Sunday, May 19, 2019

A Brief History Of Hellenistic And Vedic Astrology

By Jose Edwards


In astrology, the two most common forms of astrological readings come from either Hellenistic or Hindu astrology. While Vedic astrology is basically the same as the Hindu practice, the term Vedic did not become popular until during the 1970s. Whereas, both practices have been around for quite some time, with Hindu forms becoming more well known during the 19th century.

Although the practice had been ongoing for quite some time, it was not until the 1970s in which Vedic became the common term for this type of practice. Whereas, there are some horoscopic astrologists whom suggest this form of Indian astrological practice was derived from Hellenistic influences, thus post-dating the Vedic period. While a number of astrologists and authors believe that the myths of Maharharata and Ramayana forms of the practice only included information found in physiognomy, dreams and omens, there are far many more whom associated astrology with the zodiacal signs of the universe, often known as the Rashi form.

Both forms were originally considered to be a part of the occult. While this is the case, universities in India are now offering advanced degrees in Vedic astrological practices. Upon hearing about these offerings, a number of individuals in the scientific community protested due to ongoing beliefs that any aspect of astrology is nothing more than a pseudoscience. Regardless, in 2001, a High Court ruled in favor of the universities and has continued to allow students to acquire degrees in this area.

The Hindu form is also considered one of the 6 disciplines which are part of Hindu holiday rituals and observances. While in the beginning, the form used a calendar to mark the date of sacrificial rituals, this is no longer the case. In addition, while the word demons was originally found in the Hindu form, later the term graha which had been thought to refer to demons was determined to mean planet.

Hindu astrology comes from a basic foundation which focuses on the connection between the macrocosm and microcosm. As such, current practice relies on the sidereal zodiac which is different from the more popular tropic zodiac now used in Western astrological practices. In addition, the Hindu form includes nuances and sub-systems of prediction and interpretation of the elements not generally found in Western forms.

The Nirayana or sidereal Nirayana consist of an imaginary belt 360 degrees in diameter which like the Western or tropical zodiac is divided into multiple sections. In the Vedic tradition, each part is known as a rasi while in Western astrological practices the parts are known as signs. While extremely similar, the measurement of planets differ among the two astrological practices.

Both the Hellenistic and Hindu forms also appear almost identical on a synchronous basis. While appearing to be the case, the Vedic form primarily refers to the sidereal zodiac in which the planets are measured amidst fixed stars. Whereas, in the Western tradition, the measurement of the planets takes place closest to the Sun at the time of the Spring equinox.

In addition, Hellenistic astronomy and astrology have always transmitted the 12 zodiac signs beginning with Aries. Whereas, the first introduction to Greek astrology to India was through the Yavanajataka, meaning sayings of the Greek which date back to the earliest centuries known to man. While this is the case, the only version to survive being the Indian astronomical text to define the weekday dating back to 476 A.D.




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