Vedic astrology, along with yoga, meditation and Ayurveda, originates from the Vedas. The Vedas, meaning knowledge or wisdom, are a large body of texts intuited by the ancient sages of India to help humanity in achieving happiness, peace and fulfillment and to relieve suffering that arises along the way.
Vedic astrology has a strongly predictive focus. For thousands of years people have been going to Vedic astrologers asking when they would get married, have children and meet with professional success. All of this information can be seen from the Vedic birth chart, which is derived using the birth date, time and place of the individual. However, Vedic astrology is much more than a way to see into the future, it is a great vidya, or means to gain clarity, that is an integral part of an ancient and profound belief system.
How Does Vedic Astrology Work? The philosophy behind Vedic astrology is that we are spirit beings that incarnate into a physical body as a way of evolving ourselves toward enlightenment. The Vedic birth chart is a a map or blueprint of the karma or actions that we are likely to take in this lifetime as well as situations that will arise, both positive and negative, based on the culmination of karma or actions from past lives.
Your Vedic Birth Chart The Vedic birth chart shows us how our karma will unfold through time. It shows every aspect of ourselves: our unconscious motivations or psychology, what we love and are passionate about, what makes us feel safe and secure, what our fears are and what we desire. The chart indicates what our birth was like, what are parents are like, whether we are an adventurer or prefer being at home with a book and a cup of tea. The chart tells us if we are a teacher, an advisor, an artist, a leader, a hard worker or prefer to indulge in the pleasure of life. It is all there in the chart from top to bottom.
Unfolding Time There are several methods that Vedic astrologers employ to see what karma is coming to fruition in a person’s life, and how it is likely to manifest. One technique that is unique to Vedic astrology is dasha systems or ways of looking at planetary cycles. There are several dasha systems, however the most widely used is the Vimshottari Dasha System. Vimshottari takes the enormous amount of karma that you have created over lifetimes and breaks it down into nine planetary periods that span 120 years. The planetary period that you begin with is determined by the nakshatra (star) placement of your Moon (mind) when you were born.
While each of us goes through these cycles, each of us will experience them differently due to the house and sign placement of the planet and well as a host of other reasons such as planetary strength, and the influence of other planetary energies on the planet that we “running “ at that time. For example if you are “running” a Venus major period which is 20 years in length, relationships will be a central theme during that part of your life due to Venus’ archetypal nature. The quality and longevity of the relationships you experience during this time, will be determined by other factors. It is important to note, that a a Venus planetary period will activate other areas of life as well as relationships depending on the rest of the chart.
Another technique that is utilized by astrologers both in the Vedic and Western traditions is Gochrara or transits of the planets as they move through the constellations in relation to your individual birth chart. For example, generally speaking, if Saturn is transiting Venus in your chart, this will be a time when the relationships in your life will be tested.
If you would like to know more, please come to the Understanding the Past and Gazing into the Future through Vedic Astrology workshop on July 12th from 1:30-3:30pm. You will receive a copy of your personal Vedic birth chart and find out what planetary period you are”running” and what karma is unfolding in your life.
By Tracy Atkinson
Tracy Atkinson is a professional Vedic astrologer and coach based in New York City. She has been studying and practicing both Western and Vedic Astrology since 1991. In addition to her knowledge and skill as an astrologer, Tracy received her B.A. from Smith College and 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training at ISHTA Yoga. Her website is www.tracyatkinsonconsulting.com.