The Celestial Navigator

In this section you will find the following articles:

    *A talk on Jyotish Astrology;
    *The Zodiacs—Western Tropical and Eastern Sidereal;
    *The 16 Varga Charts of Jyotish and How to Use Them;
       
       Sample Jyotish Lecture   

[Given in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Spring 2005]

    This talk tonight is to help us understand the principles of Vedic Astrology. The Sanskrit name is Jyotish, and, in English, this sounds like ‘Joe-tish’. Jyotish is one of the six systems of Indian Philosophy called the Vedangas, or limbs of the Veda, and represents the ‘eyes’ of Vedic knowledge. In the same way that the faculty of vision provides our life with insights into all relationships, great and small, the Science of Jyotish provides an expanded view of how our individual life is connected with Universal life.  Jyotish provides a greater perspective to our understanding of daily living, just as naturally as an aerial photograph adds a unifying perspective to what is seen and experienced from the ground.

    The Vedic civilization was advanced and prospered for many thousand years. One of the fundamental principles outlined in Vedic Knowledge is that every individual is directly connected to the ‘Source of Life’, Being or the Absolute.  Over time, each individual unfolds and develops the full physical and spiritual potential of life by integrating this silent area of life into the dynamism of human awareness. The Sanskrit word for spiritual liberation is Moksha.

    The Vedic Masters say that ‘Self Realization’ is what naturally occurs when the individual wakes up to the experience that their individual life is continuously supported and permeated by Universal life, or the essence of Being. This full potential of life can be reviewed on several important levels:

·         Physical: a state of balance where perfect health is enjoyed in the body over the entire span of human life;

·         Emotional: a balance of emotional health between our self and relationships and families where happiness, love, respect and fulfillment is enjoyed and created and shared at all times;

·         Mental: balance permeating the mind bringing contentment, stability and positive organization to life;

·         Intellect, or decision making: a perfect balance in the intellect where all decisions are spontaneously supported by Nature Itself expressing clarity, harmony and success;

·         Spirit or Soul: a state of balance where the spirit or soul is not only enjoyed on inner levels of life, but is naturally radiating through every level of personal creativity and expression.

   The Science of Jyotish identifies the patterns which are expressed in one’s individual blueprint, or horoscope. The ancient teachers said that action which brings fulfillment to our personal desires simultaneously unfolds not only our own destiny, but also the fulfillment of the ‘Will of God’. This blueprint is essentially a map. When you travel to a new city, you buy a map so that you can find your way and not get lost. We all know the experience of not having a map! Something as precious and deep as a human life would require a most amazing blueprint rising from the heart of Creation Itself. Our own personal blueprint is mathematically created from our time, date and place of birth.

    There are some pre-existing structures that are present at the birth of every child that naturally contribute to the shaping the development of the individual:

۞ the cultural heritage of the family; and the 

        societal values, mores and religious and     

        political system of the birth country;

۞ the family unit including Father, Mother and their

       families, brothers and sisters;

All orders of angels can send members of their world to assist in events on this earth. Since many references are made concerning the archangels, I would like to add a comment here. Just as in nature when trees belonging to the oak family share many common traits, we are capable in learning the differences in the various orders of angels. The orders of Archangel Michael are surrounded by a blue brilliance that cannot be missed. Please excuse what I say next, but a ‘Michael angel’ appears to have a unique combination of being a being of extreme understanding and wisdom, having the invincible power and precision of a supreme martial arts master intent with a Ghandi non-violence attitude melded with the power to resolve any conflict and with the single mindedness of being on a mission from God. It is a sign that the situation is one of urgency, delicate balance or need when they are assigned to a human situation. a certain social, economic and educational level of the family;

۞ a special religious tradition or philosophical

          understanding of life and the universe;

۞ genetic physical tendencies leading to either strength or

           weakness of the body;

۞ attitudes and beliefs which are present in the family such as tolerance, trust, respect and openness towards others.

    From this point, the ‘cosmic blueprint’, and its expression in the personal chart, comes into play. One’s personal qualities, gifts, strengths and weaknesses begin to unfold. These tendencies are described by the combinations uniquely aligned in one’s blueprint. These patterns are mathematically mapped out, and expressed through symbols such as planets, signs, houses, yogas and nakshatras. These patterns and energies do not rule or force the individual into any action or direction in life! They are simply names we give the raw materials and tendencies through which life will be expressed during childhood, youth, adulthood and old age. These combinations set up conditions that each of us must choose ‘yes or no’ to, as we mature on our life’s path.

