Vedic Astrology: Jyotish for Beginners

Welcome
Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha

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.

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

The Planets
Ascendant (Lagna)
Moon
Sun
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Rahu
Ketu

The Houses
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

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 Ascendant
Lagna
The constellation rising in the east
at the moment of birth.
The physical form: body.

The Moon
Chandra
Psychological and emotional
needs.
Rhythmic patterns.
Parents, schooling, habits
and customs.
Neurosis, aversion,
attachment, grasping.
Compassion, nurturing,
empathy.
Mind: feelings, senses,
Exalted in Taurus, debilitated in Scorpio. images, perceptions.
Views Rahu as an enemy.

The Sun
Surya
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
Exalted in Aries, debilitated in Libra. one seeks to be in the center.
Views Saturn and Venus as enemies.

Mercury
Budha
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.

Venus
Shukra
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.

Mars
Mangala
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.

Jupiter
Guru
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.

Saturn
Shani
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.

Rahu
North 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.

Ketu
South 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 Mansions
Nakshatra
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

House 1
Lagna/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
Kendra (Quadrant) positions in the zodiac.
Kona (Trine)
Dharma (Path)

House 2
Dhana 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 3
Sahaja 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 4
Bandhu 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 5
Putra 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 6
Ari 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.
Artha (Artha)

House 7
Yuvati 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 8
Randhra 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 9
Dharma Bhava
Philosophical guidance,
sacred teachings, wisdom
teachings. Temples,
universities, sacred places,
priesthood. Patriarchy, public
ceremonies. Worship.
Morality.
Kona (Trine)
Dharma (Path)

House 10
Karma 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
Kendra (Quadrant) dignity.
Artha (Resources)

House 11
Labha 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.
Upachaya (Improvement) Brotherhoods and the sangha.
Kama (Desire)

House 12
Vyaya 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)

Moon in Anuradha nakshatra.
Lagna in Jyestha nakshatra.
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2
5
Sa
1 3
6
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Mo 7
Ma
Ve
Me
Su
Ra
Ju Ke

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.

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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Sa
1 3
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Mo 7
Ma
Ve
Me
Su
Ra
Ju Ke

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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3
1
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1
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2
8
Ma
Ra
Me
Su
Ke
Ju
Sa
Ke
Ra
Ve
Ma
Su
Ju
Me
Mo Sa
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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1
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2
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5
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Ma Ra
Su
Ve
Me
Ju
Sa
Me
Su
Ve
Ma Ra
Ke
Sa
Mo
Ju
Mo
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

Vedic Astrology: Jyotish for Beginners

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