the ecliptic crosses the equatorial plane of the celestial sphere are called equinoxes. On those dates there are 12 hours each of daylight and dark. The most northern excursion of the sun is called the summer solstice and will have the longest amount of daylight. The winter solstice opposite it is the shortest period of daylight.

"At an equinox, the Sun is at one of the two opposite points on the celestial sphere where the celestial equator (i.e. declination 0) and ecliptic intersect. These points of intersection are called equinoctial points: classically, the vernal point (RA = 00h 00m 00s and longitude = 0¡) and the autumnal point (RA = 12h 00m 00s and longitude = 180¡). The equinoxes are the only times when the solar terminator is perpendicular to the Equator. As a result, the northern and southern Hemispheres are equally illuminated." From Wiki.

An elliptical path, also known as an elliptical orbit, is a type of curved path that an object can take around another object, such as a planet orbiting a star or a moon orbiting a planet.

An ellipse is a geometric shape that resembles a flattened circle, with two foci (plural of focus) located along its major axis. In an elliptical orbit, the object follows a path that is shaped like an ellipse, with the object located at one of the foci.

An important characteristic of an elliptical orbit is the eccentricity, which is a measure of how "stretched out" the ellipse is. An orbit with an eccentricity of zero is a perfect circle, while an eccentricity of one is a parabolic trajectory (which is not a true orbit).

Many objects in the solar system, including planets, moons, asteroids, and comets, have elliptical orbits around the Sun. The shape and orientation of these orbits can affect the object's motion and behavior, such as its speed, distance from the Sun, and the duration of its year.

One of the most famous examples of an elliptical orbit is the orbit of Halley's Comet, which has an eccentricity of 0.97, meaning its path is highly elongated and takes it far from the Sun before bringing it back again. The orbits of planets in our solar system are also elliptical, with Earth's orbit having a relatively low eccentricity of 0.02, while Pluto's orbit has a very high eccentricity of 0.25.

Right ascension and declination are like longitude and latitude on the surface of the Earth except that they are measured with respect to the celestial sphere with the vernal equinox as the origin.

The right ascension and declination for a celestial object constitute a unique designation of its position, and from them one can determine the observer coordinates necessary to find the object in their frame of reference.

Right ascension is a celestial longitude measured in the direction of the Earth's rotation. Since that rotation makes a complete circle in 24 hours, the notation adopted for right ascension was in terms of hours and minutes with 24 hours representing the full circle. Declination is expressed as an angle with respect to the celestial equator. For example, the celestial coordinates of the star Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion are right ascension = 5 hours 52 minutes and the declination is 7 degrees 24 minutes. A declination south of the celestial equator is given a negative sign.

The points where the ecliptic crosses the equatorial plane of the celestial sphere are called equinoxes. On those dates there are 12 hours each of daylight and dark. The most northern excursion of the sun is called the summer solstice and will have the longest amount of daylight. The winter solstice opposite it is the shortest period of daylight.

"At an equinox, the Sun is at one of the two opposite points on the celestial sphere where the celestial equator (i.e. declination 0) and ecliptic intersect. These points of intersection are called equinoctial points: classically, the vernal point (RA = 00h 00m 00s and longitude = 0¡) and the autumnal point (RA = 12h 00m 00s and longitude = 180¡). The equinoxes are the only times when the solar terminator is perpendicular to the Equator. As a result, the northern and southern Hemispheres are equally illuminated." From Wiki.

The period of a planet's orbital period around the Sun with respect to the distant stars is called its sidereal period. The sidereal period of the Earth is about 365 1/4 days. Another type of period is useful for viewing the other planets - the period between the times their positions both lie on the same radial line from the sun, called the synodic period. When planets are on the same radial line from the sun, they are said to be "in opposition". For planets closer to the sun than the Earth, the synodic period of the Earth is longer than the sidereal period, and for outer planets it is shorter if seen by an observer on those planets.