    Jyotish provides the tools that can help us navigate through the sometimes confusing situations we have created, or simply find ourselves in, as we progress through life. The blueprint is a ‘roadmap’ helping us to identify major landmarks in our life. In this way we can stay ‘on the path’, or at least in its vicinity without getting lost!  A great toolin Jyotish is the understanding of the ‘dasha’, or time cycles. The chart identifies the time cycles which are active and what circumstances these time cycles have a tendency to bring into our life. For example, if you needed to purchase some items, and the only store you can find open is a Walgreen’s drug store, then your range of shopping is limited or supported by what is on their shelves. A time period can be understood as opening up some possibilities, and not others. In this way, you can plan more effectively, and thereby, fulfill your desires and responsibilities in life. Remember the map. It is no fun getting lost!

    There are 12 main houses called ‘bhavas’, which are further elaborated or defined by the 12 signs which overlay, or reside within the ‘bhavas’. These 12 signs are expanded divided through the 27 nakshatras, or the lunar mansions, and their 108 sub-divisions. Each of these divisions provides a special understanding of where to find the information and how to answer questions the client may ask. With this detail we could say the car is in the garage, or we could say the car is in the garage in the 3^rd stall of the left with the driver side window open. The table below lists areas of the blueprint in which you investigate and find information of importance to yourself or your clients:

    This is just a sampling of areas of life found and categorized in these 12 Houses.  The experienced Jyotishi is a story-teller who shares a practical and intimate story of your life. This story is a whisper, and generally a confirmation of what you have always known in your own heart, but had temporarily forgotten, or misplaced.

 

 

 

What can I ask during a consultation?   We can review such questions as…

☼ Health in strength or weakness, is it inherited, or a result of life-style? When does it come and, most importantly, what can you do about it? How can I regain health and balance?;

☼ Educational success or difficulties from childhood through adulthood studies;

☼ Relationships?…with God, with self, parents, other family members, children, friends, lovers and life partners;

☼ Are there marriages, long term commitments, separations or divorces, and how to get along with your partner in a more harmonious and fulfilling manner, can I trust and have faith in my partner?;

☼ How we give and receive love, how and where we support ourselves, or how we do not;

☼ Self-love and respect, confidence or doubt in self, the ability to be happy or a tendency to be a bit sour, sad and depressed, all this is revealed;

☼ Financial matters, gains or losses, earnings versus savings, inheritances;

☼ What about your job? Will you like what you do, or simply do it because you have to earn your way in the world? What are your strengths in this area? Will you make money from your job, find satisfaction there, or not? When do you change jobs, retire, do you have a life mission?

☼ Personal growth, religious and spiritual studies, growth of wisdom, spiritual abilities?

    The Science of Jyotish also brings another unique feature to the understanding of human development…a body of knowledge that is designed to change, modify or neutralize the difficulties or danger points that can be found in the analysis of the Vedic blueprint. This system of knowledge does not cater to the belief in ‘blind fate’, but rather believes in responsibility of using free will! Being prepared is the motto here! Armed with knowledge, do your best to change all life situations to the very best outcome, and have the dignity and humility to accept some things that cannot be changed as the expression of God’s will.

    For example, in the fields of medicine or chemistry, there are specific antidotes for specific poisons…one chemical completely neutralizes the influence of another agent. Around a vegetable garden, you often find herbalists growing castor beans, as the roots of these plants secrete an agent which repels moles and other burrowing creatures that would overtake the fruits of a garden. We can look and find examples of this sort of intelligence in every area of life. These agents or forces act like an immune system, designed to guard, protect and neutralize agents that could harm or weaken life on any and every level of existence. The Masters of the Far East also recognized these greater layers of intelligence surrounding the life of individuals, and knew how to activate these ‘laws of nature’ to strengthen or neutralize some ‘difficulty’ or ‘poison’ in the blueprint. In studying, understanding and working with these subtle energies of the Cosmic blueprint, remedial measures are available to be practiced to assist in bringing life back into balance!

These remedies fall into several main areas:

*Minerals: the wearing of gemstones;

            *Plants/herbs to apply as essential oils/poultices, or as   nutritional supplements;

*Mantras, or remedial sound vibrations used in meditation to open and reset the balance of life;

*Symbols called ‘yantras’ which have specific geometrical designs which create the necessary remedy for some particular energy pattern in your life and represented in Jyotish by a planet, house, yoga or sign which represents the tendency for the weakening of some particular areas of human life. You might think of this as correcting a vibrational or energetic deficiency or weakness in life;

*Yagyas, which are self correctional routines that specially trained pundits recite and perform over some set of specifically designed days to correct any weaknesses or irregularities found in the individual’s life blueprint.

