Foreword
Vedic astrology now commands an important presence in the astrological world, both East and West. It is recognized as one of the most accurate predictive systems, notable for delineating specific events in our lives in a stunningly precise manner. Yet, at the same time, Vedic astrology is admired as one of the most spiritual and insightful forms of the discipline with its deep understanding of the law of karma and its many tools for connecting us with our higher Self. Interest in the subject is growing rapidly, along with its interface with other Vedic disciplines like Yoga, Ayurveda, Tantra and Vastu, which are similarly widely gaining in popularity. There are several introductory books on the subject and a few more technical volumes published in the West. In India a large number of books on Vedic astrology are available in English, including very technical volumes, many written over the past decade, providing an extensive literature for the serious student to examine. Various associations of Vedic astrology now exist in the western world like the Council of Vedic Astrology (CVA) centered in the United States, which has a worldwide following, and the British Association of Vedic Astrology (BAVA). Many such modern Vedic astrological organizations can be found in India, starting with the Indian Council of Astrological Sciences (ICAS), founded by Dr. B.V. Raman. A full fledged western Vedic astrology school has recently emerged through the American College of Vedic Astrology (ACVA). Vedic astrologers regularly teach at western astrological conferences and have hosted many conferences of their own as well, with the depth of teaching increasing on a yearly basis. We could perhaps call this a renaissance of Vedic astrology as well as its worldwide spread. It is quite a change from the situation fifteen years ago when Vedic astrology was almost unknown in the West and information on it was very hard to find, much less any skilled practitioners of it. Vedic astrology will likely continue its growth for many years to come as one of the most important sciences for the planetary age. James Kelleher was one of the first Americans to study Vedic astrology in depth, which pursuit he has dedicated himself to over the past thirty years. His quest for Vedic astrological wisdom has led him on a wide range of interesting travels and studies with notable Vedic astrology teachers and gurus. Kelleher has also been one of the main founders of Vedic astrology organizations in the West and a popular teacher at many classes, conferences and seminars. Yet more importantly, James has been one of the most successful Vedic astrology practitioners, having read thousands of charts from his home in northern California and in his travels throughout the country. He has maintained a full time practice for the last fifteen years, with an unflagging enthusiasm. Kelleher is able to examine all aspects of a person’s life, from the most mundane to the most spiritual, using the entire range of Vedic astrological tools from the basic birth chart to divisional charts, annual charts and ashtakavarga. He has examined the symbolic basis of Vedic astrology in great detail and brings that into his readings as well.
James is considered to be a Vedic astrologer’s astrologer and is clearly one of the best practitioners among the American born Vedic astrologers. I have known James over the last fifteen years and observed the many sides of his astrological skills and studies. Kelleher’s Path of Light: introduction to Vedic astrology reflects these many years of study and practice. It is clearly a book that has taken a great deal of time, patience and consideration to finish, with much thought having gone into its every page. It is not just the work of someone passing on knowledge gained from other sources but reflects what the author has actually found to be valid through his own reading of many charts. The book is digested wisdom, not just standardized information or New Age fluff. It covers nearly everything the beginning Vedic astrologer would want to know and both depth and detail. It is an excellent reference volume for those seeking to understand what the planets mean in various signs and houses. Notably, Kelleher examines the Nakshatras or lunar mansions, one of the more unique and esoteric aspects of Vedic astrology, in some detail. Kelleher shows the foundation of Vedic astrology as a tool for understanding our karma. He adds many interesting stories from his own life-experience. In this regard, Kelleher has traveled more times to India and met with more Indian Vedic astrologers than perhaps any other astrologer in America. He could produce an entire book on his travels alone. The Path of Light is the foundation for what is likely to be a whole set of books on Vedic astrology by the author. Readers can look forward to Kelleher’s work as providing a good foundation for a new western Vedic astrology that is in harmony with classical sources and Indian gurus and also made relevant and verified by application in the charts of people today. This makes the book not just an introduction to Vedic astrology but textbook for the serious student as well. Dr. David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri) Author, Astrology of the Seers, Yoga and Ayurveda Director, American Institute of Vedic Studies
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1. Ashwini (0° Aries - 13° 20’ Aries)
Meaning:
“owning horses”
Symbol:
the horse’s head
Shakti:
the power to reach things quickly (shidhra vyapani shakti)
Basis above: creatures to be healed Basis below: healing therapies Desire:
the ability to hear well and not be deaf
