TERMS AND CONCEPTS

ACVA Level II

Capstone

REVIEW OF TERMS & CONCEPTS MODULES 201-210

Module 210:Afflictionan adverse or unfavorable planetary effect that occurs if a graha is in or owns 6th, 8th, or 12th house or is associated with Saturn, Mars, or Rahu, or is combust. An affliction may also be due to adverse/unfavorable aspects from the above house lords and grahas, or a graha in debilitation or conjoined a planet in debilitation.

Apoklimasthese are the houses 3, 6, 9 and 12, known in western astrology as cadenthouses.

Ashtakavargaan eight sectioned system that is used to determine the effects of the planets as they transit (gochara) through the houses

Avasthasa state of planetary existence; they form a class of calculations that reveal favorable/unfavorable qualities about a planet and attach a meaning to these afflicting or supporting factors.

Ayanasolstice; course; half-year; the half year or Northern (Uttarayanafrom

Capricorn to Cancer) and Southern (Dakshinayanafrom Cancer to Capricorn) course of the Sun.

Ayana Balastrength due to its position (either North or South declination) relative to the solstice points.

Baaladi Avasthas a sign is divided in 5 states (infant or baalavastha, youthful or kumaravastha, adolescent or yuvastha, old or vridhavastha, dead or mritavastha). The order is reversed for even signs.

Chesta Balaone of the 6 shadbala element. It indicates the strength of the planets due to their motion.

Combusta graha when close to the Sun becomes afflicted and cannot express its favorable attributes.

Debilitation (Neecha)a state of weakness of a graha in a certain sign that is opposite to its exaltation sign.

Dig Bala-- represents the strength based on the direction a graha occupies in the birth chart.

Dignitya grahas standing in the zodiac and relative to other grahas.

Dispositorthis is the lord of the sign in which a graha is placed.

Drekkana Bala--strength from gender in drekkana (a drekkana is a division of a sign into 3 parts each 10 degrees).

Drik Bala aspectual strength of grahas.

Kala Bala one of the 6 strengths of shadbala. It measures diurnal strength, temporal strength.

Kendra Bala -- strength a graha has due to house placement.

Lagnaor ascendant--this is the sign rising in the East at time of birth. Surya Lagna and Chandra Lagna use the sign that they are placed in as 1st house to read a chart from these indicators of life.

Lagneshthat is the graha that rules the lagna or ascendant.

Multrikonathis is a favorable sign position for a graha, almost as good as

exaltation (uchcha).

Naisargikanatural or permanent as in natural planetary friendship.

Naisargaki Balaone of the six strengths in shadbala. It is a fixed strength for each planet

Nathonnatha Bala -- strength from birth in day or night. It is one of the elements of kala bala.

Navamshathe division of a sign in 9 parts. This varga (division) is the most important of the divisional charts and used most frequently not only to determine the partner or spiritual tendencies but also to add interpretative meaning to the natal chart.

Neecha Bhangathe cancellation of debilitation or almost so.

Ojhayugmar Bala strength based on occupancy of odd/even signs as part of the Sthana Bala part of the Shadbala calculation.

Paksha Bala - strength from the Moon phase as part of the Kala Bala part of the

Shadbala calculation.

Panapharas -- 2,5,8 and 11 houses in the natal chart known as succedent houses in Western Astrology.

Retrogressionthe apparent backward motion of a planetthe difference in the speed of the Earth and the planet gives the illusion of the planet moving backward.

Rupasa unit of measuring strength in shadbala. 1 rupa equals 60 virupas, also referred to as shashtiamshas.

Saptavargaja Bala it measures the strength of a planet based on its position (own, friends or enemys sign) in the following vargas: hora, drekkana, saptamsha, navamsha, dwadashamsha, trimshamsha. It is one of the elements of Sthana bala in the shadbala calculation and measures the friendly or inimical relationship with the dispositor of the planet.

Shadbalathis is a technique using mathematic calculations measuring the strength or potency of a planet. It consists of six distinct strengths sthana (positional), dig (directional), kala (temporal), chesta (motional), naisargika (natural), and drik (aspectual).

Significator(karaka) a planet that is the indicator for certain persons, things or houses.

Sthana Balaone of the six strengths in shadbala that measures positional strength. There are 5 areas measured: exaltation (uccha), divisional (saptavargaja), odd/even (ojhayugmar), house placement (kendra), decanate (drekkana).

