Zodiac Astrology: 2008

One gentleman wanted your blog for 50 dollars ! Just imagine ! Said I had not updated it.

The reason was simple. I was writing about IPL matches, as IPL had taken the world by storm. In my cricket blog, Universal Cricket The Globalisation of Cricket !

The domains of Eastrovedica

One gentleman wanted to take over the domains of Eastrovedica. So in order to protect her I registed the following domains

www.eastrovedica.org
www.eastrovedica.net
www.eastrovedica.in

Eastrovedica.net will be the Blog site and it will make Eastrovedica more interactive.

I have not decided what to do with the .in and .org domains.

Article Gnosis to be set up !

We got more than 34000 articles on Article Wisdom, good for any knowledge lover !

So we created another Article Directory, Article Gnosis to cater to the burgeoning demand !

It will be on from tomorrow onwards.

Meanwhile my Blog site, Eastrovedica Blog will be on from tomorrow onwards. Jodi is the webmistress. It will be a nice, interactive site.

This site blog is vital, as it can make eastrovedica very interactive. Your comments ar e welcome !

Sunday, June 08, 2008

Dot Net and Dot Org domains set up for Eastrovedica !

The .net and .org domains have been registered for Eastrovedica. This is due to the popular demand to have a blog site and an article directory site.

Most probably tomorrow it will be hosted and the script will be in PHP and MYSQL.

Hope our readers will relish these sites !

Thursday, June 05, 2008

The Transit of the North Node II

Libra

There will be a dearth of happiness during this phase. Many friends may turn hostile. There may be problems from jealous relatives. Many relatives may turn enemies. You have to put Altruism first and then you can develop both materially and spiritually. You need the goodwill of the populace. Altruism is the essence of life. During this adverse transit, you can rely on your inner spiritual resources. All your efforts will be in vain, if you dont incorporate patience and perseverance. Adversity is merely a test of fidelity. They are part of the protractive trials of high Jove. You have to keep your equanimity and presence of mind and not fall a prey to Melancholy. You can resort to Astro Therapy by reciting the mantra of Rahu - Om Rahave Namah - in a state of purity. If you wear a Rahu Yantra, the North Node may not trouble you.

Scorpio

This Third Wave of Economics, the Information Age, will see your interests in Technology rise high. There will be more interaction with techhies. You can indulge in spiritual activities. You can use this period for the development of the 13 skills which are needed in Business. Your writing and communication skills can be improved during this transit. So also your marketing and technical skills. If you improve your spiritual and social skills, it will fetch you fame which will translate into professional enhancement. You can resort to Astro Therapy by reciting the mantra of Rahu - Om Rahave Namah - in a state of purity. If you wear a Rahu Yantra, the North Node may not trouble you.

Sag

You may get lucky breaks. You will resort to all sorts tricks to develop materially. While investing, you have to be judicious in your decisions. In order to overcome health hazards, you can resort to Rejuvenation Therapy or Rasayana Chikitsa of Ayurveda. Keep up Diet Control to avert diseases. If you want to develop materially, you have to develop your 13 skills, the greatest of which is adcopywriting. Writing and communication skills should be improved. Also marketing and technical skills. You can resort to Astro Therapy by reciting the mantra of Rahu - Om Rahave Namah - in a state of purity. If you wear a Rahu Yantra, the North Node may not trouble you.

Capricorn

This is the period when you can reap what you have sown. You will have to improve your business skills to take advantage of this benign transit of the North Node. There will be an increase of friends and good will. There will be more economic benefits from Relationship Marketing. You can use this period for spiritual activities which is good for your spiritual evolution and for storing more divine merit in your Cosmic Ledger.

Aquarius

This is the period when you can reap what you have sown. You will have to improve your business skills to take advantage of this benign transit of the North Node. There will be an increase of friends and good will. There will be more economic benefits from Relationship Marketing. You can use this period for spiritual activities which is good for your spiritual evolution and for storing more divine merit in your Cosmic Ledger.

