Jyotish Spans the Lokas

Vedic astrology (Jyotish) deals with subtle energies that correspond to what are known as tattvas (elements) in the Hindu yoga tradition. Because of this, Jyotish has much to say about the many different planes of consciousness (lokas) that figure into what we call existence or nature. The most fundamental lokas relate to everyday experience (physical plane = natal chart), the occult worlds (astral plane = navamsha (D9) chart) and a level of psychic experience even deeper than the occult worlds (causal plane = bhamsha (D27) chart). These three planes are the most relevant levels for the vast majority of people, whether they live an ordinary life or aspire to become enlightened. For instance, a very famous prayer in Hinduism, called the Gayatri mantra, starts off with the words: "bhur, bhuva, svaha" which relate to these three planes. Thus, it invokes all the relevant dimensions of reality so that its prayer may have the greatest positive effect.

The Jyotish Star Map 

In Hinduism, the lokas span even further out beyond these three levels all the way up to the greatest heavens, where the mightiest saints and sages and the purest gods and goddesses live. Jyotish, however, also addresses other realms: ones that go all the way down to the darkest and most infernal hells. In total, seven lokas are referenced (from our world of ordinary experience up through the highest heavens) and a supplemental scheme is applied to classify the hell regions (all strata below the earth plane).

While Vedic astrology has charts and tools to understand all these levels of experience, the most important charts it works with are the natal chart and navamsha chart. With just these two and a few extra trinkets, you have a brilliant model for your life—what you should be doing, how you can tell if you are on track, what's going on right now, why things happened the way they did, what opportunities you have access to ... and, most importantly, clear guidelines on how you should live your life, regardless of the path you choose to follow (wealth, happiness, virtue, spirituality).

Here's a look at some of the details involved. You can click on each slide to get a larger, clearer view:

If you are really into it and want to hone in on practical stuff straight away, you can skip ahead a page and read the first lesson for the Jyotish Star Map. It discusses the difference between the natural zodiac and the natal chart for any person; and then goes on to explain how one employs qigong to harmonize the first two signs of the natural zodiac (and thereby, the first two houses of ANY natal chart—whether Guru is there or not). Just click the button below labeled JSM Lesson 1 - Different Esoteric Levels.

Otherwise, if you can hold onto your hat for a moment, have a read of the next several pages in order. It will make a lot more sense that way. The following page, labeled Next Step, explores some of the historical foundations of Vedic astrology. Then, you continue on with theory and find how—after charting through this solar system, galaxy and super-galaxy—the Jyotish Star Map blazons onward along a cosmic trail up to the very doorsteps of this universe and a numinous portal to other universes in the multiverse.

With this info in place you will be ready to tackle the subsequent page, JSM Lesson 1, which takes a deep dive into the details. Go slow. The world will never be the same once you get through this section on JSM. Honest. It’s like an astute physics professor once opined, “If you really get what quantum physics mean … if you really get it, in your gut … you will never be the same.” Well, you know, he was right. And maybe, just maybe, with a little meditation added as spice, your world view will change in remarkable and encouraging ways too.