Astrology is a system of examining the implications of positions of stars (astrological planets, nakshatras, etc.) on persons, societies, and the world at large. The most common application of astrology is natal chart astrology, which is the science of accessing insights about a person based on the positions of stars at the time of his birth.

To make matters simple, let's confine to birth chart astrology here. The karma of a person is reflected in the positions of the stars at the time of his/her birth. In other words, the chart reflects the person's karma. A proper study of the chart is, therefore, a proper study of his/her karma.

This is like asking, "Is karma fatalistic?" And the clear answer is a resounding "No!" We create our karmas and the results we experience—good or bad—is a result of our karma. We also have the potential to change our karma. Therefore, neither is the science of karma (at least the way we understand it) fatalistic, nor is astrology.

Does this mean we can change all our karma within a short period? No! We have accumulated certain karmas that have strong potential to manifest in the form of events or habits. This can be seen in the birth chart if many indications point out to the same habit or events. Such karmas are difficult to change. Especially if karma has already started to ripen, it is difficult to be affected through our agency. But this does not make astrology a fatalistic science. It simply points out to our limitations as sentient beings trapped in saṃsāra because of a myriad of negative emotions and conceptual proliferations.

Vedic astrology is a system of astrology as practiced in the Indian sub-continent—India, Nepal, etc. It is primarily based on a few primary astrological texts such as Brihat Parāśara Horā Śāstra, Brihat Jātaka, and Phaladīpikā.

Vedic astrology is very different from Western astrology at all levels. Western astrology has a very modernistic perception of planets whereas, in Vedic astrology, planets are seen as living gods with unique bodily attributes, legends, and psychological make-up.

Western astrology is highly influenced by modern psychology, and Western astrologers often use charts for psychoanalysis. In fact, for many people exposed only to Western astrology, astrology is equivalent to psychology. On the other hand, Vedic astrology is not limited by modern psychology at all; in fact, Vedic astrology doesn't conform to modern psychological assumptions.

Additionally, the numerous techniques and tools available in Vedic astrology are unique to it and simply not available in Western astrology. For example, Vedic astrology exclusively makes use of sixteen different divisional charts (charts concerned with specific fields of life). Likewise, Vedic astrologers frequently use many kinds of daśā (planetary periods).

In astrology, there are two major zodiacs—sidereal zodiac and the tropical zodiac. Most Vedic astrologers use sidereal zodiac, specifically Lahiri Āyanāṃśa. Most Western astrologers use the tropical zodiac.

At Samyak Astrology Services, we use tropical zodiac with sidereal nakṣatras. In this regard, we adhere to the system propounded by ground-breaking Vedic astrologer Master Ernst Wilhelm. Ernst's students including the famous Kriya yogī Ryan Kurczak also follow this system.

In our experiment and experience, we have found that this version of zodiac gives much more accurate results. Hence, not only are we convinced by the theoretical reasons behind why this system is correct but we also have experiential confidence in this system.

Most Vedic astrologers do not engage in a consistent, systematic study of the astrological texts; neither do they practice consistent, systematic study of the charts. Many Vedic astrologers even hold contradictory views with regards to astrological principles.

Nonetheless, we believe there are some standard features that characterize the practice of Vedic astrologers:

• Shared basic knowledge of planets (graha), signs (rāśī), and houses (bhava)
• Use of snapshot techniques
• Extensive reliance on intuition and spirit mediums
• Almost zero use of modern psychology (as opposed to Western astrology)
• Familiarity with rituals, temples, relevant pujas, etc.

There are differences in subtle principles that different Vedic astrologers believe in that affect the astrological reading and remedies provided. Some of the specific principles that we at Samyak Astrology believe in are as follows:

In addition to offering remedies that directly relate to changing your habit patterns, we give very practical remedies that are based on subtle laws of interdependent origination. These are difficult to make sense of, but they work. Some of them are cheap and often cost nothing. For example, you may be recommended to avoid black color clothes, gift white clothing to your father or father figures, feed black dogs, and so on.