Introduction to Vedic Astrology.

For a better understanding on how Vedic Astrology can help you appreciate the importance of the energy that surround us, I will share some basic information:

First of all, it’s very important to know that Vedic astrology is based on the sidereal zodiac – a system where the planets’ positions are calculated on how they are actually observed in the sky in regards to the constellations ( at the present time 2022). On the other hand, Western astrology uses the tropical (fixed) zodiac. Same fixed positions as it was 2000 years ago. The position now is 24 degrees less than 2000 years ago. Meaning that when we say we are at 24 degrees on Aries (2022) in Western Astrology, then in the sky (the real position) we are at 0 degrees on Aries and that’s what Vedic Astrology is using now, so be careful on what you read about your sign and the planets’ signs.

Based on that, I realize that we are thinking and believing things that are not true. I thought all my life that being born on July 29th my Sun would be on Leo, but in fact it’s on Cancer, something completely different. And very important as well, since the Sun sign is not the most important in Vedic Astrology (the moon sign is) but also, it’s not about a single isolated sign, it’s about the combination of all of them with the planets and houses.

Each sign and each planet has different attributes, energy (heads and tails) that we should have in mind for a basic and complete understanding. And it’s your task to learn how to cultivate these attributes in your life. We have twelve signs in the zodiac, starting from Aries to Pisces. To make it easier, I will explain the principles of each and how each combination affects.

They can be Positive or Negative. Stable, Unstable or Dual. Fire, Water, Earth or Wind.

• Positive: Active energy, determination, willpower, spontaneity and expressiveness.

• Negative: Passive energy, softer ,kinder and more receptive, defensive attitude.

• Stable or Fixed: Stable, firm, pragmatic, persistent, rigid and stubborn.

• Unstable or Mobile : dynamic, ambitious, changeable, unstable, restless.

• Dual: fluctuating, flexible, indecisive, hesitant and inconstant .

• Fire:courage, independence, enthusiasm, energy, confidence, ambition and pride.

• Water: receptive, intuitive, adaptable, lack of energy, emotional, imaginative.

• Earth: Solid, stable, objective, pragmatic, persevering, stubborn.

• Wind: intelligent, talented, imaginative, inquisitive,lacking vitality, volatile.

Every planet revolves around the Sun in an elliptical orbit and at a certain speed. The Planets that are closer to the sun take less time to travel the path while those that are further away take longer.

Sun: represents the purpose of the Soul, the self and everything that surrounds it, the king, the government, the power, the authority, the strength and the leadership. The ego and our self, so we have to cultivate our value and identity of truth.

If favorable: vitality, willpower, courage, independence and self-confidence. Strength , leadership and charisma. It Generates good reputation and fame, as well as intelligence, nobility and good digestive power.

If afflicted: weakness, lack of energy, doubts, fears, dependency and lack of self-confidence. Low self-esteem confidence, and can also generate a lot of ego.

Is the ruler of Leo, sign of fire, its nature is stable and positive . The Earth revolves around the sun in 365 days and a quarter but for convenience in Astrology it is interpreted as the Sun moving. So, Sun takes 365 days and a quarter to complete one revolution. The Sun crosses one zodiac sign in one month.

Moon: The Emotional mind, peace of mind, receptivity, sense of security and deeper feelings. emotional stability, quality of inner peace and happiness. You have to Cultivate positivity, emotional strength and a supportive environment.

If favorable: responsiveness, sensitivity, emotional maturity, focus, responsibility, adaptability, empathy and the ability to protect, care for or benefit others.

If afflicted: mental and sentimental distortion, anxiety, restlessness, dissatisfaction and depression. Difficulty in making decisions and relating to others. Respiratory problems, traumas and diseases.

Is the ruler of Cancer, a water sign, its nature is unstable or movable, and negative. The Moon is the fastest planet among all others. It takes 30 days for the moon to complete one revolution around the Earth. It travels from one sign to another in 2 days and a quarter.

Mars: Mainly represents the level of energy one has, as well as the ability to use this energy. Also, the ability to take action, courage, motivation and strength to overcome obstacles, competitors and enemies. You have to Cultivate discipline, kindness and emotional expression.

If favorable: achieve significant accomplishments in life and promote development, confidence, technical and mechanical talents. Passion, ambition, fitness and strength.

If afflicted : lack of energy or misuse of it , little enthusiasm and determination, dependence, lack or excess of passion, lack of control, impulsiveness, irritability , aggressiveness, arrogance, violence and accidents; problems in the muscular system and low immunity.

Is the ruler of Aries (Unstable, Positive and Fire) and Cancer (Negative, Unstable and Water). It takes about 45 days to travel from one zodiac sign to another.

Mercury: represents intelligence, logic, communication, learning sciences and languages and the study of sacred scriptures and divine sciences such as astrology. At the same time, it is the planet of commercial transactions, mediation in business or politics, the ability to deal with different things at the same time. You have to cultivate awareness, mindfulness and intellect.

If favorable: confers balance, adaptability, intelligence, the ability to differentiate between the real and the unreal, to learn a variety of sciences and knowledge, to write and communicate well.

