Vedic Astrology, commonly known as Jyotisha or Jyotish, is an astrological tradition with deep historical roots in India. It commonly uses a sidereal zodiac, planetary placements, houses, lunar mansions known as nakshatras, and a range of timing and interpretive techniques. Its methods, terminology, and philosophical foundations differ in important ways from many forms of Western astrology. Vedic astrology represents a distinct astrological tradition rather than simply another house system or variation of Western astrology.