Vedic Astrology - A Quick Guide To Vedic Astrology
A Quick Guide To Vedic Astrology
Jyotisha is derived from the Sanskrit language and means "light, heavenly body". Therefore, jyotish [Vedic Astrology] is ‘the science of light’ and is a sophisticated science originating from the ancient Vedic traditions of India. Jyotish [Vedic Astrology] is distinctly different from what we consider astrology in the west. The main difference is that Jyotish relies on sidereal zodiac which is based on the fixed, observable positions of the constellation as we them in the sky. On the other hand, western astrology uses tropical zodiac which relies on the relative and changeable positions of the sun.
Aries Ascendant
Mars is the ascendant Lord for Aries and Ayurveda looks upon mars as being a pitta planet. Aries individuals have a moderate build along with good muscle development. Mars makes for great debaters and can make for great attorneys. These individuals are bold, daring, and quite adventurous. At the same time, the fiery and critical nature of mars can quickly make these guys hot tempered and therefore easily prone to arguments. In the same manner, mars makes these individuals head strong, self-assertive, and full of initiative.
Taurus Ascendant
Venus is the ascendant Lord for Taurus and Ayurveda looks upon venus as being a kapha planet. From a physical standpoint, venus individuals may very well be the best looking and most attractive of all planetary types. Often Venus type individuals have attractive eye, shiny hair with glowing skin. Psychologically, Venus type are romantically inclined. They can be quite social as they enjoy doing things more so with others as opposed to being alone. These individuals have a colorful imagination with vivid dreams and overall are blessed with a creative flare for both art and design.
Gemini Ascendant
Mercury is the ascendant Lord for Gemini and Ayurveda looks upon mercury as being a vata planet. Mercury often creates tall, thin framed individuals who are attractive. These individuals have youthful looks who are quite expressive. Gemini individuals often are talkative and chatty. The ascendant Lord mercury governs speech, intellect and communication. The 2nd House of Speech is ruled by the Moon - which happens to be enemies of Mercury - which may imply that all this excessive talking may not always serve the highest good. Therefore, Gems ... watch your tongue.
Cancer Ascendant
The moon is the Ascendant Lord for Cancer and Ayurveda looks upon the moon as being a kapha planet ... however ... the moon can also be a vata planet if it’s waning. Because the moon being mostly a kapha planet, these individuals often have well-developed bodies and due to the water element, cancer types often have thick, shiny oily hair. Cancers, being ruled by the moon, often are emotional, sensitive and changeable like the moon. They find themselves often taking on the nurturing role always willing to help others in a loving fashion. Overall cancer individuals are loyal, dependable and make good friends and stable marriage partners.
Leo Ascendant
The sun is the ascendant Lord for Leo and Ayurveda looks upon the sun as being a pitta planet. The fire element [of the sun & pitta] provides for good digestion, good circulation, and the ability to burn away toxins and pathogens with a healthy & robust immune system. Leos have a moderate build with good muscular development. The eyes of Leos are full of light, perception, and are quite lustrous. Leos have a kingly or royal demeanor with a very strong will. It’s due to these qualities that leos strive to be leaders and authoritative figures.
Virgo Ascendant
Mercury is the ascendant Lord for Virgos and Ayurveda looks upon mercury as being a vata planet. Virgo is symbolized by the “maiden” and is thought to indicate both shyness with a special interest in purity. Interestingly, mercury, the planet of Intellect, is exalted in the sign of Virgo which implies brilliance to the mind. Even further, we can see that venus is debiliated in the sign of virgo which further implies that virgo individuals are highly intellectual people who often weigh in with thought versus feelings.
Libra Ascendant
Venus is the ascendant lord for Taurus and Ayurveda looks upon venus as being a kapha planet. Libra is symbolized as the shop keeper’s weighing scale. Saturn is exalted in the sign of libra and is mutual friends with the Ascendant Lord Venus. Saturn also happens to own both the 4th and 5th houses which gives libras a special interest in both politics and government ... often after the age of 35 yrs.