Strength versus auspiciousness or favorable/unfavorablea planet may have potency to express its characteristics (karakatwas) but this does not necessarily imply that it will express its auspicious/favorable significations (karakatwas). This depends on its house placement and the associations and influences on it.

Thribhaga Bala --strength from the 3 portions of day and night. It is part of Kala Bala.

Uchcha Bala the strength of a planet in relationship to its exaltation point. It is part of sthana (positional) bala.

Upachayathese are the house 3,6, 10, and 11. They are called growing houses because unfavorable conditions can become better over time.

Vargasdivisional charts.

Vargottamaa planet in the same sign in rashi and navamsha chart. It is regarded as a positive indicator somewhat similar to being in its own sign.

Varsha/Masa/Dina/Hora Bala --strength from ruling the year (varsha), month (masa),day (dina or vara) and hour (hora) respectively. It is part of Kala Bala.

Vimshopaka bala-- can best be described as a cross-varga dignity calculation. It is the strength a planet receives depending on its state in varga charts.

Yuddha Balait is one of the elements of Kala Bala in Shadbala where a planet attains strength due winning the planetary wartwo planets within one degree of each other excluding Sun, Moon and nodes. There is controversy over the way to calculate the winner.

Module 202:

Introduction to Rectification and Advanced Forecasting

Avasthas

A state of planetary existence; they form a class of calculations that reveal favorable/unfavorable qualities about a planet and attach a meaning to these afflicting or supporting factors.

Combust

A graha when close to the Sun becomes afflicted and cannot express its favorable attributes.

Dasha

Planetary periods to determine the timing of events indicated in the rashi or natal chart. There are many dashas but Vedic astrologers most often use Vimshottari dasha.

Bhukti

Sub period (2nd level dasha) also known as antara dasha.

Gochara

Planetary transits, or the location of any planet at a particular time. The planets moving positions, especially over natal chart positions, are located to help determine future events. Also indicates the movement of planets in general through their orbits.

Janma Nakshatra

The constellation or nakshatra in which the Moon is located in the rashi (natal) chart.

Karaka

(significator) a planet that is the indicator for certain persons, things or houses.

Lagna

or ascendant--this is the sign rising in the East at time of birth. Surya Lagna and Chandra Lagna use the sign that they are placed in as 1st house to read a chart from these indicators of life. Dasha Lord lagna uses the rashi the dasha lord is placed in as the 1st house for use in forecasting during a particular dasha.

Navamsha

The division of a sign in 9 parts. This varga (division) is the most important of the divisional charts and used most frequently not only to determine the partner or spiritual tendencies but also to add interpretative meaning to the natal chart.

Neecha Bhanga

The cancellation of debilitation or almost so.

Prashna

A chart constructed for the time of a question and interpreted similar to a rashi chart. Horary astrology.

Rashi

Zodiacal sign; adhimitra rashi=great friend sign, mitra rashi=friend sign, satru rashi=enemy sign, and adhisatr rashi=great enemy sign.

Rectification

Adjustment of birth time to match more closely to the indications in the persons life.

Retrogression

The apparent backward motion of a planetthe difference in the speed of the Earth and the planet gives the illusion of the planet moving backward.

Sade sati

The 7 year transit of Saturn over the Moon (12th, 1st, and 2nd from Moon).

Sandhi

Junction point between signs or houses; a graha located in the first or last degree of a rashi, considered weak and unfavorable.

Sankranti

The point where the Sun moves from one sign into the next.

Tithi

Lunar day or 1/30th of a lunar month, calculated according to the fortnight.

Shadbala

This is a technique using mathematic calculations measuring the strength or potency of a planet. It consists of six distinct strengths sthana (positional), dig (directional), kala (temporal), chesta (motional), naisargika (natural), and drik

Significator

(karaka) a planet that is the indicator for certain persons, things or houses.

Vargas

Divisional charts. Sapta Varga refers to 7 divisional charts, namely rashi, hora, Drekkana, saptamsha, navamsha, dwadasamsha, trimsamsha.

Vedha

Obstruction. An important consideration in gochara for the determination of whether the favorable or unfavorable indications will manifest or not.

Vimshottari Dasha

The 120 year long, nakshatra based planetary forecasting system developed by Parashara.

