In the Vedic calendar, immediately following Pitru Paksha, the time for honoring our ancestors, comes a much more joyous celebration. Tomorrow (October 5, 2013) marks the beginning of the month of Ashwina in Vedic astrology and the first of nine nights of the Indian holiday of Navratri (also spelled Navaratri). The prefix nav- means nine and the […]
The Saturn Rahu Conjunction
A highly anticipated and somewhat dreaded event in Vedic astrology, or Jyotish, is about to take place this week. It’s the Saturn Rahu conjunction in Libra in Vedic astrology. Saturn is considered the greatest malefic or the planet which causes us to experience circumstances which we deem undesirable. Rahu is the north node and it […]
Pitru Paksha 2013
Vedic astrology is based on the Indian or Vedic calendar. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Vedic calendar is a lunar based system. The observances during each month are usually spiritually or religiously based and rooted in deep tradition. For those residing in the U.S., Thursday, September 19, 2013 marks the beginning of the time period […]
Venus and Saturn in Libra: Togetherness vs. Solitude
In Vedic astrology, or Jyotish, planets can be strong, weak, or in average condition. Planets gain strength by being exalted (in their sign of greatest potency), in their own sign, or by being retrograde. We have Venus and Saturn in Libra. Venus is at home in its own sign of Libra and Saturn is exalted […]
Ganesh Chaturthi 2013
One of the most widely celebrated festivals in India is the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, or the holiday which marks the birthday of Lord Ganesh. Ganesh is the elephant headed deity who is the son of Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati. It’s the beginning of a joyous ten day festival in India. This festival […]
Jupiter in Punarvasu Nakshatra
Those people who are in a Jupiter planetary cycle (dasha or bhukti) in Vedic Astrology, or Jyotish, can begin to wipe some of their tears dry. Jupiter has just moved out of the arduous and transformational Ardra nakshatra (constellation) and into nurturing Punarvasu nakshatra. Jupiter in Punarvasu nakshatra heralds a relatively smoother time for those […]
Planetary Strengths and Weaknesses
In “A Tale of Two Cities”, Charles Dickens writes, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” The same can be said for present day. All around, people are undergoing huge transitions. They are making changes in life, willingly or unwillingly. From the viewpoint of Vedic astrology, or Jyotish, this is […]
Guru Purnima 2013
Vedic astrology or Jyotish is a lunar based system. The full Moon is considered to be much more favorable than the new Moon. Certain full Moons are highlighted in the Indian calendar as they are linked to special holidays or festivals. The very auspicious full Moon of Guru Purnima 2013 falls on July 22. Many […]
Five Planets in Gemini in Vedic Astrology
We utilize nine planets in Vedic astrology, or Jyotish: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Sun, and the South nodes Rahu and Ketu. Both Western and Vedic astrology have 12 houses of the zodiac, each comprised of 30 degrees each. Typically, we expect the planets to be spread out over the 360 degree arc of […]
Saturn Comes Out of Retrogression in Libra
Om Sham Shri Shanischaraya Namaha Of the nine planets (nava grahas) utilized in Vedic astrology or Jyotish, Saturn is the slowest moving of them all. Known as “the slow mover”, Saturn typically inhabits a sign for 2.5 years. Definitely enough time for us to feel its impact in all our lives. Saturn has been retrograde […]