Pisces

This is the period when you can reap what you have sown. You will have to improve your business skills to take advantage of this benign transit of the North Node. There will be an increase of friends and good will. There will be more economic benefits from Relationship Marketing. You can use this period for spiritual activities which is good for your spiritual evolution and for storing more divine merit in your Cosmic Ledger.

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

The Transit of the North Node

Aries

The Transit of the North Node, Rahu

Despite the heavy work load caused by 10th Rahu, you will get professional enhancement and reputation. You may appear overworked and the best way to ease the tension is to take recourse to Rejuvenation Therapy or Rasayana Chikitsa of Ayurveda. Fasting is supposed to be the best medicine ( Lankhanam Param Oushadham ). Transcendental Meditation can give you immense relief from the vexations of physique and psyche. Because of the success of your Karma, there will be improvements in the professional, financial and fame spheres. There will be more admirers and your PR improves considerably. You can resort to Astro Therapy by reciting the mantra of Rahu - Om Rahave Namah - in a state of purity. If you wear a Rahu Yantra, the North Node may not trouble you.

Taurus

9th Transit of Rahu may give some lucky breaks as well as some tense moments. There may be temptations galore and you will have to exercise maximum prudence and restraint. Be careful about the jealous. Also money handling. You can resort to Astro Therapy by reciting the mantra of Rahu - Om Rahave Namah - in a state of purity. If you wear a Rahu Yantra, the North Node may not trouble you.

Gemini

In order to overcome health problems, you can take recourse to Rejuvenation Therapy or Rasayana Chikitsa of Ayurveda. 8th Transit of Rahu may give some apprehensive moments. There may be problems from enemies. There may be problems which affect your purse. Vexations of physique and psyche indicated. You may have to face financial stringency. Be careful about Money Management. You can resort to Astro Therapy by reciting the mantra of Rahu - Om Rahave Namah - in a state of purity. If you wear a Rahu Yantra, the North Node may not trouble you.

Cancer

Health hazards may manifest and the best way out is to take recourse to Rejuvenation Therapy or Rasayana Chikitsa of Ayurveda. This transit of Rahu may rob you of the much needed mental peace. The best solution is to take recourse to Transcendental Meditation, which will give you immense relief from the vexations of physique and psyche. You have to take care of both body and soul, in other words. Tension from work will be unbearable. You can resort to Astro Therapy by reciting the mantra of Rahu - Om Rahave Namah - in a

Leo

Health hazards may manifest and the best way out is to take recourse to Rejuvenation Therapy or Rasayana Chikitsa of Ayurveda. This transit of Rahu may rob you of the much needed mental peace. The best solution is to take recourse to Transcendental Meditation, which will give you immense relief from the vexations of physique and psyche. You have to take care of both body and soul, in other words. Tension from work will be unbearable. You can resort to Astro Therapy by reciting the mantra of Rahu - Om Rahave Namah - in a state of purity. If you wear a Rahu Yantra, the North Node may not trouble you.

Virgo

Health hazards may manifest and the best way out is to recourse to Rejuvenation Therapy or Rasayana Chikitsa of Ayurveda. This transit of Rahu may rob you of the much needed mental peace. The best solution is to take recourse to Transcendental Meditation, which will give you immense relief from the vexations of physique and psyche. You have to take care of both body and soul, in other words. Tension from work will be unbearable. You can resort to Astro Therapy by reciting the mantra of Rahu - Om Rahave Namah - in a state of purity. If you wear a Rahu Yantra, the North Node may not trouble you.

Sunday, April 06, 2008

Jupiter, the King Maker !

In billionaire D Ambani's horoscope, Jupiter was in the 10th in Virgo ( Sag rising, with Saturn in the 2nd, Venus in the 12th and Jove in the 10th ).

Jupiter aspected Saturn in the second house and he became a visionary in his profession and built a billion dollar business empire. His son Mukesh is ranked 5th richest man in the world.

Jove was in the 11th in the horoscope of Sharukh Khan, the actor.

Jupiter was in the Asc, for the actress Aishwarya Rai.

