Jyotish (Vedic Astrology) - Aries, Taurus & Gemini

For the next few months, we are going to shift the Astrology Corner’s message from significations related to the new moon to a (hopefully) simple guide to understanding astrology through its signs, planets, and houses. This month we begin with the first three signs (constellations) in the Zodiac. 

But before we do, it is important to understand that Jyotish (Vedic Astrology) is based on the sidereal Zodiac in contradistinction to Western Astrology, which is based on the tropical Zodiac. The difference is what’s called the Precession of the Equinox, a slight wobble in earth’s orbit that causes it to tilt by about one degree every 72 years (and thus the equinox is slightly earlier each year). Western Astrology has kept the sky the same for over a thousand years and not taken this into account. Over time, the earth has tilted almost 24 degrees. Bear in mind there are twelve signs, each at 30 degrees to make up 360 degrees. So unless you were born within the first six degrees, your sun sign in the Vedic system will be the sign PRIOR to your sign in the Western system. For example, if you were born on April 23rd, you are a Taurus sun sign in the Western system but an Aries sun sign in the Vedic system. 

The thing is, if on April 23rd you look up at the sky, the sun is actually in Aries constellation. Don’t let this unsettle you. You might have Taurus qualities if certain planets are positioned in certain places in your chart, but your sun sign is Aries.

In Vedic astrology your (sun) sign is related to these dates.

Aries: April 13 - May 13

Taurus: May 14 - June 13

Gemini: June 14 - July 15

Cancer: July 16 - Aug 15

Leo: Aug 16 - Sep 15

Virgo: Sep 16 - Oct 15

Libra: Oct 16 - Nov 14

Scorpio: Nov 15 - Dec 14

Sagittarius: Dec 15 - Jan 12

Capricorn: Jan 13 - Feb 11

Aquarius: Feb 12 - Mar 13

Pisces: Mar 14 - April 12

Now back to a description of the first three constellations.

Aries is symbolized by the Ram and is ruled by Mars. Its qualities are new beginnings, pioneering, ambition, competitiveness, impulsiveness, and impatience. Every sign has a high and a low vibration. Aries at its best knows itself and accepts itself. The low vibration relates to selfishness.

Taurus is symbolized by the Bull and is ruled by Venus. Its qualities relate to the material life (money and comfort), physical creativity, productivity, sensuality, loyalty. It tends to be slow to anger and slow to forgive. Its high vibration relates to persistence and seeing something through. The low vibration relates to stubbornness and not knowing when to let go of that persistence (in career, relationships, etc).

Gemini is symbolized by the Twins, a boy holding a club and a girl holding an instrument. It is ruled by Mercury. Its qualities relate to communication, curiosity, mental creativity, processing information, and a sense of humor. Its high vibration is doing multiple things well. The low vibration relates to being stretched too thin or getting bored if not enough is going on.

 Feel free to leave questions in the comments if I can be helpful.

Until next time, Sherif