The second of the two books on Vedic Astrology that I’m studying is a text book – a course – for those interested in becoming practising astrologers.

It’s very technical, and very complex.

And I find it absolutely fascinating.

The book is called: The Art and Science of Vedic Astrology – The Foundation Course. Written by Richard Fish & Ryan Kurczak.

The essence of Vedic astrology comes from the ancient scriptures that underpin Hinduism – The Vedas, in particular the Rig Veda, and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali – which is the source of yogic philosophy and practise.

I’ll quote from the introductory chapters of this book, which looks at Vedic astrology in overview. Again, remember that the book is written for aspirant astrologers –

Vedic astrology is a spiritual discipline. It shares its roots with Yoga and Ayurveda. All three are sister sciences with one ultimate aim: to provide the proper structure in the physical world to allow the clarity of Self-Realization to flow freely into material creation.

Yoga provides physical and mental practices to tame the mind and the restlessness of the body. Ayurvedic lifestyle regimens harmonises the individualised mind/body constitution for optimal physical functioning. Vedic Astrology reveals the map and timing of habits and tendencies that may manifest in our life experiences. All for the purpose of elevating our awareness above the pull of the unconscious influences that can keep us bound to sorrow, grief, and repeated needless suffering. 

Vedic Astrology is best practised by a person whose awareness is clear and whose intuition is highly developed. To this end, yogic meditation and lifestyle, which facilitate clarity of awareness, is recommended. 

Mastery provides a means for greater Self-Awareness. The more one learns about the planetary movements through the heavens, and the relationship between sky and Earth, the more inclined one is to perceive that consciousness is a seamless whole.

The purpose of Vedic Astrology is to promote Self-Realization. It encourages awareness of one’s essence of being as superior to the transient phenomena with which most people identify, such as circumstance, personality and the body. 

It teaches, “Here are the trends of your life, the life experiences you sustain through behaving in the same ways repeatedly. If you keep living in the same way, here is an estimate of how your life will unfold. Now that you know the patterns, you can change them, because the patterns are not you.” 

The ultimate goal of Vedic Astrology is to reveal the manifest nature of reality, as it is, beyond hopes, dreams, or delusions. 

Okay – cut to eighteen months ago, before I walked the Camino. If someone had told me then that I would one day be writing a blog espousing the spiritual nature of Vedic Astrology, you know what I would have said to them? I would have said: “What’s a blog?”

If you’re interested, here are links to the two books:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-Science-Vedic-Astrology/dp/1475267657
http://www.amazon.com/Astrology-Seers-Guide-Vedic-Hindu/dp/0914955896

This will be the last posting on Vedic Astrology. While I find it absolutely fascinating, I’m sure that most of you don’t. You probably think I’m weird taking it as seriously as I do.

But the more I read, the more fascinated I become.

Do I believe that a Vedic astrological birth chart can predict your future? Do I believe that the cosmos has an influence on each of us? Do I believe that there’s a sun behind the sun – the Central Galactic Sun – that controls all?

All I can say is this: it was only five hundred years ago we believed the earth was flat.

We know nothing.