THURSDAY
(8-10:30 AM) : Sarbani Rath. Moksha Karaka Ketu.
"An examination of Ketu, as the destructive, chaotic element in the horoscope and its role as the mokṣa karaka and the harbinger of spirituality. Ketu is the wandering minstrel, a volatile disruptive missile breaking our marriages and domesticity, yet blesses us with great spirituality, lineages, children, home. We will examine various yogas formed by this graha across various vargas and try to understand his elusive nature."
(12-4:30 PM) : Komilla Sutton. Sage Parashara's Secrets of Vimshottari Dasha.
"In Brihat Parashar Hora shastra, Sage Parashara has devoted many chapters to Vimshottari Dasha. In this workshop Komilla Sutton picks the key aspects of Sage’s wisdom and her experience to focus on the techniques of interpretation, advanced rules, Dasha lords, nakshatra positions, birth dasha, Chidra Dasha (end of Dasha), Dasha lord’s point of view, special influence of Rahu Ketu dasha, dasha of retrograde planets, how Yudh and combustion impact and much more"
(5-6:30 PM) : Opening Ceremony
Faculty Introductions. Navagraha Puja. Keynote Speech by Sam Geppi. Parashara Award. "The Opening Ceremony will consist of faculty introductions, a Navagraha Puja led by Pundit Samavedula, a Keynote Speech by Sam Geppi, and the Annual Maharishis Parashara Award Ceremony for Lifetime Recognition in Jyotish."
(7-9:30 PM) : Alan Annand. The Chaya Graha.
"For both western and Vedic astrologers alike, getting a grip on the lunar nodes – Rahu and Ketu – is like shadow boxing in the dark. Little wonder that so many astrologers don’t know what to say about the nodes, let alone interpret their roles, whether in a static horoscope interpretation, or a dynamic analysis involving either node in a dasha/bhukti sequence. Nodes act as primal malefics on their own account, but also as avatars for Saturn and Mars, and furthermore, as proxies for any grahas with which they are linked in one of four different ways. Under certain conditions, they are capable of forming yogas, and can also carry many of their static associations into dashas or bhuktis. Now, armed with a few basic principles, jyotishis can ultimately shed light on these shadowy influences. "
(10-11 PM): Togi & Sandeep. Jyotish Understanding of Family Karma.
"Jyotish can easily be used to identify our Karmic patterns within the context of one’s family. However, it is also a powerful tool to recognise & utilise the interconnected nature of karmic energies amongst our family members to identify karmic potentials and events. Quite often, addition of a new child into a family improves career & status for their parents, but also for other relatives. In this talk, we will explore similar ideas & concepts and examine various ways to bring about healing & overall prosperity within the family we are born into."
FRIDAY
(8-9 AM) : Melodie Essig. Nakshatra Shakti Miracles.
"Each Nakshatra holds a specific Shakti or power. These are given by the Deva or Devata that rules over them. We can use the Shakti and muhurta with ritual and devotion to produce miraculous results. By sharing research, success stories, and evidence, I will demystify what seems impossible - how to create miracles. We will discuss muhurta, tarabala and the nature and categories of Nakshatras. I will also share about the Shaktis of a few Nakshatras and how to worship under these stars for the most powerful and auspicious results. In addition, I will lead a guided meditation, visualization, and ritual to invoke the Shakti of the Nakshatra ruling the day."
(10-12:30 PM) : Komilla Sutton. The Dusthana 6th, 8th, and 12th Houses: the Complex Karma of Life.
"Dur – Sthana. Dur negative. Sthana means place. The 6th, 8th and 12th houses are dusthana houses. These are unfavourable houses and the planets that rule them create problems where they are. Planets placed in dusthana are troubled. Dusthana houses are reminding of the old karma that now we should resolve. The problems happen when we do not do anything about them. Also, dusthana houses have positive influence too so we should not dismiss them as all negative. The 6th house creates obstacles, injury and disease, 8th house creates unexpected transformations, the 8th house also shows Nija dosha or past life mistakes which becomes major issues in this life. All of us have dushtana houses and some of us may have planets in them too – so the main thing we need to learn is how to deal with the dushtana by using common sense, yogic and spiritual disciplines to help mitigate the issues that dusthana houses bring into our life."
(1-5:30 PM) : Alan Annand. Love, Marriage, and Sexuality.
