Vedic Astrology: Jyotish for Beginners

Welcome

Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha

Divination

Jyoti is light, or flame, in Sanskrit.Jyotish is the study of light.

Jyotish is a means of diagnosing karma.

Karma

Everything is an expression of the universal,

invisible, and infinite, diffused through the prism

of karma to create the physical world and an

individuated life experience.

Humanity is coming to know itself as an

expression of infinity, and karma - past life

experiences and habituated psychological

imprints - propels that evolution by unfolding

events over time. Karma means for every

action (or thought), there is a consequence.

The Great Mystery

At birth, the light of the individual expression of

the infinite, ineffable silence - known as Shiva,

God, soul, nothingness, emptiness, and

thousands of other names - passes through

planetary configurations and crystallizes into an

individual human experience with karmas that

unfold over time.

Karma is destiny; effects from past lives; and

habitual psychological tendencies.

Interpreting Birth Charts

1. The background: constellations/signs.

2. The planets.

3. The mansions of the moon.

4. The houses of the chart.

5. Unions - yogas.

6. Transits and planetary periods.

7. Remedies.

Sunrise March 21: Vernal Equinox

Western astrology calls sunrise 0 degrees Aries, beginning the

zodiac here. In Jyotish, the zodiac is based on the stars.

Sunrise March 21, 2013

The Signs

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

The Planets

Ascendant (Lagna)

MoonSun

Mercury

Venus

Mars

Jupiter

Saturn

Rahu

Ketu

The Houses

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Lunar Mansions

Aries

Ruler: Mars

Element: Fire

Guna: Rajas (activity)

Body part: Head

Mesha

Energetic, youthful,

athletic. Leadership.

Drive. Friendly.

Temper tantrums and

flairs. Impulsive and

reckless.

Taurus

Ruler: Venus

Element: Earth

Guna: Tamas (inertia)

Body part: Throat

Vrishabha

Wealth, status and

luxury. Arts. Singing

and the voice. Fine

clothes, food, wine.

Appetite. Fertility.

Gemini

Ruler: Mercury

Element: Air

Guna: Sattva

(equilibrium)

Body part: Hands,

shoulders, lungs

Mithuna

Communication and

siblings. Learning.

Short trips.

Messengers and

media. Intellect.

Cancer

Ruler: Moon

Element: Water


Body part: Chest,

heart.

Karkata

Maternal, secure,

emotional. Family.

Mood. Home. Real

estate, conveyances.

Folkways and

traditions.

Leo

Ruler: Sun

Element: Fire


Body part: Stomach,

solar plexus

Simha

Royal. Drama.

Spotlight. Sports.

Children and

animals. Creative

genius. Self-

expression.

Virgo

Ruler: Mercury

Element: Earth

Guna: Sattva

(equilibrium)

Body part: Digestive

tract

Kanya

Hard-working,

meticulous,

analytical. Service.

Medicine. Debts.

Enemies.

Libra

Ruler: Venus

Element: Air


Body part: Kidneys,

ovaries, testes, hips.

Thula

Relationships.

Marketplace.

Contracts.

Diplomacy.

Scorpio

Ruler: Mars

Element: Water

Guna: Tamas (Inertia)

Body part: Genitals

and excretory system

Vrischika

Upheavals. Death.

Mystery. Sex.

Secrecy. Rebirth.

Sagittarius

Ruler: Jupiter

Element: Fire

Guna: Sattva

(equilibrium)

Body part: Thighs

Dhanusya

Expansion.

Philosophy. Education.

Charity. Generosity.

Wisdom. Religion and

prayer.

Capricorn

Ruler: Saturn

Element: Earth


Body part: Knees

Makara

Hierarchies of

government and

institutions.

Tenacity, discipline,

ambition, reputation.

Aquarius

Ruler: Saturn

Element: Air


Body part: Shins,

ankles

Kumbha

Social networks.

Society at large.

Eccentricity and

insight. The cutting

edge.

Pisces

Ruler: Jupiter

Element: Water

Guna: Sattva

(equilibrium)

Body part: Feet

Meena

Dissolution.

Confinement.

Dispersion.

Enlightenment.

Dreams and spiritual

guidance. The veil.

The Planets

The AscendantLagna

The constellation rising in the east

at the moment of birth.

