The Braha Sutras E-Book

James Braha

• Herausgeber: WS
• Kategorie: Ratgeber
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 683

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

The Braha Sutras is the culmination of James Braha’s forty years of astrological experience. In his most comprehensive book yet, James clarifies 216 of the most challenging birth chart issues for astrologers. With the remarkable clarity and insight for which he is known, James shares everything he has gained from his practice, having analyzed over 10,000 horoscopes.

This 500 page reference is comprised of seven chapters: The Being, The Doing, The Predictions, The Nodes, The Clients, The Upayas (gems, mantras, and yagyas), and The Odds and Ends. It is invaluable for students of both Hindu and Western astrology at all levels of experience.

Leseprobe

THE BRAHA SUTRAS

insights from a lifetime of

VEDIC ASTROLOGY

JAMES BRAHA

Website: www.jamesbraha.com

Email: [email protected]

James Braha Copyright © 2022

Library of Congress: 2022903465

ISBN Number 978-0-935895-14-8 THE BRAHA SUTRAS

All rights reserved. No part of this book, electronic or otherwise, may be reproduced without prior written permission of the author

Cover Artwork and Design by Harmony Grace Art

Black and white images courtesy of The Wellcome Library

OTHER BOOKS BY JAMES BRAHA

Ancient Hindu Astrology for the Modern Western Astrologer: Revised and Expanded 2020

Astro-Logos: Revelations of a Hindu Astrologer

How to Be a Great Astrologer: The Planetary Aspects Explained

How to Predict Your Future: Secrets of Eastern and Western Astrology

The Art and Practice of Ancient Hindu Astrology:Nine Intimate Sessions Between Teacher and Student

Living Reality: My Extraordinary Summer with Sailor Bob Adamson

To the lights above for a wonderful destiny and to students of Jyotish who give meaning to my life.

What a blessing.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

There are 216 sutras, threads or distinctions, in this book. Most are of course astrological, while 5 or 10 relate to the art of living: How to live a happy and fulfilling life. One of my favorites is Sutra 38, GratitudeBrings Happiness, Selfishness Brings Misery and Loneliness.

I have so much about this book for which to be grateful. First, Dennis Boyle, my astrologer friend who came up with the title. A title which dramatically altered my approach to the writing (explained fully later on). Dennis read every sutra minutes or hours after I wrote them, made valuable comments, proofread, helped with research, and pointed out any areas of concern. He’s also been a great friend.

I am, most of all, indebted to my editor, Chris Gilbert, a godsend if ever there was one. Having written many astrological texts, I’ve learned the importance of finding proofreaders who know astrology. Any book with hundreds, perhaps thousands, of technical features is vulnerable to all kinds of errors. When considering the task, my first thought turned to my 5,000-strong Facebook community, the vast majority of whom are astrologers. The problem, however, is that I was sure to receive at least 100 responses. Aside from having to reject all but three or four (a painful task), I wouldn’t know who would be well suited.

Then a wonderful thing happened—actually a terrible thing that turned into a blessing. I awoke one day to find 100 or more online messages alerting me that my Facebook page got hacked. However, there was one man—a wonderful man—Chris Gilbert, who sent an email instead of a message. He did so because he remembered a post I made years ago about my dislike of Facebook messages. They are annoying because I receive five or ten of them daily and most are nonsense advertisements.

As fate would have it, I recognized Chris’s name as someone who had occasionally commented on my astrological posts. I thanked him and asked if he would mind reading my book and alerting me to any astrological errors. He said he would love to help, and to my great surprise mentioned that he had studied editing in college.

Chris turned out to be one of my best editors ever, with a first-rate knowledge of Jyotish to boot. He said he picked up my first book AncientHindu Astrology for the Modern Western Astrologerin the 1990s and has been practicing ever since. Aside from his vital input and suggestions, Chris protected me from myself, the greatest contribution any editor can make. I am deeply appreciative. I also now have an astrological editor and friend for life.

Andrew Mason, who did the page layout and bookmaking work for my last two astrology texts, has again been of invaluable help. As someone with a mediocre 3rd house who hates mechanical and technical work, I would be lost without him. Thank god for his support, suggestions, astrological knowledge, and friendship.

Harmony Grace, my neighbor who has Jupiter trine Venus within 7 minutes, designed the cover artwork, front and back, the most classic looking of my seven texts. She also took the photo following TheAcknowledgements. What talent! What luck for me.

I’m an impatient man when writing. Every time I finished a sutra, I was bursting to share it with anyone who would listen. I’m therefore grateful to three students who I call my Braha Sutra Companions: Michele Glenn, Christine Rodriguez, and Lorenzo Sanford. They were with me daily, sometimes hourly, to read and comment. Their support is more appreciated than they know.

I also thank Anna Karlsdottir in Iceland for her proofreading help. Her comments were quite important. And to Charlotte Benson, who directed me to Anna. Also to Madeline Ruiz, who proofread and sent so much praise that I slept well every time I heard from her. I’m not letting her go! I’m also grateful to Rebecca Hougher in Fairfield, such a supportive lifelong friend. And to my dear friend Lillie Robertson, a novelist and actress with whom I acted in 20 or 30 plays in college. Lillie is not an astrologer, but watches all my YouTube videos for their “performance value!” What a great friend.

And to Ginda Lasseigne, my astrological buddy going all the way back to the years of my Indian journeys. Out of all the people with whom I enjoy discussing Jyotish, Ginda is my favorite.

I am so indebted to Jorge Angelino in Portugal, who helped with so many books over the years, that words do not suffice. Jorge is the most intense proofreader I’ve ever known. Indeed, I sent him this text last, so as not to be bombarded with too many corrections all at once. Luckily, my editor and other proofreaders did their jobs well, relieving me of sending Jorge a manuscript with hundreds of typos. For once I was able to send him a text he could enjoy reading. Jorge is another godsend.

There’s a line in a movie called About a Boy that I’ve always loved: “We all need backup.” My backup for the last fifty years, since high school, has been Emmett Walz. He has had my back since we met, and has never failed to come through. Thank you Emmett.

There are two people who have nothing to do with The Braha Sutras, but who greatly enrich my life. Dennis Young, a friend from the seventies who has Sun, Mercury, and Venus (a rajayoga) in Taurus in the 9th house, and is forever in my heart. God only knows how many struggling souls Dennis has helped within his astrological and counseling work. And my son Julian, who I love dearly, and who teaches me so much about life that can only be seen through fresh and innocent eyes. The worm turns. Sometimes brilliantly.