If afflicted: produces immaturity, poor discernment and memory, confusion, justification of wrong actions for personal gain, lying, lack of respect and control, irrationality, anxiety, nervous system problems, hypersensitivity and insomnia.

It’s the ruler of: Gemini (positive, dual and wind) and Virgo (negative, dual and earth). It takes about 30 days to travel from one zodiac sign to another

Jupiter: is the master of the devas (deities). Represents fortune, knowledge, philosophy, teaching, higher studies, good qualities of mind, spirituality, contentment, happiness and elevation of the soul. Promotes growth and expansion in general. You have to cultivate your spirituality, wisdom, optimism and values.

If favorable: good destiny as a result of pious and spiritual activities performed in the previous life, as well as genuine spirituality, generosity, righteousness, nobility, good children or disciples, and the ability to do good, educate and help others to raise consciousness.

If afflicted: poor financial situation, exaggerated or unrealistic pessimism or optimism, narrow-mindedness, selfishness, ritualism, lack of faith, false spirituality or religious hypocrisy, permissiveness, problems with children, obesity and liver and pancreas problems.

Is the ruler of Sagittarius (positive, dual and fire) and Pisces (negative, dual and water). It takes about 13 months to travel from one zodiac sign to another

Venus: The Gurú of demons. Promotes material pleasures and activities and all kinds of sensual experiences, which are a kind of substitute for true love, and therefore lead the soul away from the spiritual path. Indicates reproduction, sexual life in general, attraction, romance, passion, enjoyment, sensual pleasures, partner, beauty, comforts and art. You have to cultivate your sensitivity, unconditional love, modesty and self-expression.

If favorable:confers artistic talents, good taste, refinement, satisfying sentimental relationships and enjoyment of the senses. Short-term satisfaction. It provides the kind of pleasure that is derived from the contact of the senses with the objects.

If afflicted: produces disappointments and frustrations in love, hedonism, indulgence , vulgarity, bad companies, bad taste, perversions, addictions, problems in the reproductive organs, kidneys and urinary tract.

Rules both Taurus (negative, stable and earth) and Libra (positive, unstable and wind). It takes about 1 month to travel from one zodiac sign to another

Saturn: Promotes obstacles, delays, restriction, adversity, miseries, longevity, and death. It also represents the deep, enduring and serious things in life, as well as the unpleasant jobs. It Creates the kind of situations that force you to pause for reflection and introspection and help develop humility and tolerance. Corrects in the form of uncomfortable situations. On the other hand, Saturns rewards attention to detail and qualities. You have to Work on perseverance, service, and responsibility.

If favorable: confers discipline, sobriety, responsibility, concentration, leadership, patience, tolerance, stoicism, ability to face great challenges, spirit of sacrifice and longevity, good reputation, honor and respect.

If afflicted: produces weakness, decay, pessimism, fear, melancholy, depression, superficiality, restrictions and limitations, lack of practicality and consistency, bone and nervous system problems, constipation, degenerative and chronic diseases, slow recovery and little longevity.

Ruler of Capricorn (negative, unstable and earth) and Aquarius (stable, positive and wind). Saturn travels at a very slow speed. It takes about 2 years 6 months to travel from one zodiac sign to another.

Rahu-Ketu (the nodes of the moon): Western astrology considers Rahu and Ketu simply as points of intersection in space, where the Moon crosses the point of the Sun's orbit on the ecliptic. Rahu is the north or ascending lunar node, and Ketu is the south or descending lunar node. Eclipses of the Sun and Moon occur in the vicinity of these nodes. According to Vedic Astrology, both are chaya grahas (shadow planets) but endowed with great power and influence.

Rahu, indicates the karma that we find in this life to continue our evolution, pointing out the qualities that we must cultivate and develop. Avoid repeating what has generated negative karmas in the past. Creates illusion and extreme situations, be careful with obsessions, uncontrollable and insatiable desire. You have to cultivate your desires, fears, secrets and compulsiveness.

If favorable: promotes development and material acquisitions, courage, determination, fame, political power, insight and keen intuition.

If afflicted: diverts one from the path of dharma (life purpose); it creates restlessness, agitation, dissatisfaction, extreme desires, obsessions, compulsions, phobias, traumas, insomnia, nervous and mental disturbances in addition to those created by subtle entities.

Ketu indicates those things in which we were absorbed (past life karma); what we cultivated, faced and brought impregnated in our subtle body (invisible energies). The idea is to use the good of what we have learned without letting these things control or cover us. Be aware of your own blindness, obstruction, perfectionism and being monotonous. You have to cultivate your inner self, insecurities, anger and unrealistic expectations.

If favorable: confers intuition, sensitivity and intelligence to understand the subtle and profound, and enlightenment and detachment from matter as a result of an authentic spiritual understanding.

If afflicted: presents impediments and limitations in material life, lack of discernment, fixation with the past and unresolved traumas, mysterious and difficult to diagnose illnesses, nervous disorders, paralysis, confusion, distortion of reality and alienation.

Rahu and Ketu always keep a distance of 180 degree and 6 signs between themselves. They take about 18 months to travel through the signs.