Course Content
INTRODUCTION
your Astrology: your birth right that gives understanding of the workings of the Universal Forces that include action and control, wisdom, enjoyment, life, peace, intellect and love. You were born into this world with an Agenda to complete - a choice of destinies reflected in your birth chart. The sooner you understand that Agenda and your strengths and weaknesses, the better you can capitalize on your strengths and resist your weaknesses, the better your life will fare. Life is all about choices: temptations resisted and opportunities seizedBasic Interpretation of the birth chart will introduce you to the most basic concepts and elements in Vedic Astrology. It covers the zodiac used, the way the chart is drawn, and gives you an understanding of the Grahas (Planets), Rashis (signs), Bhavas (houses) and Nakshatras. It also introduces you to the lordships of the Bhavas, and the use of the Lagna (Ascendant), which are based on the relationship of the Grahas and the Bhavas, and the Rashis and the Bhavas respectively. This section also explains the most basic interaction between the Grahas: Conjunctions and aspects. Interpreting Planets provides an in-depth approach to understanding a unique nature of each Graha in any particular horoscope. This includes a precise distinction between the strength, auspiciousness and quality of a Graha. Interpreting houses elaborates on the various techniques used to interpret how a bhava will function in the chart and estimate how the areas of life represented by the bhava will manifest in one's life. Interpreting the chart integrates the previous two sections and completes a basic level of the chart analysis. Varieties of charts introduces you to some other types of charts that are often used to enrich the basic analysis of the birth chart. All the principles of the earlier section can now be applied in additional contexts. Divisional charts elaborates in detail on the use of one of the chart types introduced in the previous chapter. This chapter concludes the first part of the tutorial, dealing with interpreting the chart. Predictions The earlier chapters dealt with interpreting the chart without concern for the timing of life events, and predicting when various potential will manifest. The next three sections deal with the subject of timing the predictions. The Dashas section will explain how the planets are activated in cycles, and cycles within cycles. The Transits section will explain how the ongoing movement of the planets affects the natal chart. The Varshaphala section will teach you the intricacies of the chart cast on one's birthday, or rather, the exact time that the Sun re-visits its natal position. Other topics The Compatibility section shows you how you can determine the romantic compatibility between 2 people. Remedial measures briefly covers what one can do to correct negative or undesirable tendencies in life.
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PROCESSION OF THE EQUINOX
Added Refinement
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THE LAW OF KARMA
The Basis of Astrology is the Law of Karma: that Actions in this life affect Outcomes in the next life. Birth time Astrology is possible if there is reincarnation of souls to fulfil their Karma Karma is the spiritual principle of cause and effect, where intent and actions of an individual (cause) influence the future of that individual (effect). The Horoscope is a map of the heavens (planets) plotted on paper as a chart with the twelve signs of the zodiac placed in twelve numbered houses. From this map of the heavens we can read the planetary influences on human beings, as well as the amount of free will people possess.
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VEDIC CHART AND AREAS OF LIFE
Each House bhava represents a number of areas of life. Whereas Planets (Grahas) indicate the different aspects of our consciousness, the bhavas indicate what areas of life that consciousness is most strongly connected to, projected on and influenced by the planets influence. The Signs (Rashis) color that connection and give it very specific qualities
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TRANSITS
For an event to happen in your life you first need the specific Birth Time Astrology: Example: Saturn in the 9th house is good for awareness: The placement of Saturn in the ninth house can make the natives religious, pious and spiritually inclined. If you were born 8 hours before: Saturn in the 5th house produces seriously sick children. The time you were born is prompted by Sanchita Karma: the Accumulated Karma of all your Lifetimes. It would be impossible to experience and endure all these Sanchjta karma in one lifetime. Drude (Heavy) Karma takes many lifetimes to conquer. Adrude (Light) Karma will take less effort to overcome. Prarabdha Karma is experienced through the present body and is only a part of Sanchita karma that is ripe (Prarabdha Karma) and to be addressed this lifetime. Prarabdha Karma is a collection of past Sanchita karmas that your soul selected to be experienced through this present body, in this present life. From this stock of Sanchita karma, a handful is taken out to address in one lifetime and this handful of actions, which have begun to bear fruit and which will be exhausted only on their fruit being enjoyed or addressed is known as Prarabdha karma. Prarabdha Karma is past Life Karma shown by the Position of your Ketu in your Vedic Chart. Prarabdha Karma: Known as the ‘purpose’ karma of this present lifetime, where the purpose is to fulfill part of your karmic dues, experiences and lessons set out for this incarnation. Prarabdha Karma are those lessons and experiences that we must absolutely face in this lifetime, no questions asked. Prarabdha Karma is akin to a scoop of Karma taken from the massive pool of Sanchita KarmaYour Birth Time Astrology is subsequently influenced by your choices this lifetime: Kriyamana (Present Karma): Every thought word, deed, decision & action we create in our current life. All Kriyamana karmas flow from Sanchita karma and consequently shapes our future. Kriyamana is the karma we are creating with our desires. Kriyamana karma, or present karma, refers more specifically to the instantaneous or immediate Kriyamana Karma the consequences of your actions and is represented by the position of Rahu in your Vedic Chart. Distinction can be made between Kriyamana Karma that emphasizes the cause-and-effect between your actions and their immediate results and Agami Karma: future karma generated by your current actions and choices with consequences later in this lifetime or in future lifetimes. You need also to be running the planets Dasha or Bhuki: Running the particular Planet;s Dasha (running Mars Dasha) or Mars Bhukti (Saturn into Mars) and your present time’s astrology is influences by your present day astrology including the TRANSITS of planets through a particular house That will prompt the ripening of a particular Karma That is precipitated by the transit of the planet through the house that contains the Karma in question How does Karma become Ripe? For something to happen to you, you need 3 influences 1. A Planet in a house that controls a Concern: Mars in the 12th house means the Loss of Freedom 2. Run the particular Planets Dasha (running Mars Dasha) or Mars Bhukti (Saturn into Mars) 3. The Transit of the planets across that House – Then you go to jail for as long as the Sanchita Karma lasts. be it for a Month as Mars transits the 12th House. An AHA moment Tulsidas, a Hindu saint, said: "Our destiny was shaped long before the body came into being." We do have Free Will: Limited to how Aware and Disciplined we are and the Weight of Karma As long as the stock of Sanchita Karma lasts, there is the cycle of birth and death. Part of Sanchita Karma is taken as Prarabdha karma for being enjoyed or endured this lifetime,. A Jiva (Soul) cannot attain moksha (liberation) from the cycle of birth and death, until the accumulated Sanchita Karmas are completely exhausted. All Astrological Yogas indicate past Karma – the position of planets in your chart control impulses and influences the trajectory of this life Example: We just finished doing Katlyn’s astrology, she has Rahu in the 12th house. We predicted Kaitlyn has real knowledge/focus on 12th house issues of death. Without knowing her Vedic Chart she already does elaborate death ceremonies to gain insight. An AHA moment revealed from her chart. But she was also warned she has a dangerous Yoga: From one act of anger, she could lose Everything, house, home and family.Rahu in Vedic Astrology represents Desires you pursue this lifetime. So Rahu is a blessing or a curse depending on the house that is in. Be careful what you wish for. If you deeply desire something, you will manifest it in your life, now or in the future.So say you have Mars in the 12th house: you are likely to loose your freedom either by Jail, Illness or Mental Instability such as Agoraphobia Other parts of the chart will tell which: Say its Jail You are likely to go to Jail when you are running Mars Dasha or Bhukti and Mars transits the 12th house and be released when Mars exits the 12th house The Effect of Ketu in the 12th house is prompted by the Transit of Ketu over the position of Ketu in the 12th house. Rahu in the 6th house is Good
