WHAT IS A VEDIC HOROSCOPE?
According to the ancient Indian scriptures, the Vedas, (the oldest Indo-Aryan Sanskrit texts) we have to experience Karma in our present life and next life, which reflect the good or bad actions we have performed in our past lives.
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Vedic Astrology is based on universal religion and believes in the transmigration of the soul in its quest for further spiritual growth. We are born to perform specific deeds (Karma) on Earth and at the same time expand the consciousness of the soul through its earthly experience until we have paid our karmic debt and it is no longer necessary for us to reincarnate.
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Accepting this philosophy of the Vedas, our birth at a certain time holds a certain destiny, or Karma to live out during this lifetime. The arrangement of the planets at birth is an indication of what good or bad karma we will enjoy or suffer in this life. We are born at the most opportune time to help achieve our earthly goals – i.e. our destiny is already mapped out for us.
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Know that this Karma is not eternal, but can be changed – you must use your free will within the given parameters of your birth chart to rule your destiny. This is not as contradictory as it sounds because you only realise 5% of your potential and leave 95% of it untapped before you die. Vedic Astrology takes the view that if someone leads their life morally and righteously and gains higher knowledge, the past karmic debts will get paid off and new Karmic credits will be built up for this life as well as for a future birth.
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Free will alone at times cannot shift one’s current path in life to what is required – one has to resort to the use of Muhurtha (auspicious timing), mantras, yantras, yagyas and gemmology – these act like an umbrella.
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Good timing is essential and in Vedic Astrology, the Vimshottri Dasha system is unique in timing and pin-pointing events in one’s life. One can ward off failure and ensure success by correctly directing efforts and starting ventures at auspicious times.​
In Vedic civilisation, Astrology formed the very basis of daily life so that someone might harmonise their life with the laws of nature – Law of Karma, with its doctrine of reincarnation and the soul’s attainment of “Nirvana” i.e. the merging with all wisdom at which point the cycle of reincarnation comes to an end
A Vedic horoscope highlights your potential and capabilities with regard to finances, relationships, career and other earthly considerations, but most importantly it helps you to open the window on your own spirituality, thus revealing your true purpose in this incarnation.
Natal – related to predictions regarding birth charts
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Horary or Prasna – related to the answering of pressing questions
Electional (Muhurta) – this is connected to choosing an auspicious moment for the start of any venture to ensure its success
Mundane – related to horoscopes of nations and the collective destinies of people
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Vedic Astrology interprets someone's future by their previous Karma indicated by the planetary positions at the time of birth. For an accurate Natal Chart to be created, the Astrologer requires the person's date, time and place of birth.
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In the event of someone not having their exact time of birth, an Astrologer can rectify their birth time but this involves a lot of research into the person’s background and history – it is a two way process where past events are fitted into appropriate Dashas (periods) before the correct details can be confirmed.
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Vedic Astrology involves putting up to 16 charts, depending on the depth the Astrologer wishes to go into. Therefore bear this in mind when you visit your Astrologer next time.
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Horary or Prasna answers people’s pressing questions – which can be anything from “Will I marry this year?” to “Where did I put my keys?” to “Is this the right time to invest in a new business?” and numerous other topics. If the question asks when, where or whether, it can definitely be answered using Horary.
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A Horary Chart symbolises the birth of a question – a question is “born” when first asked aloud or in writing of the Astrologer, and the question’s horoscope is put up for the day, time and place of birth to show where the planets are in the sky at the moment and how they affect the outcome of the question – this form of Astrology does not require the personal details of the person. Hence I recommend Horary for everyday pressing questions and more so for people who do not have their exact birth details. This form of astrology is very helpful for questions that require immediate answers.
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Muhurta (Electional) Astrology is predictive (Natal and Horary) Astrology reversed – here, a moment is so chosen as to ensure success of any venture begun at the moment. Muhurta is very important because it gives valuable directions to the native so that he/she may remove, neutralise, counteract or overcome the obstacles indicated in their natal chart. Natal Chart is diagnostic and like a road map shows various hurdles and problems that one might have to face in life but does not prescribe any remedies, whereas Muhurta is prescriptive as well as preventative. In Muhurta the time to begin anything auspicious such as a major business venture, a marriage or investments etc is arrived at by ensuring that the planets are in a good position at that time in conjunction with the native’s Natal Chart.
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It tells us how one can ward off failure and ensure success by starting ventures at auspicious times – Muhurta stands for good timing in life.