In Rahul Dravid's horo, Jupiter was in the 10th. Jove made him a world class cricketer.

So Jupiter's placement is very important, in any horoscope !

Friday, April 04, 2008

Virgo rises for the new Vedic Year

Virgo rises, with Jupiter in the 4th and Saturn in the 12th, for the new Vedic Year, which begins on April 13, 1829 Hrs.

The constellation is Pushya and the outlook for India is not that positive. Inflation will be a big problem for the Government. Deficit and debt will rise. There will be many problems, as Elarata Saturn is afflicting India now.

There will be political problems, as the ruling party will find it difficult to explain the inflation numbers. There will be an economic deceleration, in the manufacturing, power, banking sectors

Sunday, March 30, 2008

the Adverse Sixth Jupiter !

The Adverse Sixth Jupiter is creating problems for Cancerians - for India !

India's GDP growth has slowed down, oil price has gone up, industrial production is down, manufacturing is down, inflation is up, stock market is down, deficit and debt has gone up and there is a deceleration in the economy.

Jupiter will move over to Capricorn on Dec 9th and till that time the outlook is gloomy. At the moment Realty is not affected, but may be at a later date.

Only in cricket is India doing well.

As for myself ( I am a Cancerian ), my enemies are playing havoc, physical problems like digestive tract disorders and a general lack of peace !

I am waiting for Dec 9 th !

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Another Lakshmi Yoga

Another Lakshmi Yoga results when

Venus is in his own house

& 9th lord is angular and in own house or exalted

The native born under this Yoga will have an amiable spouse, will be full of lustre, will be a protector of one's own people, and will be the recipient of Goddess Lakshmi's Grace. Will have vehicles, will be jovial & will be of regal status.

Nithyam Mangala Sheelaya Vanithaya Kreedathyarogee dhanee
Thejaswi Swajanan surakshathi Mahalakshee Prasadalaya

Monday, March 17, 2008

Other Positive & Negative Yogas !

Planets in the 12th from the Sun causes Vesi Yoga

Planets in the 2nd from the Sun causes Vasi Yoga

Planets on both sides of the Sun causes Ubhayachari Yoga

The person born under Ubhayachari will be wise, strong, with lots of relatives, enthusiastic, good talker etc

Mukharo Jnani Balavan
Su bandhu natho natendra dayitha syath
Nithyolsahee vagnee
subhayo ubhayacharyayam

The 10t lord in the 12th is a Duryoga. Remedial measures have to be done to enhance the 10th lord.

Kemadruma Yoga results when the 9th lord is in the 12th.

Bhaygyadhipo Vyayasthe

Or if the 12th lord is weak in the 2nd.

Vithesware Vyayage balaksheene

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Sunabha, Anabha & Dhurudhura Yogas

When planets tenant the 2nd from the Moon, Sunabha Yoga is caused

Longevity and fame are the characteristics of this Yoga.

Chandral dhane Sunabha

When planets tenant the 12th from the Lunar Asc, Anabha Yoga is caused.

Tad Vyaye Anabha

Fame,prowess and longevity are the results of this yoga

When planets tenant both 12th and 2nd from the Moon, sans Sun, Durudhura Yoga is caused

Sooryam vina Dhurudhura

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Daridra Yoga

Daridra Yoga is generated when the Eleventh lord is in malefic houses, viz, 6,8 & 12.

This is a negative yoga. The native's wealth will be affected. Even after hard work, his potential may be unrealised.

Divine remedial measures include chanting the mantra of the Eleventh Lord, fasting on his days, wearing his Yantra & performing his Homa

The Positive Regions of the Zodiac

If the Longitude falls in the Positive Regions of the Zodiac, then ausipiciousness can be predicted

The three Zodiacal Signs from Moon's Rasi is called Downtide and the next three are Uptide. Uptide is positive and Downtide is negative.