I stopped writing extensive Acknowledgements many books ago. But every text has a life of its own, and this one brings up more gratitude than all my others. The amount of praise and goodwill I’ve received from friends and students over forty years is beyond wonderful. Every kind comment touches me deeply. A year ago, when I mentioned on Facebook that I was starting a new book, someone commented, “This is the best news I’ve heard all year.” Imagine how I felt. What more could anyone ask?

Thank you to the following people whose kind comments and insights have enriched our astrological community: Sankari and Keith Wegman, Meryl Baratz, Ellen Roseland, Ravikumnar Muttugadur, Morgan Cook, Ivon Smith, Sonja Hessler, Pariksit Das, Zen Rose, Amy McCormick, Rayshan Lai, John Huff, Tim Ness, Kathe Smith, Avesh Tapde, Jay Mattsson, Sonia Manzo, Manoo Joshi, Vanita Lenka, Douglas Rosetone, Christina Devi, Al Davidian, Kathleen Burt, Jyotishi Monica, Mike Collins, Floyd D’silva, Anuradha Sharda, Thatch Zembo, Kapiel Raaj, Alyssa Drefus, Mitchell Levine, Janna Lynn, and Chris Brennan.

Finally, to Vashti, the love of my life. Vashti has made significant contributions to all my work, both my readings and my books, for decades. In this text, however, her input has been profound. Aside from her astute perceptions and comments, and aside from informing me of many passages that contained two crucial themes—requiring their own separate sutras—I can barely describe the joy of sharing my daily writings with her. For the sutra-inspired smiles on her face alone, 2021 has been one of my favorite years.

Anyone who wonders where I get the guts to trust my truths and make my really radical statements, the ones that contradict some of the most basic traditional teachings of all, needs to see Vashti’s cheerleading in action. It’s a sight to behold.

In 2020, after publishing the revised and expanded edition of my first Jyotish text, an odd thing happened. Vanita Lenka (V. L. Astrology) asked for a signed copy. Nothing strange about that… except she wanted Vashti’s signature as well as mine. Vashti’s signature? What’s that about? However, if anyone asks for her signature in the The Braha Sutras, I won’t blink an eye. She’s on every page, look closely.

A month or two before starting this project, I gave some private sessions to an astrology student friend named Dennis Boyle. After a few meetings, I asked if he was benefiting. He replied that he had taken copious notes and filed them into his computer under the title THEBRAHA SUTRAS. I never laughed so hard!

However, I soon realized that it sounded better than what I was planning: Vedic Astrology: 200 Tips. While I was certainly not blind to the pretentiousness of The Braha Sutras, it also made me smile. And laugh. And then laugh more.

So, I changed the Tips to Sutras. And then something wonderful happened. The title freed me up to go from teaching astrological facts to including anything I feel might be helpful. In particular, I mean insights that took a lifetime to learn, and which I would love to have known in younger years.

I hope you will enjoy The Braha Sutrasbut not take the title too seriously. I hope it amuses you as it did me.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART 1

[Sutra 1] Follow the seven in ten rule.

[Sutra 2] Speak only what you know.

[Sutra 3] Define the purpose of an astrology reading.

[Sutra 4] Look especially for the positive elements in the horoscope.

[Sutra 5] Give clients a feel for how you gain information.

[Sutra 6] For counseling to succeed, the client needs to trust the astrologer.

[Sutra 7] Prepare the client for the astrology session.

[Sutra 8] The thought process is what matters.

[Sutra 9] How does astrology work?

[Sutra 10] Structure your readings.

[Sutra 11] To give a good reading, preparation is vital.

[Sutra 12] Have faith in the session.

[Sutra 13] What kind of astrologer do you want to be?

[Sutra 14] You must have confidence and humility.

[Sutra 15] You must make the client understand what you see.

[Sutra 16] See the planets as Gods; personify them and your accuracy will increase.

[Sutra 17] To learn astrology, observe the charts of relatives and intimate friends; with three caveats.

[Sutra 18] Astrologers must work on self development.

[Sutra 19] Beware when practicing for differing cultures.

[Sutra 20] Remain open, do not be attached to knowing.

[Sutra 21] Is Jyotish a religion or a science?

[Sutra 22] Remember the limitations of astrology.

[Sutra 23] Semantics matter, more so than you realize.

[Sutra 24] You learn from experience, not secret tips and dogma.

[Sutra 25] Beware of clients’ expectations, beware of your own expectations.

[Sutra 26] Remember mass karma. Not everything that happens is personal.

[Sutra 27] We must be honest.

[Sutra 28] If the spirit moves you, pursue moksha.

[Sutra 29] Neither zodiac, tropical (Western) or sidereal (Eastern) is the “correct” one; they are simply based on different concepts.

[Sutra 30] Every person needs to feel capable and lovable.

[Sutra 31] Beware of spiritual movements with utopian intentions.

[Sutra 32] Make sure your computer program flags stationary planets and the speed of all planets.

[Sutra 33] Beware of old atlases and computer programs; consider the daylight savings time issue.

[Sutra 34] Advise clients to contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics in their birth state and ask for a vault copy with the birth time on it.

[Sutra 35] We are in Kali Yuga, the Age of Quarrel.

[Sutra 36] When attending astrology conferences, find the best teacher, not the most interesting subject.

[Sutra 37] Astrologers and metaphysicians are by necessity idealistic and gullible; we must look for common sense solutions.

[Sutra 38] Gratitude brings happiness, selfishness brings misery and loneliness.

[Sutra 39] Lee Harvey Oswald most likely killed JFK alone, there was no conspiracy. Why is this important?

[Sutra 40] Do not disregard techniques that have stood the test of time without careful thought.

[Sutra 41] Sometimes words jump out of the mouth.

[Sutra 42] Become competent.

[Sutra 43] Why P. M. (Poputlal Maganlal) Padia was such a great teacher.

[Sutra 44] Beware, and be as skeptical as possible, of chart rectifications.

[Sutra 45] We change and we grow.

[Sutra 46] Beware of interfering in a person’s karma.

[Sutra 47] How to live a life of meaning.

[Sutra 48] The world is as you are.

[Sutra 49] Allow 10 years or more to become really good.

[Sutra 50] We fix our suffering by working on ourselves, not by changing others.

[Sutra 51] Astrology is a burnout profession, astrologers must take vacations.

[Sutra 52] Acceptance of what is.

[Sutra 53] If you don’t understand that a horribly afflicted Venus or Jupiter will cause terrible effects, consider quitting astrology now.

[Sutra 54] Traditional techniques I have found useless.

[Sutra 55] Varshophal, the yearly chart, also known as the Solar Return chart.