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NEW TOPIC
DESTINY and KARMA:
THE LAW OF KARMA The Basis of Astrology is the Law of Karma: That Actions in this life affect Outcomes in the next life. Birth time Astrology is possible if there is reincarnation of souls to fulfil their Karma / Destiny Karma is the spiritual principle of cause and effect, where intent and actions of an individual (cause) influence the future of that individual (effect). The Horoscope is a map of the heavens (planets) plotted as a chart with the twelve signs of the zodiac placed in twelve numbered houses. From this map of the heavens we can read the planetary influences on human beings, as well as the amount of free will people possess
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LAGNA – ASCENDANT
Lagna Ascendant – influences your Character The Ascendant is what is coming over the Horizon at the time of your birth While Western astrology assigns pre-eminence to the Sun sign, Jyotish awards that position to the Ascendant, which gives more insight into your life particulars than does any other factor in the horoscope. You can look up typical Cancer traits There are a few reliable principles regarding predictions based on the Ascendant: • What is the Constellation of the Ascendant and its ruler • The strength of the planets in the various houses • Relationship of the Lagna lord with the owners of various houses • The house the Sun rules in the chart • The ownership of the other houses in the chart Own House JB So important questions are: What Constellation is in the Ascendant? What planet rules what house and in what house is that ruler found? How do the various planets aspect each other? And in what Dasha (your Major Time Period) will its effect be felt?My Lagna is Sagittarius.
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The GRAHAS (PLANETS)
Planets There are nine Grahas “planets” in Indian astrology: Only five of them are planets, one is a star, one is a moon, and the remaining two (Rahu and Ketu) are special astronomical points where the Sun and Moon eclipses occur
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PLANETARY RULERSHIP OF THE SIGNS
Vedic astrology employs traditional sign Rulerships: Mars rules Aries and Scorpio, Venus rules Taurus and Libra, Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo, the Moon rules Cancer, the Sun rules Leo, Jupiter rules Sagittarius and Pisces, and Saturn rules Capricorn and Aquarius.
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STRENGTH OF PLANETS
The Shadbala is the calculated score by which an astrologer can assess the strength of the planet. The effects of a planet whether auspicious or inauspicious will be in proportion to its strength. This Shadbala strength calculation is based on the different 'Bala' or strength factors. In ascendant, Jupiter and Mercury are strong. In North, Sun and Mars are strong in 10th house. In west, Saturn is strong and Venus and Mars acquires the directional form of strength in South in 4th house. In Vedic astrology, the strength of a planet depends on its natural qualities and how it interacts with other planets. Planets also have a permanent strength, called Naisargikabala, that they produce regardless of their position. The Sun has the greatest permanent strength, while Saturn has the least. In descending order of strength, the planets are: Sun, Moon, Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, and Saturn.The capacity of a particular planet to strongly influence your life and choices depends upon its planetary strength. This strength is determined by such factors as: • The aspects between planets that are friends or enemies • The friendliness of the ruling planet of the house in which the planet is found • Directional strength. A planet placed in its exalted Constellation attains is greatest strength for good or evil.Auspiciousness and Quality: The qualities of the Graha determined by it sign, Nakshatra position etc. will be expressed most advantageously when the planet is auspiciously placed. The qualities will be expressed with struggle and grief when the Graha is afflicted. Of course, in most cases there is no black and white situation, and there is some balance of afflictions and supporting factors, that bring out the qualities of the planet in a variety of ways. Since the strength of the planet indicates how potent it is to manifest its qualities, it is best to have the Graha with desirable qualities be strong, and the Graha with negative qualities be weak. However, this concept of "what is best" is highly subjective to one's purpose in life. In the life of a monk, a strong and unafflicted Venus may be out of place, as it will likely cause marriage. In the life of a wrestler, one probably would not have much use for a strong Moon. And a powerful Sun, would not serve people whose destiny it is to be in service.
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PLANETARY CONDITIONS
This lesson deals with the strength and character of a planet based on its position and aspects: Moolatrikona, Own house, Vargottama, Combustion, Retrograde Planets, Planetary War, Planetary Friendship, Mangal, Kujo Dosha, House Position of Ketu, Dispositor
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RASHIS (CONSTELLATIONS/SIGNS)
Vedic astrology and zodiac signs differ in how they track the positions of planets and constellations: Vedic astrology Uses the sidereal zodiac, which measures the motion of planets against the fixed positions of stars. Vedic astrology is based on the Vedas, the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, and the belief that a person's karma is related to the positions of the planets and stars. Vedic astrology also includes the sun, moon, and seven planets, each with a name and dates that differ from Western astrology. Zodiac signs Use the tropical zodiac, which measures the motion of planets against the position of the sun on the spring equinox. A zodiac sign is a symbol that represents a person's personality, emotions, and motivations. Each person has a zodiac sign for each planet, the moon, and the sun. Because of the Earth's tilt and whirl, known as precession, stars and constellations don't remain fixed. Each star moves roughly one degree every 70 years, so a person's Vedic zodiac sign may differ from their Western zodiac sign
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ANOTHER TOPIC
ASTROLOGICAL YOGAS
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PLANETS IN VARIOUS HOUSES
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DASHAS AND BHUKTIS
All of the analysis applied so far has ignored Timing, without having any clue when events will take place.We have been interpreting the birth chart, but we have not made timed predictions on your life in general.The effects of each Yoga is seen in the Dashas and Bhukti periods when the particular planets involved are activated: so we refer to the tables of Dashas and Bhuktis to predict when a particular Yoga will emerge.
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REMEDIES
Remedies to strengthen weak or well-placed planets include Gems, Meditation and Tantric practices.
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PRASNA – REAL TIME ASTROLOGY
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
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Vedic Astrology

