The Sidereal and Tropical Zodiac

The Ayanamsha is based on the position of the constant star Spica. Intermediary data can be calculated by interpolation. Some Western computer programmes offer the possibility to make a calculation based on the sidereal zodiac. However, sometimes the ayamamsha for the sidereal zodiac used in such programs is slightly different than the Lahiri Ayanamsha. So, it is valuable to calculate the planetary positions by hand.

DIAGRAM 1: LAHIRI AYANAMSHA
1 January 1920 22°45´
1 January 1930 22°53´
1 January 1940 23°01´
1 January 1950 23°10´
1 January 1960 23°18´
1 January 1970 23°26´
1 January 1980 23°35´
1 January 1990 23°43´
1 January 2000 23°51´

How do you start? First you take the positions from the Western horoscope and deduct the relevant Ayanamsha. For example: a person born in 1950 has the Sun on 25° Pisces. The Ayanamsha for 1950 is 23°10´. Deduct this from the position of the Sun: 25° - 23°10´ = 1°50´. Therefore, the Sun in the Vedic horoscope will be on 1°50´ Pisces.

Now let us make it a little bit more difficult. Another person born in 1950 has the Sun on 15° Pisces in the Western horoscope. The Ayanamsha for 1950 is 23°10´. Deduct this from the position of the Sun (23°10´ - 15° = 8°10´ then 30° - 8°10´ = 21°50´). The Sun is now 21°50´ Aquarius. Continue calculating in this manner with the remaining planets and the ascendant.

THE NEW HOROSCOPE
Now you are in for some surprises! It appears that someone, who thought their Sun sign was Pisces, now appears to have an Aquarian Sun! This can be a real shock. What is important is the complete image that has appeared. Most probably in the new horoscope the Piscean-energy will be visible in another manner (for example, perhaps the Moon will now appear in Pisces, or the ascendant will move to Pisces in the Vedic horoscope).

In addition, we must remember that we are naturally accustomed to our Western Sun sign and our Western horoscope, so the Eastern one will initially feel strange. Learning to be flexible and open to different approaches, which may give different results, is difficult at first. The secret is to open your mind to the possibilities within a new method.

There are many ways to say sensible and interesting things about another person using numerology, tarot, palmistry, Western astrology and of course Vedic astrology. It's obvious how various methods give us different information because they regard subjects from different angles. So it is with Vedic astrology.

Although it is very tempting to compare your Indian horoscope with your Western horoscope and perhaps even to try to see which one of the two compares the best, this is exactly what you should NOT do. Here you have two different methods that may work well side by side however each must be interpreted and approached in different manners. That is the joy of the two systems of astrology.

© Phyllis Chubb 2001-2002