The physical form: body.

The MoonChandra

Psychological and emotional

needs.

Rhythmic patterns.

Parents, schooling, habits

and customs.

Neurosis, aversion,

attachment, grasping.

Compassion, nurturing,

empathy.

Mind: feelings, senses,

images, perceptions.Exalted in Taurus, debilitated in Scorpio.

Views Rahu as an enemy.

The SunSurya

The positive will or intention.

Intelligence, brilliance, heart.

Male energy, father, step-

father. Self-confidence. Ego,

personality, public role. The

eyes - windows to the soul.

The sun sign is the

environment where one seeks

to be center of attention, and

the social relationships where

one seeks to be in the center.Exalted in Aries, debilitated in Libra.

Views Saturn and Venus as enemies.

MercuryBudha

Language and communication.

Impressionability and

adaptability. Announcements.

Consultations and cooperations.

Speaking, thinking, writing,

gestures. Very influenced by the

sign it’s in, and planets that

cotenant that sign.

Transmission, transportation,

transition, cohorts and co-

workers, conversations,

merchandise, marketing, and

mercantilism.

The logical mind is your servant,

do not be its slave.

Exalted in Virgo, debilitated in Pisces.

Views Moon as an enemy.

VenusShukra

Beauty, luxury, liaisons,

pleasure, relationships. The

money and the honey. Women.

Beauty, elegance, grace,

treasures, capital wealth, food

and drink, sweets, love-making.

Brokerage, bargaining,

negotiation, ornamentation,

design, counseling and

advising, promises,

agreements, matchmaking and

deal-making, contracts and

alliances. Addiction and

dissipation, prostitution.

Exalted in Pisces, debilitated in Virgo.

Views Moon and Sun as enemies.

MarsMangala

Drive, ambition, vital force.

Athleticism, challenge,

competition. Aggression,

violence, anger, warfare.

Fighting, cooking, weapons,

adventure, theft, police,

firefighters and military, injuries

and accidents, blood and the

skull. Industry, manufacturing,

power, machinery. Domination,

primacy. Disasters. Courage.

Manliness.

He who angers you controls you.

Exalted in Capricorn, debilitated in

Cancer.

Views Mercury as an enemy.

JupiterGuru

Magnificence. Social and

intellectual, spiritual and divine

guidance. Optimism, embrace

and acceptance, unconditional

love, abundance, fertility,

wisdom, largesse, generosity,

virtue. Indicates the talents, gifts

and privileges stored up in the

karmic accounts from generous

deeds in past lives and this one.

Relaxed and confident,

compassionate. City and state.

Sons and teachers. World

travel. Can cause weight gain.

Exalted in Cancer, debilitated in

Capricorn.

Views Mercury and Venus as enemies.

SaturnShani

Oppression, fear.

Coldness. Hard work.

Discipline. Time, ageing.

Density. Bones and

skeleton. Pessimism.

Rules, laws, restraint,

delays. Structure.

Successful conclusions

after a long, careful

process. Marathons,

commitments, feats of

endurance. Duty and

responsibility. Blockages.

Note: Saturnine afflictions are best

treated with Venusian treatments.

Exalted in Libra, debilitated in Aries.

Views Moon, Sun and Mars as enemies.

RahuNorth Node of the Moon

A dragon’s head. Disturbs the

moon, or mind.

Neverending, relentless,

insatiable. Releases

subconscious desires.

Ups and downs. Upheavals.

Dramatic events. Taboo

breaking or breakdown of moral

codes. Foreignness.

Can be splendid leaps forward,

or tumultuous catastrophe,

depending on Rahu’s placement

in chart. Amplifies power of sign

it resides in, or planet it’s with.

Rahu’s Lesson

Honor desires as a route toward happiness, but

not with obsessive control and imprisoning the

desired object.

Remember the higher goals and see the forest

for the trees.

Above all, recognize that happiness cannot

come from attaining anything external.

KetuSouth Node of the Moon

Dragon’s tail. Detachment,

disconnection, and despair.

Absent, disinterested, disengaged,

ethereal, severance, apathetic.

Materially, dispersive and

disorienting. Connotes ignorance,

frustration and despair.

Spiritually, simplifying and freeing

of pretension. Connotes

knowledge of impermanence and

increased sensitivity to others.

