Learn the Language.
See the Logic.
Move with Precision.
Vedic astrology has its own vocabulary.
Here's what the terms mean and why they matter.
Ritesh explains everything as you go.
But if you're curious about the system, start here.
Why It Matters
We use specific terms not to confuse you,
but because English often lacks the words
to describe these concepts accurately.
For the Skeptical Learner
You don't need to "believe in" any of this.
A more useful question is: "Is this useful?"
Approach it as an experiment.
Learn enough to test it against your own experience.
Notice what correlates with patterns you've already observed in your life.
That's not a leap of faith. It's just inquiry.
Vedic vs. Western Astrology
This is often the first question people ask.
The short answer: they use different reference points.
Western (Tropical)
Uses the seasons as its reference point. The zodiac is tied to Earth's relationship with the Sun.
Focus: psychological tendencies, personality archetypes
Vedic (Sidereal)
Uses actual star positions as its reference. The zodiac is anchored to the fixed stars.
Focus: timing cycles, life patterns, practical navigation
Technical note: Western astrology sets 0° Aries at the spring equinox. Vedic astrology measures from the fixed stars, creating a ~24° difference between the two systems. This gap (called "ayanamsa") grows slowly over centuries.
If you're a "Libra Sun" in Western astrology, you might be a "Virgo Sun" in Vedic.
Both systems have value. They're measuring different things.
1. The Foundation
It does not predict the future; it shows the terrain."
Imagine you are planning a road trip.
A map shows you the terrain: this route is scenic but has steep mountains;
that route is flat but longer; this section has construction delays.
You still choose where to go, how fast to move,
and when to pause along the way.
The map just shows you what's ahead so you can prepare.
That's what a reading does.
It maps the terrain of your life so you can drive with awareness.
2. The Twelve Sections (Houses)
Life isn't just one big event. It's divided into specific areas.
Think of your life like a house with 12 distinct rooms.
Each room governs different aspects of your experience:
from your sense of self and family bonds,
to career, relationships, and spiritual growth.
Understanding which rooms are naturally well-lit versus which need extra attention helps you allocate your energy wisely.
Self & Foundation
- 1. Identity & Vitality
- 2. Resources & Values
- 3. Courage & Initiative
- 4. Foundations & Peace
Growth & Interaction
- 5. Creation & Intelligence
- 6. Resilience & Problem‑Solving
- 7. Partnership & Mirroring
- 8. Transformation & Depth
Purpose & Result
- 9. Wisdom & Expansion
- 10. Impact & Career
- 11. Fulfillment & Network
- 12. Release & Rest
A note on naming: Traditional Vedic terms can sound alarming out of context. The 6th section is classically "enemies and disease" but really governs your capacity to face obstacles. The 12th ("loss") is about release and rest. We use names that reflect what these areas actually do.
Each section receives a mathematical "score" showing natural strength versus challenge areas.
3. Strength vs. Challenge Areas
Back to the house analogy: Some rooms in your life are naturally well-lit,
organized, and easy to maintain. These are your Strength Areas.
Other rooms might be darker, cluttered, or require structural repair.
These are your Challenge Areas.
This is about strategy, not judgment.
In Strength Areas: Leverage. Capitalize. Things just "click" here.
In Challenge Areas: Strategy. Patience. Systems. This is where growth happens, but it requires conscious work.
We don't say "this is bad."
We say "this room needs a renovation plan."
4. Timing (The Seasons)
The same action taken at different times yields different results.
You wouldn't plant seeds in winter, no matter how hard you worked.
Growth Cycles
- Ready for new experiences
- Expansion feels natural
- Time to take risks
Flow Cycles
- Things come easily
- Momentum builds
- Opportunities align
Consolidation Cycles
- Need to integrate
- Inward focus
- Strengthen foundations
Challenging Cycles
- Extra care needed
- Not the time to force
- Focus on basics
5. The Mathematical "Translator"
Most modern astrology involves typing birth data into software
and reading a generated report. That's not what happens here.