If the Total Longitude falls in angles and trines, it is positive. In Srishti stars, it is positive. If the Rasi where the Longitude falls is aspected by benefics, again it is positive

Pranamsa Dehamsa Srishti Tara
Peeyoosha Natya Shubha Drishti Yogau
Jalordha Oordhynya tapi yasya
Kendra trikono pagathathvam Ishtam

Monday, March 10, 2008

Other important Yogas

Sakata Yoga - This is a negative yoga. When Jupiter and the Moon are in 6/8 or 2/12 positions, Sakata Yoga is caused. Sakata means wheel and the native will have vicissitudes or cyclical upheavals like the wheel !

Kalyana Sakata Yoga - In the Sakata Yoga, when Jupiter is angular, Kalyana Sakata Yoga is caused. This is a positive yoga as it cancels Sakata Yoga. The native is longlived and prosperous and handsome.

Nisva Yoga - This is caused when the 2nd lord is in the 12th. This is a negative Yoga.

Lakshmi yoga - This is caused when the Ascendant lord is strong and the Lord of Fortune is angular and powerful

Moola kendra thirkoneshu bhagyake paramochake
Lagnadhipo baladye cha Lakshmee yoga udeerithah

Duryoga - This results when the 10th lord is in the 12th. The native becomes unlucky as afar as profession is concerned.

Saturday, March 08, 2008

Venus, the Significator of Marriage !

Libidinal life is ruled by Venus ( Sithascha Madano ).

Unconventional marriage ( intercaste etc ) happens when Venus is afflicted by malefic planets.

Venus is the karaka or indicator of Love Life.

If the Seventh lord is powerful, the spouse will be wealthy.

Dhareshe balasampoorne vivaho dhaninan kula

The significator, Venus, should also be powerful for this yoga.

Venus afflicted and a weak seventh lord means problems like separation and clashes.

Angular Venus or trinal Venus can give a good married life

Friday, March 07, 2008

Astrology & Four Functions of Mind !

The four functions of Mind are Manas, Buddhi, Chitha and Ahamkara.

Manas is the processing Mind
Chitha is the storage of impressions in the Subconscient
Buddhi is the intellect
Ahamkara is the Ego

In Astrology

Manas is ruled by the Moon
Chitha by by Venus
Budhhi by Mercury and Jupiter
& Ahamkara by Mars, Sun and Saturn

The ten heads of Ravana symbolically are

Kama - Lust
Krodha - Anger
Mada - Pride
Moha - Avarice
Matsarya - Jealousy
Raga - Attachment
Manas - Processing Mind
Buddhi - Intellect
Chitha - Subconcious Mind
Ahamkara - Ego

We have to remove the ten heads of the Ego to attain to Self Actualisation. The Self is Bliss Absolute ( Ananda ), Absolute and Infinite ( Poorna ) & Non-dual ( Advaya )

More Yogas

Anabha Yoga is caused by planets in the 12th from the Moon.

The Anapha Yoga caused by Mars is excellent- the native becomes aggressive, with business talent, with beautiful body and highly skilled.

There is another Prosperity Yoga called Vasumath Yoga. Vasu in Sanskrit means prosperity. Vasumath Yoga results when the Upachayas, that is 3,6,10 & 11 Houses are tenanted by benefics.

Lagnath Atheeva Vasuman Vasuman Sasankath
Soumya Grahe Upachayopagathe Samasthai !

16 types of Raja Yogas are formed when Jupiter, Saturn and Mars gets exalted, in angles !

Swachcheshu Shodasa Nripa Kathithaika Lagne !

Or when 2 of them are exalted and Ascendant lord is angular and powerful

Dwiakasirtheshu thadai prathame vilagne
Swakshetrage shashini shodasa bhoomipasyu

Thursday, March 06, 2008

Prosperity Yoga or Lakshmi Yoga

Lakshmi Yoga results when

If the 9th lord is powerfully posited, either in exaltation or own house and is angular or trinal
If the Ascendant lord is powerful

Moola kendra thrikoneshu bhagyake paramochhake
Laganadhipo baladyecha Lakshmee yoga udeerithah

Results of Lakshmi Yoga - one has appreciable affluence and is always above want. Respectable,
learned,noble, wealthy, will be handsome in appearance and will possess all the comforts of life.

