One night of each year in the Indian calendar is dedicated to worship of Lord Shiva. This sacred holiday is known as Maha Shivaratri – the great night of Shiva. Maha Shivaratri 2014 falls on Thursday, February 27 in the U.S. and in India. In the Vedic tradition, there is a trinity of the major […]
Vasant Panchami 2014
February 4 marks the festival of Vasant Panchami 2014 in India. The festival is also known as Saraswati Puja. The word “vasant” means spring, and Vasant Panchami marks the beginning of the spring season and the coming of the festival of Holi. Vasant Panchami is held during the Vedic month of Magh on the […]
Predictions for 2014 in Vedic Astrology
Each new year carries with it the implicit promise of a fresh start. If we can align ourselves with the planetary energies for the year, then we are better prepared to manage the dynamics which the year delivers. Like 2013, 2014 will prove to be a transformative year. There are notable planetary placements occurring. Here […]
Pushya Moon
As a predominantly lunar based system, Vedic astrology or Jyotish, places great emphasis on the placement of the Moon over the placement of the Sun. The Moon represents our emotional body. Jyotish tracks the movement of the Moon through the 12 signs of the zodiac and the 27 lunar constellations or nakshatras. Each nakshatra has specific qualities […]
Makar Sankranti 2014
The saying “Go fly a kite!” takes on a literal meaning every January 14 in India. This date marks Makar Sankranti: the kite flying holiday in India in the state of Maharashtra. Makar means Capricorn. Sankranti implies a movement or change of location. The reason for the celebration is the entry of the Sun into […]
Astrological Placements for 2014
We begin 2014 with a new Moon in Sagittarius in Vedic Astrology. This is a very infrequent occurrence for the New Year. New Moons are considered as weak placements in Vedic astrology, or Jyotish. While the Moon and Sun will be in the star of Purva Ashadha, which is connoted with new beginnings, it may […]
Saturn in Vishakha Nakshatra
There’s been a general state of uncertainty, indecision, and wavering on both an individual level as well as a global level. People haven’t been able to choose sides and felt unable to move forward. Things are about to change. Exalted Saturn has left Svati nakshatra in Libra in Vedic astrology, or Jyotish. Now we have […]
Jupiter Retrograde in Gemini
Of the nine planets utilized in Vedic astrology, or Jyotish, Jupiter is considered to be the great benefic. Jupiter is currently occupying Gemini in Vedic astrology. It has come to a standstill in its movement in the heavens as we are about to experience Jupiter retrograde in Gemini, starting tomorrow. Jupiter is known as the […]
Diwali 2013
One of the biggest holidays in the Vedic calendar is the festival of Diwali (dee-vaah-lee) or Deepavali (deep-uh-vaah-lee) – the Indian festival of lights. “Deepa” means light and “avali” means a continuous line. Diwali occurs the day before the Indian New Year. This year, Diwali will be celebrated on different days in various parts […]
Mercury Retrograde in Libra
After an intense Saturn Rahu conjunction and a partial lunar eclipse, a more common astronomical phenomenon is about to re-occur. This will be Mercury retrograde in Libra in Vedic astrology, or Jyotish. While many people dread the period when Mercury is retrograde, Vedic astrology offers a somewhat varying perspective than Western astrology. In Vedic astrology, retrogression […]