Astrology has been popular in the West since the early 1930s. Smithsonian Magazine reveals that British astrologer H.R. Naylor created one of the first newspaper horoscope columns, offering regular weekly advice to his readers based on their zodiac signs. It’s no secret that this divination art is a few thousand years old, but it took a different development path in one of the world’s oldest civilizations. Read on to learn more about Indian astrology, and its fascinating history and practice.
Shared Roots in Greek, Egyptian, and Babylonian Cultures
Both modern Western and Indian astrology trace their roots to Hellenistic Egypt and, ultimately, the ancient Babylonians. Astrologer Emma Wilson mentions ancient Mesopotamian astrology texts in the Royal Library of Ashurbanipal, who ruled between 668 and 627 BC. After Alexander the Great conquered the region during the fourth century BC., Greek scholars developed existing Babylonian knowledge in astronomy, astrology, mathematics, and other key disciplines. This eventually led to the Tertabiblios, an astrology text written by Claudius Ptolemy during the second century CE.
To understand how Greek and Babylonian astrology influenced Indian astrology, a quick history lesson is in order. Besides Egypt and Palestine, Alexander the Great also conquered parts of Asia Minor, the Levant region, Persia, Central Asia, and northwestern India. The next three centuries saw Greek ideas make their way into Indian culture. The Yavanajataka, written during the third century CE, explores Hellenistic and early Indian astrological concepts.
Foundations of Ancient Indian Astronomy
Western astronomy and astrology were closely linked until about the seventeenth century. Astrologers desired accurate data about the movements and positions of planets, stars, and other heavenly bodies. Most astrologers also possessed extensive astronomical knowledge to obtain the data needed for casting natal charts and horoscopes.
One critical element to Indian astrology is Jyotisha, one of six disciplines that illuminate Vedic religious practices. The Vedanga Jyotisha is an important astronomical text dating to around 1400 BC, and according to Hindupedia, it describes in detail how to measure time using the Sun and Moon. This information was considered vital in properly timing religious rituals, but it was also used to cast natal charts.
Jyothisham and Western Astrology
Indian astrology, also called jyothisham, shares many similarities with its Western counterparts. It also uses a zodiac of 12 constellations or signs known as “rashi.” This zodiac roughly corresponds with the Western version, complete with the signs’ ruling bodies:
- Mesha the Ram, ruled by Mars
- Vrishabha the Bull, governed by Venus
- Mithuna the Twins, ruled by Mercury
- Karka the Crab, ruled by the Moon
- Simha the Lion, governed by the Sun
- Kanya the Virgin, ruled by Mercury
- Tula the Scales, ruled by Venus
- Vrischika the Scorpion, ruled by Mars
- Dhanusha the Archer, ruled by Jupiter
- Makara the Sea Monster, ruled by Saturn
- Kumbha the Water Pourer, ruled by Saturn
- Mina the Fishes, ruled by Jupiter
You’ll probably notice that these are the seven classical planets and that the list doesn’t mention Uranus, Neptune, or Pluto. Some Indian astrologers do include both the classical and modern planets as a sign’s rulers: for instance, the Scorpion is ruled by both Mars and Pluto.
Jyothisham practitioners commonly use a sidereal zodiac called Nirayana. Zodiac years begin at zero degrees Aries, but sidereal systems use the apparent gradual motion of fixed stars to set this point instead of the spring equinox. This point also moves west about one degree every 72 years. That’s why the Nirayana now begins on April 14 or 15, about three weeks after the tropical year.
Humanity and the Stars
Astrology is a testament to human creativity, curiosity, and desires to understand the world. It’s also an example of cultural exchange and unique innovation. Blending new ideas with complex predictive models, Indian astrology emerged as a unique take on reading the stars.