Learning Yoga or Vairincha Yoga

This is a philosophical Yoga. Vairinchi means Saraswathi and this is a yoga for learning.

This yoga results when Jupiter and Saturn are powerful and angular and the Lord of the Ascendant is also angular and powerful.

Expounder of Absolute Knowledge, genius, of the nature of Veds,
Jovial, never moving away from the Righteous Path, with disciples galore
Gentle, with wealth and with lustre divine
Long-lived, with mastery of sense organs, bowed by all, such is the Vairincha born !

Yoga for the Eightfold Prosperity ( Ashta Laksmi Yoga )

If the North Node ( Rahu ) is in the 6th
And if Jupiter is angular
Then this Yoga is formed
This combination for Eightfold Prosperity !

Shashta sthana gathe Rahu
Lagna Kendra gathe Gurau
Ashtalakshmee samayuktham
Madhyavan Keerthiman Nara

The Eightfold Prosperity, whose symbols are the Eight Lakshmis, the Ashta Lakmis, the Ashta Vasus are

Dhana Lakshmi - Wealth as prosperity
Dhanya Lakshmi - Agriculture as prosperity
Dhairya Lakshmi - Courage "
Vijaya Laksmi - Victory "
Adi Laksmi - Power "
Vidya Laksmi Learning "
Gaja Lakshmi Will Power "
Santhana Lakshmi Children as prosperity

The native born under this yoga, enjoys the Eightfold Prosperity. Rahu and Jupiter should be powerful, however, to confer the full benefits of this yoga.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Combinations for an Astrologer

Jupiter is the significator of Astrology, as he is the Veda Karaka or indicator of Knowledge. Knowledge, both worldly and divine, is the prerogative of Jupiter.

He rules all arts and sciences ( Prayonu koola sa kalascha deva ).

If Jupiter is angular, a good astrologer is born

Other combinations are

Moon in Cancer

Cancer rising

Moon and Jupiter, angular and well posited

Venus in the 11th

Mercury in the 11th

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

The Two Zodiacs -

by Vaughn Paul Manley, MA

Discuss This on Vaughn Paul's Message Board
Copyright 2003. All Rights Reserved.

The Two Zodiacs – The Great Sidereal vs. Tropical Debate

It’s important to clearly understand the difference between the two zodiacs, the Vedic/Sidereal and the Western/Tropical, and their perspective places in the world of astrology. Without this understanding it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking one system is superior or inferior to the other and disregard their relative strengths.

The Two Zodiacs
So why two zodiacs anyway? Isn’t one enough? After all, one sky seems to have worked out quite well - thank you very much. God made no mistakes there. One zodiac belt, about 16 degrees wide, with the 12 zodiac signs ranging from Aries to Pisces rising in the eastern horizon - no problems there. It’s just astronomical fact. The stars shine equally on everyone, whether they’re standing in New Delhi or downtown L.A., so why one “Sidereal” zodiac popular in the East and one “Tropical” zodiac popular in the West?

It’s important to realize that both zodiacs are exactly the same in the sense that there are 12 zodiac signs progressing from Aries to Pisces. The elements – fire, earth, air, water; qualities – cardinal, fixed and mutable; and general characteristics associated with each sign are basically the same in both systems. Up until the last century or so, before the discoveries of Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Chiron, the classical rulerships of the signs were used in both systems.

The classical sign rulerships are as follows: 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.

The difference between the two zodiacs, therefore, is not so much in the contents of the zodiacs but in the calculation of the starting point of the 1st degree of Aries.

The 1st degree of Aries
In Western or Tropical astrology the calculation of the Sun passing through the 1st degree of Aries is marked by the spring equinox or March 21st. By extension, if you take out your western ephemeris you’ll note that the beginning of each season is lined up with the Sun passing through each of the cardinal points in the zodiac – Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. The Tropical zodiac, therefore, is a symbolic system based on the sun earth relationship and is oriented to the seasons.