Deity: The Ashwini Kumaras. These gods are twins who had the heads of horses. They are the physicians of the gods and they also rule over agriculture. The Ashwini Kumaras appear as young handsome men who have golden skin. They are able to move very fast. They share one wife who is the daughter of the Sun. They are experts in the use of herbs and magical techniques of healing. They are herdsmen and gardeners. They rescue and heal heroes. They bring honey to the gods. They bring the dawn each morning, appearing in the sky just before sunrise. Interpretation: Ashwini rules healing, especially Ayurveda and other natural-healing systems which make use of herbs. Whether he uses it directly or not, the Ashwini person usually has a natural ability to heal. 329
Path of Light – Introduction to Vedic Astrology
This nakshatra can also bring a connection to gardening and animals, especially horses. A focal planet like the Moon, Sun or ruler of the Ascendant placed here may occasionally make the person a twin. Alternatively, the person might have a best friend who is sometimes mistaken by others to be his sibling. This constellation stimulates activity and promotes a youthful appearance. Sometimes it creates a love of cars or other vehicles. Ashwini people may incur initial resistance or even prejudice in the process of attaining the status, position or acceptance they desire. This resistance can be overcome through selflessly serving, helping or healing others, rather than focusing on recognition and status directly. Ashwini people tend to gain elite status in their chosen profession or social circle. They can be good listeners, and often become counselors or therapists. They can possess the ability to listen internally as well, making them naturally inclined to be introspective. Stories Related to Ashwini: Indra Acknowledges the Ashwini Kumaras Indra, the king of the gods, would not admit that the Ashwins were divine because they were part of a lower worker cast (herdsmen-agriculturists). The Ashwins, however, gave eternal youth to the great sage, Cyavana (which means activity). Cyavana, in turn, compelled Indra to acknowledge their divinity and their right to the soma offering. The Ashwini Kumaras Learn the Knowledge of Immortality Once there was a hermit named Dadhyan, who had learned the secret knowledge of immortality from Indra. The Ashwini Kumaras, who were the physicians of the gods, found out and wanted to learn this from Dadhyan. Dadhyan, however, was afraid to teach them because Indra had stipulated that if he taught anyone, Indra would cut off Dadhyan’s head. The Ashwini Kumaras went to Dadhyan and said, “This is not a problem, we know the art of healing. We will simply cut off your head and replace it with a horse’s head. Then you can teach us what you know, and when Indra cuts off your new head, we will replace it with your own head.” Dadhyan agreed and this is how the Ashwini twins attained the knowledge of immortality. This is also how the Ashwini nakshatra came to be have such healing power. The Ashwini Kumaras Test Sukanya Once there was a rishi named Cyavana. He sat near a lake and meditated so long that shrubs and bushes grew all around his body so that 330
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only his eyes could be seen. One day, King Saryati visited the lake where he was staying. Saryati had four thousand wives, but he had only one daughter, Sukanya, an incredibly beautiful girl who he loved very much. Sukanya was playing in the bushes where Cyavana was meditating with his eyes open. She saw two gleaming points in the bushes. Out of curiosity she poked at them with a sharp stick, putting out the eyes of the sage. Although the sage was blinded, he did not curse Sukanya. Nevertheless, the violent deed did have the effect of bringing misery to the people of that area. When the King found out that his daughter had blinded Cyavana, he pleaded for forgiveness. Cyavana gave his forgiveness, but only on the condition that the King give Sukanya to him as his wife. The king was reluctant, but his daughter was quite willing and became the rishi’s wife. Although Cyavana was old and blind, Sukanya served him day and night with the greatest devotion. One day the Ashwini Kumaras saw her tending to the old sage with such care and tenderness that they decided to test her. They approached her saying, “ Sweet girl, you are very beautiful and could have a much better husband than this old, blind rishi. Why don’t you choose one of us to be your husband?” At this, Sukanya became indignant and threatened to curse the Ashwini Kumaras if they continued talking like this. The Ashwini Kumaras did not like the prospects of being cursed, but they were impressed by Sukanya’s virtue. As a boon, they promised to restore the youth, vigor, good looks and even the eyesight of Cyavana. But they still continued to test Sukanya. They told the sage to submerge himself in the lake. At the same time, the Ashwini Kumaras also dipped themselves in the lake. When all three of them rose from the lake, they were all handsome, virile and able to see perfectly, but they also looked exactly alike. They told Sukanya that she would now have to choose one of them, and that whoever she chose would be her husband. Sukanya closed her eyes, used her intuition, and was able to choose Cyavana. The Ashwinis Pray For a Boon Once the Sun told his two twin sons, the Ashwini Kumaras, “Pray to Brahma with devotion so that he will give you a boon.” Taking his advice, the Aswinis began reciting the Brahmapara hymn. They continued this for many years, with great intensity and devotion. Brahma was pleased and said, “Ask for a boon which is rare, even to the gods, and by which you can go everywhere in the heavens.” The Ashwinis said, “Oh great Creator, please give us our share among the gods. Please give us 331
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the position of gods who drink soma juice and an eternal place in the assembly of the gods.” Brahma said, “You will get all of the following gifts - beauty, luster, uniqueness, the position as the physician for all beings, and a place among the gods entitled to drink the soma juice in the worlds.” All this happened on the second lunar day, Dwitiya.
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