Ayurvedic Jyotisha 101

[email protected] www.celestialgazing.com Course Objectives: 101 2

• Key philosophical and spiritual underpinnings of Vedic astrology

• Layout and design of the Vedic birth chart

• The 9 , their archetypal personalities and key significations

• The 12 houses and their areas of life

• The nature and energetics of the 12 zodiac constellations

• Simple chart interpretation of the meaning of each in the birth chart

• Planetary remedial measures

• Ayurveda Jyotisha 102 Format 3

• Weekly pre-reading assignments, including optional homework (Handout) • Slides for upcoming class session • Review/expansion of reading material during class, along with Q&A • 9:30am-11:30am: class • 11:30am-12:00pm: break • 12:30pm-2:30pm: class • Recorded session • Exam at end of program based on optional homework assignments 1 4

• Introduction to Jyotisha & its core principles

• Pre-reading, Chapter 1 • Tripod of the Birth Chart

• Pre-reading, Chapter 2 • Main significations for (Sun), (), (Mars)

• Pre-reading, Chapter 3, pg. 17-22 • Bhava classifications

• Pre-reading, Chapter 4 Chant to the Nine Planets () 5

Om Gan Ganapataye Namaha (3x)

Brahmā Murari Tripurāndhakāri Bhānu Shashī Bhūmi-suto Budhascha Guru-sca Rāhu Ketava Kurvanthu Sarve Mama Suprabatham

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti Jyotisha 6

• “Jyotisha” is the ‘science of planetary lights’ • We find references to the planets and stars as far back as 5000-6000 BC in the • By the Brahmanic period (2000BC), priests are required to have detailed knowledge of the planets and stars for the performance of sacrificial yagnas (ceremonies) How is Jyotisha applied? 7

1. (natal chart, including compatibility, country chart, company chart) 2. Prashna (query astrology) 3. Muhurta (auspicious times) 8

Spiritual and Philosophical Concepts How does it work? 9

Planets represent different frequencies of divine consciousness and energy.

“ has incarnated as the Navagrahas to bestow on the living beings the results of their karmas or actions . . . is the incarnation of the Sun; , the Moon; Narasimha, Mars; Buddha, Mercury; , Jupiter; Parasurama, Shukra; Koorma, Saturn; , Rahu and Meena, ... after completing their mission on earth, each of Vishnu’s incarnations (i.e. Rama, Krishna, etc.) merged back into their respective grahas … at the time of the Great Destruction, the grahas, in turn, will merge into Lord Vishnu.” As above, so below . . . 10

• The moment a baby is born, a relationship is established between the planets in the sky and the new born infant. In effect, the infant is a miniature representation of the universe at that precise moment in time. • Importantly, the soul chooses the time of birth that will support the fulfillment of certain past life karmas (actions) to be worked out as well as new life experiences necessary for its growth. Reincarnation & types of karma 11

• Reincarnation • Karma (‘action’) – sanchita (‘accumulated’) – prārabdha (‘undertaken’) – kriyamāna (‘being done’) – āgama (‘approaching’) Karma versus free will 12

• Karma and free will – dṛdha (fixed) – adṛdha (not fixed) – dṛdha-adṛdha (fixed/non-fixed) • Concentrated effort ‒ directed consciousness and intent • Concentrated resolve ‒ tapas: ability to tolerate the heat of the experience ‒ self-understanding: learn from the experience ‒ acceptance: “let thy will be done” • Divine Grace Static vs Dynamic Chart Analysis 13

• Static view: potentials in this life • Dynamic view: full, partial and little-to-no triggering of potentials ‒ planetary periods ‒ planetary transits ‒ stage in life 14

Tripod of the Birth Chart Tropical versus Sidereal Zodiac 15

• Western astrology uses the Sun-Earth relationship to establish the positions of the planets.

‒ Spring equinox, Sun @ 00 of • Vedic astrology uses the fixed stars-Earth relationship to fix the positions of the planets

‒ 2017, Sun is actually in 80 of on March 21st due to the earth’s precession.