The sidereal period of Mars is 1.88 years, whereas the synodic period is 2.135 years as seen from the Earth. The time of opposition of Mars is associated with its apparent retrograde motion for an Earth observer.

The period which brings the Earth back to the same angular position with respect to the Sun is called the tropical year and is 365.242 mean solar days. Formally this period is defined as the interval of time from one vernal equinox to the next. The sidereal period (period with respect to the distant stars) of 365.256 mean solar days is about 20 minutes longer because of the precession of the Earth's spin axis. That precession period of about 26,000 years brings the vernal equinox about 20 minutes earlier each year. The fact that the year is not exactly 365 days has led to the inclusion of the leap year days and other adjustments to the calendar.

The sidereal day, which brings a "fixed" star back to the same position on the next night, is 23 hours 56 minutes and 4 seconds. The practical observable effect is that stars rise about 4 minutes earlier each night, about 2 hours earlier in a month, and appear as a parade that progresses westward across the night sky.

The seasons on the Earth arise from the fact that the Earth's spin axis is tilted 23.5° with respect to the plane of its orbit around the Sun (the ecliptic plane). The seasons indicated in the diagram below are from the perspective of the northern hemisphere. This spin axis direction is fixed in space by conservation of angular momentum with the exception of a tiny amount of precession which for this discussion has a negligible effect. Like a huge gyroscope, its axis holds its direction in space so that at the summer solstice the northern hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun and six months later is tilted away from the Sun at the winter solstice. 

A common misconception is that the seasons have something to do with the Earth being further from the Sun during the winter. The Earth's orbit around the Sun is very nearly circular, with only a 1.67% variation in the distance from the Sun during the year. And the time that it is slightly closer is not during the summer, but during January! This prevalent misconception about the seasons may come partly from the nature of perspective drawings like the one above which looks like an ellipse, bringing the Earth closer to the Sun at some points. But the intent of the drawing is to depict a circular orbit. 

Astronomy is the scientific study of celestial objects such as stars, planets, comets, and galaxies, as well as phenomena that originate outside the Earth's atmosphere.

i.e, Astronomy is the study of everything in the universe beyond Earth’s atmosphere. That includes objects we can see with our naked eyes, like the Sun , the Moon , the planets, and the stars . It also includes objects we can only see with telescopes or other instruments, like faraway galaxies and tiny particles. 

In Vedic Astronomy, we will study about 9 planets and heavenly bodies ( stars,  comets, and galaxies) movements. What time do these position changes happen from to etc, so that Whnen will do predictions as an astrologer, you can use planets' movements, etc. 

Astronomy seeks to understand the properties, behavior, and evolution of celestial objects through observations and theoretical models. Observations can be made using a variety of techniques and instruments, including telescopes, spacecraft, and other ground-based and space-based observatories.

One of the central concepts in astronomy is the idea of the universe, which refers to the totality of all matter and energy in existence. The study of the universe includes the exploration of the origins, structure, and evolution of galaxies, as well as the nature and distribution of dark matter and dark energy.

Other important topics in astronomy include the study of the sun and other stars, planetary systems and their formation, the search for extraterrestrial life, and the study of cosmic rays and other forms of high-energy radiation.

Overall, astronomy plays a crucial role in our understanding of the universe and our place within it, and continues to be an active and exciting field of research today.

Western and Vedic astrology are two different systems of astrology that have evolved independently over the centuries.

Western astrology is based on the tropical zodiac, which is defined by the position of the Sun relative to the Earth's orbit. The tropical zodiac is divided into 12 equal parts, each corresponding to a different sign of the zodiac. Western astrology places great emphasis on the Sun's position in the zodiac at the time of a person's birth, as well as the positions of the planets in relation to the zodiac signs.

