The Difference Between Western and Eastern Astrology - by Mary Stevenson

What is the difference between a Ram and a Fish? To answer that question we will consider the difference between western astrology and the system which I practice, which is known as Vedic Astrology, or Jyotish. It all started long, long ago....

In the beginning of time all the grahas (planets) were said to be assembled at the beginning point of the zodiac, at 0 degrees of Aries. It is due to the precession of the Equinoxes each year, that the two zodiacs have been moving further apart over time. The western system relies upon the movable, or Tropical zodiac, whereas the Vedic system utilizes the fixed or Sidereal zodiac.

The difference in degrees between the two zodiacs is called the Ayanamsh. This difference increases between 43 seconds and 56 seconds of distance per year. Thus the movable zodiac moves ahead of the fixed zodiac about one full degree every 72 years.

If you were to look at the sky and observe which constellation was rising in the east (at night when the stars are visible), you would see that, astronomically, the Sidereal zodiac much more closely matches the actual position of these constellations. The sign that is rising in the East at the moment of one's birth, is the most important reference point for constructing the Janma Kundali (natal birthchart) for the individual, in Vedic Astrology, whereas Western astrology puts the emphasis upon the sign the Sun is in during a 30 day period, approximately. A rising sign changes about every two hours, so it is important to find the exact time of your birth, or as close as possible.

The Sun sign is, of course, important as well in the Vedic system, but more important would be the lagna (also known as the rising sign, or ascendent), the condition of the planetary ruler of that sign (which becomes the first house of the chart), and the Moon (Chandra) which represents one's mind and emotions.

This explanation provides some of the technical reasons for the differences between these two systems of astrology. For most people living today, when considering their Vedic charts, all the planets and the rising sign would be found to be about 23 or 24 degrees earlier than in their western charts, or basically nearly one full sign back. So that is why many who think their Sun is in the sign of Aries, the Ram, would find it to be in the sign of Pisces, the Fish, in their Jyotish chart.

Not only will this give you an entirely different perspective of your personal traits, tendencies and talents, but Jyotish is also very event-oriented. So the minute of birth is quite important. It helps construct the rising sign, or first house, from which all the other houses follow, and they describe the different parts of our lives. Of equal importance, however, is the sequential unfoldment of karma to be found in the corresponding Dasa periods, which are based on the time of one's birth.

Dasa periods are planetary cycles. Maha dasa periods range from six to twenty years, depending on which planet is governing the cycle you are in. But then they go down four more dasa levels, which change with ever quicker frequency. You might think of this as "wheels within wheels"; forces of Nature governing the time and space dimension we occupy in our individual journeys on planet Earth. I will give you an example of why this matters, on a practical level. Probably everyone remembers that Nancy Reagan was using the services of a western astrologer at the time President Reagan was shot. If she had been employing a qualified Vedic Astrologer instead, and if the President's birthtime were known precisely, the danger could have been averted.

In fact, that is one of the chief values and purposes of Vedic Astrology, to alert our clients to "avert any danger before it arises." Once the event has occurred, it's rather hard to take it back. When studying the birthchart, I am very aware of the areas of vulnerability for my client, including health. The saying we have in the West is "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Knowing what type of diseases or weaknesses a client is subject to, I am able to advise them of lifestyle modifications that may help them avoid that weakness, at least in its worst form. Of course, individual will power to avoid harmful substances, as well as the Will of God, play a big part in the karma or life lessons we must go through.

Many people have a fascination about the difference between free will and destiny. As I understand it, there are many things that are predestined, such as meeting specific individuals along our life path. The meetings seem destined, but the free will comes into play from that point on, that is, what each of you decide to do with the relationship.