Detaches one from the ego.

Effects depend on Ketu’s house

placement and conjuncting

planets.

Lunar MansionsNakshatra

There are 27 nakshatra in the zodiac.

Each of the nine planets rules three nakshatra.

Each nakshatra has a ruling deity, and a power

that the native gains from having the moon in that

nakshatra.

Ashvini

Bharani

Krittika

Rohini

Mrigashira

Ardra

Punarvasu

Pushya

Ashlesha

Magha

Purva Phalguni

Uttara Phalguni

Hasta

Chitra

Swati

Vishakha

Anuradha

Jyeshtha

Mula

Purva Ashadha

Uttara Ashadha

Shravana

Dhanistha

Shatabhisha

Purva Bhadrapada

Uttara Bhadrapada

Revati

The HousesBhava

House 1Lagna/Tanu Bhava/Rising Sign/Ascendant

Vitality, biological life, and

nature. The personality shell.

Physique, appearance,

intellect, vitality, innate nature.

The sign rising in the east at

birth is the beginning of the life

cycle; all others follow on the

chart according to their

positions in the zodiac.Kendra (Quadrant)

Kona (Trine)

Dharma (Path)

House 2Dhana Bhava

Treasury, storage, hoard.

Capital, pleasures, collections

of value, food, wealth. Face,

mouth, teeth, eyes, speech

and song. Wealth. Family

history. Second marriage.

Death.

(The lord of this house is an

indicator of the time of death.)

Maraka (Death)

Artha (Resources)

House 3Sahaja Bhava

Cohorts, coworkers, siblings

and cousins, communications,

teamwork, meetings,

messaging. Short-term travels.

Advertising, administration, and

the marketplace. Neighbors.

The hands, manual skills.

Business. Boldness.

Communication skills.

Here, kama means the human

desire to communicate and

connect with others.Dussthana (Suffering)

Upachaya (Improvement)

Kama (Desire)

House 4Bandhu Bhava

Roots, security, place,

protection, home,

foundations, belongings.

Conveyances. Mother and

relatives. Happiness. Lands,

buildings, real estate.

Folkways, culture and

customs. Rhythms and

routines. Comfort. Protection.Kendra (Quadrant)

Moksha (Liberation)

House 5Putra Bhava

Creative intelligence. Children,

genius, creation. Authorship.

Romantic love. Wealth from

speculation. Fame and luck.

Mantra and devotion. Joy.

Games. Beneficial placements

in this house indicate past-life

merits.

Kona (Trine)

Dharma (Path)

House 6Ari Bhava

Ministries of service. Critical

thinking. Medicine and

ministry. Disease,

disagreements, dishonesty,

distrust, disputes. Enemies,

and friends. Health, and

illness. Debts and sorrows.

Divorce. When unconscious,

results in argumentation and

adversity. When conscious, its

energies can be directed to

caring for the sick, exploited

and conflicted, in medicine,

law and the military.

Dussthana (Suffering)


Artha (Artha)

House 7Yuvati Bhava

Yokes. Contracts, alliances,

partnerships. Marriage as

social contract. The first

spouse. Courts. Opposites.

Fairness, value, worth.

Promises. The opposite

polarity to the self.

Kendra (Quadrant)

Maraka (Death)

Kama (Desire)

House 8Randhra Bhava

The revolving door. Death,

rebirth, reinvention. Occult,

clouded, mysterious, secret.

Sudden disruptions and

disasters. Surprises,

catastrophes, collapses.

Transformation. Hidden

wealth. Death of spouse.

Truth suddenly revealed.

Affairs and secret liaisons.

The cycles of birth and death.

Spiritual revelations, tantra,

shamanism. Longevity.


Moksha (Liberation)

House 9Dharma Bhava

Philosophical guidance,

sacred teachings, wisdom

teachings. Temples,

universities, sacred places,

priesthood. Patriarchy, public

ceremonies. Worship.

Morality.

Kona (Trine)

Dharma (Path)

House 10Karma Bhava

Titles, seniority, respect. The

law. Leadership, career,

ability to govern, order.

Reputation, vocation,

profession. Public approval

and stature. Hierarchy.

