V

Vaastu (Vãstu)

Indigenous Indian variety of Feng Shui. Involving geomancy and astrologically correct placement of energies in the home and business, this ancient discipline is widely employed among Indian communities to this day.

Varga

There are 16 divisional modes (vargas) of the natal chart in Jyotish (Vedic) astrology. Based on fractions of each sign, each varga gives light on a different side of the character.

Veda

Ancient Indian scriptures, comprising the original basis of the Hindu religions and philosophies, including related teachings such as Yoga, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and even Hare Krishna! There are four Vedas:

1. Rig-Veda, the most ancient
2. Yajur-Veda, sacrificial formulæ
3. Sama-Veda, ritual hymns and chants; mystic formulæ
4. Atharva-Veda, spells and magical incantations; philosophical speculations

The Vedas, believed to be eternal truths revealed anew at the beginning of every new age, were originally composed and sung in Sanskrit, one of the earliest of the Indo-European tongues, from which most of the modern languages of Europe, the Middle East and India have ultimately descended.

Vedanta

"The end of the Vedas". Originally comprising the Upanishads or esoteric forest teachings that grew out of the Vedic religion, taught by ancient gurus to their closest disciples. It developed into a philosophical school, which holds that the basis of all life is divine and that the goal of life is to realise the divinity inherent in our nature.

Vedic Astrology

A system of astrology (a.k.a. Jyotish) favoured in India, ultimately deriving from the teachings of the Indian scriptures (Vedas). The controversial term "Vedic" astrology is a very recent, apparently Western invention, mainly to avoid the term "Hindu" astrology—the Jyotish system having been devised in antiquity, but long after the Vedas were originally composed. The prime differences from modern Western Tropical Astrology include: the employment of the Sidereal Zodiac; planetary periods (dasha) and sub-periods (bhukti); the idea of planetary "friends" and "enemies"; divisional modes (varga); the pre-eminence of the Moon (Chandra) and the use of the nakshatras, or Lunar Mansions.

Venus

The evening and morning star, a planet symbolising matters to do with love, affection, the arts, money and so on. Ruler of Taurus and Libra. Exalted in Pisces. The lesser benefic. More about Venus.

Vernal Equinox

Spring Equinox (northern hemisphere). The first degree of Aries, the beginning of the astrological year, when the Sun crosses the celestial equator from south to north. In the southern hemisphere it is the Autumnal Equinox. More on the Equinox.

Vernal Point

Point on the ecliptic marking the position of the Sun at the moment of the Vernal Equinox. It is defined as the first degree of Aries in the Tropical Zodiac. This point moves backwards through the sidereal zodiac at the rate of a little over one degree every 72 years. This movement is called the Precession of the Equinoxes. The current location (2009) of the Vernal Point in the sidereal zodiac is at approximately 5 degrees of sidereal Pisces.

Vertex

Point used by some astrologers to represent the inner life of the ascendant. Calculated by inverting the degree of the Ascendant (i.e., calculating the degree of the ascendant as if the native were born in the opposite hemisphere and calling this point the Vertex), it is the point where the prime vertical intersects the ecliptic and is always found west of the meridien. It can be above or below the horizon.

Verticle

The prime verticle (vertical), or circle of observation, is a Great Circle passing directly overhead from due east to due west, in which an observer stands when facing south. This circle is divided into 12 equal parts, comprising the 12 houses through which the signs and planets seem to pass obliquely in their apparent diurnal motion from east to west. See Prime Vertical.

Vespertine

A planet setting in the evening after sunset. See Matutine.

Vesta

The Eternal Flame; goddess of the hearth, representing personal integration, dedication and commitment. An asteroid seen by modern astrologers as significant. More about Asteroids.

Via Combusta

"The Burning Way". A problematic area of the zodiac between 15° Libra and 15° Scorpio. It is especially difficult for the Moon. In a horary chart, the Moon in the via combusta is widely held to be a stricture against judgement.

Virgintile (semi-decile)

One of Kepler's minor aspects. 18 degrees, somewhat positive.

Virgo

The sixth sign of the zodiac. Mutable and earthy. Ruled by Mercury. Emblem: The Virgin with a sheaf of wheat. More about Virgo.

Visible Planets

The planets visible to the naked eye: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Sun and Moon are also classed as visible planets in astrology. Uranus is visible without a telescope under some circumstances, but is not included in the schema.

Vital Force

Animating principle, or life force (élan vital), without which life cannot exist. A non-materialistic essence no longer recognised by Western science, it remains the expression of spirit in living beings, underlying yet beyond the physical and chemical reactions of the organism. See Vitalism.

Vitalism

The doctrine that all the functions of a living organism are the consequence of a deep vital principle, a life force distinct from all chemical and physical reactions. More on Vitalism.

Void (degrees)

Certain degrees traditionally believed to cause incompetence, lack of understanding and poor judgement when holding the Moon, or the ascendant in a nativity.

Void of Course

When a planet forms no further aspect for the remainder of its time in a sign in which it is located (before changing to the next sign). Used mainly for the Moon in Horary Astrology, it indicates that nothing will come of the matter. It is a testimony that the horary chart is not radical.

Vulcan

A hypothetical planet supposed to lie inside the orbit of Mercury, but always on the opposite side of the Sun from the Earth, making it invisible. Originally postulated to account for perturbations in planetary orbits, this planet is no longer supposed to exist by science, although some astrologers claim it as a sort of spiritual entity having power in a horoscope.