Western and Indian astrology share a common ancestry as horoscopic systems of astrology, and are essentially similar in content. The main difference is that Indian astrology continues to use the sidereal zodiac, linking the signs of the zodiac to their original constellations. Western astrology, on the other hand, divides the sky into twelve equal segments, beginning with the First Point of Aries, where the line of the equator and the ecliptic (the sun's path through the sky) meet at the spring equinox. This difference of approach matters because of a process called the Precession of the Equinoxes, whereby the way the earth rotates in space changes very slowly over time. This has led to a position where over the centuries, the twelve signs of the zodiac in Western astrology no longer correspond to the same part of the sky as their original constellations (and so to their Indian counterparts). In effect, in Western astrology the link between sign and constellation has been broken, whereas in Indian astrology it remains of paramount importance.

In Chinese astrology a quite different tradition has evolved. By contrast to Western and Indian astrology, the twelve signs of the zodiac do not divide the sky, but rather the equator. The Chinese evolved a system where each sign corresponds to one of twelve 'double-hours' that govern the day, and to one of the twelve months. Also most notably and uniquely, each sign of the zodiac governs a different year, and combines with a system based on the five elements of Chinese *Cosmology to give a 60 (12 x 5) year cycle. The term 'Chinese astrology' is used here for convenience, but it must be recognised that versions of the same tradition exist in Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and other East Asian countries.
In modern times, the three traditions have come into greater contact with each other. Chinese and Indian astrology have spread to the West, and awareness of Western astrology has increased in India and East Asia.

Indian Astrology called the Jyotish, is universal and timeless. Jyotisha is one of the most time-tested and oldest systems of astrology in the world. In Western countries, it is called Vedic astrology, which refers to Indian or Hindu astrology.

Indian or Jyotish Astrology originated from Vedic Scriptures, dating back at least ten to twenty thousand years. The Vedas the oldest books of the world library. They are the world’s most ancient scriptures and the most vast, complete system of knowledge known to man. Thus, Indian Astrology is the science of understanding the subtle influences that come to us from the greater universe.

Indian astrology reflects the understanding and experience of ancient spiritual teachers regarding the facts of life. The genesis of Indian culture is rooted in the Vedic Hymns which date back before the dawn of civilization, and were preserved as they passed from father to son and Guru to disciple.

In the Vedic system Moon rules the emotional nature. It is well known that the planets with their large magnetic fields and gravitational interaction with the Earth, affect it physically. The Indian astrology defines the actual traits of an individual, marital compatibility,and the future based on the position of planets at the time and place of birth.

Indian astrology is the study of the subtle energies, which make up our world. While evaluating a horoscope under Indian astrology, nothing more is looked beyond the blending of energies which can combine in an infinite variety of ways. As energetic beings, each one of us is comprised of a combination of energies, which makes up the sum total of our being.

Each of us is created by a particular combination of planetary gravitational pulls exerted in different degrees, from different angles, and in different quantities. The multitude of possible combinations account for the variety of personalities, mentalities, physiques, as well as emotional and intellectual constitutions.

Indian astrology is popularly known as Jyotish or Vedic Astrology. A major branch of astrology practiced in India is based on a sidereal zodiac, rather than a tropical one. It uses the twelve constellations from Babylonian, but also has an additional "lunar" zodiac based on 27 lunar constellations or Nakshatras.

These constellations are based on the approximate number of days that the Moon takes to complete a cycle relative to the stars. The Vimshottari dasa system is a predictive used in the Indian astrology and begins with the Moon's position through the lunar signs. The Moon in these lunar signs is also used in Muhurta, the Indian method of choosing the auspicious time to perform any job.