Astrology Dictionary V Page 1

Vaastu

Vaastu Shastra is the name for an ancient Feng Shui type discipline that is popular among the people of Indian communities. It involves the placement of 5 natural elements in order to create harmony between the energies contained within the home or business setting. The word Vaastu's meaning is 'the dwelling of humans and Gods' and describes the basis of this method's direction of harmonious balance. The elements used in Vaastu Shastra are Akash the Sky, Prithvi the Earth, Paani as Water, Agni is Fire and Vayu represents the Wind. Today the Vaastu concept is employed mainly in promoting peace and prosperity and feeling closer to nature.

Varga

Varga is the name for additional divisions within the natal chart used in Jyotish or Verdic Astrology interpretation. This type of astrological thought uses the traditional planets, zodiac signs and houses but also the Varga chakras which are divisional charts. In a person's birth map there are 16 fractional Varga's and each one gives an insight into the individual's character. They are found useful to study when finer analysis and details of planet influences on personality are required. Varga inspection can reveal specific areas of life especially involving parents, children and personal relationships.

Vedas

Vedas are the name for the oldest collection of religious and philosophical texts still in existence today. They were initially written in Sanskrit but have been translated to most European languages. There are four Vedas in total, the Rig Veda is the known to be the first set of influential teachings and the Yajur Veda contains sacrificial formulas. The Sama Veda is full of mystical chants and rituals and the Atharva Veda includes magic spells, incantations and philosophy theories. These combined writings brought together the ideas of many cultures and helped form the basis of many of today's astrological analysis concepts.

Vedic Astrology

Verdic or Hindu Astrology is sometimes called Jyotish and is a form of astrological thought based on the ancient Veda scriptures. There are several differences between this Astrology and Western methods, the main one is the use of sidereal times rather than Earth time zones. In Verdic Astrology the planetary periods are called dasha and their sub-periods are bhukti. There is also the inclusion of the concept of celestial 'friends' and 'enemies' and divisional sections known as varga. Verdic Astrology's main difference is in reference to the Moon that is considered a much more powerful influence on personality and fate than the Sun.

Venus

The planet Venus has a terrestrial classification and is sometimes referred to as the 'sister' of Earth due to its likeness in size and gravity. Venus, the second celestial body from the Sun, is considered a lesser benefic and exhalted when in Pisces. This planet rules the sign of Taurus and the 2nd house and the sign of Libra and the 7th house. Venus represents love, beauty, affection and harmony. Its position in a person's natal chart will reveal their expressiveness within personal relationships. Venus's presence may give insights into what someone finds aesthetically pleasing and also the qualities they possess that attract others.

Vernal Equinox

The Vernal Equinox is the point where the Sun's path touches the plane of the equator creating a day and night of equal duration. This occurrence marks the beginning of the Earth's season of Spring. The Vernal Equinox also indicates the zero degree position of Aries traditionally the first sign in the zodiac circle. The word Vernal comes from the Latin vernus meaning pertaining to Spring and Equinox from aequinoctium translated as the time of equal days and nights. The Vernal Equinox is the point of reference used by Astronomers and Astrologers as a starting point for measuring the path of the Sun. It is also the line where astrological divisions and degrees can be calculated from.

Vertex

A Vertex is the name for a visualized angle point located in the Western area of a birth configuration chart. The Vertex marks the intersection between the Sun's path and the prime vertical and it is often referred to as the third horoscope angle. It's degree of ascendant is calculated on the horizon dividing the natal map into back and front rather than up and down. It is believed this opposite alternative view is associated with a person's fate and realization of their wishes. Although experimental in its concept the Vertex aspect can add further insight into someone's probable path of destiny and their happiness in life.