Origins of Vedic Astrology
The ancient sages/ mystics in India observed the night sky tracking the planetary movements with mathematical precision and how it influences human lives.
The vast knowledge was passed down orally through family-based lineages through several generations and the earliest written records date back to 5000 years.
Vedic Astrology is based on the concepts of Reincarnation and Karma. Reincarnation is cycle of birth, death, and rebirth and the soul goes through numerous lifetimes, experiencing different physical forms and circumstances. When a being dies, their soul is reborn into a new body, and this cycle continues until the soul achieves liberation or moksha.
The planetary positions at the time of a person's birth (as depicted in their natal chart or horoscope) are the reflection of accumulation of their actions and deeds in previous lives better known as Karma. These positions influence a person's life experiences, challenges, and opportunities in the current life.
Good actions lead to a more favorable and elevated existence in the next life, while bad actions lead to a less favorable or lower existence.
“A child is born on that day and at that hour when the celestial rays are in mathematical harmony with his individual karma.”
Shri Yukteshwar, the guru of ParamahansaYogananda, author of ‘Autobiography of Yogi”
Vedic Astrology was only accessible to kings and noblemen and there was Chief Astrologer in the royal courts who played the role of advisor predicting events- upcoming wars, natural disasters, child birth and other different events.
They used to corroborate and confirm the manifestation of events looking at natal charts of the different royal family members.
For example – If a royal couple was having a second child, the event could be seen from the king and queen’s chart as well as the chart of the first child showing the potential of having a sibling at given time.
Today Vedic Astrology is accessible to abody who has an accurate birth time. There is astrological software that do all the mathematical computations whereby the Vedic Astrologer just needs to use his knowledge and intuition to make predictions about a client’s life.
Source – Body Spiritual
Reading an Vedic Natal Chart
The birth chart in Vedic astrology is divided into twelve houses, each representing different aspects of life. The planets in these houses are considered as agents of karma. Their positions and aspects in the chart are analyzed to gain insights into an individual's karmic patterns, strengths, weaknesses, and life path.
Vedic astrologers use various techniques, such as dashas (time periods), yogas and transits, to predict the timing of specific karmic events or periods of one's life. Ultimately it also depends on the intuition of the astrologer.
By understanding one's birth chart, a Vedic astrologer can provide guidance on different spheres of life and how to navigate life's challenges, make informed choices, and potentially mitigate negative karmic effects through remedies and spiritual practices.
Vedic Astrology is a vast, intricate discipline, and even the most skilled astrologers typically achieve around 70% accuracy in their predictions at any given time.
To sum up Vedic Astrology can serve a navigation to lead one’s life and at the same time not lose one’ free will.