Jyotish, often called Vedic astrology, is one of the six Vedangas — the limbs of the Vedas. It studies the relationship between celestial movement and life on Earth. Unlike a fatalistic fortune-telling system, Jyotish is traditionally used to understand timing (kala), natural tendencies (prakriti) and the best use of free will.
The Sanskrit word "Jyotish" means "the science of light." Practitioners read the positions of the Sun, Moon and five visible planets, plus the lunar nodes Rahu and Ketu, against the backdrop of 27 nakshatras and 12 signs.
Key points:
- Jyotish uses the sidereal zodiac, aligned with fixed stars.
- The birth chart (Rasi kundali) maps the sky at the moment of birth.
- Planets represent different faculties: intellect, emotion, action, discipline and illusion.
- Predictions are seen as timing indicators, not fixed destinies.
A chart is read as a whole: planets, signs, houses, aspects and the current transits together tell the story.