"Experienced astrologers know that relationships and career, especially the former, are their clients’ biggest concerns. To address that need, this intensive provides working jyotishis with multiple pro forma to assess: (1) who is inclined for marriage vs who’s reluctant, and (2) who will marry for love in defiance of familial and/or societal pressure, or enter into a “mixed” marriage with a foreigner or an LGBTQ partner. And after the honeymoon is over, what then? Additional pro forma differentiate between bias and outcome, ie, the prognosis for (a) marital harmony vs strife, (b) lasting marriage vs divorce, and/or (c) multiple marriages. Meanwhile, libido or lack thereof draws people in and out of intimate relationships, the bias for which can be determined via certain combinations among a sextet of passionate grahas – the “good girls” and “bad boys” of the zodiac."
(7-9:30 PM) : Dr. Arjun Pai. Research on Nakshatra Quality, Yoni & Sexual Compatibility. "Each individual is born with certain personality traits. A modern day model to study personality types based on Nakshatras would be desirable to guide one's thinking and actions to experience more compatible relationships. This research proposes a nakshatra-based framework to understand the personality types of individuals. This session will cover aspects of sexual compatibility based on nakshatra quality and yoni (animal totems). In this lecture, we will learn how emotional intelligence and how social intelligence evolved in animals. We will observe patterns/ synastry in nakshatra animals (described in narada purana) which can be extended also to all forms of relationships in general, and not restrict it purely for marriage compatibility."
(10-11 PM) : Dr. Dennis Harness. The Karmic Code: A Jyotishi’s Journey.
"We each have our unique path into the mystical world of Vedic Astrology. In my own spiritual sojourn I have had the opportunity to meet and develop personal relationships with some of the greatest jyotishis of all time. Dr. B.V. Raman, Chakrapani Ullal, Bepin Behari, Dr. David Frawley, Hart Defouw, James Braha and William Levacy, Ph.D. are just a few of the great seers I have met along the way. In this lecture I will share some of the sacred stories that have touched my life and practice of Jyotish. Since I am primarily a psychologist that utilizes astrology, I humbly bow to the great knowledge and astrology wisdom that has been shared with me in this incarnation. I also honor all systems of astrology as the true spirit of the Vedas was to be open to all forms of truth. May we all honor our individual path home to the divine."
(11:30-1 AM) : Kalidas Bhakti Rave
SATURDAY
(8-10:30 AM) : Visti Larsen. Kalāṁśa by Mahaṛṣi Parāśara
"What does Parāśara teach us about kāla and the kalāṁśa. Does a link exist between kāla and kalā in the Ṣoḍaśāṁśa (D-16) chart of Parāśara?"
(11-1:30 PM) : Vanita Lenka. Advanced Techniques of Predictions.
"In this course, You will learn What is astrology? Along with a brief description on the Signs, Planets & Rahu/Ketu? The Zodiac, and its significance Prediction techniques for Career, Marriage, Wealth, Health and more All of that with your personal charts as examples and other examples will be explained elaborately. Who this course is for: If you want to Confidently apply Vedic astrological principles in your own birth chart/ If you want to take up astrology as a part time career/ If you are passionate to help another person to take right decision in their life with Vedic astrological guidance/ If you want to move from beginner level to intermediate level in astrology."
(2-4:30 PM) : Dr. Arjun Pai. Exploration of Nakshatra Pada and Karmas.
"Results of the acquired karmas are classified as dridha (fixed), adridha (unfixed) and dridha/adridha (mixed). Astronomical identification of stars is based on dik (direction), kaala (time), desha (space/region of sky). Nakshatras are described as fields of 'karmic seeds' waiting to germinate/ fructify when desha (place), kaala (time), patra (actor/individuals) align with conditions for harvest. Nakshatra padas give us an accurate understanding of how these fixed, unfixed and mixed karmas will unfold in our lifetime. In this lesson, we will explore the play of fate vs. freewill to understand the promise of these "karmic energy pockets" (padas). We will also discuss why remedies would not give results related to some of these nakshatra quarters."
(5-6:30 PM) : Durga Das Kirtan
(7-9:30 PM) : Jeffrey Armstrong. The SHORT List to an Ayurvedic Chart Analysis: 24 point Handout.
"Even seasoned practitioners will be able to quickly employ this advanced 24 points tool to best serve their client's needs. Learn the systematic checklist needed to determine the core of your client's chart, the reason the atma has incarnated, the dominant Guna prevalent, the Varna the client will pursue and more. Jeffrey has been a 45+ year practitioner of Jyotish and is famous for beating the skeptic Michael Shermer who challenged the validity of Vedic Astrology. Jeffrey combines his experience of Jyotish and psychology to expand your perception to help you transform your client's life."
