I am an Indian and strongly believe in astrology. The astrology has a millennia-old tradition. While one originally observed the cloud movements during the day and the starry sky in the night to deduce changes in weather or climate, it was increasingly believed over time to recognize correlations between the position of celestial bodies and the characteristics and life histories of humans to be able to.
Probably the most important forms of astrology originated in pre-Christian times in Mesopotamia, India and China. While the astrological tradition from Mesopotamia continued in our Western astrology and the Chinese horoscope is gaining popularity in our latitudes, Indian astrology in Europe has not yet achieved the level of fame that it would actually deserve.
Indian astrology is also called "Vedic astrology" because it is based on the Vedas, ie the Hindu scriptures. In their country of origin, Indian astrology is referred to as "jyotisha," which means "light" in Sanskrit. As in Western and Chinese astrology, it is believed that the state of certain celestial bodies - at the time of the birth of a human being - determines their talents and fate. From this constellation can be created a horoscope , which gives information about the corresponding person.
As in Chinese astrology, instead of the sun, it is the moon, which has the main function here. He can stand in twelve different constellations in the course of a year, so that there are twelve zodiac signs with a duration of about one month, as in Western astrology. In the Vedic horoscope these zodiac signs are called "rashis". As in Western astrology, the transits are used to create a horoscope, while the progressions are replaced by a system called "Maha Dasas" and supplemented by an additional level in the form of "yoga".
Those who are unfamiliar with Hindu culture will find it hard to see through Vedic astrology properly.
I am indeed familiar with vedic astrology, and would love to talk more about it. I do find it difficult to understand, even though I have a giant book about it! I often find it is a bit fatalistic for my liking, in that a certain aspect is either good or bad and doesnt not allow much room for free will or choice, though I have not read enough to really confirm that that is the accepted idea in Vedic practices.
I also know that the signs are about 21 degrees, I think, behind the western signs, which I also find very interesting. I have heard that vedic astrology more accurately reflects the heavens in real time, wheras western astrology is more based on math and not totally observation.
In a few more posts about my ancient history blog I will be talking about Babylonian and Mayan astrology beginnings, which are both entirely fascinating. I do want to look more deeply into Vedic astrology and its origins in the future, so if you have information on that, please do share! Indeed, in Mesopotamia astrology began both with observing the weather patterns and the heavens, something entirely fascinating. Watching the weather for signs is a particular time of oracle in fact!
Does Vedic astrology deal more with fixed stars and uhm what I think are called palaces instead of houses as well? I am not too sure.