Vedic and heliocentric astrology are two well-known and contrasting approaches to astrology, which have several key differences.

Vedic astrology hails from ancient India. It is also known by a variety of other names, including Jyotish Shastra, and is deeply rooted in the Vedas – the oldest and most sacred text of Hinduism. It is not just about predicting what lies in store for us in the future, Vedic astrology is about understanding karma and dharma and allowing people to live a more fulfilled and balanced life.

Heliocentric astrology is a relative new kid on the block, gaining popularity and momentum during the Renaissance period, thanks to scientific discoveries from the likes of Galileo Galilei and Nicolaus Copernicus. As a more modern model, it frequently contains contemporary astronomical learning.

One of the key differences between these two schools of astrology is perspective. The Vedic discipline has the Earth at the centre of the universe. That is to say, this approach interprets the influences of the heavens from an observer on Earth, with the celestial bodies orbiting around Earth and shaping human affairs and behaviour. It is a form of geocentric astrology. Western astrology also adopts a geocentric approach.

In Greek language, the word for ‘sun’ is helios, so as its name implies, heliocentric astrology has the sun at the centre point, with celestial bodies placed in positions as they would appear to someone looking at them from our nearest star.

Vedic astrology places great importance on karma (the belief that everything we do and think have corresponding reactions) and dharma (the mode of conduct most encouraging for one’s spiritual growth). It aims to offer understanding and awareness into an individual’s spiritual journey, life purpose and destiny. Vedic astrology uses a Janam Kundli (birth map) which draws on the exact time of birth and location to study the positions of the planets and other celestial bodies.

This differs to the heliocentric form of astrology. The sun-centred model does not focus on fate and individual destiny which Vedic astrology does, but how the movement of the planets can influence universal principles, celestial evolution and humanity as a whole.

The two forms of astrology also differ on their understanding of the zodiac. Vedic uses the sidereal zodiac, based on the actual constellations and includes adjustments for Earth’s precession, which is the wobble of our planet on its access. As a result, this type of astrology more accurately reflects the actual positions of the constellations, as seen from Earth. This differs to heliocentric astrology, which emphasises the viewpoint of planets and their movements from the sun, which focus more on the dynamics of planetary interactions.

Other differences see Vedic place huge importance on the moon, while in heliocentric astrology, the sun enjoys superiority.

Where Vedic astrology is strongly connected to Hinduism and Indian culture, and used to understand all aspects of life, such as marriage, moving homes or a business deal, heliocentric is modern and tied to how planetary movements influence broader themes.

They are some of the major differences between the two approaches to astrology.