Vedic astrology, also known as Jyotish, is based on the sidereal zodiac, which is defined by the position of the stars relative to the Earth's orbit. The sidereal zodiac is divided into 12 unequal parts, each corresponding to a different sign of the zodiac. Vedic astrology places great emphasis on the Moon's position in the zodiac at the time of a person's birth, as well as the positions of the planets in relation to the zodiac signs.

While both Western and Vedic astrology share some similarities, such as the use of horoscopes and the interpretation of planetary positions and aspects, there are also some notable differences between the two systems. For example, Vedic astrology places greater emphasis on the Moon's position and lunar phases, while Western astrology places more emphasis on the Sun's position and the solar system's planets.

Additionally, Vedic astrology tends to place a greater emphasis on the concept of karma, and may incorporate remedial measures such as gemstones, mantras, and rituals to mitigate negative astrological influences. Western astrology, on the other hand, tends to focus more on psychological and personality traits and may use astrological counseling to help individuals better understand themselves and their life path.

The major difference between Vedic and Western astrology is that one uses the fixed zodiac while the other uses the movable zodiac to decide the starting point of the zodiac. Western Astrology uses the tropical Zodiac, which considers the earth to be the center and the celestial bodies to be revolving around it. It is based on the idea that the Sun comes back to the same point of the vernal equinox post-completion of its circle around the earth (as it appears from the earth). The vernal equinox is the celestial event during which the Sun is overhead the equator (the line that divides the earth into two equal parts). The vernal equinox is generally on March 22 each year when day and night are of equal length. According to Western Astrology, that is the point in time that dictates the first sign, Aries, further followed by the rest of the signs.

However, with reference to the fixed stars, the vernal equinox moves westward opposite to the yearly motion of the Sun at a rate of around 50.26 seconds of arc annually which is also called precession of the equinoxes or ayanamsa. This is because the earth’s axis also rotates and completes one rotation in about 26000 years. Vedic Astrology also takes into account this slight shift in the earth’s position, which has shifted the vernal equinox point of the sidereal zodiac to about 25 degrees west from the 0 degrees vernal equinox of the western system. Instead of the tropical year, Ved shastra is based on the Sidereal year which is the time taken by earth to revolve around Sun with respect to the fixed star Chitra, and this duration is apparently 20 minutes longer than the tropical year.

Due to this phenomenon, the Aries of Western Astrology keep drifting away farther from the Aries point of Vedic Astrology at a rate of 1 degree every 72 years. At present, this difference has elevated to almost 24 degrees in the past 2000 years. The last time when Aries of Western Astrology and Vedic Astrology were on the same plane was approximately 285 AD. The system of Astrology that uses the fixed zodiac is called Sayana, while the one that uses a movable zodiac is called Nirayana. Since the planetary movements shift, the Universe expands, and nothing is still, Vedic Astrology is believed to be more rational and reliable. The signs and planets generally have similar interpretations and symbolic meanings in both systems but Vedic Astrology has more accurate calculations and detailed methods involved, thus more reliable.

When compared to the western system, Vedic astrology seems upright because it relies on more accurate astronomical principles. It shall be kept in view that planets are moving in the sky as per the Nirayana system. Vedic Astrologers not only assess the natal chart but also the Dasas, the periods of different planets transiting through different signs, and their influence in real-time. Also, Vedic Astrology is based on the Moon sign over the Sun sign. Sun changes its sign in around a month while Moon changes its sign in 2.25 days, which is why predictions based on Moon are more close and more accurate since our moods and circumstances change frequently. Secondly, the moon reflects the mind and emotions, our temperament, thus interpreting the moon’s placement leads to more relevant predictions and analysis. Vedic Astrology hence is equipped with more precise and detail-oriented tools and methods of predictions than western astrology, thus more reliable.

Overall, while both Western and Vedic astrology has their own unique strengths and limitations, they offer different perspectives and insights into the complexities of the universe and human experience.

Source: https://www.indastro.com/astrology-articles/difference-between-vedic-and-western-astrology