In Vedic or Sidereal astrology the calculation of the Sun passing through the 1st degree of Aries is marked by the Sun actually passing through the observable fixed stars making up the constellation Aries and has nothing to do with the seasons. “Sider” means “star” and therefore sidereal astrology is based on the actual astronomical positions of the planets against the backdrop of the fixed star constellations. The Sidereal zodiac, therefore, is not symbolic but is oriented to an observable phenomenon.

David Frawley writes in his book, The Astrology of the Seers, that “the Sidereal zodiac is probably the original zodiac historically, as it is the observable zodiac. The Tropical, which is an abstract zodiac, must have been derived from it, as all abstractions are usually based on underlying observable things.”

The Precession of the Equinox
An astonishing thing to contemplate is that the ancient Vedic rishis were aware of the fact that the earth changes its tilt or “wobbles” on its axis. Many centuries before the Europeans were debating over whether the earth was flat, the Vedic rishis were figuring out exactly what effect the Earth’s wobble would have on the calculations of their ephemeris’s!

Without the aid of telescopes or modern technology they calculated that the orientation of the equinoxes to the fixed stars precedes or moves backwards through the zodiac at a rate of about 50.3 seconds per year, or about 1 degree every 72 years. That they were actually able to calculate this gives us a clue as to how advanced the ancient Vedic civilization was in terms of mathematical and astronomical knowledge.

This phenomenon is known as the “precession of the equinox”. In other words, where the Sun actually is at the time of the spring equinox moves backward through the zodiac. Sidereally speaking, this year 2003, the sun was at 6 degrees 03 minutes of Pisces, at the spring equinox. Therefore, the current mathematical difference as of March 21st 2003 between the two zodiacs is 23 degrees 57 minutes.

The Ayanamsha

This mathematical difference between the Sidereal and the Tropical zodiacs is called the “ayanamsha” in Sanskrit. As another example, on January 1st 1950, the ayanamsha was at 23 degrees 09 minutes.

However, to further complicate matters there are several commonly used ayanamshas that vary by as much as almost 2 degrees from one another. By far the most commonly used ayanamsha by Vedic astrologers worldwide is the Lahiri ayanamsha, which was given the stamp of approval by the government of India.

The Historical Alignment of the Two Zodiacs
Historically, it’s generally agreed, that the two zodiacs were in alignment with one another about the year 285 A.D. with both ephemeris’s listing the passage of the Sun into Aries at the spring equinox. So what happened? What went wrong?

I don’t know that anything went “wrong”. Obviously, our civilization was just meant to have both zodiacs.

When the Two Zodiacs Will Be Exactly Opposite
Due to the precession of the equinox, the Sun will be at the 1st degree of Libra at the spring equinox in 11,232 years! Mark you calendars! Then we’ll really have a lot of explaining to do with regards to the two systems because they’ll be exactly opposite one another!! The ayanamsha will be 180 degrees 0 minutes!! I’d say it’d be worth it to incarnate at that time just to join in the debate!

The Process of Debating
Let’s face it - we’re basically creatures of habit. We tend to feel comfortable with what we’re used to and resist change. It’s hard to be clear and objective when we feel threatened in any way and it’s easy to dismiss a seemingly opposing viewpoint to save having to expand out of our comfort zones.

I think God gets a lot of mileage out of people debating and facing the stuff that comes up in the process. Take, for instance, how debating is an integral practice in the training of Tibetan Buddhist monks in the qualities of understanding and compassion. Eventually their resistances are broken down and they’re able to contain a broader, more all encompassing viewpoint.

The Debate Today
The debate between the two zodiacs is, of course, centered around one main question: “How can both systems be right?” How can I be, for instance, both an Aries in the Western system and a Pisces in the Vedic system?

It could be argued, first of all, that it’s rather simplistic to identify yourself as only one particular sign like we tend to do in the West. This is more of a recent cultural phenomenon due to the popularization of horoscope columns. In the more distant past, Western astrology was oriented more to the ascendant than the Sun if it had to be limited to one sign. Vedic astrology today favors the emphasis of the ascendant over the Sun as well.