Planets

There are nine “planets” in Indian astrology: Only five of them are planets, one is a star, one is a moon, and the remaining two (Rahu and Ketu) are special astronomical points where the Sun and Moon eclipses occur

True Planet: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are classified as true planets for determining planetary war and combustion and in Yogas.

Everyone is familiar with the Sun, the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn.

 The other two elements included in Vedic Astrology are Rahu and Ketu, known as the North and South Lunar nodes.  Rahu and Ketu do not have physical substance, they are astronomical positions where the Sun and Moon are eclipsed

 The Sanskrit word “Graha” means “that which grasps.” The Grahas grasp our consciousness, and the astrological condition of a particular Graha represents our state of consciousness in the areas of life “held” by that Graha. The nine Grahas (planets) are called Surya (the Sun), Chandra (the Moon), Mangal (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (Northern lunar node), and Ketu (Southern lunar node). These names are listed in Sanskrit, to encourage you to become familiar with their original names. The Sanskrit names/sounds are said to correspond more accurately to the actual properties of the Grahas. For example, when you consistently use the term “Shukra” your brain will be able to get to the true significance better than when you use “Venus”. Most texts on Jyotish use the word “planets” instead of Grahas. Since the Sun, the Moon, Rahu, and Ketu are technically not planets, it is more correct to call them Grahas.

