March/April 2009 Cosmic
Vedic Astrology from India

by David Alan Paty

Rising prices, shrinking retirement funds and a growing mountain of debt: almost everyday we are reminded that the security of our future is uncertain. Living in cycles of boom and bust, we do our best to stay afloat in this constantly changing world. Only in hindsight, it seems, do we make the perfect choices.

Indian astrology, also known as Vedic astrology, can help. It is a surprisingly practical system of knowledge that reveals the future by uncovering the past that shapes it.

Very early in India's history, enlightened yogis discovered a connection between past and present action and future circumstance, and referred to this relationship as the law of action or karma: the circumstances of a person's life are predetermined according to his or her past.

Moreover, the yogis discovered that past actions and the potential future they indicate are reflected in the positions of the stars and planets at the time of birth. Thus, Vedic astrology was born - a system of self-knowledge that allows us to "read the stars" in order to create a better future and live a fulfilling life, an enlightened life.

The reading given by a qualified Vedic astrologer is a reading of your karma. It is a map of your mind, which is made up of your past actions in this life and earlier lives and tells you where you've been, where you are and where you are going. This map allows you to be aware of upcoming challenges and opportunities, and to greet both from a position of strength and understanding.

Several years ago, I cast the chart of a 35-year-old man who had long been seeking, without success, to find a marriage partner. It was obvious from examining his chart that this man suffered from low self-esteem while harboring an intense desire to be married - a difficult combination. In fact, in all his life this man had never been in a relationship.

Nevertheless, his chart revealed that in five months this man would enter into a very favorable 12-month period for marriage. This information allowed him to let go of his intense desire and become more relaxed around women. Six months later he bumped into his wife-to-be and they were married that spring.

In order to draw an accurate map of the future, the Vedic astrologer uses several analytical tools. One of the most widely used is the Vimshottari Dasa, generally regarded as one of astrology's most powerful tools of prediction. Based upon the position of the moon at the time of birth, the Vimshottari Dasa divides a person's life into periods and into successively smaller subperiods, each ruled by a particular planet. By analyzing the various strengths and weaknesses of a planet, the astrologer can make an accurate prediction of events for that period.

In drawing up an analysis, the Vedic astrologer must consider literally hundreds of planetary combinations, placements and aspects. In the end, the astrologer weighs this information in terms of probabilities. The more indications pointing to a certain result, the more likely it is to occur. However, it is up to you to apply these findings to your life.

In 1999, I cast the chart of a retiree who had invested a great deal of money in the stock market. Looking at the areas of his chart that ruled investments, I saw very little reason to be concerned. However, his Vimshottari Dasa indicated an upcoming period of financial volatility and I recommended that he play the next year conservatively and to be especially cautious regarding his stock investments. Unfortunately for him, the "dot.com" bubble burst in 2000 and, against my advice, he remained heavily invested as his stocks underwent a major devaluation.

It is important to consult with a qualified astrologer, one who has the experience, knowledge and professionalism to provide you with useful information. Reading the future is not a perfect science but a qualified astrologer will have the ability to alert you to many of life's ups and downs, giving you time to respond appropriately.

Sometimes the astrologer will mention strengths that you have never considered. This is not uncommon. Often we overlook some of our most important and useful talents and abilities. The same can be said of weaknesses. In each case, reflect upon how these might pertain to your life and apply them in a practical and uplifting way.

Vedic astrology is a very profound system of self-knowledge. Its pragmatic approach to life and the understanding of how our past affects our future allows us to be better prepared for life's uncertainties.

It is also important to realize Vedic astrology's primary implication - that the actions we take now create our future. Realizing this, we can strive to engage the world as a loving participant focused on performing actions that will not only uplift our lives but all of life on Earth. In this way, we achieve astrology's real purpose and the goal of India's sages: to live a harmonious life, an enlightened life.

David Alan Paty has been practicing Vedic astrology professionally since 1992. He is certified by the American Institute of Vedic Studies. Visit www.blog.traversecitysimple.com. For a list of certified Vedic astrologers practicing in the U.S. and abroad, visit the American College of Vedic Astrology at www.vedicastrology.org.