Compatibility from a Vedic astrology point of view is very important in determining the chances of success for partnerships or marriages. Whether it regards business or romance, it is good to have some insight from the beginning, as to whether the planetary factors are strong enough to provide the basis of harmony and mutual interest that will withstand the inevitable bombardment of outside pressures. Just as we would choose to lay the strongest, sturdiest foundation for a house we were building, relationships need to be based on healthy planetary dynamics to provide lasting, happy results for those involved in them. Vedic astrology is an ancient science that can help considerably in this area. It was available only to the Maharajas or kings of ancient times, as the hand-done calculations took many days. Now computers reduce the calculation time to seconds, so this service can be used by anyone, to utilize the natural laws which planets represent. Many couples enjoy having compatibility readings done as they begin dating, to ensure the road to romantic success will be a smooth one. This can easily be seen by analysing both people's charts.

If we consider each planet to represent some aspect of cosmic intelligence, or a force of Nature which affects our life in a specific way, that helps to understand why knowing our birthchart is so important. I like to think of the planets as "people" with very different personalities. Mars, for example, is the "Commander in Chief" of the celestial army, and is often thought of as the war god. If you are interacting with someone who has Mars in the first house of personality, you will sure feel the difference compared to interacting with someone who has Saturn in the first house! Once you get to know the different values of each planet, you can begin to spot these different types of players in your personal drama, and get a feel for which type you blend well with, and which to avoid, for maximum harmony and well being in your own life. We also make use of current transits, or movements of the planets, as they relate to your natal chart. Progressive charts also give insights into what a particular year may bring your way, so yearly readings are recommended.

Some people feel so "identified" with what their "sign" is in the western system, that they resist looking into what their Vedic chart consists of. I have found an interesting phenomenon: oftentimes there can be a similar influence between the two charts, for different planetary reasons. For example, if you are a Scorpio Sun sign in the western system, often the Sun is found in Libra in the Vedic chart. However, either your ascendant or Moon sign could be Scorpio in the Vedic chart, and thus you can still feel and perhaps act like a Scorpio! There is always a reason and explanation to be found for personality tendancies, great good fortune, terrible tragedies, broken hearts, and health challenges. Once we know the cycles of time governing each part of our lives, we can be prepared to make the most of the beneficial cycles, while taking precautionary measures to alleviate the challenging cycles. Which leads us to the subject of yagyas...but that will have to wait till the next article!

This Article Was Published in the American Council of Vedic Astrology Journal, Winter, 1998

Did the Stars Portend Diana's Death? - by Mary Stevenson

I was praying that night when I heard the news of the accident, praying she would live in spite of her injuries, praying that her two boys would not have to grow up without her, praying that her new-found love and romantic happiness would not be so short-lived.

Glued to the television, I felt the same shock and grief that sent millions of loving appreciative hearts around the world into a whirlwind of disbelief, anger and sorrow at such a seemingly senseless tragedy.

We do have a choice as to how we view this sudden death of the most beloved Princess of Hearts. Was it really an accident? Is the world made of only random accidents, chance meetings and events that have no rhyme or reason? Or do we choose to believe in a divine order whose laws and perfect justice elude our understanding for the moment?

As a professional Vedic astrologer, I have seen that the birthchart we come in with represents the blueprint of major events for that particular lifetime. I have been studying Princess Diana's chart for seven years. Perhaps in sharing my observations with you, it will give assistance in understanding what appears to be so incomprehensible to the heart.

DIANA'S DESTINY: Diana was born July 1, 1961 at 7:45 p.m. in Northampton, England. The chart at that time marked her life to be one involving royalty, power, turbulence, vulnerability, humanitarianism, wittiness and intelligence, and sad to say, this early death we are having to accept now.

The houses that deal with death in our charts include the 3rd (cause of death), the 8th (transformations, vulnerable points, calamities, death), and the 12th (one's own death). One's physical body, health and well-being are viewed from the 1st house, the ruler of the 1st house, the 3rd house (vitality), 6th house (distress, obstacles, anxiety), and the Sun (self and body).

Here are the key elements in Diana's natal chart, as well as the planetary transits at the time of the accident which indicated events were likely to unfold just as they did on that fateful night.