Ritesh spends 2-3 days manually calculating your chart using ancient formulas.
He's not just looking for answers. He's "entering" the chart.
Each chart is calculated entirely by hand
using traditional Vedic formulas
"Through mathematical calculations,
I temporarily enter your energetic pattern...
I actually relive the probable experiences
the person would have gone through..."
"I become that person a little."
He views himself as a Translator: comparing your chart
to source texts refined over millennia, finding the patterns,
and translating them into modern language you can use.
6. The Four Life Orientations
Why do some people chase career while others chase meaning?
Vedic philosophy recognizes four valid life purposes.
Dharma (Purpose)
Driven by meaning and service. Values integrity.
Asks: "What am I here to do?"
Artha (Security)
Driven by resources.
Values stability.
Asks: "How do I build and provide?"
Kama (Pleasure)
Driven by beauty and joy. Values experiences.
Asks: "What brings me alive?"
Moksha (Liberation)
Driven by understanding. Values freedom.
Asks: "What is ultimately true?"
7. Children in Vedic Astrology
Understanding children has always been central to this tradition.
Ancient scholars observed children carefully, not to predict their futures,
but to recognize their natures and guide them wisely.
The Sanskrit word shishu (child) shares its root with shiksha (education).
From the beginning, these concepts were linked: understanding the child is the foundation of teaching the child.
Vedic texts weren't asking "What will this child become?"
They were asking practical questions parents still ask today:
Natural Inclinations
- What will this child gravitate toward?
- Where will they find their flow?
- What energizes vs. drains them?
Learning Style
- Structure or freedom?
- Learning by doing or observing?
- Solo exploration or group learning?
Communication
- How should guidance be delivered?
- What approach will actually land?
- Direct feedback or gentle encouragement?
Timing
- When are they ready for challenges?
- When do they need patience?
- What seasons support their growth?
To parent with awareness rather than assumption."
Quick Reference
The Nine Planets (Navagraha)
Nine celestial bodies representing different aspects of life:
- Sun (Surya): Soul, vitality, authority
- Moon (Chandra): Mind, emotions, receptivity
- Mars (Mangala): Energy, courage, action
- Mercury (Budha): Intelligence, communication
- Jupiter (Guru): Wisdom, expansion, optimism
- Venus (Shukra): Pleasure, beauty, relationships
- Saturn (Shani): Structure, discipline, time
- Rahu (North Node): Amplification, worldly desires
- Ketu (South Node): Detachment, past patterns
Nakshatras (Lunar Mansions)
The 27 Nakshatras are a deeper layer beneath the 12 signs. If signs are countries, Nakshatras are specific cities, providing microscopic precision in chart analysis.
Planetary Dignities
Planets behave differently depending on their position:
- Exalted: Strongest expression
- Own Sign: Comfortable, at home
- Friendly: Supported by the environment
- Debilitated: Challenged, growth area
What This Is Not
- NOT Fortune-Telling: We don't predict specific unavoidable events.
- NOT Destiny: Nothing is fixed.
The map is not the journey. - NOT Mystical: This is a systematic, mathematical framework.
- NOT Generic: Calculations are unique to your exact birth minute.
What This Is
- Pattern Recognition: Identifying the loops you get stuck in.
- Timing Clarity: Knowing when to act and when to wait.
- Context: Understanding why things are happening.
- Strategy: Allocating your energy where it actually works.
Ready to Apply This to Your Life?
Understanding the framework is one thing
Seeing it work in your own chart is another
Continue Learning
For deeper exploration of Vedic astrology concepts,
patterns, and practical applications, visit Vedic Patterns.
Vedic Patterns Blog
Explore advanced concepts and practical applications:
- Advanced Concepts: Aspects, Yogas, Divisional Charts
- Pattern Studies: Recurring themes across multiple charts
- Timing Techniques: Dashas (planetary periods) and Transits
- Case Studies: Real-world applications of Vedic principles
- Historical Context: Mathematical and astronomical foundations