Module 203:Ashtakavarga: an eightfold division formulated by Parashara to determine the auspiciousness/favorability or inauspiciousness / unfavorability of a grahas transit through a bhava.

Aspect: this differs from the Parashara system. The aspect or drishti formed between planets is either mitra ( friendly ) or shatru (unfriendly or inimical). The trine (5/9 relationship between planets) is friendly, the sextile (3/11 relationship) is semi-friendly, the conjunction and opposition (1/1 and 1/7 relationships) are unfriendly and the square (4/10 relationship) is unfriendly also. The 6/8 or 2/12 relationships between planets do not form aspects. In order for these aspects to function they need to be within a certain range (deepthamsha) from each other.

Bhava: one of the twelve astrological houses and translates as mood or state of existence.

Bhukti: sub period (2nd level dasha) also known as antara dasha.

Bindus: dots: benefic points provided by a graha to a rashi and used to measure the favorable or unfavorable effects of a transit through the bhava containing that rashi. In North India they are usually referred to as rekhas.

Binnashtakavarga: an overview of the benefic points provided by a graha to all of the rashis.

Dasha: planetary periods to determine the timing of events indicated in the rashi or natal chart. There are many dashas but Vedic astrologers most often use Vimshottari dasha.

Dashas: Varshaphal chart: there are 3 main dashas used to determine when events will unfold. They are: Mudda dasha, Patyayini dasha, and Yogini dasha. Some use a 1year vimshottari dasha. The Mudda dasha is used most often by astrologers.

Deepthamsha: the orb of influence of a graha used in the Tajika annual horoscope.

Dina-Ratri Pati: this is the lord of the Sun sign for the Varshaphal occurring during the day or the lord of the sign of the Moon for the Varshaphal occurring during the night.

Dispositor: this is the lord of the sign in which a graha is placed.

Drishti: literally a glance: an aspect. See above under aspect for the various aspects used in the Varshaphal chart.

Gochara: this is a planetary transit, or the location of any planet at a particular time. The planets moving positions, especially over natal chart positions, are located to help determine future events. Also indicates the movement of planets in general through their orbits.

Janmesha (Janma Lagna Pati): this is the lord of the lagna in the Rashi chart.

Karaka: (significator) a planet that is the indicator for certain persons, things or houses.

Kakshya: this is a section of a sign of 3 degrees and 45 minutes. There are 8 such sections each ruled by a planet or the lagna. It is used for pinpointing the results of a grahas transit to a very narrow time period. It is used in the system of Ashtakavarga.

Karyesha: this is the lord of the house whose significations are under study in reference to another house.

Kali Yuga: the current epoch of the four major Vedic universal time epochs.

Kendra: they are angular houses (1,4,7 and 10). In Varshaphal grahas placed in them form an inimical aspect to each other.

Lagna: or ascendant; this is the sign rising in the East at time of birth. Surya Lagna and Chandra Lagna use the sign that they are placed in as 1st house to read a chart from these indicators of life. Dasha Lord lagna uses the rashi the dasha lord is placed in as the 1st house for use in forecasting during a particular dasha.

Lagnesh: that is the graha that rules the lagna or ascendant.

Maraka bhava or sthana: the houses 2 and 7 are maraka or death inflicting houses.

Muntha: this is the progressed ascendant in a Varshaphal or annual chart. It is used to consider the main focus of the year.

Muntha Pati (Minthesha): this is the lord of the sign the Muntha is in.

Navamsha: the division of a sign in 9 parts. This varga (division) is the most important of the divisional charts and used most frequently not only to determine the partner or spiritual tendencies but also to add interpretative meaning to the natal chart.

Neecha Bhanga: this is the cancellation of debilitation or almost so.

Panchadhikaris: these are the five office bearing grahas in Varshaphal from which the Varshesha or Year Lord is selected. The strongest graha who aspects the lagna becomes the Varshesha.

Pancha vargiya: this is the five fold strength of a planet in the Tajika system. (0-5 units is weak, 5-10 units is medium, and 10-15 is strong)

Paramahansa: this literally means supreme swan and stands for great spiritual discrimination.

Pratyantar dasha: this is the 3rd level dasha.

Prashtarashtaka: it means spread out. It is a table in which all the bindus of a graha are distributed for the purpose of the Ashtakavarga calculation.

