Difference Between Western Astrology and Indian (Vedic) Astrology
Vedic Astrology: The Sidereal Zodiac
Vedic Astrology, also known as Indian astrology, uses the Sidereal Zodiac, which calculates planetary positions based on the actual constellations and fixed stars in the sky.
Western Astrology: The Tropical Zodiac
In contrast, Western Astrology uses the Tropical Zodiac, where the zodiac begins at the Vernal Equinox and is aligned with the Earth's seasonal cycle rather than the fixed stars.
The Key Difference: Axial Precession
Due to the gradual shift in the Earth's axis, known as Axial Precession, the two systems differ today by approximately 23–24 degrees. As a result, the same planetary position may appear in different zodiac signs in the two systems.
In simple terms, Vedic astrology aligns the zodiac with the actual star constellations, while Western astrology aligns it with the Earth's seasonal cycle.
Vedic Astrology uses the Sidereal Zodiac, which measures planetary positions based on the actual constellations in the sky.
Western Astrology uses the Tropical Zodiac, which measures planetary positions based on the Earth's seasonal cycle starting from the Vernal Equinox.
In simple terms:
Vedic astrology follows the stars, while Western astrology follows the seasons.