[Sutra 56] The Kuta system of compatibility.

[Sutra 57] Neechabhanga Rajayoga.

[Sutra 58] The Common Sense Dilemma.

[Sutra 59] How can anyone possibly fear Marakas (death indicators)?

[Sutra 60] Kujadosha, Mangaldosha, Manglik.

[Sutra 61] Erroneous birth data on the hour or half hour.

[Sutra 62] Varga (divisional charts) ascendants are extremely time sensitive.

[Sutra 63] Use transits from the Moon and the ascendant.

[Sutra 64] The brightness of the Moon is important; not whether it’s waxing or waning.

[Sutra 65] The intractable Sade Sati superstition.

[Sutra 66] The problem with Panoti Yoga.

[Sutra 67] How to handle the common sense dilemma.

PART 2

[Sutra 68] The basis, or foundation, of a horoscope is the mix of the ascendant (including ascendant ruler), the Moon, and the Sun.

[Sutra 69] The very first task is to see if the horoscope is dependable.

[Sutra 70] You must find the theme of the chart.

[Sutra 71] You must use the bhava chart.

[Sutra 72] Dharma, artha, kama, and moksha; generally and specifically.

[Sutra 73] Why the Moon is so important.

[Sutra 74] Orbs are critical and you must use the degrees.

[Sutra 75] Two or three aspects thrown onto a planet or house create a huge impact.

[Sutra 76] When Saturn devastates the chart.

[Sutra 77] How to handle the “I’m not good enough” voice in the brain.

[Sutra 78] When clients ask about enlightenment, ask for their definition of moksha.

[Sutra 79]How to rectify an ascendant that sits on the edge of a sign.

[Sutra 80] A karaka can be just as influential as a planet or house.

[Sutra 81] A misunderstood 3rd house can throw off an astrologer in a huge way.

[Sutra 82] The complexity of any house involving people (3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th, 10th, and 11th—all siblings except the eldest, mother, children, spouse, father for 9th and 10th, and eldest sibling respectively).

[Sutra 83] Retrograde planets are both passive and powerful.

[Sutra 84] Dharma comes from the heart.

[Sutra 85] What to do when all benefics in the chart (Moon, Venus, Mercury, and Jupiter) are afflicted.

[Sutra 86] What happens when Venus and the 4th house are seriously afflicted.

[Sutra 87] Fallen Jupiter is rarely terrible and exalted Saturn is rarely great.

[Sutra 88] Tell a person with Kujadosha that the condition occurs in about 40% of charts.

[Sutra 89] For health, look at each planet, not just the 1st and 6th houses.

[Sutra 90] If Jupiter is damaged, the person may have allergies. Allergies can cause all kinds of different illnesses.

[Sutra 91] When both Jupiter and Mercury are seriously damaged, expect terrible illnesses that are near impossible to diagnose.

[Sutra 92] Any planet within 2 or 3 degrees of the 6th, 8th or 12th lord, will have big trouble.

[Sutra 93] Too much benefic energy is sometimes problematic.

[Sutra 94] Tell clients their best and worst planets and best and worst houses.

[Sutra 95] Look to see if any planet, house, or planetary aspect dominates the chart. Are there any “signatures?”

[Sutra 96] Note the difference between who a person is and what they do.

[Sutra 97] Aspects and transits in vargas (divisional charts) should never be used.

[Sutra 98] How I analyze vargas (divisional charts).

[Sutra 99] Malefic planets are well placed in the upachaya houses 3, 6, 10, and 11, but they cause serious problems to siblings and father.

[Sutra 100] Tight Mercury-Jupiter aspects cause big problems, even though both are benefics.

[Sutra 101] Saturn is the planet of scarcity and fear.

[Sutra 102] A planet ruling a dusthana (6th, 8th, or 12th house) is neither weak, afflicted, nor harmed.

[Sutra 103] Why is Mercury a karaka of the 4th house; why is it connected to the mother?

[Sutra 104] Mercury in Aquarius is special, Mercury in Leo is disturbed.

[Sutra 105] When the horoscope reading falls flat, ask the client, “What happened in childhood?”

[Sutra 106] What to do when some remarkable horoscope feature doesn’t match the person’s experience.

[Sutra 107] The Moon-Ketu conjunction is one of the most typical aspects of professional mediums and psychics.

ૐ [Sutra 108] ૐ There are two undiscovered planets; mentioned by Isabel Hickey and others long ago.

[Sutra 109] How to understand planets in very early and weak degrees.

[Sutra 110] Planets in 0 or 29 degrees are seriously hurt.

[Sutra 111] When the natal 7th house varies greatly from the navamsa (marriage chart).

[Sutra 112] The profound marriage effects of Chandra Lagna (Moon ascendant).

[Sutra 113] What happens when a fallen planet is in the 7th house or the 7th house from the Moon.

[Sutra 114] What it means when Moon is hemmed in by malefics or benefics.

[Sutra 115] When the Moon is isolated.

[Sutra 116] Beware of New Age platitudes; nothing is more dangerous to accuracy.

[Sutra 117] The internet is the best, the internet is the worst.

[Sutra 118] The dilemma of analyzing charts of twins.

[Sutra 119] Beware of “padas” in Jaimini Astrology.

[Sutra 120] Ketu people are “real,” they abhor bragging and showing off.

[Sutra 121] When the client is scattered and stressed out.

[Sutra 122] If Mercury is afflicted, the person must practice pranayama, yoga, and/or meditation.

[Sutra 123] How to determine a person’s particular spiritual path.

[Sutra 124] Vishaka is the most destructive nakshatra.

[Sutra 125] When the 2nd and 3rd houses dominate the horoscope.

[Sutra 126] Marriage advice for a person who has the 7th ruler in the 8th or 12th house.

[Sutra 127] Marriage advice for a person who has Saturn in the 7th house, or Saturn 7 houses away from the Moon, or the 7th ruler tightly aspected by Saturn.

[Sutra 128] Marriage advice for a person who has Ketu in the 7th house, or Ketu 7 houses away from the Moon, or the 7th ruler conjunct or tightly aspected by Ketu.

[Sutra 129] Career advice for a person who has the 10th ruler in the 12th house, or vice versa (12th ruler in the 10th).

[Sutra 130] When a planet is conjunct with a fallen benefic, the effects are unpredictable.

[Sutra 131] Who should own their own business versus who should work for others?

[Sutra 132] If the horoscope indicates great artistic or creative talent, you must check the person’s confidence level.

[Sutra 133] How to know when an artist will be a performer.