Rashi: zodiacal sign; adhimitra rashi=great friend sign, mitra rashi=friend sign, shatru rashi=enemy sign, and adhishatru rashi=great enemy sign.

Rekha: these are the negative or malefic points in Ashtakavarga. Keep in mind that in North India it is just the reverse and refer to the benefic points.

Retrogression: the apparent backward motion of a planet: the difference in the speed of the Earth and the planet gives the illusion of the planet moving backward. A retrograde planet is closer to the Earth in its orbit around the Sun.

Sade sati: the 7 1/2 year transit of Saturn over the Moon (12th, 1st, and 2nd from Moon).

Samudaya: this is a chart with the total ashtakavarga points of all the grahas permitting one to see at a glance how favorable a house is when a planet transits through it based on the number of bindus it contains. 28 bindus is average, 30 bindus and above benefits a house, and 25 bindus or lower causes suffering.

Sandhi: junction point between signs or houses; a graha located in the first or last degree of a rashi, considered weak and unfavorable.

Sarvashtakavarga: this chart shows the total bindus a sign receives.

Sarva Chancha Ashtakakvarga: it is wheel that shows the total distribution of bindus in a chart permitting one to see a glance which graha deposited a bindu and where and in what kakshya or part of the sign.

Shadbala: this is a technique using mathematic calculations measuring the strength or potency of a planet. It consists of six distinct strengths sthana (positional), dig (directional), kala (temporal), chesta (motional), naisargika (natural), and drik

Significator: (karaka) a planet that is the indicator for certain persons, things or houses.

Sri Yukteswar: he was the guru of Yogananda and a great Yogi and Jyotishi. He wrote the Holy Science.

Tajaka or Tajika: this usually refers to the Solar Return or Annual Horoscope. It employs distinctive techniques.

Tajika Yogas: these are different from Parashara yogas and depend on specific mutual aspects between planets. Some main yogas are: ithassala (favorable), an applying aspect, and ishrafa (unfavorable), a separating aspect.

Tri-Rashi Pati: this is the lord of the Tri-Rashi and differs with each Varsha lagna and day or night time of the Varsha chart.

Trikona: these are the houses 1,5, and 9. In the Varshaphal chart the houses that are 5 and 9 away from each other form the trine aspect.

Upachaya: these are the house 3,6, 10, and 11. They are called growing houses because unfavorable conditions can become better over time.

Vargas: these are divisional charts. Sapta Varga refers to 7 divisional charts, namely rashi, hora, Drekkana, saptamsha, navamsha, dwadasamsha, trimsamsha.

Varshaphal or Varshaphala: this is the chart for the Solar Return and cast for the exact time when the Sun returns to its natal degree. It is used with the gochara and dasha to gain an insight in the potential trends for the year.

Varshapravesha: literally the entry of the year: the technical term for the solar return.

Varshesha or Varsheshwara: it is the graha that is the lord of the year in a Varshaphal chart. It holds sway over the events that take place that year.

Vedha: obstruction. The obstruction is caused by a planet transiting in an opposite rashi from the graha under consideration and obstructs its influence. It is therefore an important consideration in gochara for the determination of whether the favorable or unfavorable indications will manifest or not.

Vimshottari Dasha: the 120 year long, nakshatra based planetary forecasting system developed by Parashara. Some astrologers use a 1 year vimshottari dasha instead of some of the other Varsha dashas.

Year Lord: see above under Varshesha.

Yogakaraka: this is a graha that rules both an angualar house (Kendra) and a trine (Kona), houses of action and fortune making for a potentially very successful combination.

Module 204:Terms and Concepts:

The following key terms and concepts should be mastered by the end of this module.

Amavasya it is the New Moon and the 30th tithi. The longitudinal difference between the Moon and Sun is 348 to 360 degrees. The ruler is Pitra (ancestors)

Astronomical Cycles (Year, Month, Day) the principal astronomical cycles are the Year (based on the revolution of the Earth around the Sun), Month (based on the revolution of the Moon around the Earth), and Day (based on the rotation of the Earth on its axis).

Calendar it is a system of organizing units of time for the purpose of reckoning time over extended periods. Astronomical cycles form the basis around which they are built.

Eclipse when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun it blocks all or part of the Sun's light, called a solar eclipse. When the Earth is between the Moon and the Sun it casts a shadow on the Moon, causing a total or partial obscuring of the Moon, called a lunar eclipse.