*The SHORT List to an Ayurvedic Chart Analysis: Includes a 24-point Handout
(10-11 PM) : Dr. Malini Iyer. Accelerated Relationship Karmas: Rahu & Ketu in Synastry.
"Evaluating close intimate relationships is an important aspect of horoscopic astrology as we work most of our karmas in relationships that tend to push our buttons, for better or worse. This class will build on the concepts of 3D relationship model, wherein you take a three dimensional approach to examining relationships. One of the dimensions in the 3D model is synastry. Rahu & Ketu often tend to bring out distortions in relationships whenever they other planets or each other through synastry. Since the energy of lunar nodes is intangible & therefore unpredictable, it is harder to examine them in synastry let alone in an individual native chart. Using real life case studies, we will study ways to interpret nodes through synastry in relationship astrology. This class will also foreshadow Sam Geppi’s class scheduled on Nov 21st to allow attendees continuity & depth of study material."
SUNDAY
(8-10:30 AM) : Visti Larsen. Kālāṁśa by Devaṛṣi Nārada.
"What are the teachings of the great Devaṛṣi Nārada on the use of divisional charts, and their effects, with a specific focus on the Kālāṁśa chart. We learn the meaning of the sanskrit words 'mīnakāla, meṣakāla, etc' and their application in charts."
(11-1:30 PM) : Dr. Andrew Foss. Yogas of Time.
"Many people are familiar with yogas in the chart but there are also time-based yogas, which play an important role in selecting Muhurtas and other purposes. Traditional Jyotisha gave great importance to these. This talk will explore the nature and use of these yogas."
(3-5:30 PM) : Sam Geppi. Moon Yogas: Emotional Mind Reading.
"These are special techniques straight from Parashara that allow us to deeply examine a person's psychology and emotional patterning. This class will literally teach you to be an emotional mind reader. You will see how your mind is programmed to receive, and feel a certain way, then integrate/process you have experienced. Also, you will learn what anchors your mind and emotions and helps to stabilize you. A mind-blowing, yet simple technique from the master Parashara. I will be showing the exact quotes from the text, and be giving example charts, but explaining them in a modern context, where practical advice and remedies will be offered. Students will be encouraged to follow along with their chart."
(7-9:30 PM) : Jeffrey Armstrong. The Jyotish Gita: The Vedic Philosophical Basis of Jyotish.
"The Bhagavad Gita is one of the pivotal Vedic texts that contains many references to yogic processes and subjects that are the philosophical basis of Jyotish. Jyotish is known in Sanskrit as a Vedanga, meaning it is considered to be one of the six essential limbs of the Veda. For your convenience, Jeffrey has extracted the pivotal verses from the Bhagavad Gita that are essential to the philosophical understanding and practice of Jyotish. The Vedic subjects of the gunas, karma, doshas, yajna, vrittis, samsara, the essential forms of yoga, prakriti, Brahman, Svarga Loka, devas and devis, manas, samskaras, yuga cycles, deva and asura, atma, dharma, Paramatma, avatar, dasendriyas, kala, varna, Purusha and prakriti, kama, buddhi, ritam, tapasya, shraddha, and yantra will all be explained and why this understanding is so important.
**The Bhagavad Gita Comes Alive is the first decolonized Gita in the world with an amazing glossary of terms. #1 on Amazon, acclaimed as a "masterpiece" and a "must read" version. www.GitaComesAlive.com "
(10-11 PM) : Barry Rosen. Blocks to Moksha in the Natal Chart: Maneuvering Through the Rivers of Karma.
"The ability to get off the wheel of karma often takes grace, a Sat Guru, and a deep awareness of what unconscious mistakes we are making that block usfrom being free. Sometimes these are connected to addictive patterns in the 6th house and planets in the 12th house that creates unconscious patterns which prevent us from being free. Planets in the other moksha houses like the 4th and the 8th can also create blocks and even our primal urges connected to the 3rd house can keep us bound in lower patterns. Mars and the Sun which are connected to ego also have layers of ego games involving domination, power being right and making others wrong. In this talk, Barry Rosen will discuss the blocks and blind spots that cause suffering and keep us trapped on the wheel of karma and how awareness of them can set us free."
MONDAY
(9-10:30 AM) : Pundit Samavedula. Learn About Saptarishi Mandala and benefits in Life.
"The Saptarishi (Seven Sages) are known as the seven rishis in ancient India, distinctly mentioned in the Vedas and other Hindu literature like Brahmanas and Upanishads. In this class we learn about Saptarishi’s Names and Story and unfold the power of saptarishis in our life ."
(11-1:30 PM) : Eve Mendoza. Patañjali's Vibhūti Pāda and the gifts of the Grahas.