[Sutra 134] The complexity of planets in houses which represent people.

[Sutra 135] Using astrology for marital compatibility.

[Sutra 136] The way I use composite charts.

[Sutra 137] Compatibility for older clients must be modified.

[Sutra 138] Clients with Mars in the 1st or 7th should be told that no one wins a fight.

[Sutra 139] The 7th house, not the 9th, tells whether a person may live in a foreign land.

[Sutra 140] Note the difference between mental depression versus a heavy heart.

[Sutra 141] The term “detriment” is used differently in the East and West.

[Sutra 142] Those who are introspective and comfortable with otherworldly energies will find worldly life stressful and challenging.

[Sutra 143] Save a child’s life with good advice to parents.

[Sutra 144] About lottery winners and the 8th house.

[Sutra 145] The 8th house reveals suffering born of attachment.

[Sutra 146] The Jupiter-Saturn conjunction or opposition gives the ability to break boundaries.

[Sutra 147] How to determine when the 2nd house relates more to money than knowledge and education.

[Sutra 148] Don’t tell people they shouldn’t have children.

[Sutra 149] The two problems with ancient Jyotish texts.

[Sutra 150] The magnificence of Hindu and Western astrology; may the two join hands.

[Sutra 151] Don’t be afraid to learn the basics of Western astrology.

[Sutra 152] If you ignore Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, you miss easy and critical information.

[Sutra 153] Look for very strong and very weak houses; but not necessarily stelliums (several conjoined planets).

[Sutra 154] How to interpret confusing horoscopes.

[Sutra 155] Moon and Mercury are dual, or changeable, energies.

[Sutra 156] Never start a project when the Moon is waning and very dark.

[Sutra 157] The Great Year of Mercury is the 34th, not the 32nd.

[Sutra 158] There are two “shadows” of Mercury retrograde.

[Sutra 159] Describe the Saturn Return for all clients under 30.

[Sutra 160] First time readings.

[Sutra 161] Afflicted planets in Libra and/or a damaged Venus can cause kidney stones.

[Sutra 162) The current nakshatra myth.

PART 3

[Sutra 163] Don’t fall for the superstitions of Rahu and Ketu.

[Sutra 164] Planets conjunct Rahu are potentially powerful.

[Sutra 165] Use the aspects of Rahu and Ketu.

[Sutra 166] Rahu and Ketu do not aspect the 7th house from themselves.

[Sutra 167] More than any other planet, Rahu’s effects can be either good or bad, depending on the aspects it receives.

[Sutra 168] If a malefic planet is tightly conjunct or opposite Rahu or Ketu, then all dasas and bhuktis of Rahu and Ketu will be challenging.

[Sutra 169] Describe Rahu and Ketu properly; make a contribution to the world of astrology.

[Sutra 170] The North Node is often the deciding factor.

PART 4

[Sutra 171] How to prescribe gemstones.

[Sutra 172] Don’t let clients believe that wearing a gem will cure their marriage problems or fix their career.

[Sutra 173] Yagyas work when done properly by trained Indian priests.

[Sutra 174] Approach yagyas properly or not at all.

[Sutra 175] How to choose the right yagya.

PART 5

[Sutra 176] Planets running their Dasas and bhuktis don’t throw aspects onto other planets and houses.

[Sutra 177] Dasas and bhuktis of Rahu and Ketu are the hardest to accurately predict.

[Sutra 178] How to understand what happens when a slow moving transiting planet “hits” a natal planet or angle two or three times.

[Sutra 179] When analyzing a dasa or bhukti, always look at how the transits of Jupiter and Saturn are affecting the planet involved.

[Sutra 180] Look to past bhuktis for how a planet will perform in its dasa.

[Sutra 181] Look at the placement of the dasa and bhukti planets in the varga charts.

[Sutra 182] The hardest part of being an astrologer; noticing a truly horrible forthcoming dasa.

[Sutra 183] What to do when you see a horrific dasa decades into the future.

[Sutra 184] When a tough dasa ends, have a party and play the song Hard Times Are Over by Yoko Ono.

[Sutra 185] Just because a person has a good dasa during childhood doesn’t mean childhood was happy.

[Sutra 186] How to use transits.

[Sutra 187] The value of Secondary and Solar Progressions.

[Sutra 188] Western transits and progressions sometimes correlate with the beginning of a new dasa, and “trigger” that planet’s energy.

[Sutra 189] Use the dates of transits in both Western and Hindu/ Vedic charts.

[Sutra 190] When two planets are tightly conjunct or opposite, their dasa-bhukti will be especially karmic.

[Sutra 191] Most mundane astrology, as practiced today, is completely useless.

[Sutra 192] The way mundane astrology predictions work.

[Sutra 193] Pluto in Capricorn; governments and organizing principles of society are being uprooted all over the globe.

[Sutra 194] Planets transiting through good or bad signs in a person’s horoscope neither help nor hurt.

PART 6

[Sutra 195] The “difficult client” rule.

[Sutra 196] Some Western clients have an identity crisis when their Sun, Moon, or ascendant change signs.

[Sutra 197] Some clients must get therapy or they will suffer endlessly.

[Sutra 198] Many clients believe that astrologers have special powers or are all knowing. This is both a blessing and a curse.

[Sutra 199] Many young clients are obsessed with desires.

[Sutra 200] Beware of clients who won’t stop talking.

[Sutra 201] Beware of clients returning with questions after a reading.

[Sutra 202] Beware of clients who can’t decide which ascendant is theirs.

[Sutra 203] Confused and high maintenance clients with complicated horoscopes appear during Mercury retrogrades.

[Sutra 204] What to expect when a client has an afflicted 9th house and/or Jupiter.

[Sutra 205] Everybody has a story; some overcome it and some don’t.

[Sutra 206] Clients who need therapy must seek outside help; it can’t be done alone.

[Sutra 207] When recommending meditation, make sure the person has a teacher.

[Sutra 208] How to proceed with clients who have no feel for astrology or spirituality.

[Sutra 209] Some clients should be advised not to use astrology.

[Sutra 210] Beware of time-wasting people.

PART 7

[Sutra 211] Investment advice for clients craving safety.

[Sutra 212] Make a habit of saving some gold and silver coins.

[Sutra 213] Psychics and mediums mostly sense peoples’ thoughts and beliefs. Be cautious.

[Sutra 214] Successful marriage requires compatibility on four levels: Mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual.

[Sutra 215] If anything could impact America’s degradation, it’s ranked choice voting.

ૐ [Sutra 216] ૐ You can do it.

