The Foundations of Jyotisha

 

Learn The Right Way

What is so often lacking in the way Vedic Astrology is typically absorbed today is a systematic, approach that starts with establishing a very solid foundation in all the fundamentals of this great science and progressively building upon it. Too often students pick up disparate pieces in a disjointed way or worse, try to learn the more advanced concepts of Jyotisha while there are still major gaps in their understanding of the basics. The result is typically an undigested mass of information that cannot be usefully applied. The solution is a thorough grounding and rigorous testing in the core elements of this sacred vidya.

A Program For Beginners

The Foundations of Jyotisha is an online educational program aimed primarily at beginning students (or those who need to begin again) that addresses this need to learn Jyotisha in a structured, systematic way. Intermediate or even more advanced students may also find it valuable for filling in "gaps" in there understanding.

The program consists of a series of modules on all the core components of a birth chart and the fundamentals of interpretation. These modules are delivered through lively, interactive online webinars each of which is supported by extensive written material and recordings that enable students to repeat the lesson as many times as necessary to fully absorb the knowledge.

Core Modules

Course Description

All of astrology begins with the planets, the great cosmic signifiers. Referred to as grahas ("graspers"), they are the most primary and essential component of a birth chart. Pure, classical Jyotisha emphasizes the use of the Sun, Moon, the five planets visible to the eye, (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn) and the North and South Nodes of the Moon.

Interpretation of a birth chart begins with being able to recognize their different positive and negative conditions in order to be able to draw accurate inferences as to the karmic potentials they indicate in a person's life. This course is aimed at thoroughly initiating students into all the important concepts necessary to make such an evaluation.

Course Delivery Model

The course delivery model consists of a combination of video presentation, extensive written material and online webinars. Each week students will receive a lesson in the form of a one-hour video presentation that they can view at any time at their own convenience, along with written material that fully articulates all the learning points with the example charts used to illustrate these.

This will be followed by a live, online webinar each week to further clarify and illustrate the learning points, and to provide an opportunity for question and answer.

These webinars will be take place on Saturdays starting at 7:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time (-7)

They are conducted using the video conferencing software, Zoom and are recorded. Even if it is inconvenient for some students to attend the webinars live, the recordings are available for viewing and nothing is missed.

Students will also have the option of participating in a closed Facebook group for weekly discussions and exercises aimed at solidifying learning.

In total students will receive:

• 8 hours of video presentation
• 8 hours of interactive online instruction via webinars
• 200 pages of written material, including original translation and commentary on verses related to the grahas from the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, the primary and most authoritative Sanskrit classic of Jyotisha.

Course Content

You will learn:

• Primary indications of the nine grahas
• Planetary lordship of the signs
• Planetary aspects (graha drishti)
• Planetary dignities
• Planetary friendship and enmity
• Planetary states (graha avashtas)
• Planetary strength - the different measures of (graha bala) and how they are utilized
• The basics of chart interpretation using just the grahas.

This course will focus in particular on certain special conditions of planets that are oftentimes a great source of confusion, misunderstanding and misinterpretation. These include:

• Planetary combustion
• Planetary war (graha yudha)
• Vargottama
• Retrogression
• Rashi sandhi,
• Gandanta

Each of the interpretive concepts will be explained in depth and profusely illustrated using the charts of well-known personalities. Weekly exercises and a rigorous final examination will allow students to measure their progress in mastering the material. Those students receiving passing grades will be awarded certificates of completion.