Ephemeris a table listing the positions of the Sun, Moon and planets over a given period of time.

Karana it is one-half of a tithi (lunar day). It is one of the five limbs of the panchanga used in selecting an auspicious Muhurta.

Krishna Paksha it is the dark fortnight of the Moon; starting from the full Moon (Purnima) and waning or decreasing to the dark or new Moon (amavasya).

Lunar Day a lunar day is 1/30 of a lunar month and called a tithi. It is calculated according to the fortnight.

Lunar Month it is the time period from one New Moon (conjunction of Sun and Moon) to the next New Moon. It averages 29 days, 12 hours and 44 minutes; one orbit of the Moon through all 12 signs of the zodiac; or the orbit of the Moon around the earth.

Lunar Year it consists of 354 days (12 lunar months of 29.5 days each).

Lunation it is a lunar month based on the time interval from one New Moon to the next.

Muhurta it is electional astrology where a chart is erected for the auspicious starting or ending of an activity. It is also a time period of 48 minutes.

Nakshatra a constellation based on the Moon's position in the sky. There are 27 of them also called lunar mansions. The nakshatra divides the ecliptic into 27 sections of 13 degrees and 20 minutes. It is the most important limb of the panchanga in the selection of a Muhurta.

Navamsha the division of a sign in 9 parts of 3 degrees and 40 minutes. This varga (division) is the most important of the divisional charts and also needs to be consulted when selecting a Muhurta.

Panchanga it is a Vedic sidereal planetary almanac. It gives data in terms of positions of grahas according to the day of the week (vara), nakshatra, tithi (lunar day), karana (half lunar day), and yoga, known as the 5 limbs of the panchanga.

Purnima it is the Full Moon day or the 15th tithi of the bright fortnight (shukla paksha). The ruler is Pitra (ancestor). The difference in longitude of Moon and Sun is 168 to 180 degrees.

Rahu Kalam this is an inauspicious time period of about 1 1/2 hours. It occurs at different times of each day of the week.

Retrograde the apparent backward motion of a planet-the difference in the speed of the Earth and the planet gives the illusion of the planet moving backward. A retrograde planet is closer to the Earth in its orbit around the Sun.

Sandhi this is a junction point between sign or houses. A planet located in less than one degree or over 29 degrees is considered to be sandhi, a weak and unfavorable position.

Sidereal Month 27 days, 7 hours, and 43 minutes. It is the amount of time it takes the Moon to move through 360 degrees of the sidereal zodiac.

Sidereal Year 365 days, 6 hours, and 9 minutes. It is the time it takes the Sun to move through 360 degrees of the sidereal zodiac or the true revolution period of the Earth around the Sun.

Solar Day this is the average time it takes the Earth to make one complete rotation on its axis measured from midnight to midnight or sunrise to sunrise.

Solar Year 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, 46 seconds. It is the time it takes the Earth to complete its revolution around the Sun.

Shukla Paksha the bright fortnight of the Moon. It starts from New Moon and waxes (increases) to the Full Moon, tithes 1-15.

Synodic Month it is the period of New Moon to New Moon, 29 days, 12 hours, and 44 minutes also called a lunation cycle.

Tarabala it is the favorable or unfavorable relationship between the natal Moon's nakshatra (janma nakshatra) and the nakshatra placement of the Moon in the Muhurta. You count the number of nakshatras between the janma nakshaktra and the Moon's nakshatra in the Muhurta. Divide this number by 9 and use the number of the remainder, or if not divisible by 9 take that number, to determine if it is favorable or not. Favorable are 2 (sampat-wealth),4 (kshema-prosperity), 6 (sadhaka-fulfilling), 8 (maitri-benevolent), and 9 (parama maitri-greatest benevolence); 1 (janma-danger to the body),3 (vipat-danger, failure), 5 (pratyak-obstacles), and 7 (naidhana or vadha-dangers, destruction) are unfavorable.

Tithi it is a lunar day and is the time it takes the Moon to advance 12 degrees over the Sun, an average of 23 hours and 37 minutes.

Vara it is a weekday and one of the five limbs of the panchanga.

Vishwa Kanya it is an unfavorable combination of tithi/vara/nakshatra in the chart of a girl. This dosha receives cancellation if there is a benefic in the 7th from lagna or Moon.