INDEX OF SUTRAS

INTRODUCTION

By now, almost everyone has heard the concept that it is better to teach a person to fish, rather than give some fish. The intent of this book is to guide each reader to become the best astrologer he or she can be. While the majority of sutras within function as explanations and discoveries that took a lifetime of practice to realize, I hope readers will see that their real value goes far beyond the sum of their individual parts. Throughout this text is a running theme to think critically and for yourself, continually question, delve deeply into techniques that fall short, test everything you hear rather than blindly accepting scriptures and words of teachers, believe in your own ability to find answers and draw conclusions, and above all to ceaselessly search for truth.

There are 216 sutras in this book encompassing a wide range of astrological techniques and principles, mostly Jyotish, but some Western. However, whatever memorization and rote knowledge you gain won’t allow you to reach your highest potential. As the spiritual saying goes, “You can never get enough of what won’t make you happy.” After learning the basics as accurately and precisely as possible, what is most important is your own thought process and willingness to train your mind to dwell on the meanings of symbols and patterns so you can discover for yourself the core and essence of every horoscope you analyze. We must all earnestly strive for truth so that learning never stops, because there is positively no end to what the planets and stars can reveal.

The origins of this book came about in November 2019, when I gave a workshop and a two hour lecture at the Sedona VedicAstrology Conference titled What I Wish I Knew Forty Years Ago. I had prepared a few hundred tips and teachings—random but important distinctions that students routinely miss or that could not be found in Jyotish textbooks, ancient or modern. Rather than analyzing horoscopes as a whole, I used them to isolate and describe specific conditions and precepts I consider vital. This was my way of giving students the tools needed to make their own explorations and judgements, rather than simply hearing my conclusions.

I have always taught that in order to do this profession justice, astrologers must learn the fundamentals as accurately and precisely as possible. This is what all my books have been about. However, while mastering the principles may sound relatively easy for those willing to work hard, it’s not. For many reasons. First, there are so many differing opinions within this field. Second, many fundamental techniques, presented in books and scriptures, such as vargottama or varshophal (also called the Solar Return chart), in my experience simply don’t work. Or, some, like Neechabhanga Rajayoga—cancellation of fallen status—work so randomly (about 2 or 3 out of every 10 times) as to be practically useless. Sure, Neechabhanga is a sight to behold when it does work, but who wants to steer clients wrong 7 or 8 times out of 10? Not me. I used Neechabhanga for a few years before dropping it out of disappointment.

[NOTE: Of course, if a fallen planet has produced wonderful results, I mention the possible reason being Neechabhanga. I say “possible” because most techniques only work about 70% of the time. A fallen planet occasionally producing good results could easily occur due to the imprecise nature of Jyotish.]

Next, astrology is a symbolic language, and where there are symbols, there are interpretations. Interpretation of symbols depends on one’s imagination, which is limitless. Limitless means infinite. Therefore, each astrologer’s interpretations and deductions—even of certain fundamentals—can vary dramatically.

In my books and teachings, I’ve tried to impart what I consider empirical and objective knowledge. Indeed, I’ve been something of a taskmaster at holding students’ feet to the fire about memorizing significations of houses and planets and everything else with exactness and precision. There’s simply no other way to gain accuracy.

In 2020, however, during the yearlong process of revising and expanding my 1986 book Ancient Hindu Astrology for the ModernWestern Astrologer, it became clear that no matter how well an astrologer has learned the tools of the trade, our work is, and must always be, a personal endeavor. Students must learn and memorize all they can, with as much accuracy and precision as possible, but ultimately, they must find their own way. In the same way gurus can only point the way to moksha (enlightenment or final liberation) but cannot give it, the presentations, explanations, and understandings of Jyotish facts and techniques are also, ultimately, pointers. Each astrologer must learn everything that is necessary, and then try to understand the whys and wherefores involved. Only then can a successful astrological dharma be realized. Without personal contemplation and deep examination, one misses the beauty and profundity of horoscope interpretation. This must be understood.

The process of relying on one’s own thinking and own perceptions is called “self-referral.” It’s required in every field, really, and can only occur after a certain amount of knowledge and experience has been attained. However, self-referral in astrology is more critical than in most endeavors. This will, hopefully, become clearer with the reading of the sutras in this text. At the risk of being redundant, I say again: The purpose of this book is to give students the tools needed to form their own conclusions and make their own predictions. It is about the “being” of astrological work, rather than the “doing.” The way to “be” an astrologer is to commit to deep thinking, to using one’s own thought process, to constantly question and learn, and to believe in oneself. It’s the belief in oneself and one’s own ability to reason and discover truths, that overrides all. This is how one becomes an interpreter of symbols, not by simply following teachings and hoping that one day predictive accuracy will suddenly dawn.

For beginning students who shudder at the above paragraph, try this: Rather than questioning or doubting your own ability, make a commitment here and now to believe in your own power to think, reason, and find answers. Please bear in mind that many who succeed wildly in their professions had dysfunctional childhoods, many failures during early years, poor grades in school, and so on. Such people have succeeded in spite of enormous challenges, and some even with low confidence. How can one succeed when confidence is problematic? By intense commitment to the work. In the end, hard work and commitment to yourself and your ability to think and reason, are most essential.

Astrological practice is special in that it encompasses the psychic and intuitive, as well as the empirical and factual. And, because every astrologer is unique, the work is personal. The best analogy I can make is that astrology is like the art of acting. Acting cannot be separated from the nature of the actor him or herself. While all actors must learn the craft of acting—how to behave naturally under imaginary circumstances—every actor is born with his or her own instrument. Each actor has his or her own unique personality, physical body, emotional capacity, vocal style, and ability to mimic. Therefore, no matter how great or small one’s talent and training, each actor is different and special in his or her own way.

Meryl Streep, arguably the greatest and most chameleon-like actor alive (with 21 Oscar nominations!), has never thrilled audiences emotionally the same way as perhaps Al Pacino or Robert De Niro. On the other hand, the three actors above were not born with the quirky and brilliant imaginations of Jack Nicholson or Robin Williams. Likewise, while Lawrence Olivier was hailed as the greatest stage actor of the twentieth century, his film performances never matched the great realism and naturalism of Sean Penn, Jodie Foster, Johnny Depp, Nicole Kidman, Gary Oldman, and other “method” actors. Each is born with his or her own talent, personality, character quirks, capabilities, and limitations. Similarly, astrologers have their own different strengths, sensitivities, perceptions, and personalities. Each astrologer necessarily practices differently.

