Jyotish · A guide for new readers

Vedic astrology, and why your sign may change.

Vedic astrology uses the same planets as Western astrology, but measures the zodiac differently. Here is what changes, and what stays the same.

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What is Vedic astrology?

Vedic astrology is the traditional astrology of India. Its Sanskrit name is Jyotish, often translated as "the science of light". Many Indian families still use it for everyday decisions, from choosing a baby's name to matching charts before a wedding.

The big difference: which zodiac

Both systems use 12 signs of 30 degrees each. The difference is where the zodiac starts.

Western astrology uses the tropical zodiac. Aries starts at the spring equinox, when the Sun crosses the equator each March. It is tied to the seasons.

Vedic astrology uses the sidereal zodiac. It is tied to the fixed stars you can see in the night sky.

Long ago, the two zodiacs lined up. But the Earth wobbles slowly on its axis, so the equinox point drifts backwards against the stars. It moves about one degree every 72 years. The gap between the two zodiacs is called the ayanamsa. Today it is about 24 degrees.

Karmik uses the Lahiri ayanamsa. It is the standard in India, used by most Vedic astrologers.

Why your sign may change

Because of this 24 degree gap, planets usually sit in an earlier sign in a Vedic chart. Each sign is 30 degrees wide, so for most people the Vedic Sun sign is one sign before the Western one.

For example, the Sun enters Western Aries around March 21. It enters Vedic Aries (Mesha) around April 14. So if you were born on April 1, you are an Aries in Western astrology, but a Pisces (Meena) in Vedic astrology.

If you were born in the last six days or so of a Western sign, your Sun sign usually stays the same. The same shift applies to your Moon, your rising sign and every planet.

Moon sign first, not Sun sign

Western astrology puts the Sun sign at the centre. Vedic astrology gives more weight to the Moon sign, called the rashi, and to the rising sign, called the lagna. When an Indian friend asks "What is your rashi?", they mean your Moon sign.

The Moon moves fast and changes sign every two to three days. So you need your birth date, time and place to find it.

Nakshatras: the 27 lunar mansions

Vedic astrology also splits the sky into 27 nakshatras, each 13 degrees and 20 minutes wide. The nakshatra your Moon was in at birth is your birth star. It is used in chart matching, in naming traditions, and to start your dasha timeline.

Dashas: timing in Vedic astrology

Vedic astrology has its own timing system. The Vimshottari dasha splits a 120 year cycle into periods ruled by the nine grahas. Your Moon's nakshatra at birth decides which period you start in. Astrologers read these periods, along with current transits, to talk about when things may happen.

See your Vedic chart

Karmik works out your Vedic chart with real astronomy. Planet positions come from the Astronomy Engine library, tested against NASA JPL data, with the Lahiri ayanamsa and whole-sign houses. Birth places work in over 240 countries.

Your full chart is free: lagna, Moon sign, nakshatra, all nine grahas and your current dasha. So is a daily horoscope from the day's real transits. You can ask questions in English and get answers read from your own chart. Prices outside India are shown in your local currency.

Common questions

Why is my Vedic sign different from my Western sign?

Vedic astrology uses the sidereal zodiac, which sits about 24 degrees behind the tropical zodiac used in the West. So for most people, the Sun sign moves back by one sign.

Is Vedic astrology more accurate than Western astrology?

They are two different traditions. Vedic astrology lines the signs up with the stars you can see, while Western astrology lines them up with the seasons. Both are meant as guidance.

What is the Lahiri ayanamsa?

It is the standard correction used in India to turn tropical positions into sidereal ones. Today it is about 24 degrees.

Can I use Karmik outside India?

Yes. Birth places cover over 240 countries, prices are shown in your local currency, and the app works fully in English.