‒ 220 difference = ayanamsha (‘portion of movement’) • Every 25,000 years, the tropical and sidereal zodiac coincide. The Tripod of the Birth Chart 16 9 Planets (Grahas)

12 Houses (Bhavas) 12 Constellations (Rashis) 17 9 Planets 12 Constellations 12 Houses (Grahas) (Rashis) (Bhavas)

1. Sun (Surya) 1. Aries (Mars) • 1 bhava () 2. (Venus) 2. Moon (Chandra) • 2 bhava 3. (Mercury) • 3 bhava 3. Mars (Mangala) 4. (Moon) • 4 bhava 4. Mercury () 5. (Sun) • 5 bhava 5. Jupiter (Guru) 6. (Mercury) • 6 bhava 6. Venus (Shukra) 7. (Venus) • 7 bhava 7. Saturn (Shani) 8. (Mars) • 8 bhava

8. Rahu 9. (Jupiter) • 9 bhava 10. (Saturn) • 10 bhava 9. Ketu 11. (Saturn) • 11 bhava 12. Pisces (Jupiter) • 12 Bhava Layout of the chart: 12 Rashis 18

Taurus (2) Pisces (12)

Gemini (3) Aries (1) Aquarius (11)

Cancer (4) Capricorn (10)

Leo (5) Libra (7) Sagittarius (9)

Virgo (6) Scorpio (8) Layout of the chart: 12 Rashis 19

Pisces (12) Capricorn (10)

Aries (1) Aquarius (11) Sagittarius (9)

Taurus (2) Scorpio (8)

Libra (7) Gemini (3) Leo (5)

Cancer (4) Virgo (6) Layout of the chart: 12 Bhavas 20

2 bhava 12 bhava 2 bhava 12 bhava

Pisces (12) Capricorn Taurus (2) Pisces (12) (10) 3 bhava 1 bhava 11 bhava 1 bhava 11 bhava (Lagna) (Lagna) Aquarius (11) Gemini Aries (1) Sagittarius (9) (3) Aquarius (11) Aries (1)

4 bhava 10 bhava 4 bhava 10 bhava

Taurus (2) Scorpio (8) Cancer (4) Capricorn (10)

7 bhava 7 bhava 9 bhava 5 bhava 9 bhava 5 bhava Sagittarius (9) Gemini (3) Libra (7) Leo (5) Libra (7) Leo (5) 6 bhava 8 bhava 6 bhava 8 bhava

Virgo (6) Scorpio (8) Cancer (4) Virgo (6) Layout of the chart: 12 Grahas 21

Ketu Jupiter Jupiter Capricorn (10) Taurus (2) Pisces (12) Pisces (12) Mercury As As Aquarius (11) Sun Sagittarius (9) Gemini (3) Sun Aries (1) Aquarius (11) Aries (1)

Saturn Ketu Rahu Taurus (2) Scorpio (8) Cancer (4) Capricorn (10)

Moon Venus Moon Venus Sagittarius (9) Mercury Libra (7) Leo (5) Gemini (3) Libra (7) Leo (5) Mars Rahu Saturn Mars Cancer (4) Virgo (6) Scorpio (8) Virgo (6) The Birth Chart: Graha & Rashi Abbreviations 22

Ju

(12) (10) Su (1) As (9)

(11) Ke (2) (8) Ra

(5)

(3) Mo (7) Me Ve (4) (6)

Sa Ma Practice Chart 23

Personal Grahas and Spaces

• Space of the 1B = Lagna (‘the body’) and the rashi of the Lagna = Rising Sign or Ascending Sign (AS)

• Graha ruling the rashi of the Lagna = Lagnesha (‘king of the Lagna’) and represents the person

• Sun (also represents the health and constitutional strength of the person as well as the Soul)

• Moon (the emotional body) Practice Chart 24

Personal Grahas and Spaces

• Space of the 1B = Lagna (‘the body’) and rashi of the Lagna = Rising Sign or Ascending Sign (AS)

• Graha ruling the rashi of the Lagna = Lagnesha (‘king of the Lagna’) and represents the person

• Sun (also represents the health and constitutional strength of the person as well as the Soul)

• Moon (the emotional body) Homework: Your Birth Chart 25

• Identify the rashi of the Lagna • Identity the personal grahas and their rashi-bhava placements: • Lagnesha • Surya • Chandra • Identify the remaining grahas and their rashi- bhava placement 26

Significations of the Grahas Graha Characteristics 27 Each graha is categorized according to its natural characteristics as a shubha (auspicious, pleasant, gentle) or papa (inauspicious, crooked, sharp) graha. Shubha Guru wisdom, higher knowing, hope, optimism Shukra harmony, love, beauty, creativity Budha intelligence, objectivity, fairness Chandra nurturance, compassion, motherly-love Papa Mangala aggression, force, violence Shani detachment, calculating, cold Rahu illusions, confusion, obsessions Ketu dissatisfaction, discontent, sense of lacking