Yoga (or Nitya Yoga) it is one of the five limbs of the Panchanga. It refers to the union of Sun and Moon (hence yoga) or rather the union of the Sun's degrees and the Moon's degrees. They correlate to the Nakshatras. The lord of the Nakshatra in which the Yoga falls is also the ruler of the Yoga.

Module 205:The following key terms and concepts should be mastered by the end of this module.

Anga Vidya--it is the science of body reading. In Prashna the jyothisi (astrologer)

observes the position of the querists and what body parts they touch during the formation of the question.

Arudha (also spelled Aroodta) Prashna--it means mounted upon or occupying. It is the first house or rising sign that has been selected for the Prashna chart by means other than clock-time.

Ashtamangala Prashna--Ascertaining prashna through the use of eight special objects, as well as certain procedures used during the Prashna session. It is an elaborate method of horary astrology popular in Kerala, South India. (Place picture here)

Deepthamsha--the orb of influence of a graha when it aspects another graha. This is used in the Tajika system. The following table shows the degrees of the range for each planet. This range extends on each side of the planet.

Dusthana planets--planets ruling Dusthana houses (6,8,and12) or placed in these houses.

First Syllable of First Word--Prashna based on the first syllable of the first word the querist utters to you during the Prashna formation.

Fructification--refers to how well a bhava can manifest what it represents.

Karaka-- (significator) this is a planet or house that is the indicator for certain persons, things or houses.

Karyesha-- this is the lord of the house whose significations are under study in reference to another house used especially in Tajika Prashna

Lagnesha or lagnesh-- this is the graha that rules the lagna or ascendant.

Nashta Prashna--it is answering questions about lost items or things hidden from view or not stated.

Nimitta or Omens--these are occurrences in the environment (the language of nature) that reflect the situation and assist the astrologer in the interpretation of the question.

Prashna-- meaning question. It refers to a chart constructed for the time of a question. It is known in Western astrology as horary astrology.

Querist or querent--this is the person who asks the question.

Swara or svara-- it is defined as air breathed through the nostrils. In Prashna the jyotishi uses the flow of breath through the nostrils to indicate the outcome of a question.

Tajika Prashna--It is a method of interpretation of the prashna that incorporates the aspects and yogas pertaining to the Tajika system.

Tajika Aspects--The aspect or drishti formed between planets is either mitra (friendly) or shatru (unfriendly or inimical).

The trine (5/9 relationship between planets) is friendly,

the sextile (3/11 relationship) is semi-friendly,

the conjunction and opposition (1/1 and 1/7 relationships) are unfriendly and

the square (4/10 relationship) is unfriendly also.

The 6/8 or 2/12 relationships between planets do not form aspects.

Note: In order for these aspects to function they need to be within a certain range

(deepthamsha) from each other (see above for the range under deepthamsha).

Tajika Yogas--these are different from Parashara yogas and depend on specific mutual aspects between planets within a specific range of influence (deepthamsha or orb).

Some main yogas are: ithasala (favorable), an applying aspect, and ishrafa (unfavorable), a separating aspect. Ishrafa is also spelled Easarapha.

Sources:

Beneath a Vedic Sky by William Levacy (Hay House)

Dictionary of Astrology by G.S. Agarwal, S.K. Duggal, C.M. Bhalla (Sagar

Publications).

Prasna Marga translated by B.V. Raman (Motalil Banarsidass Publishers)

Prasna Tantra translated by B.V. Raman (UPSBD Publishers

No Terms and Concepts for Module 206.

Module 208 :Ashramas: the four stages of life that a person experiences as laid out in the Vedas for the well being of society.

Brahmacharya (brah mah chah rya): one of the four stages of life in Vedic culture. It is the first stage, representing the years a person is a student. In ancient times, it was the period of life the young student spent with a guru. It literally means walking in Brahman. It would prepare him for living life in pursuing the main goals of life: dharma (righteous living), dhana (well-being and prosperity), and kama (enjoyment of life).

Grihastha (gre hahs tah): the second stage of life in ancient Vedic culture. It represents the stage of life when a person is a householder, a married person. It is the time the person focuses on three of the four purusharthas (four aims of life): dharma (righteousness), dhana (wealth), and kama (enjoyment). Wealth and marital enjoyment were valued from the view of righteousness since it provided one with the means to be charitable toward people and respectful of all of nature. It would prepare them for the final aim of life, moksha or enlightment.

