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Jyotiṣa • Dharma • Healing

Introduction to Vedic Astrology (Jyotiṣa)

A practical, modern guide through a *psyche-first* Vedic lens — rāśis, nakṣatras, grahas, bhāvas, yogas, daśās, gochara & vargas.
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What is Vedic Astrology (Jyotiṣa)?

Astro-Psychological Orientation
  • Sidereal Zodiac: Fixed-star reference; this guide is Vedic (sidereal), not tropical.
  • Grahas (Planets): Core psychological drives & functions — how attention, needs, and will operate.
  • Rāśis (Signs): The style of expression — temperament, pacing, motivation.
  • Bhāvas (Houses): Life arenas — where motives seek experience and meaning.
  • Aspects & Yogas: Intrapsychic dynamics — cooperation, tension, integration.
  • Daśās: Time-lords — psychological seasons that highlight certain themes.
  • Gochara: Transits — environmental weather mirroring inner cycles.
  • Vargas: Divisional charts — higher-resolution of specific domains.
Ethos
  • Jyotiṣa indicates tendencies and timing — not fixed fate.
  • We emphasize agency, integration, and ethics in choice-making.
  • Interpret holistically: confirm patterns across D1 + vargas + daśā + transit.
Sidereal vs Tropical ↓

Sidereal vs Tropical

  • Sidereal (Vedic): Anchored to fixed stars; uses an ayanāṁśa (commonly Lahiri).
  • Tropical (Western): Anchored to seasons (equinox/solstice points).
  • Rāśi positions can differ by ~23–24°; your “Sun sign” may shift between systems.

This guide uses: Lahiri ayanāṁśa

Go to Grahas

The Nine Grahas — Psychological Functions

  • Sūrya (Sun): Core identity & vitality; need to shine, author life, feel purposeful.
  • Candra (Moon): Emotional regulation & attachment; need for safety, rhythm, bonding.
  • Maṅgala (Mars): Assertion & boundaries; channeling anger into clean action.
  • Budha (Mercury): Cognition & communication; meaning-making, flexibility, learning.
  • Guru (Jupiter): Belief & growth; hope, mentorship, ethics, big-picture coherence.
  • Śukra (Venus): Relating & value; attraction, aesthetics, reciprocity, pleasure.
  • Śani (Saturn): Structure & time; reality-testing, patience, responsibility, mastery.
  • Rāhu: Obsession & innovation; appetites, experimentation, future-pull.
  • Ketu: Detachment & insight; completion, discernment, spiritualization.
Reading Tips
  • Judge dignity (own/exalted/debilitated), combustion, retrogression, and aspects.
  • Center the graha’s psychological need and how it is met or frustrated.
  • Track as daśā lords and how transits (gochara) activate them.
Rāśis (12 Signs) ↓

The 12 Rāśis (Sidereal Signs)

♈ Mesha (Aries) — MarsPsychology: initiation, courage, directness; growth edge: channel reactivity into purposeful action.
♉ Vṛṣabha (Taurus) — VenusPsychology: stability, sensory presence; growth edge: flexibility with comfort and control.
♊ Mithuna (Gemini) — MercuryPsychology: curiosity, dialogue; growth edge: depth and follow-through.
♋ Karka (Cancer) — MoonPsychology: care, protection; growth edge: boundaries that preserve nurturance.
♌ Siṁha (Leo) — SunPsychology: visibility, creation; growth edge: share stage, invite reciprocity.
♍ Kanyā (Virgo) — MercuryPsychology: analysis, service; growth edge: compassion for imperfection.
♎ Tulā (Libra) — VenusPsychology: harmony, aesthetics; growth edge: authentic preferences, clear no’s.
♏ Vṛścika (Scorpio) — MarsPsychology: depth, intensity; growth edge: trust, paced disclosure, repair.
♐ Dhanuṣ (Sagittarius) — JupiterPsychology: meaning, exploration; growth edge: commitments that test ideals.
♑ Makara (Capricorn) — SaturnPsychology: structure, duty; growth edge: rest, warmth, shared burdens.
♒ Kumbha (Aquarius) — SaturnPsychology: systems, reform; growth edge: belonging while innovating.
♓ Mīna (Pisces) — JupiterPsychology: compassion, imagination; growth edge: grounded boundaries for sensitivity.

Go to Nakṣatras

27 Nakṣatras (Lunar Mansions) — Psychological Snapshots

Start with your Moon’s Nakṣatra
  • Aśvinī — catalytic help, rapid reset; impulse → skillful response
  • Bharaṇī — containment, responsibility; intensity → stewardship
  • Kṛttikā — cutting clarity; discernment without harshness
  • Rohiṇī — growth, allure; create without over-attachment
  • Mṛgaśīrṣā — seeking mind; curiosity with closure
  • Ārdrā — catharsis, truth-storms; process → renewal
  • Punarvasu — restoration; return to center
  • Puṣya — nourishment; mature caregiving
  • Āśleṣā — binding intelligence; strategy over control
  • Maghā — lineage; inheritance with humility
  • Pūrva Phālgunī — artistry, bonds; pleasure with integrity
  • Uttara Phālgunī — duty, sustainment; long-term relating
  • Hasta — skilled hands; craft presence
  • Citrā — design spark; beauty that serves
  • Svātī — wind, freedom; independence with attunement
  • Viśākhā — milestones; purposeful alliances
  • Anurādhā — loyal devotion; boundaries in love
  • Jyeṣṭhā — senior protector; skillful power
  • Mūla — root-truth; deconstruct to liberate
  • Pūrva Āṣāḍhā — declaration; inspire then deliver
  • Uttara Āṣāḍhā — enduring dharma; quiet excellence
  • Śravaṇa — listening; learn-share cycles
  • Dhaniṣṭhā — rhythm & resource; give-receive balance
  • Śatabhiṣā — 100 remedies; healing with rigor
  • Pūrva Bhādrapadā — fierce vision; channel intensity
  • Uttara Bhādrapadā — deep reservoirs; stabilize compassion
  • Revatī — safe passage; closure with kindness
Why it matters
  • Moon’s nakṣatra maps attachment style & needs; also sets Vimśottarī daśā start.
  • Ascendant & Atmakāraka nakṣatras add flavor to identity and core motive.