Statutory law, regulations,

policies. Work duties. Social

dignity.Kendra (Quadrant)


Artha (Resources)

House 11Labha Bhava

Goals, network, empire.

Prizes and achievements.

Fruits, results, outcomes,

gains. Diverse and regulated

systems. Economies and

ecologies. Popularity and

friendships. Large gatherings.

Social participation. Clubs.

Income via rents, royalties,

dividends, bonuses.

Brotherhoods and the sangha.Upachaya (Improvement)

Kama (Desire)

House 12Vyaya Bhava

Sanctuary, enclosure. Foreign

lands. Erosion, dissolution,

loss of physical identity.

Gains of astral, imaginative

and spiritual identity. Sleep.

Loss. Forgiveness. Release.

Other worlds. Ancestors.

Retreat. Meditation. Waste of

capital wealth. Solitude.

Monasteries, prisons,

hospices, orphanages,

hospitals, dorms. Loss of

social identity.


Moksha (Liberation)

The Chart

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9

11

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2

5

1 3

4

6

7Mo

Ma

SaVeMeSuRa

KeJu

Moon in Anuradha nakshatra.

Lagna in Jyestha nakshatra.

Anuradha: Acrab and Isidis constellations.

Ruler: Saturn

Symbol: An umbrella.

Deity: Mitra-Varuna, the twin god; divine friend,

and supreme keeper of order and law.

Shakti: The power of worship.

Fun-loving, clever and witty. She will always be

surrounded by an admiring circle of friends, and

her popularity will cause envy and malice

among those not included in this circle. Difficult

emotionally for the moon. A heavy eater.

Blossoms in any situation. Gathers people

together for social and spiritual activities.

Jyestha: Antares constellation.

Ruler: Mercury

Symbol: An earring, and umbrella.

Deity: Indra, king of the gods, spiritual warrior

and dragon slayer.

Shakti: The power to rise, conquer, and gain

courage in battle.

For a female, independent, self-sufficient,

capable, dignified, proud. If not born in a

wealthy or well-to-do family, she will become

wealthy through her own efforts. Tendency to

dramatize herself. Will occupy an influential

position and be greatly respected.

8

9

11

10

12

2

5

1 3

4

6

7Mo

Ma

SaVeMeSuRa

KeJu

Moon in Anuradha nakshatra.

Lagna in Jyestha nakshatra.

Yogas: Unions and Aspects

When planets meet in one sign, it’s called a

yoga. Yogas strengthen planets, for better or

worse. The most auspicious yogas are called

“raja,” or royal, yogas.

When two planets exchange signs, it

strengthens both.

Planets always aspect the house opposite.

Trines and squares are more mild aspects.

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2

5

1 3

4

6

7Mo

Ma

SaVeMeSuRa

KeJu

Transits

Karma unfolds over time and space. As the

planets circle the zodiac, they impact the

houses they transit, and any natal planets they

cross over.

Most transits have a mild effect, except Jupiter,

Saturn, Rahu and Ketu.

Jupiter brings luck and expansion during the

one year he spends in each natal house.

Saturn Transits

Saturn’s transit generally changes whatever house it touches.

Saturn takes 29 years to travel around the zodiac. Saturn

stays in each house for about two and a half years.

Saturn transits often create obstacles, hardships, and

responsibilities. They demand hard work. If met with

discipline, Saturn transits can result in elevated status and

increased wealth when over.

Example: Saturn’s transit over the Sun will create pressure to

change bad eating or drug habits, and give the discipline to

lose weight and exercise.

Saturn Return

Every 29 years, Saturn returns to his natal

position in the chart.

At age 29, this marks a rite of passage where

the native throws off superfluosities that no

longer serve, and takes on more responsibility

as an adult.

At age 59, the native starts to consolidate,

whittling down material responsibilities in

preparation for elder-hood.

Transits of Rahu and Ketu

Rahu and Ketu move in retrograde through the

zodiac. They create eclipses.

When eclipses travel over natal planets, they

create profound changes. Lunar eclipses end

things suddenly. Solar eclipses bring new

beginnings.

Transits 2015

Saturn in Scorpio until 2017.

Jupiter in Cancer until August 2015.

Rahu in Virgo, Ketu in Pisces until January

2016.

Planetary Periods (Dasha)

At any given moment, a person is running a

period of life controlled by a given planet. The

planet’s placement and dignity will determine

how this long-term influence plays out.