Mars, the ruler of her chart (1st house ruler = self/body) was transiting the 12th house (one's own death). Venus, indicator vehicles, was in debilitation (its weakest sign) transiting the 8th house (calamity) from her natal Moon. The planetary dasa cycle she was in at that point in time (our lives are divided into these planetary cycles which vary greatly in length) was Jupiter/Rahu/Sun/Rahu/Saturn. Although Jupiter is basically a benefic planet, for her it rules the 2nd house, and is thus a Maraka or potentially death-inflicting planet. Rahu, which was operating at both the 2nd and 4th level of dasa lords, indicates chaos and calamity and unexpected weird events. Saturn indicates grief.

These planets especially outline her fate when we look at their position in her birthchart: Jupiter is situated in her 3rd house (cause of death), conjunct with Saturn (grief) which is the 4th house ruler (vehicles). The interpretation is quite clear and simple: cause of death is related to grief from vehicles.

In her 4th house we find the Moon and Ketu. Ketu and Rahu had just gone back to the positions they held in her natal chart, on June 19th of that year. Fourth house is vehicles, and having Ketu there again shows some tricky business, something hidden, not obvious (the blood alcohol content of the driver, for example).

Mars not only rules Diana's chart, but acutally is the planet that governs accidents as well. She was born with Mars in the 10th house of power, position, name and fame. This Mars was conjunct with Rahu, which not only provided a lot of the passion we enjoyed in her personality, but set up the conditions for violence possible to her self and body, from the bulimia problem to this fatal accident.

Her natal Mars is in the nakshata or lunar constellation of Magha, whose symbol is the royal court with a throne. The general attributes include virtues and vices of the father's family, wealth, glory, beauty, strength, prowess, luster and effulgence, superior qualities, sharpness of intellect, nobility, prestige, capacity and willingness to donate, etc.

Many of the same planets that destined her for a life of fame and personal power also contributed to her early demise. This is rather analogous to the fact that the press both contributed to her fame and rise in personal power, whereas elements of the press likewise contributed to her death. As above, so below.

It is my belief that Princess Diana will become more famous in death even than in her well-chronicled life. The Sun rules her 10th house of name and fame, position, power, action and career. This 10th ruler is situated in the 8th house of death and transformation, conjunct a very strong Mercury, 8th ruler in his own sign. This Sun and Mercury conjunction in Gemini gave her the fine wit, intelligence, sparkle and pizzazz, but this placement of the Sun in the 8th contributed to her lack of self confidence, the wanting to hide away from the world, which tendency also came from having a Scorpio rising sign. Ketu in the 4th house of self confidence also put some hindrance on her ability to believe in herself.

Wherever Rahu is in the chart, one can say, "I can't see my______", whatever that house relates to. Here Rahu is in the 10th house so, "I can't see my power, position, fame," would be the case for Diana. For those who have questioned how she could run off into the world, trying to behave like a normal citizen again, without benefit of Scotland Yard bodyguards, this is the answer. I believe that it was difficult for her to integrate the two realities that were there in her life: the royal princess who lost all claim to normalcy and privacy upon marrying Prince Charles, and the geniune humanitarian, people-oriented, witty, fun-loving People's Princess.

Years ago I accurately predicted to a study group of my fellow Vedic Astrology teachers, the timing of the break up of Diana's marriage with Prince Charles. Up until recently, I was not looking for a cause or time of death for her. But I knew she was going through the dismal Sadhe Sati transit we must all endure every 28 years, lasting for seven and a half years, in which Saturn transits the house before the Moon, then right on the Moon, and the house after the Moon, for two and a half years each. She only had a few more months to go. On April 17, 1998, she would have been completely free from all those limitations and restrictions.

Moon represents mind and emotions in our charts. Saturn represents grief, delay, obstacles, slow progress, hard work, separation, depression, etc. For all of us it is a very challenging period. Here we see that not even a princess with all her comforts and luxuries could escape these effects. Having observed via national media all her hardships and sorrows for nearly seven years, I had been mentally pulling for her, as one cheers a racehorse who has run gallantly and is so near the finish line. In less than eight months she would have escaped fromt this malefic Saturn's grasp, but Saturn gives its full effects in the 36th year. She had just recently turned 36. It was a race she never got to finish, into a new life whose direction and outcome we shall never now get a chance to discover.