Scorpio Ascendant
Mars is the Ascendant Lord for Scorpios and Ayurveda looks upon mars as being a pitta planet. Scorpio is symbolized by the scorpion and we know that it is filled with poison. Scorpios often have an interest in chemistry, pharmacology, and drugs which explains the natural calling towards medicine. Even further, mars is a significator for accidents, surgery so these individuals not only have a calling for medicine but more specifically, surgery and even further ... Trauma Surgery!
Sagittarius Ascendant
Jupiter is the ascendant lord for Sagittarius individuals and Ayurveda looks upon jupiter as being a kapha planet. Sagittarius is depicted as “the bow” which signifies the ability to ‘Aim High’ and therefore have the ability to prevail over enemies. It’s interesting to note that no planet looks to jupiter as an enemy - although jupiter is enemies to venus and mercury. This can be explained further if we take a look at venus who owns both the 6th house of enemies and the 11th House of friends. As mentioned, venus happens to be enemies with the Ascendant Lord Jupiter and therefore it’s not uncommon for Sagittarius FRIENDS to become ENEMIES and their ENEMIES to become FRIENDS.
Capricorn Ascendant
Saturn is the ascendant lord for Capricorns and Ayurveda looks upon saturn as being a vata planet. Capricorn is symbolized as a crocodile or a generic Seamonster. This symbolizes the ferocious bite that the crocodile takes onto its prey and also explains how capricorns are able to bite into and sink thier teeth into their goals. We can see this further by looking at saturn, Saturn is Exalted in the sign of libra which happens to be the 10th House of Career. Saturn allows capricorns to steadfastly move towards their goals patiently. Often Saturn delays, however, saturn does not deny. Therefore, capricorns often have slow, steady, and gradual progression yet ultimately cross the finish line, eventually.
Aquarius Ascendant
Saturn is the ascendant lord for Aquarians and Ayurveda looks upon saturn as being a vata planet. Aquarius is symbolized as “the pot” which contains water often representing the enjoyment in gathering knowledge. This can be appreciated by taking notice of venus - the pleasure seeking planet in 2 houses of education [i.e. 4th and 9th Houses]. If we take a look at saturn we can see that Aquarians often have the theme of GAIN and LOSS. This is because saturn owns both the 1st and 12th House. The 1st house gives the GAINS while the 12th House creates the LOSS.
Pisces Ascendant
Jupiter is the ascendant lord for Pisces and Ayurveda looks upon jupiter as being a kapha planet. Jupiter is symbolized as two fish, swimming in opposite directions. We can see here that jupiter is exalted in the sign of cancer ... which happens to be the 5th House for Pisces. This gives pisces individuals the love for wisdom and the passion for teaching. It’s also interesting to see that the 5th House is ruled by the moon. The moon represents one’s emotions and is a signficator for poetry. This explains the fascination with poetry which pisces naturally have.
The Ayurvedic Guide For The New Year - New Year’s Resolutions
The Ayurvedic Guide For The New Year
With the New Year slowly nearing and with the holiday season already upon us, many of us are reevaluating some of our own personal life choices. The New Year has always provided a perfect opportunity to look back at the past and more importantly, to look forward to the coming year. According to ancient teachings of Ayurveda, every aspect of our life contributes to our overall health and well-being. In essence, Ayurveda considers good health as being a state of balance. By obtaining this unique state of balance and well-being we can resolve nearly all the common New Year’s Resolutions.
Top New Year’s Resolutions
1. Eat Healthy
2. Lose Weight
3. Stress Less
4. Improve Relationships
New Year Message From Sadhguru - Come Alive
1. Eat Healthy
How you eat is as important as what you eat. Likewise, we have all heard the saying, “you are what you eat”. Though true, it would be more accurate to say, “you are what you digest, absorb, and assimilate”. According to Ayurveda, the key to understanding health and vitality is centered around how to optimize the function our digestive fire called “Agni”.
The Digestive Fire - “Agni”
It’s interesting that most digestive disorders begin with poor food combining. According to Ayurveda, poor food combinations may disturb the normal functioning of the digestive fire [“Agni”]. Therefore, Ayurveda considers eating according to one’s unique body type [i.e. dosha], according to the season, and following basic principles to optimize the function of the digestive flame, “Agni”.