This doesn’t mean astrologers can blurt out every thought that enters the mind about a horoscope or make up falsehoods. That spells disaster. However, astrologers can and should take advantage of their particular talents and abilities. Some are highly psychic, while others are more logical. Some are empathetic and want to help and heal. Others, feel little for their clients and simply want to tell the future. Most importantly, we view horoscopes based on our own unique mental capacities and life experiences, and prioritize what we find most essential. Indeed, prioritization is perhaps the most important factor in horoscope analysis. How on earth could astrologers draw the exact same conclusions about any birth chart?

This understanding hit home recently when a student, quite flatteringly, said, “I want to do astrology exactly the way you do. I want to know everything you know.” I realized then and there what an absurd concept this was. My practice is a result of my lifetime: My experiences, my learning, my preferences, the teachers who guided me, the priorities I emphasize or downplay, my preferred healing methods, how I approach clients, and on and on and on. These are all specific to me. Astrological practice must vary wildly among different astrologers. Could it be any other way?

The more I understand this, the more I’m able to come to grips with a very odd experience that has plagued me for decades. Quite often, clients say to me at the start of an astrological session, “I’ve read all your books and heard all your YouTube videos and love them.” Oddly, really bizarrely, at some point in the session, as I make a statement based on some simple technique or feature that I’ve explained over and over in all my books and videos, the client comments, “Oh, really? I didn’t know that.”

The problem, and the reason why students can read my books and hear my videos and still miss such basics, is because each person remembers what he or she finds important. Again, the prioritizing. Or, it could be the fact that astrology is just too vast and requires too much time to memorize it all. Who could argue with that? Indeed, during my early days of study with Western astrology, I came upon Isabel Hickey’s masterpiece Astrology, a Cosmic Science, and decided that all I needed to do was read the book over and over until I had processed it all. It quickly became clear that was an impossible task. Isabel was in her 70s when the book appeared and it was the result of a lifetime of wisdom. The Braha Sutrasis also the result of one astrologer’s lifetime. Students should read this book several times and absorb whatever gels.

This is the 6th astrology book I’ve written (the 7th considering the yearlong revision of my original Jyotish text), and was one of the most fascinating of all my projects. After sharing some interesting sutras on Facebook, a reader asked, “Where do the sutras come from,” a question that quite tickled me. As if there were some ancient text I drew from, or some mystical channeling process involved. The teachings in this book are simply the result of my experience analyzing so many horoscopes and grappling with a huge amount of complexities and conundrums with so many clients over so many decades.

However, in truth, the process wasn’t simple, and the question of where the sutras came from was brilliant. I can’t count how many times I sat at my computer writing sutras when some completely unexpected insight popped into my brain. I can’t recall how many times I ran to Vashti (my wife) and said “You won’t believe what Shiva just gave me. Listen to this sutra!”

The reason for the Shiva reference is that I am now in Saturn dasa, and Saturn rules Lord Shiva and is my best planet. During all my previous Saturn bhuktis, extraordinary events occurred which seemed like gifts from heaven. My first book, Ancient Hindu Astrology for the ModernWestern Astrologer, written in 1985, happened spontaneously, and quite surprisingly, during Saturn bhukti. I had just returned from my second trip to India and was writing down all I had learned from P. M. Padia so as not to forget anything. Within a week, I noticed that the writing was coming out in a remarkable way. It felt so clear, understandable, and well organized that I knew it was a book in the making. This was highly unusual. Why? For many reasons.

First, I had already tried to write a Jyotish text after my 1982 journey to India and soon quit because I disliked the results. Further, I was terrible in school, hardly ever went to high school English classes, and never read any of the recommended books, which I found boring and irrelevant. As an actor in college, I had only 2 or 3 Liberal Arts courses and didn’t write more than three or four papers during the entire four years. I cared only about acting. Period. So, where was this writing ability coming from in 1985? From the astrological paradigm, it came from Saturn bhukti. Or, from Lord Shiva (as well as my natal horoscope, of course, which leans toward teaching).

Conversely, from the worldly, more practical, view, all the books are mine. I wrote them and they’re my ideas. However, when delving into the question of how the sutras came about, it became clear there was a process. To my surprise, it was the same as the overriding theme of The BrahaSutras. To quote from my own book, here is what generated the more exciting sutras; the ones that felt to me like they came from the ethers.

Ceaselessly search for truth... think critically… continually question… most important is your own thought process and willingness to train your mind to dwell on the meanings of symbols and patterns so you can discover for yourself… believe in your own ability to find answers and draw conclusions… be honest… Speak only what you know… Admit when you don’t know something… be confident and humble… admit your mistakes… make a commitment here and now to believe in your own power to think, reason, and find answers…

If there’s a recipe for unexpected insights to arise, that’s it.

All of this said, it’s crucial to understand that what you’re about to read are Braha’s sutras, not God’s sutras. These are my opinions, beliefs, and experiences. While you may jump for joy when reading my declaration that Sade Sati is the most intractable and ridiculous superstition in all of Jyotish (How on earth could a dreaded condition that comprises 1/4th of our lives, causing suffering above and beyond the lousy periods we all encounter from time to time, be so horrific? Should we get out the razor blades now?), you may get mad as hell when reading that I consider it a terrible idea to use four horoscopes for each person’s fundamentals: The natal, the bhava, Chandra Lagna, and the navamsa (of course I use the navamsa for marriage, but only for marriage). And this is not to mention those who use even more for the fundamentals: The Arudha Lagna, karakamsa, the drekkana, etc. etc. etc.).

The reason using four charts to discern the fundamentals is a bad idea is because of the mathematical absurdity involved. The combinations and astrological possibilities simply become endless. Every chart we analyze contains specific, meaningful combinations and permutations of 12 houses, 12 signs, 9 planets, and all the drishtis (planetary aspects) that the planets throw onto the 11 other houses and 8 other planets. Thus, an astrologer can find anything he or she wants. Yet, I’m sure my conclusion will offend some. How could it not? I’ve probably just trashed a few thousand years of tradition.

[NOTE: There is, in theory, a possible benefit of using so many charts, but very few use them this way. If an astrologer looks at five or six different charts to see how many times a law career shows up, versus a spiritual career, there might (and I mean might) be more likelihood of the person becoming a lawyer. However, most astrologers just look at the four or more charts and try to make sense of the endless complexities and contradictions. Or they use them to find whatever they want, whatever they prefer the horoscope to say.]

In cases where you disagree with my sutras, glory hallelujah. As long as the reason is because you are thinking for yourself and your experience disagrees with mine, then good for you. It means you’ve followed the most important advice in this book. On the other hand, if you disagree simply because of scriptures you’ve read or teachers that you follow, and haven’t taken the time to see if your predictions and teachings have proved accurate, well… that’s not good.