Surya is a special case as a kruel (cruel) graha Graha Attributes 28

• Sacred names • Qualities and energetics • Gender • Planetary cabinet • Planetary caste • Brahmins (priests) • Kshatriyas (warriors) • Vaishyas (commerce-trade) • Shudras (workers) • Key significations • Health, including dosha and dhatu • Relationship representations 29

• Seven archetypal personalities

• Corresponds closely to the graha’s dosha Surya, the Sun Tāpana (illuminating), Dinakara (day-maker), Pusha (increaser), 30 Atma bala (strength of the self), Dinamani (day jewel)

• Qualities: expansiveness, brightness, dynamism, consistency, generosity, enthusiasm, vitality

• Gender: male

• Planetary cabinet: king

• Caste: kshatriya (warrior)

• Significations: confidence, strength of character, desire for independence & self- sufficiency, leadership, intelligence

• Health:

• heart, circulatory system, overall vitality

• dosha: pitta

• dhatu: asthi dhatu (skeletal system), function is dharana (support), psychological attributes

• Relationships: father Surya-types: leader of the pack 31 • Medium but squarish build, good muscle tone, medium size

• Skin soft and warm with oily hue

• Hair is soft and fine and there may be early greying or balding

• Natural born leaders, endowed with charisma and have an air of royalty

• Extroverted and value recognition

• Confident, independent and defines themselves by their accomplishments

• Strong vitality, sunny outlook, values “right” living

• Consistent and steadfast, self-reliant, creative intelligence Chandra (‘shining one’), the Moon 32

• Qualities: changeable, moist, receptive, transitory, variable, attached, impressionable

• Gender: female

• Planetary cabinet: queen

• Caste: vaishya

• Significations: emotional body, imagination, nurturance, familiar love, connecting with others, kindness, patience

• Health:

• Breasts, womb, bodily fluids

• Dosha: vata-kapha

• Dhatu: rasa dhatu (white blood cells, plasma, lymph system), function is prinana (nourishment), psychological attributes

• Relationships: mother, mother-like figures Chandra-types: intuitive and in-tune 33

• Firm, round physique, full face, wide and charming eyes

• Skin is thick, smooth, moist and cool to the touch

• Hair is thick, soft and wavy

• Adaptable and intimately tuned in to their environment

• Union with others is important, particularly with family

• Lives in the realm of feelings and emotions and are sensitively connect with others

• Love to help others Mangala (‘auspicious’), Mars Vakra (cruel, hostile), Suto (son of Earth), Asraja 34 (formed of blood), Angāraka (red in color)

• Qualities: intense, throbbing, agitating, penetrating, aggressive, inflaming

• Gender: male

• Planetary cabinet: army-commander chief

• Caste: kshatriya (warrior)

• Significations: vital energy, will power, strength and courage, assertive, impulsive and competitive, piercing intellect, independence, individualism

• Health:

• Head, arms, neck, adrenals, muscles

• Dosha: pitta

• Dhatu: rakta dhatu (red blood cells), function is jivana (life-giving), psychological attributes

• Relationships: siblings Mangala-types: nothing ventured, not gained 35

• Average build, slender waistline, good muscle tone

• Skin has rosy tint and eyes are piercing

• Self-assured, strong-willed, eager to take on challenges

• Seek out adventure and take risks

• Resourceful and determined to succeed

• Self-sufficient, assertive and independent

• Thrive on competition

• Enterprising minds and innovators or pioneers in thought 36

Bhava Classifications Bhava Classifications 37

• Kendras • • Upachayas • Dusthanas Kendras EAST 38

Lagna 1st Kendra

4B 10B NORTH 2nd Kendra 4th Kendra SOUTH Nadir Mid Heaven

7B 3rd Kendra Descendant

WEST Trikonas 39

Lagna Kendra

5B 9B Trikona Trikona Upachayas 40

3B 11B Upachaya Upachaya

10B Kendra Upachaya

6B Upachaya Dusthanas 41

12B Dusthana 3B Upachaya Mild Dusthana

6B Upachaya 8B Dusthana Dusthana Positive and Negative Bhavas 42

Neutral Dusthana Negative

Upachaya Kendra Upachaya M-Dusthana Trikona Positive Negative Positive

Kendra Kendra Upachaya Positive Positive

Trikona Kendra Trikona Positive Positive Positive Upachaya Dusthana Dusthana Negative Negative Week 2 43

• Main significations of Budha (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus) and Shani (Saturn)

• Chapter 2, pg. 25-32 • Key meanings of bhavas 1-12

• Chapter 5, pg. 37-50