    Over the span of 25 years I have had the privilege of offering over 7500 Jyotish consultations worldwide. My clients often write me letters to tell me that the consultation was:

*Uplifting, transformative and accurate;

*Supportive, yet challenging them to a higher potential of  

             growth and understanding;

*Direct, yet always offering the idea that any situation can be met with strength, with clarity   and personal empowerment, and with humor in the human conditions we all must face;

*Professional and respected manner, yet offered in a relaxed

              supportive environment;

*Giving clear, helpful and practical information which can

              be applied to every day living;

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The Zodiac

The equator on the earth brings up so many thoughts and experiences of the tropical regions of our world. The Zodiac is a representation of the the Celestial equator and the mythologies supporting the development of a cultures' understanding of the universe around them.

 

    Astronomical basis of Vedic Jyotish Astrology

The Zodiac is a belt of heavens extending on both sides of the ecliptic. It encircles the space through which the planets travel in their orbits.

Vedic Astrology employs sidereal zodiac, which is different from the tropical zodiac used in Western Astrology. While the tropical (Western) Astrology uses the vernal equinox (the Sun's position at the beginning of spring) as the starting point for the measurements along the zodiac, the sidereal (Vedic) Astrology uses fixed stars to identify different segments along the zodiac.

The starting points of the sidereal and tropical zodiacs coincide once every 25,800 years. After that the starting points separate from each other by an approximate 1 degree of an arc per each 72 years. The difference between the longitude of the starting points of the sidereal and tropical zodiacs at any given time is called Ayanamsha.

Due to the existing controversy about the year in which the two starting points coincided last, there are several ayanamshas used by different schools of Vedic astrologers. Some of them are Lahiri, Krishnamurti, Raman, and Fagan ayanamshas. Lahiri is the most widely used Ayanamsha which is based on the last coincidence point taking place in the year 285 A.D.

If you want to convert your sidereal (Vedic) planetary positions into tropical (Western), you can do so by adding this ayanamsha to the degrees of the planets in your Vedic chart. To arrive at the sidereal positions by converting the tropical ones, you will need to subtract the ayanamsha from the tropical positions.

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Varga Charts and Their Interpretation

The Vedic Masters cognized that there are 16 levels to manifest Creation.  They Jyotish Masters brought forth an understanding that each Cosmic and Universal level of life had its corresponding expression through one of the 16 Vargas or Amsh-Kundalis [charts].

The following names these Vargas and lists how many degrees this Varga covers and how long it lasts over the course of the day.

Rasi Varga     30 degrees   120 minutes duration

Everything about the native is revealed here, from the inner structure of life and how this will be systematically revealed in and through one’s service to the World.

Hora Varga    1/2 division     15 degrees     60 minute duration

This Varga is mostly concerned with wealth, though a basic understanding of the male and female makeup can be ascertained here. Horas of the Sun are masculine and cruel; horas of the Moon are feminine and mild. Predominate Sun horas bring a tendency to worship God, or to turn to the inner side of life for strength and guidance. One may exhibit strong masculine qualities such as an overbearing attitude and ego tendencies which bring difficulties into relationships and family patterns. Malefic planets are preferred here, and they can bring courage/determination. Predominate Moon horas bring a person to turn towards one’s family for nourishment and protection and comfort. One tends to exhibit feminine tendencies and derive pleasure in the ‘art of relationship’. Benefic planets preferred.

Drekkana, or Coborn and Happiness
1/3 Division     10 degrees and 00 minutes        40 Minutes

This Varga primarily offers information about our coborn, brothers and sisters, and the happiness, benefits or travails we will have with them. Check Jaimni Bhatri-Karaka (BK). One’s courage is assessed from here, as well as one’s success in the world of business, or actually any venture requiring clear choices, decisions, use of will power, fortitude and a good dose of entrepreneurship. The 22nd drekkana, when counted directly from the Drekkana of the Lagna, and the lord is considered to be imposingly adverse. The Sarpa Drekkanas: Drekkanas of the water signs, Cancer the 2nd and 3rd; Scorpio the 1st and 2nd; and Pisces the 3rd are evil towards matters of health, accidents, injuries and diseases.

