According to the Vedic calendar, immediately following Pitru Paksha comes a much more joyous celebration. Today marks the beginning of the month of Ashwina in Vedic astrology and the first of nine nights of the Indian holiday of Navratri 2014 (also spelled Navaratri). Navratri marks nine nights of celebrating the goddesses Kali, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. Vedic […]
Why cows are sacred in India
(This story was recounted by Vedamurti Shri Vivek Shastri Godbole, who is the Acharya (the head Brahmin) of the Shri Krishna Yajurveda Pathshala in Satara, Maharsahstra, India. He comes from a lineage of 15 generations of learned practitioners of the Krishna Yajur Veda.) We often feed cows in Vedic rituals and they are always given […]
The Crow’s Significance in Indian Mythology
(This story was recounted by Vedamurti Shri Vivek Shastri Godbole, who is the Acharya (the head Brahmin) of the Shri Krishna Yajurveda Pathshala in Satara, Maharsahstra, India. He comes from a lineage of 15 generations of learned practitioners of the Krishna Yajur Veda.) In every ceremony related to our ancestors, the crow carries a lot […]
Pitru Paksha 2014
Vedic astrology or Jyotish 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. One upcoming annual event is Pitru Paksha 2014. September 9 marks the beginning of the […]
Vedic Astrology for September, 2014
Jyotish, or Vedic Astrology for September, 2014 sets a different tone than the planetary friction we experienced in August with the Mars and Saturn conjunction and planetary war. It contains a unique juxtaposition of powerful planetary placements. We also have some very notable holidays in the Vedic calendar this month. The Mars Saturn planetary war […]
Mars and Saturn Planetary War in Libra
The stage is set for the biggest battle of the year in Vedic astrology, or Jyotish. This will be a Mars and Saturn planetary war in Libra tomorrow. In Western astrological terms, this is a Mars and Saturn conjunction or planetary alignment. A planetary war, or graha yuddha, is when two planets are within one […]
Krishna Janmashtami 2014
In the Vedic tradition, holidays are calculated according to the lunar Vedic calendar. Holidays are honored each year based on the lunar month and the phase of the Moon, according to Vedic astrology, or Jyotish. This is the month of Sharavan, and it contains Lord Krishna’s birthday. We celebrate Krishna Janmashtami 2014 on August 17. […]
Jupiter and Venus planetary war in Cancer
Jupiter is currently exalted, or at its highest point in the zodiac, in Vedic astrology. In Vedic astrology or Jyotish, we analyze how the nine planets occupy the 360 degree arc of the zodiac. Each planet has its own unique characteristics and enjoys having the room to do so. Venus and Jupiter will be […]
Vedic Astrology for August, 2014
Jyotish, or Vedic astrology for August, 2014 brings great shifts. For those who complained that things were moving too slowly, the opposite may now be true. An exalted Saturn has come out of retrogression and the “slow mover” is now limping at 125% its normal speed. The period for reassessing strategies is over and it’s […]
Mars and Saturn in Libra
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 […]