July, 2014 is a time of big changes in Vedic astrology, or Jyotish. Jupiter moved into exaltation, Rahu and Ketu changed signs, and Mars has returned to Libra. Mars and Saturn in Libra reignites the tense dynamic from February and March of this year. Fortunately, wild card Rahu is now out of the picture as […]
Pacifying Pitta in the Summer
In Ayurveda, there are 3 doshas or body types: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Pitta is the energy of digestion, assimilation, and transformation. Pitta is comprised of fire and water. It is hot, sharp, oily, and penetrating. In the summer, Pitta can get overheated and out of balance more so than the other two doshas. There […]
Mercury in Gemini in Vedic Astrology
Mercury entered Gemini today in the system of Vedic Astrology, or Jyotish. Mercury is the planet of communication, technology, and commerce. It is quick-witted, intellectual, and analytical. With Mercury in Gemini, the planet is in its own sign. Planets like being at home; they are comfortable there. Mercury joins Jupiter in Gemini. Both Mercury and […]
Eightfold Examination in Ayurveda
When Ayurveda originated over 5,000 years ago in India, vadiyas (or Ayurvedic physicians) did not have access to the array of clinical tests, as we do in present day. Thus, the vaidyas used the classical method of eightfold examination in Ayurveda. This is known as ashta vidya pariksha in Sanskrit. Ayurveda aims to treat the […]
Astrological Timing of Pregnancy
When the time comes for many couples to conceive, some have an easier time than others. An innumerable number of couples agonize and try every medical method possible to get pregnant, to no avail. One method that has been used for thousands of years in assisting with planning pregnancy is Vedic astrology, or Jyotish. Vedic […]
Ayurvedic Winter Remedies
The ancient Indian science of Ayurveda classifies the seasons according to their predominant dosha: Vata, Pitta, or Kapha. Vata season is fall. Pitta season is late spring and summer. Kapha season is winter and early spring. As it’s been an exceptionally harsh winter for most parts of the country, there are Ayurvedic winter remedies which […]
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 […]
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 […]
Saturn and Mercury planetary war in Libra
While Saturn and North node Rahu continue to separate in Vedic astrology, there are still quite proximate to each other in Libra. Mercury is also with this combination. There are three upcoming Saturn and Mercury planetary wars in Libra. A planetary war (or graha yuddha) is when two of five planets (Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and […]
Ayurvedic Diet
A key component of an Ayurvedic lifestyle is following an Ayurvedic diet. An Ayurvedic diet consists of eating foods which are appropriate for your current doshic imbalance. In Ayurveda, we have three body types: Vata, Pitta, and Kpaha. These three types, or doshas, are composed of two elements each. Vata is made up of ether […]