Basic Principles For Optimal Digestion
Although simple, these principles if followed routinely, are often enough to help improve your digestion and overall health. Often it’s the simple things that are most effective and oddly enough - most overlooked. That said, let’s quickly take a look at the basics.
- All food should be freshly prepared, nutritious, and appetizing
- Food should generally contain all 6 tastes balanced to one’s needs
- We should leave 4-6 hours between meals with no snacking in between
- Eat your largest meal during the day when the sun is at its peak
- Relax and enjoy your meals in a calm soothing environment
Herbal Supplements
Herbal di-gest supports improved digestion and balanced appetite; helps with gas, bloating, and discomfort. Similarly, Organic Digest Tone also supports the digestive system and elimination; assists body in absorbing nutrients; high-quality antioxidant; wide range of benefits.
Ginger is an extremely effective digestive herb. Drinking ginger tea or even consuming ginger pickle before a meal is a beneficial way to help kindle digestion. Before a meal take ½ tsp of chopped ginger with a pinch of salt and a few drops of lime juice. Finally, another effective digestive herb is Trikatu. This herb is equal parts of ginger, black pepper and pippali. Taking ½ tsp of this herb with a pinch of garlic powder and a pinch of rock salt before meals aids digestion.
2. Lose Weight
According to Ayurveda, excess weight is often due to increase kapha which may cause decreased metabolism and weaken agni. Weak agni leads to the condition whereby even very small amounts of food tend to cause weight gain. What happens in this case is that weak agni allows "ama" (impurities) to be created, which accumulates in fat tissue. The Ayurvedic solution is to balance agni, increase the metabolic rate and eliminate the ama. Exercise helps to burn ama and increases circulation and metabolism. Walking briskly 30 minutes a day, or other activities such as dancing, swimming, biking, hiking or weight training, are all recommended.
Following a diet that stimulates digestion and reduces Kapha by favoring astringent, bitter and pungent tastes and reducing salty, sweet and sour foods will also help balance agni. The spices found in Organic Kapha Churna Spice Mix can help to balance Kapha and weak agni. Be Trim Tea is an herbal infusion that supports a normal, balanced appetite. The Ayurvedic herbs and spices include Gymnema Sylvestre, Fennel Seed, Cinnamon and Cardamom, which help balance fat and sugar metabolism and curb snack cravings.
Quick Tip:
One teaspoon of honey with one cup of warm water taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach helps to scrape excess adipose tissue.
Emotional Overeating
Eating when you are not hungry, or looking for something sweet to pacify an unpleasant mood, are signs of lack of a state of balance. Ayurvedic herbals can help. Stress Free Emotions and Stress Free Mind are two Ayurvedic products that help with both emotional and physical stresses. Worry Free tablets support a calm, relaxed mind and deeper sleep. Blissful Joy tablets help uplift the emotions.
The herbs in Rejuvenation for Men and Rejuvenation for Ladies can be taken by men and women respectively. Both of these formulas contain Shilajit. According to the US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health (NCBI), “Shilajit has been used as a rejuvenator and an adaptogen for thousands of years, in one form or another, as part of traditional systems of medicine in a number of countries. Many therapeutic properties have been ascribed to it, a number of which have been verified by modern scientific evaluation.”
3. Stress Less
The ancient science of Ayurveda explains three universal qualities; sattva [clarity], rajas [dynamism], and tamas [inertia]. Our mind is an expression of all three qualities, however, our overall tendencies often reflect the predominance of one of these three qualities. Likewise, according to ayurveda, a “sattvic” [pure] lifestyle is the best way to develop strength, clarity of the mind, good health and longevity. Sattvic qualities of the mind are considered to bring about clarity of the mind, understanding, and compassion. Sattvic foods are those foods which nourish the body and calm the mind. When both the body and mind are balanced only then can one truly appreciate joy and happiness without feeling stressed.
“Meditation is mind without agitation.”
