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 […]
October 18, 2013 Lunar Eclipse
The October 18, 2013 lunar eclipse is the first in a series of two upcoming eclipses. In Vedic astrology or Jyotish, a lunar eclipse occurs when the full Moon is in close proximity to one of the lunar nodes (Rahu or Ketu). A full Moon happens whenever the Sun and Moon are opposite each other in […]
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 […]
Navratri Festival 2013
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 […]
Historical Saturn Rahu Conjunctions
To determine how the current Saturn Rahu conjunction in Libra will impact us, we can examine historical Saturn Rahu conjunctions in Vedic astrology, or Jyotish, to see what previously occurred. It last occurred from February 16, 2002 to July 22, 2002 in Mrigashrisha nakshatra (constellation) in Taurus. Saturn was with a debilitated Rahu. The exact […]
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 […]