Jyotish (Vedic Astrology) for inner and spiritual growth

WHAT IS VEDIC ASTROLOGY :-
Astrology is the study of the relationship between the stars and planets and our lives on earth. Vedic Astrology involves the interpretation of the horoscope or birth chart and it is essentially based on the idea of cycles and patterns in life which correspond on the cycles of the planets. Through the analysis of these cycles in the past and present it is possible to interpret the possible future.

ASTROLOGY AS AN OCCULT SCIENCE
Astrology is a noble science which is as old as the ages of the Vedas. It depends on the position of the planets ascertained astronomically. It explain the celestial phenomenon and the corresponding terrestrial events. The true meaning of astrology is the “Message of Stars”. By using salient principles of Astrology depending on the position of the planets ascertained astronomically one can forecast events for the benefit of all and as such it is a useful science for interpreting nature as it explains the cause and effects of events.

ASTROLOGY AND KARMA
Karma is the sum total of one’s physical, mental and spiritual efforts and in fact they manufacture destiny. Astrology is based on the relationship of cause and effects. If there is an effect, there must be a cause preceding it. If an event good or bad happens today then there must be a cause for it. Certain karmas produce immediate results wherein others fructify after a long time period and this concept of law of cause and effect takes one to the belief in birth and re-birth. Karmas done in one birth must manifest some time in a later birth.
An Astrologer can point out which of the karmas from the past can be overcome and those, which can not be overcome and therefore have to be suffered.

HOW ASTROLOGY WORKS
The astrologer’s main tool is the birth chart. This is the map of heavens drawn up for the time, place and date of birth of the individual to whom it will refer. It shows the positions of all the planets in the signs of zodiac at the time of birth.
The skill of the astrologer is to interpret the birth chart, which is said to set the pattern for the growth of the person throughout their life. In other words, what will happen is described by the positions of the planets and the signs of the zodiac at birth. Astrology is based on a system of ‘correspondences’ which means that each planet will correspond with different ways of behaving resulting in different personality patterns.

THE HOROSCOPE OR THE BIRTH CHART:-
Birth chart is a map of heavens showing the signs of zodiac and the planets as seen from one’s place of birth and this is the reason why astrologers needs your time, date and place of birth to draw up an accurate chart. The main constituent of the birth chart are-
the ascendant,
the signs of zodiac,
the houses,
the planets,
the aspects.
The ascendant is the rising sign at the time of birth at the eastern horizon and it is also called the lagna.
The signs of the zodiac represent twelve personality types, influencing the planets that are placed in them.
The astrological houses, of which there are also twelve, represent twelve different areas of life.
The planets, the sun and the moon, represent different parts of an individual’s personality.
The aspects show the relationships between planetary energies and how these planets will affect you.

SIGNS OF THE ZODIAC
There are twelve signs of the zodiac and each zodiac represents a personality type which have been described in detail in the chapter ‘your personality’. However the twelve signs of zodiac are as follows: -
Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces.

PLANETS
In Vedic Astrology there are nine planet with each planets signify different human attributes-

SUN : Soul, King, Bones, Temple, Father etc.
MOON : Mind, King, Blood, Water/ place, Mother.
MARS : Essence, Commander-in-Chief, Siblings, Marrow, Fire.
MERCURY : Speech, Heir, Skin, Playground, Education, Maternal Uncle
JUPITER : Wisdom and comforts, Minister, Fat, Treasure House, Son, Dharma.
VENUS : Seminal Fluid, Minister, Bedroom, Wife
SATURN : Miseries, Servant, Nerves, Dirty places, Longevity, Obstruction, Sorrow.
RAHU : Sudden happenings, Foreign Travels, Old age, Snakes, Gambling, Maternal Grand Father.
KETU : Detachment, renunciation, Physician, Paternal Grand Father, Stone, Trouble from enemies.

ASTROLOGICAL HOUSES
The birth chart is divided into twelve areas called the houses and each of these areas represents an area of life-
First house :

Tanu Bhava or House of the Body
Keywords: The Physical self.
Position: Favorable:
Relates to: The sign of Aries and the planet Mars.
Signifies: Appearance, basic disposition, behavior, general well - being,
health, head.

Second House

Dhana Bhava, or House of Accumulated Wealth
Keyword: Finances
Position: A min of favorable and unfavorable, since its ruler is not
regarded as favorable (a maraka or ""killer"" planet)
Relates to: The sign of Taurus and the Planet Venus
Signifies: General family happiness, food and drink, speech, liquid assets,
accumulation of wealth, right eye, face, tongue and mouth, teeth and gums,
scriptural knowledge, study, precious metals
and gems, concentration, truthfulness.

Third House

Sahaja Bhava, or House of Brothers
Keyword: Determination
Position: A mix between favorable and unfavorable; many astrologers regard
it as unfavorable sense it represents and is the 8th house from the 8th
house, the house of death.
Relates to: The sign of Gemini and the planet Mercury.
Signifies: Siblings, friends, neighbors, courage, physical strength,
hearing, ear diseases, salesmanship, art, dance, music, voice, singing,
memory, communication, writing, short travel, arms, hands, nervous system
,ear, adventure, fun.

Fourth House

Matru Bhava, or House of the Mother.
Keyword: Feelings
Position: Favorable
Relates to the sign of Cancer and the Moon
Signifies: Mother, knowledge, education (academic), the home, emotions,
happiness in general, father’s longevity, foundational things, fixed
assets, hobbies, leisure time, comforts, houses, boats, vehicles, buried
treasures, things form below the earth, chest region ( astrologers say the
heart).