This makes sense because the ascendant is the starting point of the horoscope and the quickest moving indication in the chart so is could be considered more personally associated with your identity or “you”. In practice, the ascendant or 1st house relates more to one’s self, identity and personality traits than any other house.

However, if you asked someone in India “what’s your sign?” they would likely assume you mean their Moon sign, since Vedic astrology is a Moon-based system and it’s primary predictive systems are based on the Moon.

Reasons for the Relevance of Both Zodiacs
The obvious reason why emphasizing one sign is limited is that there are so many potential configurations from which to interpret the same descriptive traits. For instance, your Sun may move from Aries to Pisces in your Vedic chart, but you also may still have three planets in Aries, or Mars in Aries. You certainly would tend to see strong Aries traits in the Vedic chart even though the Sun is not involved.

In fact, in my experience that’s always been the case when I look at the two charts for a particular person. They’ve never contradicted one another looking at the chart as a whole.

Some people say that your Western chart is more “earthy” and represents your personality and your Vedic chart is more “heavenly” and represents your soul. This makes some sense due to the relative vantage points in terms of distance. In other words, the stars are further away than our Sun, which is the closest star.

On the other hand, this seems to imply that your Western chart is more grounded in practical matters on Earth, and your Vedic chart is more spiritual and ethereal. Whereas, the opposite could be argued to be the case because your Vedic chart is related to the actual observable fixed stars and your Western chart is symbolic. This is why some argue that your Vedic chart can be so accurate for prediction with actual events on Earth and your Western chart is better for describing the psychological effects the actual events may have on your psyche.

The Evolutionary Pattern of the Zodiac
I think that what’s important is the realization that the zodiac represents an archetypal evolutionary developmental pattern beginning with Aries and ending in Pisces. As an illustration, the pattern of 12 signs can be visually likened to a clock. If you rotate the clock and get the Sidereal Vedic chart or the Western Tropical chart the clock still works at least symbolically if not literally because it’s based on a true fundamental pattern.

This is why I think Western astrology makes sense even though it uses a symbolic zodiac. Our day to day life on earth is integrally effected by the seasons and so to transpose the zodiac over the seasons – works. The essential qualities of the signs of the zodiac do line up with the Sun passing through the seasons. For instance, the Sun passing into Aries conveys the qualities of spring – active, energetic, vigorous creative new life etc.

Likewise, you could take any developmental pattern and transpose the zodiac. One obvious one would be take the 12 year transit return of Jupiter. Each year is like one sign of the zodiac. The first year when Jupiter is transiting over natal Jupiter is new, energetic and expansive in growth like Aries even though the actual Jupiter return may happen to land in another sign. The twelfth year, like Pisces, has qualities of dissolution and death before the rebirth again with the next Jupiter return.

The Zodiac Wrap Up
Being that the Tropical system is Sun-based the commonly held opinion is that the Tropical system is better at describing the personality and psychological patterns. Whereas, the Vedic system is better at describing the soul nature and predicting actual events because it’s tied to the actual fixed constellations.

And that’s how the reference texts read in practice. The Vedic texts shed very little light on psychological patterns and emphasize prediction whereas it’s just the opposite with the Western reference texts.

I think that the bottom line is that you can get an accurate reading, both in terms of psychological interpretation and prediction, using either system. In the final analysis I think that the accuracy of the system depends more on the astrologer than on the system.

Lesson 1 Exercise:
How to Calculate Your Vedic Chart - Subtracting the Ayanamsha
Obtain a copy of your western chart, if you don’t have one already. Make a list of your planets and their degrees as shown below. Subtract the ayanamsha or 23 degrees from each Tropical planetary position and the ascendant to get their Sidereal position.

