Different systems used for prediction in Astrology S N Rao There are two different Zodiacal systems which are

used in Astrology. Western Astrology uses Sayana type Zodiac (Tropical Zodiac) and the Vedic Astrology uses Nirayana type Zodiac (Sidereal Zodiac). Since there are two different systems being used confusion naturally arises as to which is to be used. Some astrologers may consider one to be the true odiac! the other to be in error. Some may consider both to be "alid but to different degrees. Some may try to use both together. #f we are unbiased! # belie"e that we can find e$amples of accurate astrological readings using either of these systems. This may depend more upon the practitioner than the system. Some say that the Tropical system is for westerners! as it has de"eloped there! and that the Sidereal system is for #ndians! as it has pre"ailed here. The method to predict is different in both the systems and Vedic astrology can gi"e good and accurate readings e"en for westerners who belie"e in the Tropical system and Western astrologers can ma%e sense of the Vedic &harts. When a Western astrologer says that the Sun is in Aries! he does not mean that the Sun is in the fi$ed stars of the constellation Aries. 'e means that it is in the (irst of a twel"efold di"ision of the odiac based upon the position of the Sun at the "ernal e)uino$ which is usually around *arch +, st. Similarly! when a Vedic astrologer says that the Sun is in Aries! he means the fi$ed stars! not the tropical di"ision. The Sun usually enters the fi$ed star Ashwini around April ,-th.Though both astrologers use the same terms! they refer them to different portions of the s%y based upon two different ways of di"iding the s%y. The difference of appro$imately +./+- days 0 degrees between the two systems is termed as Ayanamsa. As Vedic astrology is sidereal and based on fi$ed stars! this means that the signs will change in the Vedic chart from what we find in the Western chart. A person with Taurus Sun sign in Western chart may find their Sun in Aries in the Vedic system. This shift of positions naturally causes some confusion! particularly for those who are not so familiar with Astrology. 'ence it is crucial that we understand the two odiacs and their differences so that we don1t confuse one system with the other or try to 2udge one according to the standards of the other. To understand this concept we ha"e to "isuali e the motion of 3arth4s path around the sun. There are a number of fi$ed stars which the sages ha"e named (Ashwini! 5harani!6..! 7e"ati). These constellations are called the Na%shatras and for all practical purposes it may be said that they occupy permanent or fi$ed positions in the s%y. This circle is di"ided into twel"e sections and starts with the first degree of Aries when the Sun crosses the "ernal e)uino$(at e)uator). 8ue to the wobbling motion of the earth at the poles the sun does not cross the e)uator at the same time e"ery year! but it shifts bac%wards at the rate of about 9:., seconds per annum! , degree in ;+ years! , sign in +,9< years! completing the circle of ,+ signs in about +9!=<= years. This bac%ward mo"ement is called >precession of the e)uino$.> The Sidereal odiac (Vedic System) is probably the original odiac historically. The odiac was in"ented long before the time when the "ernal e)uino$ was in Aries (i.e about +::: years ago when the sun entered Aswini Na%shatra). #t must ha"e originally been based upon direct obser"ation of the stars. When the sages spo%e of the sign Aries! it must ha"e been the fi$ed star (Na%shatra). Astrology came originally from #ndia and its astrology has remained fi$ed throughout its long history. Ancient cultures within us! which maintained the continuity of their ci"ili ations o"er thousands of years! would )uite naturally ha"e to rec%on with the precession of the odiac. This is why the ayanamsa is deducted from the Western chart to determine the positions in the Vedic chart. Western astrology can be accurate. To analy e a Western chart the principles mentioned in Western Astrology needs to be applied. The degrees of a planet in a sign has a special meaning to read the charts. Vedic astrology considers the Sidereal odiac to be more important as it has e$isted for o"er many thousands of years and also predictions using dasa system are based on the Na%shatra4s. (rom my personal e$perience both the systems are correct and can gi"e ama ingly accurate results. # usually try to confirm the results from both the methods before deciding the outcome of the prediction.