How Indian Astrology is different from Western Astrology

Indian astrology or Vedic astrology has a vast number of differences from the western astrology system. In the west astrology there is consideration for psychological nature of native and less importance to predicting life cycles and events. On the other hand Vedic astrology also places importance with native's psychological nature but would do so only after certain events have taken place.

Indian astrology comprises use of sidereal zodiac, which is based on physical positions of constellations in sky( or the real position of planets used in comparison to the background of certain fixed stars). There is a starting point chosen, for beginning of Aries, and proceeding in equal 30 degree segment for subsequent signs. While the western astrology chooses the tropical zodiac, in which the beginning of twelve signs is determined by Sun's orbit around the earth. Most modern West astrologers use one of house systems placing the degree of ascendant as beginning of First house, while Vedic astrologers use Whole sign houses where ascendant can fall anywhere in First house, with each House comprising all of one sign. Western astrologer use all of planets, while Indian astrology on other hand give prominence to visible planets using traditional rulerships from Aquarius to Saturn, Pisces to Jupiter, and Scorpio to Mars.

Western astrology uses the assortment of aspect, five Ptolemaic aspects, orbs and determined by type of aspect. Planets aspect other planets and the angles (ascendant and midheaven). Vedic astrologer would associate each planet with other planets in same house, and while aspecting other opposite houses and any planets in that house.

Western astrology takes planets occupying sign opposite to sign they rule as weak while Vedic astrologer does not see this as weakness. Western astrologers would interpret eight lunar phases, and do not generally accept or assess lunar strength by phase. Vedic astrologers would place greater importance on Lunar phase instead. Planets present in same sign of natal chart and Navamsha chart, providing planet strength in Indian astrology though this is not seen in western astrology. In Vedic astrology planets would get directional strength from specific angles like Jupiter and Mercury in 1st, Moon and Venus in 4th, Sun and Mars in 10th while western astrologers do not accept this concept.

In western type of astrology system Saturn planet is recognized as challenging, while in the concept of benefic and malefic planets employed to greater extent in Vedic astrology. Houses in western astrology are rarely defined by criteria of angularity and affiliation while in Indian astrology this is very important. Western astrology comparisons are highly rich in methods of compatibility analysis while Indian astrology uses lesser methods.

Hence the Vedic astrology benefits from use of several methods and facets of stars a planetary position with their movements, the Western astrology covers different points of same planets and stars with malefic or benefic effects.