Vanaprashta (wah nah prahs tah) and Sannyasa (sahn yah sah): these are the last two stages of life (ashramas). Vanaprashta means forest dweller. After fulfilling ones duties as a householder (grihastha) or married person, the person seeks the solitude of the forest and practice meditation (sadhana) preparing for the end of life. A person could also, with the consent of his wife, renounce all worldly possessions and become a sannyasin or renunciate.

Vivaha (we wah hah): Vivaha (marriage) is perhaps the most important samskara. This rite involved the following main steps: welcoming the bridegroom, exchanging flower garlands, the daughter being given in marriage, sacred fire ceremony, holding of hands, circumambulation of the sacred fire, marking the bride's hair-parting with kum-kum, taking seven steps together, tying the knot (the garments of bride and groom), viewing the Pole Star*, receiving the elders' blessings, exchanging presents. A couple would stay together for life or until the husband took to the path of renunciation. Divorce was not allowed, and those who left their partners were often ostracized from society. Matches were usually arranged by the elders and based on astrological principles. Evidence suggests that these marriages worked relatively well although, to the modern, western mind, this may be difficult to accept or comprehend.

Samskara (sahm skah rah): they are the rites established for the various passages of life. The word means mental impressions. In this respect, samskara (rite or ceremony) creates the favorable mental attitude to stepping from one phase of life into another.

Kuta (koo tah) Agreement: a special set of astrological criteria used for making

marriage matches. It is based on the nakshatra occupied by the Moon in the two charts. Since the Moon is the karaka of the mind, it tests the mental compatibility of the two people. It also includes the psychological, spiritual, physical and sub-conscious levels of compatibility between the two.

There are two types of kuta agreements. One is ashtakuta (ahs tah koo tah) also written as ashtakoot, which means eight points of agreement and the other is dashakuta (dah shah koo tah) also written as dashkoot meaning 10 points of agreement. In the North of India they are known as Poruttham, referring to the 10 point agreements.

The eight points are:

varna (wahr nah) assesses the casteeach sign belongs to one of the 4 castes, vashya (wah shyah) assesses the desire to serve or pleasedutiful ,

tara (tah rah) assesses if one aggravates the otherwill push the others buttons or not,

yoni (yo nee) physical compatability or instinctive reactions,

grahamaitra (grah hah my trah) assesses planetary friendship of Moons rulersfeel the same or not,

gana (gah nah) assesses the happiness,

bhakoota (bah koo ta) or rashi kuta assesses the ability to act constructively, and nadi (nah dee) assesses the temperament according to the ayurvedic doshas. Besides the 8 points there are several doshas (vedha, rajju and

kuja) that also need to be assessed since these are detrimental to or disrupt a relationship.

Stree Deergha needs to be assessed for the masculine and feminine dynamics which determines the underlying flow within the relationship.

The ten points are: dina (deenah) or nakshatra (North)assesses the longevity; gana (gahnah)assesses the happiness;

Mahendra (mah hen drah)assesses progeny;

stree deergha (stree deer gah)assesses the prosperity;

yoni (yo nee)assesses physical compatibility,

rashi (rah shee)assesses growth and well-being of family,rasyadhipati (rah syah dee pah tee) assesses the prospects of the children, vashya (wah shyah)assesses mutual attraction and respect,

rajju (rah joo)assesses the longevity of the relationship,

vedha (wee dah)assesses obstruction.

Yantra (yahn trah): a visual mantra.

* The presiding priest shows the bride a star called Arundhati in the night sky. Sadwi Arundhati was the wife of sage Vasishtha. She was held to be the most devoted and chaste wife. It is not easily seen in the night sky in our times.

Sources: "Heart of Hinduism" Copyright: ISKCON Educational Services, 2004, Beneath a Vedic Sky and Beneath a Vedic Sun by William Levacy, The Art of Matching Charts by Gayatri Devi Vasudev and

Ernst Wilhelm lecture on Compatability

TERMS AND CONCEPTS: Module 209

A

The ACVA Model consists of an initial session with a Vedic astrology coach. It is often aimed at solving a specific set of problems, as requested by the client and their circumstances. It is usually not a time for becoming engaged in a set of ongoing coaching sessions. In the initial session, it might be appropriate for the Vedic astrology coach to engage with the client in a more direct manner in order to give them direction and information, as seen in the Vedic astrology chart. It might be that after this initial session, the client feels they want to work with the Vedic astrology coach in setting a strategy for improving a particular part of their life and engaging in a series of coaching sessions to facilitate some higher level of performance, a shift in perspective, or whatever the client deems necessary.Acknowledging it is important for the Vedic astrology coach to show or express recognition or realization of the issues that are concerning the client. The Vedic astrology coach indicates or make known to the client that they are there to help them come up with a fuller and richer life in the future.