Like so many other common people throughout the world, I have felt for years that I personally knew her, and the grief of her loss feels very real to me. This chart analysis won't bring her back, or ease the ache in any of our hearts, but I hope it indicates that this event was not just happenstance or simple recklessness. As for me, I have no doubt that the light of our wonderful princess and her incredible smile will keep beaming down at us from her new position among the brightest stars in heaven. 

THE MYSTERIES OF MEDICAL ASTROLOGY

Have you ever wondered what factors in a person's birthchart might indicate causes of specific illnesses or accidents?

Whenever we are faced with a health challenge or accident which harms some part of our body, a look at our Vedic Astrology natal chart will reveal some corresponding dysfunctional dance happening among our planets, at that time.

From our head and brain down to our toes, each part of our body is represented by one of the 12 houses in our birthchart, as well as one of the 12 signs of the zodiac underlying each of these houses, and also one of the 9 planets we use in Vedic Astrology.

An examination of the condition of each of these planets in one's chart tells the story of what conditions we may have to face. The planetary cycles or dasha periods that apply to each individual's chart are unique to this system of astrology and show us when these challenges are likely to occur.

The dashas are major time cycles, lasting from 6 to 20 years, which give a primary theme for the life lessons we encounter in that time period. These dasha cycles actually are operating at five levels all the time, like a corporate hierarchy of graduated influence similar to Chairman of the Board, President, Vice President, Manager, employee.

In your individual sessions, we can analyze all the factors to alert you of what health vulnerabilities you were born with, how best to protect yourself from aggravating those conditions through your own actions or lifestyle choices, and when attention to these potential problems would especially be needed. There is a great value in being vigilant to "avert the danger before it arises" or as our grandmothers may have advised us, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!"

Some things are very obvious. For example, Jupiter rules the liver, so if we see a weak or afflicted Jupiter in the birthchart, we can advise the individual to avoid or reduce the consumption of alcohol. If there are fiery planets in the first house (which represents self and body), we know that the person would have what is known as a "Pitta" constitution in the Ayurvedic healthcare system, and really needs to avoid too much "heat." That would include too much exposure to the Sun, physical overexertion or even a lot of hot, spicy foods.

Fortunately, when we see potential problems, Vedic Astrology includes the knowledge of "remedies" as well, which will be the subject of a future article (these include attention to lifestyle and nutrition, Ayurvedic preventive healthcare, appropriate gemstones and "yagyas", ancient sacred ceremonies).

Here are some specific correlations between areas of the body and areas of the birthchart. The following examples are given to ground this information and show the practical application in individual birthcharts:

Area of the body: Corresponding Astrological Factors:

Head, brain Sun, 1^st house, sign of Aries

Face and its organs Moon, 2nd house, sign of Taurus

Right eye Sun, 2nd house

Left eye Moon,12th house

Nose Mars

Tongue Mercury

Ears, palate, throat Jupiter

Teeth Saturn

Throat, neck, shoulder, 3^rd house, sign of Gemini

arms, hands (Gemini also relates to palms, wrists, nipples)

