Astrology


Description and History
Ancient Indian astrology is referred to as Jyotish or vedic astrology. This is a comprehensive system of astrology that is both practical and spiritual in nature, which grew out of the Vedic era in India, along with Yoga and Ayurveda between 5,000-10,000 years BC. Vedic astrology is said to be the "Eye of the Vedas", as it is higher knowledge, passed onto us from the Sages of that golden creative period of Indian history, to help illuminate our life and purpose. The ancient peoples of that time were asking the same questions that we are now, about the purpose and meaning of their existence and looking for meaningful answers

The following excerpt is taken from Autobiography of a Yogi, after Paramahansa Yogananda ask his teacher Sri Yukteshwar Giri about the benefits of astrology. His teacher gives this description:

"All parts of creation are linked together and interchange their influences. The balanced rhythm of the universe is rooted in reciprocity. Man in his human aspect, has to combat two sets of forces - first, the tumults within his being caused by the admixture of earth, water, fire, air and the ethereal elements; second, the outer disintegrating powers of nature. So long as man struggles with his mortality, he is affected by the myriad of mutations of heaven and earth....... Astrology is the study of man's response to planetary stimuli. The stars have no conscious benevolence or animosity; they merely send forth positive and negative radiations. Of themselves, these do not help or harm humanity, but offer a lawful channel for the outward operation of cause - effect equilibriums that each man has set into motion in the past.

Astrology and Reincarnation
Over many life-times, we create a great deal of karma that is both positive and negative in all areas of life. According to Vedic philosophy, at death we assess our total karmas from many incarnations and decide what it is we need to experience in the next life, in order to further our soul's development. Having decided, we come into existence, to parents, who have a karma that matches our own in terms of the parents we require this particular time. We enter the world when the planets are in exactly the right position, to provide the karmic experiences we need to have.

Sri Yuteswar continues
"The message boldly blazoned across the heavens at the moment of birth is not meant to emphasize fate - the result of past good and evil - but to arouse men will to escape from his universal thralldom. What he has done, he can undo. None other than himself was the instigator of the causes of whatever effects are now prevalent in his life. He can overcome any limitation, because he created it by his own actions in the first place, and because he possesses spiritual resources that are not subject to planetary pressure."

How do vedic calculations work?
Western astrologers draw up their chart using the Moving star or the Tropical system. Vedic astrologers draw up their chart using the Fixed star or the Sidereal system. The astrology of India marks the start of the first point of Aries in a different manner than Western Astrology. Vedic Astrology calculations indicate that the Sun rises at about 6 degrees of Pisces in the spring equinox morning and not at 0 degrees Aries (as indicated in the West). This difference is due to the earth shifting back on its axis (precession) about 1 degree every 72 years. Vedic Astrology adjusts for this "wobbling" of the axis, the Western Systems do not. In vedic astrology, therefore, the Moon is the most important planet, whereas the Sun is the most important planet in the Western system. The position of the Moon sets the planetary periods for each person. These are the planetary cycles which are the essential tools for prediction.

The quality and the focus of each period or cycle of life can be predicted according to the planetary periods or Dasa. The position of a planet and its strength in the Vedic astrology chart will enable theastrologer to predict the type of period you will have and where the main focus will be.

Particular transits between the planets can help to pinpoint and trigger events in your life, especially if used in conjunction with planetary periods or Dasas. In addition to the 12 horoscope signs as in the Western system, the Vedic system has a much more ancient system of 27 sub signs called Nakshatras or lunar mansions. Knowing which one you are born into can give you deeper information as to your driving force and purpose. The Vedic system also uses a set of 16 types of birth charts ("Shodasavargas"), not just one, and uses a forecasting system called the "Vimshottari Dasa" which tracks events in the birth chart up to a 120 year life period. Vedic Astrology has very strong connections to spiritual development and consciousness and suggests 100's of remedial measures to counteract negative influences in the chart. So Vedic astrology not only can help indicate what behaviors and time periods might be favorable or unfavorable, it also has methods to help us fortify ourselves to deal with life events more powerfully.

Questions that you may ask:
Specific questions related to health, or the health of a loved one. Each part of the body is governed by a certain planetary energy

Financial questions, or the timing of an important financial decision

The birth chart configuration of your child so that you can be more informed and confident in guiding his/or her future

Questions regarding education and your course of study

Relationship issue between family members

Marriage questions and compatibility questions with a potential partner or spouse in marriage or professionally

Geographic questions regarding your place of residence, work, or the purchase of property