– Narasimhan
Meditation & Yoga
It seems that research centered around the benefits of meditation have now been rolling in steadily validating the ancient wisdom common to both Ayurveda and Yoga. Ayurveda is an ancient science which literally means ‘the science of life’. A basic fundamental premise to both Ayurveda and Yoga is that – both a sound mind and sound body are integral to one’s overall health and well-being.
Benefits Of Meditation:
– greater clarity and inner calmness
– increased creativity and happiness
– improved sense of emotional stability
– reduced level of anxiety and depression
– improved brain function and memory
– reduced level of stress
… the list can go on and on
Herbal Supplements ...
1. Worry Free - calms the mind and emotions; supports clarity of mind and deeper sleep; natural support for everyday stress and tension.
2. Stress Free Emotions - helps provide a natural resistance to emotional stress and fatigue; promotes emotional balance, positive feelings, and feelings of fulfillment.
3. Blissful Joy - helps to uplift the emotions; helps balance emotional ups and downs; alleviates sadness and feelings of frustration.
“Love is oily, soft, and gentle.” – Dr. Vasant Lad
Stress Management 101
Charaka – the ancient scholar of Ayurveda states that if you really want to bring happiness and joy to a client, don’t try to discuss their problems but do an oil massage and all the problems will simply dissolve.
“Give yourself a full-body oil massage on a daily basis. It is nourishing; pacifies the doshas; relieves fatigue; provides stamina, pleasure and perfect sleep; enhances the complexion and the luster of skin; promotes longevity; and nourishes all parts of the body.”
– Ancient Wisdom Of Ayurveda
Organic Sesame Oil - Enhance immunity and experience a sense of well-being. Pure golden Sesame Oil is organic, extra-light, chemical-free and cold-pressed, allowing its chemical composition to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin.
4. Improve Relationships
Any type of relationship, whether it is between family members, friends, or even people we work with, it takes a lot of work to maintain and build upon. Therefore, three simple tips to help improve your relationships for the new year.
Know yourself. By becoming more aware of our own needs, wants, preferences, and limits, we risk using relationships as a source of our own validation; i.e. co-dependency. Often, as we develop greater inner awareness our outer relationships will naturally begin to flourish. Therefore, water the roots with inner awareness in order to enjoy the fruits of healthy and meaningful relationships.
Know others. Similarly, as we develop greater inner awareness [i.e. with meditation] we will naturally and spontaneously begin to be more observant to all things around us. This subtle act of observation will likely include observing the needs, wants, preferences, and limits of others; hence appreciation.
Love One Another. Living and letting others live implies letting others live as they choose insofar as that doesn't infringe upon the rights and dignity of others around them. Likewise, love and compassion implies giving of one’s love for others wholly without conditions; unconditional.
Nourishing Body, Mind, & Soul ...
Finally, many people find that by taking Amrit Kalash on a year-round basis, they don't fall prey to colds and flu any more. The formula is the cream of ayurvedic rasayanas, the special elixirs for health and longevity. It protects the body by strengthening immunity, removing toxins and producing more ojas, the substance in the body associated with immunity and bliss.
Amrit Kalash - Traditional ayurvedic formula of 13 herbs that supports the health of mind, brain, and nerves; increases vitality and inner strength; powerful antioxidant — research shows it to be up to 1,000 times more effective than vitamins C and E
Full-spectrum antioxidant: targets mind & nervous system
- 1000x more effective in eliminating free radicals (the root cause of aging) than vitamins C or E1
- powerful food for the brain
- significantly boosts immunity & vitality
- best taken with Amrit Nectar
- vata, pitta, kapha balancing (vpk®)
Happy New You!!
Disclaimer
The sole purpose of these articles is to provide information about the tradition of ayurveda. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any disease. If you have any serious acute or chronic health concern, please consult a trained health professional who can fully assess your needs and address them effectively. If you are seeking the medical advice of a trained ayurvedic expert, call or e-mail us for the number of a physician in your area. Check with your doctor before taking herbs or using essential oils when pregnant or nursing.
THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO AYURVEDA
THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO AYURVEDA
A Brief Introduction: “Hi. My Name Is”
Welcome to one of the oldest medical systems known to mankind. I will be your guide on this journey and I will do my level best to help make this journey as enjoyable and educational as possible. Let me quickly introduce myself. I am Mike Dhaliwal, M.D. and for a long time i’ve had the passion to further explore and seek out life’s greatests secrets. At the same time, I’ve equally had the same passion for medical advacements such as stereotactic biopsy and resection of malignant brain lesions to extreme cases of emergently cracking open a patient’s chest in the E.R. for life-saving maneuvers such as cardiac massage and so much more. I cannot lie, all this fascinates me. However, having been in the clinical setting for nearly 15 years, I can confidently say that i’ve seen it all - the good, the bad, and the deadly [ugly].
From Clinical Insight Into Deeper Meaning:
Often in the clinical setting, I am able to see a patient and vividly reflect upon how disease must have naturally unfolded throughout the years for many of my patients. To me that is quite remarkable and it is with this remarkable ability that I have sought after something far more meaningful - the ability to see disease naturally unfold back into a state of vibrant health. Ayurveda [‘The Science Of Life”] is just that as we shall explore together. There is a beautiful sutra which comes from the ancient text of Ayurveda.
The Ancient Wisdom Of Ayurveda
“The aim of Ayurveda is to maintain the health of the healthy and to cure diseases of the sick.”
- Charaka Sutrasthana 30:26
Let Us Continue Upon Our Journey:
Imagine if you will - time immemorial. Although challenging, let us think back as far as the mind will allow. Imagine the qualities of nature moving about ... naturally. Those same very qualities of nature are doing just that now in the present moment. It is because of this one fundamental principle [i.e. the law of nature] that the science of Ayurveda is considered timeless and everlastingly signficant.
AYURVEDA ~ THE SCIENCE OF LIFE
Ayurveda comes from two root words. "Ayur" which means 'life' and "veda" which means ‘the study of’. Therefore, Ayurveda is the science and study of life. From the most basic and fundamental principle we can state with certainty that health is a state of perfect balance. The all-encompasing science of Ayurveda takes into consideration just that - the perfect state of balance between the body, mind, and consciousness.
The Forces Of Nature:
Without getting into great details, Ayurveda explains that there are governing forces of nature. For simplicity sake, consider these forces to be that of dynamism and movement [vata], heat and transformation [pitta], and stability and preservation [kapha]. All things in nature contain a unqiue combination and variation of these governing forces. From this perspective, if we further develop an understanding and further align ourselves with these governing forces of nature - we then begin to discover the keys for living a more balanced and meaningful life. Afterall, health is considered a state of perfect balance as mentioned above.
WHAT’S YOUR DOSHA?
Ayurveda looks at each individual as being unique with a varying combination of qualities. This unique set of qualities can be thought of as your signature “dosha type”. For example, some individuals are always moving about with great excitement and creative enthusiasm eagerly exploring the world around them. That would be a classic “vata-type”. Another example would be the typical “Type A Personality” driven by ambition and wanting to succeed to the top. This particular individual would be considered a “pitta-type”. And we all know the loving and accepting individual who is willing to embrace all that life has to offer in abundance - that is, in a way, a “kapha-type”.
Want To Determine Your Dosha Type?
CLICK HERE:
Free "Dosha Type" assessment upon registration.
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AGNI - THE DIGESTIVE FIRE:
Now imagine if you will, a beautiful radiant flame. This fire that you imagine is representative to the digestive flame within your belly. The ancients explained this fire as “agni” which literally means fire. It’s interesting that both “ignite” and “agni” have the same linguistic root. In truth, agni is not only the digestive fire but instead ... everything. More accurately, agni can be thought of that which allows for proper digestion, aborption, assimilation, metabolism, perception, vitality, clarity and alertness. In other words, agni is responsible for just about everything.
Want to Determine Your Agni Type?
CLICK HERE:
Free "Dosha Type" assessment upon registration.
Registration takes less than 1 minute