What is Vedic Astrology (Jyotish)?
Jyotish or Vedic astrology, like yoga and Ayurveda, is a profound, ancient science, originating from the Vedas, the oldest system of knowledge of life preserved on Earth, which has been around for almost six thousand years. The word “jyotish” itself means “light” and is considered to be the eyes of the Vedas, because it lights our way in life like a powerful lamp.
The basic rule followed by the ancient sages and fathers of Jyotish is that “the Microcosm mirrors the Macrocosm”, which corresponds to the biblical principle “as in Heaven so on Earth”, the individual being the microcosm that embodies all planets of the macrocosm. Jyotish says that the nine planets, which are instruments through which the principle of karma is expressed, are only indicators of our karmic tendencies, just as the hands of the clock are indicators of time. They point to something.
The Vedas teach us that the goal of life is to find balance in the following four main aspects of life:
- Dharma – basic law that preserves life, truth, right action, our role and life talents
- Artha – material prosperity, property, health, and wealth
- Kama – enjoyment, relationships and partnerships, social contacts, friends
- Moksha – final goal of life and our spiritual path, liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth
The entire Vedic philosophy is based on the principles of reincarnation and karma. In the Vedas, it is considered that with our death only the physical body dies, and the karmic seed in areas that we have failed to overcome in this life are transferred to the next one. Life lessons and karmic tendencies for the current life can be seen in our birth chart, which we can interpret and understand with the help of Jyotish. The birth chart is the DNA of our soul.
Jyotish is primarily a science, because it provides us, using complex mathematical models, with an image of the Universe, represented by the Zodiac at the exact time of our birth, known as the birth chart (natal chart). At the same time, however, it is an art form, in which correct interpretations are reached via intuition and our internal, transrational knowledge.
Jyotish uses symbols which are steeped within our ancient collective consciousness, for example, it connects the Sun with concepts such as soul and the origin of existence, health and vitality, the figure of the father and authority; the Moon is connected with the mind and emotions, the figure of the mother and compassion; Mars with energy, courage and war; Mercury with communication, speech, trade, etc.
“A child is born on that day
And at that hour
When the celestial rays
Are in mathematical harmony
With his individual karma.”
~ Sri Yukteswar, “Autobiography of a Yogi”
Jyotish takes the Earth as the center around which the other planets turn, although the rotation of the Earth around the Sun is of course known. The birth chart of any person is the image of the geocentric system of the Earth and the nine planets, so called “grahas”, at the exact time of our birth. The 360-degree field of the Zodiac is divided into twelve equal parts of 30 degrees called houses, and the positions of the planets in these houses, as well as their interrelationships provide us with the basis for the interpretation of our chart. An analysis of our birth chart shows us primary karmic tendencies in the areas of personality and character, health and vitality, business and earnings, relationships and partnerships, family and children, and all spiritual tasks that our soul designed for itself for this current incarnation.
The point of analyzing our birth chart is not to predict exact future events; it is not a crystal ball. It takes into consideration the free will of human beings and provides us with tendencies and trends of certain time periods when different karma will manifest. Jyotish is also not fatalistic astrology. It is specific in that it provides us with certain preventative measures or so-called “upayas” in order to alleviate negative impacts, as much as possible, and in order to ensure maximum usage of good potential. In doing so, very often, knowledge from Yoga and Ayurveda, the two sisterly sciences, is used to achieve the full potential, health, and well-being of any person.
It is said that the birth chart is best for the person to whom it belongs because it was given to us precisely as it is. It is most beneficial to the spiritual development of the one who is journeying on the personal path of evolution. The analysis of the birth chart is intended for everyone who is ready for internal change and the inevitable growth and transformation that this powerful, spiritual light brings.