Tonsils Moon

Organ of voice Sun

Hands Mercury

Chest, heart, lungs 4^th house, sign of Cancer

Respiratory system Saturn

Breasts, lungs, glands Moon

Bronchial tubes Mercury

Heart as life center,

arteries, veins Sun

Stomach, liver, gallbladder, 5^th house, sign of Leo

kidneys, navel, spleen

navel, liver Jupiter

kidneys Venus, Moon

stomach Moon

gallbladder Saturn

bowels, gastric juice Mercury

bile, digestive fire Mars

bile Sun

Navel, hips, intestines 6^th house,

hips, back, waist, small intestine Sign of Virgo

Hips Jupiter

Spine Ketu

Bowels Mercury

Intestine Mars

Nerves Mercury, Saturn

Nervous system Ketu

Skin Mercury

Bones Sun

Blood Moon

Bone Marrow Mars

Fat Jupiter

Muscles, sinews Mars

Muscles Saturn

Region below the navel, bladder 7^th house

Abdomen, belly, large intestines,

buttocks sign of Libra

Reproductive organs, fluids,

secretions, semen, ovula Venus

Reproductive and elimination

organs 8^th house, sign of Scorpio

Excretory system and Rahu

alimentary canal

Thighs 9^th house, sign of Sagittarius

Knees 10^th house, sign of Capricorn

Calves, ankles 11^th house, sign of Aquarius

Knees, legs and feet Saturn

Feet 12^th house, sign of Pisces

It is a matter of learning which planets are troublesome in general (these are called Malefics), and which planets are especially troublesome in one's particular birthchart (functional Malefics). Then we look to see what they are doing, to determine which part of the body may be adversely affected. The dashas (planetary cycles) show us WHEN they might deliver those problems. (The transits of the planets are also taken into consideration here).

It is very helpful to identify the "trouble-makers" in our own charts, so that we are prepared in advance to ward off the worst of the possible effects.

If we examine a person's birthchart and find any of the malefic planets sitting in the signs or houses indicated above, usually the individual will confirm that this is an area where they carry some stress, have had problems with, or sometimes a dysfunction requiring surgery or hospitalization. The same would be true if some type of affliction were found affecting the particular planet governing the part of the body under consideration.

Here are some examples, to show how this can work: in my own chart, I have Saturn and Mars sitting together in the 2^nd house, which pertains to the face and organs of the face, especially the right eye.

Saturn represents grief in general and in my case also vulnerability, as it rules my 8^th house. Mars represents accidents and scars. As luck would have it, these two planets are also enemies, so they are not too happy to be sitting together in one house!

When I was young, perhaps between the ages of 8 and 11 (no records were kept on this event), I picked up my cat to save him from a barking dog who was scaring him, and in his fright, the cat accidentally scratched my right eye. The doctor said there would be a permanent scar on my cornea (there is), but that it shouldn't permanently harm my vision. Such are the joys of a Mars/Saturn conjunction!

Here is another interesting example: Princess Grace of Monaco was born Grace Kelly on November 12, 1929 in Philadelphia, PA at 5:31 a.m. Her beauty was legendary and shows up in the birthchart as well as any number of blessings: intelligence, "name and fame", successful career, creativity, foreign travel, wealth. However, the malefic planet Rahu was located in the sign of Aries in her chart.

Many may think that the cause of her early death was simply a tragic vehicle accident, since the car went over an embankment, and she passed away the following day. However, the actual cause of her losing control of the vehicle, according to my teacher, was that Rahu (the "Seizer") caused a brain seizure (Aries rules the head and brain area). Rahu is the north node of the Moon (he represents the head or upper part of the cosmic serpent). The dashas or planetary cycles she was running on the date of the accident were: Venus/Moon/Rahu/Rahu. So Rahu was active at the 3^rd and 4^th level in the dasha lineup, giving him plenty of influcence to cause such an event. The next day, September 14, 1982, when she passed away, the dashas had changed at the 4^th level to be Venus/Moon/Rahu/Jupiter.

We find Jupiter in her 8^th house, which covers the area of "life and death" for all of us, and her Jupiter was ruling the 3^rd house (cause of death) and 6^th house (distress, health problems), so that is how even a natural benefic planet like Jupiter can be an indicator of a health problem or even one's demise.

Have you ever wondered how several children could grow up in the same home environment, yet only one of them turned out to suffer from addictions or addictive behavior? That would be the planet Ketu (south node of the Moon, and represents the tail of the cosmic serpent). If Ketu is in a dominant position such as conjunct the Moon, or in the first house, etc., addictions may arise, unless one chooses to really utilize the more positive gifts of this planet which could include a very developed intuition, and interest in spiritual development.