Within these longer periods, planets control

sub-periods.

Mahadasha and Antardasha

Ketu 7 years

Venus 20 years

Sun 6 years

Moon 10 years

Mars 7 years

Rahu 18 years

Jupiter 16 years

Saturn 19 years

Mercury 17 years

Divisional Charts (Amsha)

With an accurate birth time, each house of the

chart can yield its own birth chart to give more

detail and provide very precise markers for

significant events

This gives the ability to predict timing for events

such as marriages, birth of children, elevations

of social status, illness, and death.

Navamsha

The most significant chart is the Navamsha, a

divisional chart that represents the 9th house -

house of dharma and good fortune relating to

marriage.

It’s read like a birth chart and tempers the

diagnosis of the birth chart. For example, an

exalted navamsha planet would give better

results than normally expected from a

debilitated natal planet.

Divisional Charts

D4 Family

D7 Fruits of Marriage

D10 Career

A pattern repeated from the natal chart to the

D9 and subsequent divisional charts indicates a

very strong karma.

Remedies

The karmas present in a birth chart represent

energy that a native may become conscious of

and therefore control.

However, habits are often difficult to change.

Three remedies give effective ways to channel

this energy and burn negative karmas, to avoid

their deleterious effects.

Mantra

Burns the karma of an afflicted planet

through repetition of sacred sounds.

Charity

Directs energy by cultivating positive

karma.

Spiritual Practice

Cultivates awareness to sever bad

karma at the root before fruition.

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1

34

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912

1011

12

8

Ma

Ra

Me

Su

KeJu

Sa

Ke

Ra

Ve

MaSu

Ju

Me

SaMo

Ve

Mo

Moon in Magha - the heart of the lion.

Gives the ability to leave the body at will. A very

mystical sign, ruled by the ancestors. It gives

leadership abilities in law, politics, business,

and the arts. A kingly constellation of priestly

orders. Proud but not arrogant, quietly dignified,

with sound finances. Susceptible to the other

sex. Enterprising, devotes time to expansion of

the native culture. Generous and philanthropic,

which will lead to fame.

Dashas & Life Events

Venus/Jupiter - recognized as the incarnation

of the 13th Dalai Lama (age 2)

Sun/Venus - officially enthroned (age 15)

Moon/Mercury - exodus out of Tibet (age 23)

Jupiter/Jupiter - awarded Nobel Peace Prize

(1989)

Jupiter/Sun - published The Art of Happiness

(1998)

Saturn/Saturn - honorary Canadian citizenship

and US Congressional Gold Medal (2006)

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4

6

5

7

912

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11

12

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7

912

1011

12

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Ma Ra

Su

Ve

Me

Ju

Sa

Me

Su

Ve

Ma Ra

Ke

SaMo

JuMo

Ke

Sat: 1942-1961

Mer: 1961-1978

Ket: 1978-1985

Ven: 1985-2005

Sun: 2005-2011

Mon: 2011-2021

Mar: 2021-2028

Oct. 11, 1975 married

Jan. 1979 First Lady of Arkansas

Feb. 27, 1980 gave birth

Jan. 1993 First Lady of USA

1998 Lewinsky scandal

Jan. 2001 US Senator

Jan. 2009 Secretary of State

Nov. 8, 2016 Presidential election

Mer/Jup/Rah

Ket/Ven

Ket/Ven

Ven/Rah/Rah

Ven/Jup/Rah

Ven/Sat/Rah

Sat/Sun/Mon

Mon/Sat/Mon

Moon in Uttara Bhadrapada

Ruled by Saturn. The fortress. Wants to make

big dramatic changes, especially for children,

through large institutions and government.

Symbol is the last two legs of a funeral cot, or

twins. Shakti is bringing of cosmic rain.

Wisdom, mastery of speech, short tempered.

Resources

Barbara Pijan www.barbarapijan.com

KRS Channel youtube.com/user/KRSchannel

Light on Life By Hart de Fouw

Jagannatha Hora Software

www.vedicastrologer.org/jh/

Ada Kulesza adajkul[at]gmail.com

www.barbarapijan.com

http://www.youtube.com/user/KRSchannel

www.vedicastrologer.org/jh/