And, make no mistake, this is an incredibly serious issue. The problem of astrologers disagreeing with others based on the fact that their knowledge and conclusions are based on practical experience, is a conundrum of indescribable magnitude. It’s far and away the most exasperating concern we face. I recall my first conversation with Robert Hand, my astrological idol when we met in South Florida around 1986 or 1987 (still the world’s greatest astrology scholar). He spoke of his father using astrology to predict financial markets, and commented on the difference between natal astrology interpretation, where astrologers can say whatever they want with relative impunity, versus using the stars for financial speculation. In the latter case, if the astrologer is wrong, he or she loses money!

Regarding natal horoscopy, all veteran astrologers have interpreted birth charts for people who were quite happy (sometimes thrilled) with their sessions only to return a few days later stating, “I gave you my wrong birth time, it was several hours earlier (or later).” This is the troublesome profession we find ourselves in. As my mentor Santhanam used to say, “It’s not a joke.”

I know prominent astrologers who use ayanamsas (the most important mathematical equation, the figure that determines the exact degree of the ascendant and planets, as well as the precise dates of all dasa and bhukti periods and subperiods) that are dramatically different from the two most popular ones, Lahiri and Krishnamurti (I prefer Lahiri), and swear they use them because they generate accurate predictions in peoples’ lives. How maddening! Of course, there’s no easy solution. We all make mistakes, we’re all human. The best we can do is be earnest, critical, and discriminating. And perhaps pray to God for mercy.

Your task, then, is to be as critical as possible with your own findings, while also bearing in mind that just because something has proved true in my experience, doesn’t make it true or necessarily applicable for you. Astrological teachings are pointers, nothing more. They are a starting point for your consideration. We are astrologers, not mathematicians or scientists. We’re in the business of possibilities and probabilities. One interesting example of this is a planet-in-house description made by Isabel Hickey that occurs in my birth chart.

She wrote that Saturn in the 5th house indicates, among other things, that a person will have “trouble with self expression as well as a psychological block where sex is concerned.” Self expression and love affairs are 5th house matters in Western astrology, which was of course her field. I was stunned when, around age 27 or 28, I read her statement because it described the first part of my life perfectly.

[NOTE: Since my life has been an open book for decades, as I continuously use it in my astrology teachings, some explanation is in order. In Western astrology, the 8th house specifically rules sex, while the 5th house governs love affairs, which are therefore connected to sexual experiences. Indeed, Saturn in my 5th house was an unmitigated disaster in love affairs and personal self expression. I say “personal” self expression because many readers know I was an actor in my high school and college years, and may therefore wonder how an actor could have trouble with that. Clearly, there’s a difference between an actor’s onstage persona versus his or her inner psychology and behavior. Actors can be quite introverted or extroverted, or of course somewhere in between.

In fact, my shyness, introversion, and intense repression during adolescence was almost beyond description. A good example is how mortified I was of fast dancing, despite how intensely I wanted to and how envious I was of those who could. It wasn’t until the age of 35 or so that I painfully attempted fast dancing, and that was only after many self development workshops.]

Certainly, Isabel Hickey saw the repressive effects of Saturn in the 5th house, such that she included them in her description. However, perhaps 80% or 90% of the time I’ve seen this placement in horoscopes of clients and friends and explained the likely results, my predictions fell completely flat. After decades of failure with this distinction, I now barely mention it to clients. Why did it work for Isabel and me, but not for my clients and friends? I have some theories as to why my Saturn in the 5th was brutal, but no clue why Isabel saw enough people with the same results as mine to mention it.

So, do not accept my teachings blindly. Test them. If they work for you, then let the good times roll. If not, ignore them. Also, most of the material in this book is new, while some has been mentioned in previous texts or recent YouTube interviews. Indeed, some of the sutras may appear to address very simple matters. They are included specifically because I meet client after client and student after student who misunderstand the issue discussed. Please have patience and understand that teachings which are old for you will be new to others. Anyway, repetition never hurts.

Finally, there is an underlying theme throughout this book, which is unstated but permeates every page. It is something I wish someone had explained to me back in the spring of 1983 when I gave my first professional astrology session. This is the necessity to do the right thing in our practice at every turn. Of course, we all know this and we all learned the golden rule as children. However, I’m speaking of the reason why whenever there is an astrological choice we should reflexively choose the honorable one, rather than the easiest.

With horoscopes, there are literally hundreds of ways to take the easy way out, and every one of them lessens our ability and harms us in the long run. This principle cannot be overstated. When we take the high road, even when it means extra work or looking less than supernatural to clients, we cultivate our future. We build predictive and counseling accuracy, and rise above mediocrity. If I had to choose one miscalculation that hurts most in this vast and complicated field, it’s the tendency of laziness and making, ultimately, selfish choices.

Nearly every sutra you are about to read points to practicing with as much integrity and truthfulness as possible. Please understand, however, that while I certainly prefer that everyone behave properly and with good intentions, my instructions are for one purpose only; to help you become the best astrologer you can be.

Students are always looking for techniques and bits of information that will make their predictions accurate. I know, I was a beginner once. The truth, however, is that astrology is not just a craft. It’s an art and a science, and a humanistic one at that. The requirements, therefore, are extra demanding. The longer I practice, the clearer it becomes that making the hard choices, doing the right thing, and going the extra mile produces the best results, the highest accuracy, and most importantly, the greatest personal satisfaction.

Follow the above advice and your rate of accuracy will soar.

So… let’s examine some ways we take the easy path: By making excuses and rationalizations when a chart feature fails miserably. By not telling clients some of the most important words of all, “I don’t know, the chart’s not clear” or “That question can’t be answered through astrology.” By not making sure, before the session, that the client has given the right birth time—especially when it’s on the hour or half hour. By avoiding the extra work it takes to confirm that an ascendant that occurs at the very beginning or the end of a sign fits the person. By using psychological and behavioral characteristics to rectify ascendants and horoscopes rather than objective and verifiable facts such as the number of children, financial abundance, career success, and number of siblings. By not checking for stationary, or near stationary, planets. By ignoring the issue of whether the varga (divisional) charts match the person’s life—because these ascendants are so intensely time sensitive. By not rectifying the situation when stupid or inaccurate words occasionally jump out of our mouths. By not revising our teachings from years ago when it becomes apparent our previous conclusions were wrong. By overlooking certain clients’ damaged psychological conditions so we can skip the tedious counseling process. By not confronting techniques that we know in our hearts are ineffectual. By neglecting to ask for feedback from clients, so we can learn and grow. By disparaging Western astrology basics without ever having studied them. By not using the bhava chart, the more modern house system, along with the ancient one. By not looking at the degrees involved in the planetary aspects (tight or weak). By not looking to see how close a planet is to its highest degree of exaltation or worst degree of fall. By ignoring the outer planets, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, etc. etc. etc. And if you want me to go on, I easily can.