The 12 Bhāvas (Houses) — Life Contexts

  • 1 (Tanu): Identity, embodiment, approach to life.
  • 2 (Dhana): Values, resources, voice & self-worth.
  • 3 (Sahaja): Agency, skills, sibling dynamics.
  • 4 (Sukha): Home, roots, emotional ground.
  • 5 (Putra): Creativity, romance, learning style.
  • 6 (Ari): Work habits, health, problem-solving.
  • 7 (Yuvati): Bonding style, contracts, mirroring.
  • 8 (Randhra): Intimacy, fear work, transformation.
  • 9 (Dharma): Beliefs, mentors, meaning-making.
  • 10 (Karma): Vocation, status, contribution.
  • 11 (Lābha): Friends, networks, aspirations.
  • 12 (Vyaya): Release, sleep, solitude, transcendence.
Aspect Basics
  • All grahas aspect the 7th from their position.
  • Mars: 4th, 7th, 8th • Jupiter: 5th, 7th, 9th • Saturn: 3rd, 7th, 10th.
Yogas & Combinations ↓

Aspects & Key Yogas — Inner Dynamics

  • Rāja Yogas: Kendra–trikoṇa lords link → potency, leadership opportunity.
  • Dhana Yogas: Wealth configurations via 2nd/11th lords & benefics.
  • Gajakesari: Moon–Jupiter in kendra → emotional wisdom & buffering.
  • Viparīta Rāja: Dusthāna lord in another dusthāna → gain via adversity.
  • Neecha Bhanga: Debility cancellation under specific rules → resilience.

Reading Advice (Psycho-integration)

  • Avoid “one yoga = one fate.” Look for convergence across charts and timing.
  • Ask: which needs are amplified, which skills are requested for balance?
Go to Daśā Systems

Daśā Systems — Vimśottarī (Psychological Seasons)

  • Sequence (120-year): Ketu → Venus → Sun → Moon → Mars → Rāhu → Jupiter → Saturn → Mercury.
  • Start from Moon’s nakṣatra at birth; remaining pada time = first mahādaśā balance.
  • Mahādaśā splits into antar-daśās (same order) → finer timing.
  • Interpretation: Blend daśā lord’s natal condition with live transits & relevant vargas.
Reflection Exercise
  1. Identify current mahādaśā/antar-daśā.
  2. Name the psychological needs those lords carry.
  3. Plan one behavior that meets those needs consciously.
Transits (Gochara) ↓

Gochara (Transits) — Weather for the Psyche

  • Saturn: Long lessons in limits & endurance; watch Sade Sati around natal Moon.
  • Jupiter: Growth windows; learning, mentorship, hope renewal.
  • Mars: Short activations; channel drive, prevent misdirected conflict.
  • Rāhu/Ketu: Axis shifts (~18 months) that re-prioritize appetite vs release.

How to Track

  • Read by house from Ascendant & Moon, aspects to natal grahas, and dignities.
  • Overlay with current daśā → sharper windows for action or rest.
Go to Vargas

Vargas (Divisional Charts) — Focused Lenses

  • D9 (Navāṁśa): Partnership style, dharma, deeper planetary strength.
  • D10 (Daśāṁśa): Vocation psychology, public impact, leadership.
  • D7 (Saptāṁśa): Creativity/children; D4 (Chaturthāṁśa): property/roots.
  • Always read with D1 — look for echoes, not contradictions.
Ethics & Remedies (Upāyas)
  • Conduct: truthfulness, service, routines — builds Śani-strength.
  • Devotion/Mantra: e.g., Guru/Śani mantra under guidance.
  • Charity/Seva: match to planetary significations (food, learning, labor).
  • Gem/Aesthetics: only with competent counsel; action > amulets.
Read Your Chart: Quickstart ↓

Read Your Own Chart — Practical Flow

  1. Cast a sidereal chart (Lahiri ayanāṁśa).
  2. Note Ascendant, Sun, Moon; then Moon/Asc nakṣatras.
  3. List strong/weak grahas (own/exalted vs debilitated/combust).
  4. Map key yogas tied to your current aims.
  5. Identify current mahādaśā/antar-daśā; overlay Saturn/Jupiter transits.
  6. Journal outcomes for 30 days; refine the story with evidence.

FAQ

Do I need exact birth time?

It improves Ascendant & house accuracy. If unknown, read a Moon chart and focus on graha themes.

Which ayanāṁśa?

Lahiri by default, unless a specific lineage prescribes otherwise.

Is Jyotiṣa deterministic?

No — it shows tendencies/timing. We emphasize agency, ethics, and practice.

Tropical vs Sidereal?

This course uses sidereal (Vedic) rāśis; not Western tropical signs.

Resources & Sessions

📘 Click to open resources & session links
Guide

Vedic Quickstart — Rāśis, Grahas, Nakṣatras

A concise 6-page refresher to keep by your side.

Session

15-Minute Intro Call — Your Current Daśā

Bring birth details; we’ll outline time-lord focus areas.

Session

Deep-Dive Reading — D1 + D9 + Daśā + Gochara

A 60-minute session integrating psyche, timing, and strategy.

My Jyotiṣa Journal