The Grahas are divided into two groups, according to their general auspicious or inauspicious effects. The Sanskrit terms used to label these two groups are “Saumya” (benefic) and “Krura” (malefic). Surya (the Sun), Shani (Saturn), Mangal (Mars), waning Chandra (the Moon), Rahu, and Ketu are all classified as malefics. The waxing Chandra (the Moon), Budha (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter) and Shukra (Venus) are classified as benefics. When Mercury is in the same sign as another malefic, it is considered to be a malefic also. Most Grahas are fixed in nature. Only Chandra (Moon) and Budha (Mercury) can be affected by their specific placement in the chart. The Moon is benefic when bright.

In my chart, the Moon is waning, and 191:35:56 degrees from the Sun. It is therefore a malefic. Mercury is conjunct benefic Venus and therefore is considered benefic.

Traditional Vedic astrology does not consider the influences of Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto

Each Graha (planet) represents certain facets of human life.

SUN is SURYA signifies the soul and father

MOON is CHANDRA signifies the mind and mother

MARS is MANGALA signifies energy and activity and accidents

MERCURY is BUDHA signifies intellect and speech

JUPITER is GURU signifies knowledge and spiritual nature

VENUS is SHUKRA signifies the manifestation of beauty and enjoyment

SATURN is SHANI signifies discipline and hard lessons including loss

The NORTH NODE is RAHU signifying present Karma, desire, spiritual blessings and sacrifice. In which house Rahu sits determines the target of your desire that can be a blessing or a curse

THE SOUTH NODE is KETU signifying past Karma, spiritual power (siddhis) and Poison. In which house Ketu sits determines how that Karma manifests that can be a blessing or a curse. Ketu will make you a saint by fair means or foul.

The position of Planets in particular Houses form Astrological Yogas that tell about the nobility and character of the individual

The first of these yoga combinations are the Pancha Mahapurusha Yogas, the ‘five combinations of a great being’, which exist when Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus in a horoscope occupies its own or exaltation constellation an angular or trinal house.  The yogas formed by each called Ruchaka (Mars: ‘luster, splendor, desire, taste’), Bhadra (Mercury),  Hamsa (Jupiter ‘goose’ or ‘swan’), Malatya (Venus, ‘a resident of the India known as Malava’) and Shasta (Saturn, ‘hare’) Yogas respective

Here is a summary of the effects of the five Pancha Mahapurusha Yogas (extracted from Phaladipika 6:2-4):

The person born in Ruchaka Yoga (Mars) will have a long face, will acquire wealth by doing many daring deeds, will be brave, will overcome enemies, and will be powerful and arrogant. He [sic] will become renowned for his merits, will be a leader of an army, and will emerge victorious in all his attempts.

The person born in Bhadra Yoga (Mercury) will be gifted with long life intellect (buddbi), will be clean, will be praised by the learned, will be very rich, and will be clever in addressing an assembly.

The person born in Hamsa Yoga (Jupiter) has a fair complexion, prominent cheeks, beautiful face and will possess a beautiful body, with a skin of golden luster, will eat sumptuous food, and be of righteous disposition. The voice is sweet like that of a swan. The person is of a Kapha constitution and has a fondness of water sports. The sexual urge is insatiable. The person has a thirst for Knowledge and sacred scriptures, is virtuous, doing good for others and is blessed with a beautiful wife. Enjoying a variety of physical and material comforts he will leave this world at the age of 100 in a forest

The person born in Malavya Yoga will have strong limbs, will be resolute, wealthy and endowed with wife, children and good fortune, will be prosperous, will eat good food, enjoy pleasures and command good vehicles, and will become famous and learned. He will possess unperturbed senses.

The person born in Shasha Yoga will be extolled by all, will have good servants, will be strong, will be a king or the headman of a village, will be wicked in disposition, will have intrigues with women not his own, will usurp others’ wealth, and will be happy.

These and other yogas occur fairly frequently, but every has them does not enjoy their effects in full, and some do not enjoy their effects at all, except perhaps in their dreams. It all depends on the strength and position of the yogas. The less such a yoga is interfered with by the impact of other grahas, particularly malefics, the more the native will experience its energies. A Ruchaka Yoga, for example, is one thing when Mars is aspected by its friend Jupiter alone, and quite another when it is aspected by its enemy Saturn, and is conjoined with Rahu.

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Julie Smith Mercury in Ascendant Bhadra Mahapurusha Yoga