There are no end of examples that might be presented here. For example, there are many types of venereal disease afflicting the population at large these days. If someone wants to know whether they may be prone to contracting one of these STD's, we would analyze the condition of Venus in their birthchart, as well as what planets might be sitting in their 8^th house, and the condition of the ruler of the 8^th house, as well as whether there may be any malefic planets sitting in the sign of Scorpio. If any of these factors are afflicted, we can advise which time periods to take especially good care of one's self in order to avoid this type of vulnerability.

This is simply a brief overview of the planetary significations that a Vedic Astrologer takes under consideration when studying someone's birthchart, especially when providing a natal chart assessment, or yearly chart reading.

Fortunately, my own experience has led me to accumulating a wealth of preventative or healing resources that I am happy to share with my clients. Please visit my website www.marystevenson.isagenix.com for information on a wonderful, natural cleanse and weight loss system, which has produced profound results for both myself and many friends around the country.

One of the many types of remedies for the afflictions people often suffer, would be the use of the ancient science of health called Ayurveda. My colleague Dr. Tom Groover here in Boulder, Colorado, has been trained in this modality and is available by appointment to provide the appropriate herbal recommendations, as well as techniques for purifying the body of toxins, cranial sacral work and his specialty of NUCCA chiropractic services. I would be happy to refer you to Dr. Groover or the appropriate healing specialist that your chart might indicate a need for. Visit my website www.healingconnections.net

The Cosmic Compass

Where is the best place for me to live?

This is a question I hear a lot, in my work as a Vedic Astrologer. The study of my astrocartography map, used in conjunction with my own Vedic Astrology birthchart, led me to move to my current home of Boulder, Colorado in 1996. Astrocartography indicated that this would be one of the best places on the planet for me to live, and that is how I have felt since moving here.

So many times you may have felt that you were just spinning your wheels and going nowhere, in the town in which you are living. Intuitively you may feel that life could be better in a new area, if you just had a Cosmic Compass to point you in the right direction.

Personally I have lived in six different areas of the United States, and found in retrospect, that the types of experiences I had there, highly correlated to the specific lines of planetary influence that are dominant for me in those areas. Of course I didn't know that at the time. It was a very interesting discovery when I learned of astrocartography and applied that information to my Vedic chart. It would have made a difference in some of my choices of where to live, had I known in advance, what I know now.

What do you wish to focus on and manifest at this stage of your life? The planets (or grahas) may be seen to represent certain laws of Nature. It can be helpful to take advantage of the planetary energies connected to that area of life in your Vedic birthchart, which seem to get reinforced by living along those planetary lines found in your astrocartography map.

Can moving really change your destiny? There are indeed powerful zones on Earth's surface where certain portions of your destiny can be expected to manifest more directly and easily than in others. Every human potential exists somewhere on Earth for each person, at least as much as their destiny will permit, and the astrocartography map, when taken into consideration with your Vedic birthchart, shows you where.

For example, if your focus is on love and marriage, it is not just a simple matter of finding areas under one of your Venus lines, and going to live there. Venus may not own the most beneficial houses in your birthchart, or may not be sitting in a beneficial house in your chart, to receive the positive characteristics normally associated with benefic Venus. You would want to look at the whole picture, including which planet may be ruling your 7th house of marriage, and any planets occupying the 7th house, and what experiences they have been triggering based upon their condition in your chart.

Are you interested in the following areas of life?

• Career development
• Accumulating wealth
• Health improvement
• Locations for maximum relationship happiness

Certainly we want to avoid living along negative planetary lines that could possibly aggravate particular health vulnerabilities present in our individual birthchart.

I would be happy to assist you with the insights to be found through aligning your astrocartography map, with your Vedic Astrology birthchart. The same basic data is needed for each: your date, place and time of birth.

For a personal consultation or more information, call 303-473-9393. Namaste, Mary Stevenson, Vedic Astrologer

Email Me: msmarystevenson@yahoo.com

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