Chaturtamsa, or Personal Fortune or Destiny
¼ Division        7 degrees and 30 minutes duration

This Varga predominantly reveals the areas of personal fortune, financial stability and the strengths and weaknesses and luck in this area of life. Combine the Hora chart to see one’s ability to own or prosper through property. Look at the Jaimni Gnati-Karaka  [GK], 6th in order of planetary degrees for its role in financial setbacks.

Saptamsa, or Children
1/7 Division        4 degrees and 17 minutes and 8.57 seconds

This Varga centers on the area of children and grandchildren. Both favorable and unfavorable periods for conception, miscarriage, abortion, as well as the health and prosperity. Check Jaimni Putra-Karaka [PK] for support.

Navamsha, or Spouse and the Future
1/9 Division        3 deg 20 min        13 minutes and 20 seconds duration

This Varga is the harmonic of the 9th House, and so, tells us about Bhagya, or luck, and what the soul can achieve over the course of the lifetime. This Varga indicates whether or not the promise of the Natal Chart will manifest with difficulty or ease throughout a particular dasha or bukti. This Varga indicates the condition of married life and even the number of marriages. It shows the character, temperament, mental and moral disposition of the spouse. The 7th house in Navamsha offers a general description of the mental and emotional characteristics of the partner, as well as the capacity for harmonious or acrimonious balance in the relationship. One can view the timings of marriage, separation and divorce here. Also, look at Natal graha positions and find their respective Navamsha positions, as well as the strength, yogas, avasthas, etc., to see if a graha loses stability and strength over the course of life. Now, look to the 7th Jaimni Karaka called Dara-Karaka [DK] to gain additional understanding of the nature of the marriage and spouse. Look to Trimsamsa Varga for morality of spouse.

Dasamsha, or Success in Profession
1/10 Division        3 Degrees and 00 minutes        12 minute duration

This Varga, and Jaimni Amatya-Karaka [AMK] examines one’s profession, status, fame and power. With the Rashi chart it can be used to understand profession, and success/failures over the lifetime.

Dvadasamsa, or Parents
1/12 Division        2 degrees and 30 minutes        10 minutes duration

This Varga gives us information about the parents, their l lives, health, happiness and longevity. It gives us an angle of ‘pre-existing’ conditions such as family heritage and the genetic tendencies coming from either Mother or Father.  Some insight is gained here and from Jaimni Putra-Karaka [PK] about previous lives and, to some degree, periods of spiritual development of the parents and to the owner of the chart.

Shodamsa, or Conveyances and vehicles
1/16 Division        1 degree and 52 minutes and 30 seconds    7 minute and 30 seconds duration

This Varga gives the jyotishi an understanding of how vehicles or all sorts are or will be influencing the life of the chart owner.  Benefits, weaknesses, adversities, and accidents in their time periods appear, and any injuries through vehicles can be judged from here.

Vimsamsa, or Spiritual Growth
1/20 Division        1 degree and 30 minutes        6 minute duration

This Varga reveals what efforts can uplift and elevate one’s spiritual achievements in this lifetime. Information on one’s spiritual practice, devotion to God, support from Angels and Beings of Light and the Beings of Nature are evaluated here. The yogas here indicate how, when and in what area of life the inner realization can be made manifest. The dasha cycles here shows when an ascendancy or receding of the spiritual strengths in life might take place and how this might happen.

Chaturvimsamsa, or Educational Strengths
1/24 Division        1 degree and 15 minutes        5 minute duration

This Varga reveals the tendencies of academic achievement and success and awards or scholarships. Dasha periods can be seen where strength, weakness, success and failure tend to be set up and manifest. Ease of learning or obstacles can also be seen here. Also, look to the Jaimni Putra-Karka [PK] to add depth to this Varga in evaluating the educational experience from the first introduction of learning in the home, to the kindergarten throughout the higher levels of educational attainment.

Bhamsa, or Strength
1/27 Division        1 degree, 6 minutes and 40 seconds        4 minutes and 26.4 seconds duration

This Varga reveals the strengths and weakness in all areas of life, from the physical, emotional, mental, decisional and spiritual levels expressed in daily living.

Trimsamsa, or Good and Evil Outcomes
1/30 Division        1 degree and 00 minutes        4 minute duration

This Varga is to reviewed to understand areas in life and time periods when calamity or disaster can occur in the life of the individual, especially health and accidents. The outcome of events can be forecast in this analysis. This Varga is used in female horoscopy.  One can determine the character and chastity of one’s wife and of her partner.