Indeed, the list of how we can take the wrong direction is nearly endless. Therefore, let me repeat, when you read my sutras and sense the underlying theme of practicing righteously, remember that my purpose is to address the need that I hear from all students; how to learn to correctly understand birth charts, especially the complicated ones. And how to give profound readings.

When I was growing up, I was as selfish and lazy as the next person. I took the easy way out whenever possible, especially when no one was looking. My father, on the other hand, seemed to come from a different world. He rarely put himself first, he never cheated, he had almost no selfish habits that I could see, and with his exalted Jupiter in the 5th house, he considered ethics and morals everything. In terms of never hurting others and of doing the right thing, he was rather saintly. And while I loved him dearly, I couldn’t for the life of me understand why and how he behaved like this. What did he gain from it? I know now.

Do the right thing, astrologically, and you’ll become the best practitioner you can. As my mentor P. M. Padia used to say, “You take it from me. I have marked this.”

I hope you enjoy reading The Braha Sutrasas much as I enjoyed writing it. May the work move you and propel you in your journey forward.

January, 2022

ABOUT THE SANSKRIT PHRASES

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In the text that follows, thirty or so sutras are accompanied by Sanskrit companion phrases, created by a Sanskrit enthusiast. These are included for selected passages to give the feeling or “flavor” of a Vedic text, and to highlight sutras I consider particularly important. Please bear in mind, however, that the Sanskrit phrases merely express the general message of my sutra. They are not exact translations. For example, while the title for Sutra 28 reads If the spirit moves you, pursue moksha, the Sanskrit phrase says mokṣamsisṛyāḥ, which simply means “Pursue moksha.” For Sutra6, which is titled For counseling to succeed, the client needs to trust theastrologer, the Sanskrit reads śrotuḥ viśvāsaḥ āvaśyakaḥ, “Of the listener, faith is needed.” The intent is clear but is not intended to be a verbatim transcription.

The Sanskrit language is quite special. It’s also unusually complex. In the phrases that accompany selected sutras, we clearly see the limitations of the English language, which is why the Sanskrit phrases are not verbatim translations. Therefore, to any astrologers who are also Sanskrit scholars, please accept my apologies if any of the phrases are imprecise or incomplete in any way. They are included in this book merely for enjoyment—yours and mine—and they reflect my deep love of Hindu culture. The Sanskrit phrases never fail to bring a smile to my face. I hope they add to your enjoyment of The Braha Sutrasas well.

॥ॐ॥

Om

श्रीगणेशाय नमः ।

śrīgaṇeśāya namaḥ

Salutations to Śrīgaṇeśa

अथ ब्रहसूत्रम् ।

atha brahasūtram

Now begins the Brahasutram

PART 1

भूतिः

bhūtiḥ

The Being

संख्य नियम अनुसरणं करोसि ॥

saṃkhya niyama ānusaraṇam karosi

[Sutra 1] Follow the seven in ten rule.

If an astrological technique doesn’t produce accurate results 7 out of 10 times, stop using it. Ineffectual techniques muddy the water and don’t help in any way, shape, or form. In my beginning days, I fully trusted traditional textbooks and astrology teachers. However, after a few short years I noticed that many basic ancient teachings produced nothing near what they were supposed to. I have detailed all of the techniques I found worthless in my recently updated book Ancient Hindu Astrology for theModern Western Astrologer—Revised and Expanded 2020, and I listed almost all in the sutras below.

There are all kinds of pitfalls and painful experiences when practicing astrology. Topping the list, for me, is making faulty natal chart predictions (I have more patience with failed future predictions, as they are necessarily more demanding and uncertain.). Indeed, in the late 1970s, I was consumed with Western astrology, but wouldn’t consider practicing professionally because of the lack of predictive accuracy. I found the Western system great at revealing a person’s behavior, psychology, and inner experience, but I couldn’t predict enough of a person’s actual life and karma. That changed after my two journeys to India studying Jyotish.

You must decide from the start if you prefer to be accurate in your predictions, both natally and with future events, or want to join a fellowship with those who worship ancient scriptures. I have spoken with some astrologers I respect about ineffectual teachings who say, “I use that technique but don’t place too much importance on it.” This makes no sense to me. Further, in the case of faulty techniques, most don’t work at all.

There is so much in astrology that works incredibly well that there is no need to use techniques that are flawed. Following the 7 in 10 rule is the most important advice for two reasons. First, life as an astrologer will be easier, more rewarding, and more fulfilling. Second, we improve the field of astrology for future generations.

Of all the blessings in my life, knowledge of the star language is near the top. I am profoundly grateful to the astrology teachers and authors who came before me and took the time and effort to teach what they had learned through practical experience, rather than dogma. Anything we can do to refine the knowledge through personal observation will be appreciated more than we can know. How lucky we are to contribute.

यज्जानासि तत्केवलम् वदसि ॥

yajjānāsi tatkevalam vadasi

[Sutra 2] Speak only what you know.

Acknowledge what you do not, or cannot, know. Do not lie. This is essential if you wish to become a good astrologer. Develop this habit from the very start. It may not be easy. It may not be comfortable. However, it is vital. The more you speak the truth, the more you say what you know, and acknowledge what you don’t know, the more trust you inspire with clients and the less mistakes and poor guidance you will give. Which means less regrets as the years pass.

Speaking only the truth brings a profound sense of freedom that makes astrology sessions easier and more powerful. It also allows you to learn and improve faster.

You may feel, “But there is so much I don’t know. There are so many features of each horoscope that are confusing and convoluted and mixed.” And you are correct. There is much you will not know for many years, even decades. However, if you speak what you do know of the horoscope, if you speak about what you are sure of—despite the fact that nothing in astrology works 100% of the time—you will give the client important accurate information he or she can rely on. Most importantly, you will have entered onto a path that leads to becoming a very good astrologer. Become comfortable with the phrase “I don’t know. Your horoscope is rather confusing regarding the issue you are asking about.”

ज्योतिषपठनम् किंकारणम् ॥

jyotiṣapaṭhanam kimkāraṇam

[Sutra 3] Define the purpose of an astrology reading.

When I began practicing Hindu/Vedic astrology in 1983, I felt my purpose was