Fifth House

Putra Bhava or House of Children
Keyword: Intelligence
Position: Favorable
Relates to the sign of Leo and the Sun.
Signifies: Romance, love form the spouse or sweetheart, love of God,
speculation, spiritual techniques, past - life credits (purva punya),
intelligence, discrimination, education (spiritual) authorship, maternal
grandfather, pregnancy, mantras, yantras, games, amusements and sports,
business, government displeasure (especially with taxes and the IRS),
stomach.

Sixth House

Pipu Bhava, or House of Enemies
Keywords: Service and Defense Position: unfavorable , although in can bet
better over time (upachaya or ""growing"" house).
Relates to: The sign of Virgo and the planet Mercury.
Signifies: Health or short term diseases, competitors, rivals, opposition,
litigation, enemies, intimidation, and calamities from the opposite sex,
struggles, physical weakness, msntal troubles, wounds, injuries and
accidents, pets, servants or helpers, employees, cousins, thefts, sexual
diseases, poisons, abdomen, maternal uncles, stepmother, healers, digestion,
bowels.

Seventh House

Kalatra Bhava, or House of the Wife (Partner)
Keyword: partnership
Position: Favorable, though its ruler is not regarded as favorable by some,
being a maraka or ""killer"" planet
Relates to: The sign of Libra and the planet Venus
Signifies: Marriage, love affairs, (some extramarital), cohabitation,
marriage like relationships, length of mate's life, business partnerships,
trade, foreign residence or travel for trade, kidneys, lower back.

Eighth House

Ayu Bhava, or House of Life.
Keywords: The Unknown and the Chronic
Position: Unfavorable; perhaps the worst.
Relates to: The sign of Scorpio and the planet Mars.
Signifies: Longevity, chronic ailments, hidden things, scandalous behavior,
embarrassment, shyness, accusations, desire for knowledge of the unknown or
mystical matters, extravagance, unearned wealth (lotteries, legacies, etc.),
worry, sexual energy, vertigo or fall from high places, cheating, homicide,
useless ventures, money loss, danger from poisons, house purchased from the
sale of ancestral home, manner of death, being overlooked, obstacles,
unsuccessful attempts, dreams, Kundalini (a kind of energy), wealth of the
partner, reproduction and elimination.

Ninth House

Bhagya Bhava or House of Fortune
Keywords: Luck and Knowledge
Position: Very favorable; one of the best
Relates to: The sign of Sagittarius and the planet Jupiter.
Signifies: God, guru, philosophy, religion, the father, relationship with
father, bosses, ethics, law, dharma (right action), long-distance travel,
divine grace, educational institutions, Gnana (spiritual knowledge),
initiation, yogic practices, good fortune, renovation of holy places,
connection with Divine powers or energies (Devas), grandchildren, hip area

Tenth House

Dharma Bhava, or House of right action
Keyword: Career
Position: Favorable
Relates to: The sign of Capricorn and the planet Saturn
Signifies: Life purpose or career, fame, father's reputation or position in
the world, righteous action, compassion, cloths that promote one's image,
character, commerce, trade, business, trouble with childbearing, knees.

Eleventh House

Labya Bhava, or House of gain
Keywords: Opportunities and Cash Flow
Position: All planets are considered good here, but the ruler of this house
is not well regarded by many astrologers, so this house is considered a mix
of favorable and unfavorable
Relates to: the sign of Aquarius and the planet Saturn
Signifies: Cash flow, profits, opportunities, hopes, friends, dreams,
wishes, influential friends, elder sibling, paternal uncle, mother's
longevity, influence of government or leaders of large institutions or
corporations, wife’s impact on children, left ear.

Twelfth House

Moksha Bhava, or House of Enlightenment
Keywords: Liberation
Position: not favorable for material life, but good for the spiritual
Relates to: The sign of Pisces and the planet Jupiter
Signifies: Liberation, enlightenment, sexual pleasures, detention,
confinement (hospitals, prisons, long - term meditation, etc.) Work in
places of confinement, loss, poverty, generosity, quality of sleep and beds,
self - sacrifice, spiritual journeys, pilgrimages, or journeys to foreign
lands, wandering, trade involving long travel, life after death, the nature
of one's previous incarnamtion, martyrs, betrayal, tapas, or religious
austerities, clumsiness, feet
 

PLANETS AS GODS
As per sage Parashara the various planets are representatives of various Gods, which are as follows: -

Sun : Lord Rama
Moon : Lord Krishna
Mars : Lord Narsimha
Mercury : Lord Buddha
Jupiter : Lord Vamana.
Venus : Lord Bhargawa.
Saturn : Lord Kurma (Tortoise incarnation)
Rahu : Lord Sookar (Boar Incarnation)
Ketu : Lord Meena (Fish incarnation)

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Ashtakvarga system appears to have originated in the very remote past. Acharya Varahmihira (circa 500 A.D.) mentions it rather casually, as if it had already become an integral part of the standard teaching on astrology in his day, not requiring a very detailed exposition.

"Astrology represents the summation of all the psychological knowledge of antiquity."
- Carl G. Jung

"Whatever is born or done this moment of time has the qualities of this moment of time. Astrology just seeks to unravel these qualities peculiar to the moment in question." - Carl G. Jung