Jyotisha, the Study of Light

By Bette Timm

All objects in nature are created in time, developed in time, and destroyed in time. With this understanding, we are able to highly value a scientific system that can measure the effects of time. Such a system was developed over 5000 years ago in India and continues to evolve; it is called jyotisha, or Vedic astrology.

This greatly respected and widely practiced system of astrology is a fundamental part of India's rich cultural tradition. Yet it has only recently found acceptance in the West, following the enormous popularity of hatha yoga and the growing emergence of teachers of Vedic philosophy and spirituality. Like hatha yoga, ayurveda, and various forms of meditation, jyotisha originates from the Vedas, or the spiritual texts of India. It is, in fact, a Vedanga-a limb of the Vedas.

The word jyotisha itself roughly translates as "the science of light." Just as we perceive light through the organ of our eyes, jyotisha is the eye of the Vedas through which light, both inner and outer, is understood.

Outer light is represented by the planets, the luminary bodies that orbit the earth and shine upon the backdrop of our solar system. The practice of jyotisha employs both astrology and astronomy, and much of its body of knowledge comes directly from observational astronomy. But jyotisha is equally a reflection of the inner light that shines within an individual. It is the astrologer's job, through horoscope interpretation, to help illuminate a person's sense of their own inner light

Ultimately, at its finest, jyotisha synthesizes these two types of light. It links intuition and scientific calculation, combines the left and right side of the brain, marries the masculine and the feminine. The result is a complete system that speaks to every aspect of life.

A good astrologer perceives a person's life experience by noticing how planets assert their influences on that person. Like people, the planets each have a unique, multifaceted personality. Just as we relate to each person in our lives in a singular way, so the planets relate to us. Through a horoscope, we can see the patterns of these rich relationships. We can begin to identify the lessons each planet offers us. This helps illuminate our lives, bringing us more clarity, greater insight, and ultimately a freedom of will that might otherwise elude us.

The fine line between destiny and free will becomes much more easily traversed through jyotisha. This ornate system helps us to see what we can change in life and what we likely cannot change. It gives us the ability to choose to view our circumstances in new and perhaps broader ways. Jyotisha gives us an opportunity to affect our fate through awareness.

As a holistic system, and as a mirror of the rich complexity of Indian culture, the practice of jyotisha is guided by the power and grace of a deity; in this case, Ganesha, the elephant god. Ganesha is known for removing obstacles, and astrologers hope that properly honoring him will help dissolve any barriers that might obscure the brilliance of inner light-the light by which they can clearly see the patterns in one's horoscope and the influences of the planets at any given moment.

Ganesha also signifies new beginnings. These form a key component of jyotisha. The birth chart represents the beginning of a human life. The very act of visiting an astrologer also signifies the start of something-greater insight, deeper exploration, new directions. Further, jyotisha uses the map of the stars to determine auspicious dates for the commencement of special events, such as marriages, business launchings and contracts, and long distance travel. The art of jyotisha enables an often profound ability to time the events in our lives, and to identify times of greatest opportunity to affect change. For all of this, Lord Ganesha helps provide clarity, wisdom, and refinement.

The supreme aim of jyotisha is to illuminate our lives, creating peace and understanding for ourselves and others. Such illumination is not bounded by cultural context. Jyotisha is as useful a guide to a modern American as it was to an Indian person centuries ago. It bridges the gap of time and space to become readily applicable to any culture.