Example Calculations:
Tropical Positions Sidereal Positions
Asc: 11 Gemini – 23 = 18 Taurus
Sun: 14 Scorpio – 23 = 21 Libra
Moon: 10 Virgo – 23 = 17 Leo
Mercury: 28 Libra – 23 = 5 Libra
Venus: 8 Libra – 23 = 15 Virgo
Mars: 25 Capricorn – 23 = 2 Capricorn
Jupiter: 9 Pisces – 23 = 16 Aquarius
Saturn: 24 Aquarius – 23 = 1 Aquarius
North Node: 18 Sagittarius – 23 = 5 Scorpio
South Node: 18 Gemini – 23 = 5 Taurus
(Optional)
Uranus: 24 Leo – 23 = 1 Leo
Neptune: 3 Libra – 23 = 10 Virgo
Pluto: 14 Virgo – 23 = 21 Leo

An easy way to do this in your head, if the planet’s degrees are less than 23 degrees in any given sign, is to add 7 degrees and go back a sign. For example, if a planet is at 11 degrees Gemini then add 7 degrees and go back to Taurus. The Sidereal position would be 18 degrees Taurus.

If you want to get the exact position of the planet down to the minute then get out a calculator and calculate the exact ayanamsha of the year and month you were born.

Use the following dates for the ayanamsha as a starting point:

January 1st 1940 - 23 degrees 01 minutes
January 1st 1950 - 23 degrees 09 minutes
January 1st 1960 - 23 degrees 18 minutes
January 1st 1970 - 23 degrees 26 minutes
January 1st 1980 - 23 degrees 34 minutes

Use these approximate figures:

4 minutes 11 seconds per 5 years
1 minute 40 seconds per 2 years
50 seconds per 1 year
4 seconds per month

Article Source : http://www.astrologyforthesoul.com/vp/vedicastrologylesson1siderealtropical.html

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Western Sidereal Astrology

Western Sidereal Astrology

23 October, 2007 12:16:00 astrologer

Based on Tropical and Sidereal astrology, there are two different opinions among western astrologers about the starting point Aries, in the zodiac.

According to the Sidereal astrology, the starting point is at a particular fixed position in the background of stars. But according to the tropical astrology which is adopted by the majority of Western astrologers, the starting point is when the position of the Sun against the background of stars coincides with the Northern hemisphere vernal equinox.

As the Earth spins on its axis, it wobbles and causes the precession of the equinoxes where the vernal equinox moves gradually backwards against the star background.

This occurs at the rate of about 30 degrees which is one Zodiacal sign length every 2,160 years. Hence, the two zodiacs are aligned only once every 26,000 years, with the most recent alignment being about 2,000 years ago when the zodiac was principally established. This concept has led to the conceptual basis for the Age of Aquarius, the dawning of which coincides with the movement of the vernal equinox across the cusp from Pisces to Aquarius in the star background.

Planets
- Sun - Moon - Mercury - Venus (Female Sign) - Earth - Mars (Male Sign) - Jupiter - Saturn - Uranus - Neptune - Pluto

Signs
- Aries - Taurus - Gemini - Cancer - Leo - Virgo - Libra - Scorpio - Sagittarius - Capricorn - Aquarius - Pisces

Aspects
- Conjunction - Opposition - Trine - Square - Sextile - Semisquare - Sesquiquadrate - Semisextile - Quincunx - Quintile - Biquintile

Article Source : http://www.astrologer.ws/astrology_guide/western_astrology/western_sidereal_astrology.html

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Natal Astrology Tips - About Longevity

Longevity can be ascertained by the placements of Jupiter, Mercury and Venus, the natural benefics, in angles. Angular Jupiter can destroy 100,000 afflictions or doshas. Angular Venus can destroy 50,000 doshas and angular Mercury can destroy 25,000 doshas ( Laksham Doshan hanti devendra poojya ).

If Jupiter is placed in the 8th, it indicates longevity ( Amitha Jeevitha ). The 8th lordship of Jupiter or placement in the 8th is considered to be a Raja Yoga.

Randhradheeswara Ashtamasthithir api syath yoga krith dehinam

Saturn in the 8th is also good for longevity ( Ashtamasthe sani ishta thasyal ). Also aspect on the 8th is also longevity generating.

Mercury and Venus in the 8th is also good for longevity. So also Jupiter in the 6th. In the 6th Jove destroys enemies, confers longevity, despite giving disease !