Classes & Seminars
Introduction to the Astrology of India
At first you can get familiar with the Indian notation (though if you are used to Western astrology, you can use that for most of your work - books and articles are in either Northern or Southern style though). Then we go through the basic building blocks – planets, houses, Indian aspect patterns as you learn to navigate the software too. You can use your own chart, or those of friends and family, and I recommend studying some famous people as illustration whose data is well known. You get familiar with the fundamentals of interpreting the system of planetary periods (dashas) and transits, while learning basics of the planetary tradition preserved in mythology. If you want, we can regularly emphasize the differences with Western astrology, but it is also great to start from scratch. I've had successful disciples of both kinds.
Medium level course
After acquiring the basics, you can learn about the navamsha chart and other derivative charts used in India and other cultures based on that tradition. We practice counting houses from both the Moon and the Ascendant, then from the Lord of the Ascendant and other points. We spend much time at the medium level with the nakshatra system, the unique gift of India to the world, and the logic and the mythology behind it. We can compare some of the elements of mythology in India and Europe, archetypes and other approaches of deep wisdom according to various systems of belief - Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Western esoteric and check how Indian astrology practices can relate to that. Refining our interpretations on the basis of nakshatras is similar to the system of lordship of houses. We take all the charts we studied so far and go through their planet-nakshatra combinations. We start using some advanced techniques and check transits from more points of view. Transits are also applied to the derivative charts - which is a difference from the tradition as presented today. You can feel you have a solid grounding and start interpreting cases with some backgrond help.
Advanced level
Here's where we put it all together as required in practice. We learn and practice other techniques of the basic set to provide a solid interpretation, such as chara karakas, padas/arudha lagnas, and some dashas other than the basic Vimsottari. We see how using outer planets or other Western elements such as progressions can be integrated to Indian foundations. We learn the traditional associations of countries, cultures, religions etc. We can do some mundane astrology (countries, events etc.) and discuss rectification of birth time, special cases – twins, etc. We discuss how you can relate to difficult questions like death, loss and disease and how to provide a more balanced observations so people can really rely on you. We do some detailed research on charts and cases, and if you wish to become a practicing astrologer, you can also learn some basics of communication and managing clients – typical problems, soplutions and responses. We can learn when and how you can handle difficult cases and questions, and when not to do astrology. Finally, adding it all together, we can practice rectification of birth time based on Indian principles, plus touch upon how to integrate it with your plain intuition, or other ancient systems.