Chatvarimasamsa, for auspicious or inauspicious effects in life
1/40 Division        0 degrees and 45 minutes        3 minutes duration

This Varga brings a general understanding of whether an action, as expressed through some time period will bring auspicious or inauspicious results or influences into life. The house strengths will show what areas of life will be affected and the dashas of this Varga and Natal Dashas will help reveal when one’s life will have this support or challenge.

Akshavedamsa, or General Indications
1/45 Division        0 minutes and 40 minutes        2 minutes and 39.6 seconds duration

This Varga brings or denies support to areas of life seen or reviewed in the Natal chart.

Shastiamsha, or General Indications, and helping determine the distinction in the case of twin birth.
1/60 Division      0 degrees and 30 minutes        2 minute duration

This Varga supports or weakens the general information found in the Natal, or Janma Rashi chart. Texts indicates that if a house lord occupies a malefic Shastiamsa, it is weakened, while the reverse is true. This chart also is helpful in distinguishing qualities and uniqueness of close-born twins.

Shad Vargas
Rasi, Hora, Drekkana, Navamsha, Dvadasamsa and Trimsamsa

Sapta Vargas
Rasi, Hora, Drekkana, Navamsha, Dvadasamsa, Saptamsa and Trimsamsa

Dasha Vargas
Rasi, Hora, Dasamsa, Drekkana, Navamsha, Dvadasamsa, Saptamsa, Shodamsa, Shastiamsa and Trimsamsa

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Jaimni Principles    I. Karakas or Planetary Significators

Atma-Karaka, AK, is concerned with the Self, self, self-assertiveness, self love and respect, health and physical constitution, destiny and the capacity to understand and actualize the destiny energy of the lifetime. The AK is relevant to the Lagna and the 1st House so it is important in determining overall longevity in the Jaimni methods. The AK must be considered in the Rashi as well as all subsequent Varga charts. The AK in the Natasha Varga is called the Karakamsa lagna, which is considered to be of equal importance to the Ascendant of the Rashi, or jamna kundali. A weak or afflicted AK will bring sensitivity to 1st House matters, such as migraine, head injuries and overall physical weakness

Amatya-Karaka, AMK, this is akin to the Karakas of the 10th house such as Sun, Saturn, Jupiter and Mercury. With this in mind, the professional success, status and reputation, professional influence and societal contributions are seen from the AMK. Rise and fall of career will be seen throughout the dasha cycles when the AMK is either strong or connected to powerful yogas or, conversely, weak yogas or other debilitating conditions.

Bhatri-Karaka, BK, bhatri means brothers, but in the larger context siblings of both sexes, as well as father, are to be used. This brings the activity of the 3rd House which also includes such areas as determination and will power, decisiveness, competitiveness, mental firmness, and self-empowerment.

Matri-Karaka, MK, is used to understand the Mother as well as all other 4th house indicators as well as natural happiness and contentedness in life. Look at the Rasi Dashas related to the MK, either by conjunction, aspect, yuti to get an idea when one may change residences. The association with other planets gives an understanding as to the type of houses a person my live in or buy. The direction of the MK planet gives an understanding to where the native will best be supported in life. Look to the 4th from the MK to see the Mother’s Mother in the chart.

Putra-Karaka, PK, describes the native’s children, lack of them, and all other 5th House matters. Jaimni astrology looks at the past life Sadhana as indicated by this house as to how this life is best supported. The PK is considered strongly as are the 1st, 5th and 9th house Dharma lords of the Rashi chart to understand the current life time dharma as well as the karmic inheritances of the individual in this lifetime. The PK is important to understand the educational degrees and career directions that may come from this. Look to the career of the child from 10th from PK.

Gnati-Karaka, GK, this relates to one’s relatives since the 6th planet relevant to degrees has relevance to the 6th House. Other house matters such as debts, enemies, conflicts, disease, obstacles, adversity and competitors are also to be looked at. An afflicted Lagnesh, or the AK yuti or aspect with the GK forewarns against sickness or other hardships coming to the native in the time cycles. The GK plays an important role in bringing forth financial setbacks, as well as delays due to unforeseen events or accidents.

Dara-Karaka, DK , is primarily concerned with the spouse, whether husband or wife, though the Sanskrit meaning is wife. Look at the DK equally with Venus, or the Lord of the 7th House when determining the timing of marriage, the nature of the partner, the career of the spouse [take the 10th house from DK], the mind and intelligence of the spouse [5th from DK], and so forth. Look for public contacts, business partners and the public in general from the DK.

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