The Jyotish
A knowledge that
travels through time
Vedic Astrology is a 5,000 year old science that studies the creation of the Universe and the movement of the Grahas (planets) and Nakshatras (fixed stars) in relation to the Earth.
Jyotish, in Sanskrit, translates as ‘science of light’ and originated about 5,000 years ago.
The knowledge has been passed down orally (sruti) among the rishis (ancient sages) up to the present day. It is an astrological science derived from the Vedas. The word Veda, in Sanskrit, means ‘knowledge’, and Jyotish is known as a Vedanga, a branch of the Vedas (Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, Atharva Veda and the Rig Veda).
Astrology is based on the study of the movement of the Grahas (planets) in relation to the earth. Furthermore, being sidereal, it is characterised by the study of the Nakshatras (fixed stars), creating a coordinated system between them and the solar system.
The six paths of wisdom
The knowledge of Jyotish is divided into six branches and they are as follows:
- Gola. It is a science that studies planetary positions with their orbits and motions.
- Jataka. It is known as the astrological chart. In my case it is a study through interpretation and application of different techniques mainly from different works such as Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra, Yavana Jataka and the Jaimini Sutras.
- Nimitta. It is the study of omens and omens; as well as analysing the signs that manifest in the environment when analysing the chart or during the consultation. It is also the observation of the phenomenological field and what we call the ‘Omens’.
- Prashna. It is a chart created just at the moment when the native asks a question. It has a duration of one year.
- Muhurta. It is the study of the most favourable and suitable moments to succeed in important activities such as a wedding, opening a business, selling or buying a property, among others.
- Ganita. Study the mathematics of astronomy and astrology. Have a good understanding of the time-space concept in order to determine the positions of the planets on the ecliptic and in relation to the Earth
The four pillars of life
The rishis classified our present life into four major purposes or ‘Purushartas’; Dharma or right living; Artha or the monetary and material aspect; Kama or desires and finally Moksha or spiritual progress and liberation. They recognised the importance of balancing these four aspects of life for our evolutionary process and in order to understand and improve it they created the ‘Shastras’.
One of them was the ‘Jyotishya’. Jyoti means light and Isha is God. The light of God to eliminate ignorance has always been a science with constant evolution for the best results.
One of the main inner and outer conflicts of most people is that there is a great dissonance between what the mind, body and soul manifest in this life. Jyotish helps to understand and thus integrate through jnana (knowledge) the path of our life in this Prarabdha Karma (Karma from birth to death).
Discover Jyotish:
Vedic Astrology from its roots
Jyotish, Vedic Astrology, is an ancient science of self-knowledge and life guidance.
In this first video of our free course, you will discover its essential principles and how it can help you understand your purpose, your cycles, and your relationship with time.
Furthermore, if you feel called to deepen your commitment and walk this path with greater dedication, we invite you to become a member and join the Marcel Vedic community.
Frequently asked questions
Asking questions is part of the path.
Here is clarity about Jyotish and its practice.
What is the difference between tropical and Vedic astrology?
Vedic astrology uses the sidereal system where the position of the planets is determined by the fixed stars called the ‘Nakshatras’ and with a zodiac that is based on actual and current astronomical positions. On the other hand, western or tropical astrology uses the equinoxes and the orientation of the Earth with respect to the Sun.
What information do I need for the reading?
The information you need is your date of birth, place and exact time.
How can I benefit from a Jataka or birth chart reading?
The astrological chart reading is a tool for self-knowledge in every sense. It is a first step in opening the door to your karmic map where you can access information and sacred knowledge of your body, mind and soul. Other benefits are:
- Understanding your Karma.
- Integrate transformational cycles of past, present and future.
- Become aware of behavioral and karmic patterns.
- Empower your unique and perfect intelligences.
- Understand the cause of suffering and pain through the planetary cycles.
- Look at which areas of ignorance are most in need of attention.
- The cause and reason for the renaissance.
- To put eyes and light on the ‘doshas’ or afflictions or planetary obstructions.
- Obtain personalized remedies.
How can I benefit from a thorough monitoring of the Jataka or astrological chart?
Follow-up sessions help you to integrate the real purpose and reason for rebirth through seeing what unique and perfect intelligences are also innately part of your being.
By having access to the Mahadasas (karmic cycles that we experience on an individual level from birth and that affect us on an emotional and neural level) or transits (cycles of the planets) that are activated each week, month and year, we can understand at what vital moment we are in. It also helps us to be aware of when more unfavourable moments are approaching and when more effort is required to overcome hard cycles that are sure to come throughout life.
Jyotish is the ‘Science of light’ and thanks to the techniques of works such as the Brihat Parashara Hora Sastra and the Jaimini Sutras it is possible to prevent favourable and unfavourable cycles in aspects such as health, love and money. When you have access to the cyclic movements of the planets and stars you can focus your energy in the right direction.
What are astrological remedies, what types of remedies are applied, what are they for, what are they used for?
The astrological remedies are different activities that it is recommended to start implementing within a person’s routine. Each native according to their chart and their combinations will need some remedies, for example:
- Reciting personalised mantras.
- Yantras.
- Pujas.
- Fasting.
- Carry out specific activities one day a week.
- Books.
- Raising the body’s energy and taking care of the body.
- Referrals to specialists and professionals for dealing with a particular issue.
Remedies serve to reduce the planetary effects that cause pain and suffering; raising consciousness through ‘Sattva’ or putting light where there is ignorance.
When is the best time to do a Jataka or birth chart reading?
There is no better time. When it happens and the person feels it, that is when it manifests itself. It is usually when you are going through a tougher cycle than usual or because there is some area of your life with a big blockage/blockage and it needs to be addressed.
How predictive is Vedic Astrology?
Jyotish works with what is called ‘confluence’. For any given aspect a number of different techniques are used and when there are about 8 out of 10 that indicate the specific manifestation of a karma, there is little room for error. In the Brihat Parashara Hora Sastra it is said that we have 20/25% ‘book of will’ and personally I dare say less.