"The most popular work on Yoga in the West seems to be Patañjali's Yoga Sūtras. When we read Yoga blogs or articles, undoubtedly, the famous Yamas and Niyamas will be listed and explained through the lens of the writer. Though I feel unqualified to expound on any part of Patañjali's Yoga Sūtras, I would like to draw attention to some of the less discussed attributes of the Grahas related to Yoga. Patañjali mentions the results of uniting the mind with Sūrya (Sun), Candra (Moon) and Dhruva (Pole Star) in his Vibhūti Pāda. When we hear "Yoga" in the West, our thoughts often take the form of various postures and poses. However, we will be visiting that Yoga which is in relationship to the union of Jiva with Shiva, or the inner mechanics and postering of mind that results in union with Substance, or something lasting. It is said that the Grahas (Planets) influence human life through prāna and manas. If this is true, the knowledge of their effects would be very helpful to direct, simplify and stabilize our path towards internal wisdom, instead of increasing our dependency on outside information, which usually leads to complication and destabilization. This section of Patañjali's Yoga Sūtras, Vibhūti Pāda, highlights the unfolding of the extraordinary happenings that present themselves as the veils of material-sleep lift from the inner-eye (as one approaches the threshold of the Beloved, before Kaivalya). Each Graha has a unique relationship with these experiences. With my head firmly lowered, I state honestly that I am not an expert of the outer or inner path of Yoga and the intellect has no way of grasping these things. They require direct experience. Let's have a deeper dialogue on the function of the Grahas in our inner life. Just for this moment, let's steer away from mundane predictions. This is not to dismiss the importance of material life matters but the use of Jyotish in this way often leads us away from stability we seek. Let's open the door to a more intimate conversation; a conversation that encourages and ignites the flame of awareness of the inner path and turn the illumined eyes of Jyotish towards the within. In the Purāṇas, Brahmā states that concentration or meditation upon Śiśumāra Cakra, a portion of the galaxy and solar system, is purifying and liberating for the jīva (individual life). My hope is for us to connect to our innate desire for freedom so that we can appreciate the wisdom of Jyotish as a liberating force. Maybe by contemplating our prison cell, we can better plot our escape."
(2-6:30 PM) : Sam Geppi. 3D Vedic Relationship Astrology.
"In this class I'm going to delve into the complex subject of relationship astrology and horoscope matching between two individuals. I'll be teaching an approach I call 3D Vedic relationship astrology. In this approach we first assess the capacity of each individual, seeing what they bring to relationships, aside from their partners. We will explore the masculine and feminine potential of each person, and their stress or ease with setting boundaries and making agreements they feel good about.Secondly, we evaluate the buttons getting pushed between the couple, based on synastry, conjunctions, and aspects between two charts. These emotional hot buttons are often what lead to a lot of attraction. But maybe it's negative or difficult entanglements. Perhaps the entanglements are gentle and support cooperation. Most of our reactions to people in our relationships, and the attraction/repulsion can be seen through synastry.Then finally we evaluate the classic Vedic Kuta system, and the special relationship factors shown by the Nakshatras and the eight (or ten) point scoring system This purely Vedic assessment reveals a much deeper and more subtle karmic patterning. It adds that three-dimensionality to the surface level of attraction and all of the hot buttons getting pushed.Many charts and case studies will be used, and students will be encouraged to follow along with their charts and perhaps the charts of current or past relationships. But of course, these principles apply in all relationships, families, friends and more."
(7-9:30 PM) : Narasimha Rao. Parasara's Trikona Dasa.
"In his magnum opus "Brihat Parasara Hora Sastram", Maharshi Parasara taught tens of dasa systems. Some of them are nakshatra based and some are rasi based. While rasi dasas such as Chara dasa and Sthira dasa are well-known, Trikona dasa taught by Parasara is not very well-known. In this session, PVR Narasimha Rao shares how to compute Trikona dasa and how to use it for making predictions. This dasa is applicable to rasi chart as well as divisional charts."
(10-11 PM) : Charlotte Benson. The Subtle Meanings of The Bhavas.
"The twelve divisions of the sky define basic life experiences for each of us – our physical bodies, our relationship with money, career, our children, etc. The ancient shastras have also provided a myriad of helpful, specific, details to further refine the issues of these houses/bhavas. For instance, you know that the fourth house rules real estate in general, but originally referred only to the house into which you were born. The eighth house rules subsequent homes. Details will be offered on each of the 12 janma rasi bhavas, with the intention of adding to your specific analytical abilities."