Accountability is when the client is responsible for what they said they were going to do. This does not include blame or judgment on the part of the Vedic astrology coach. Rather the Vedic astrology coach holds the client accountable to their vision or commitment, asking them to account for the results of their intended actions in the timeframe indicated by their chart.

Action one of the key things a Vedic astrology coach helps a client to do is to take action. Coupled with learning where they are and what a vision of the future looks like, it is important for the client to move forward and to have a bias for taking action in life

Actionee is another name for the client in their role as an action-oriented committed participant in their change towards an improvement goal as set under the guidance and encouragement of the Vedic astrology coach.

Action Plan the Vedic astrology coach encourages the client to create an action plan to help them get from where they are forward into a more balanced, satisfying life. The plan, comprised on action steps is especially helpful when the client is feeling stuck, immobilized, or overwhelmed about what needs to be done.

Action Step is a specific, measurable, time-phased activity which is defined by the client, in cooperation with the Vedic astrology coach. The client makes a commitment to complete a specific action in order to make progress towards a goal they have set with the Vedic astrology coach. Generally, the client agrees to complete their action step on a specific calendar date, often prior to the next meeting with their Vedic astrology coach. The Vedic astrology coach can use transits and dashas to determine the timing of action steps with the client.

Active Listening one of the key skills of a good Vedic astrology coach is the ability to listen attentively to what the client is saying. In active listening the Vedic astrology coach lets the client set the agenda and scope of the session. The Vedic astrology coach can help bring out more of what to listen for in the client by asking probing questions that draws a new perspective for the client.

Advocacy a Vedic astrology coach endeavors to show active support for ideas and issues raised by the client. The Vedic astrology coach is there to work with the client in assisting them to find a more satisfying life. The Vedic astrology coach is a proponent for the needs of the client.

Advice Giving while a Vedic astrology coaching session might be focused on a specific situation or circumstance where the client wants guidance. For the most part the Vedic astrology coach listens and asks questions to get the client to bring up the issues themselves and to assist them in finding their own answers. The Vedic astrology coach believes the client already has most of their own answers and works to empower the client to call them forth and take action on them.

Agenda is either an overall picture of the choices and actions of the client to achieve fulfillment and balance in life (general analysis of the natal chart) or a particular event. It focuses on the clients choices around that event or the actions to take related to that event (analysis of a specific area of the chart). This is the agenda the Vedic astrology coach needs to keep in mind at all times.

Articulating is the skill of telling clients what you see them doing based on your empathic listening. Repeating their words back to them can be powerful, at times, so they can really hear themselves.

Assignments Sometimes a client needs structure. Assignments to be completed within a specific time frame, encourages the client to take action, get some results and feel some increased motivation.. The client should agree that they will commit to doing the assignments within time.

Asking Permission is when the Vedic astrology coach asks and the client grants the Vedic astrology coach access to intimate or sensitive areas of focus.

Assumptions the Vedic astrology coach works best when they remain neutral and try not to make assumptions about the client. A good Vedic astrology coach avoids making judgments or assuming that something must be true and draws conclusions about the client.

Avoidance sometimes the client will avoid the very thing they need to talk about the most. By asking powerful and appropriate questions and by listening empathically, the Vedic astrology coach can help the client bring out these issues for resolution.

Authentic the Vedic astrology coach tries to be genuine and present themselves in a way that is congruent with who they really are. The Vedic astrology coach strives to get the client to be honest and truthful so that clients real nature can be realized and worked with. Also, the client can sense when a Vedic astrology coach is being truthful (or not) and will accept, trust, and believe the Vedic astrology coach. The client will collaborate more if the Vedic astrology coach is authentic.

Authoritative - while it is important for a Vedic astrology coach to be a reliable authority in his or her field, as this helps in collaborating with the client.. It is also important that the Vedic astrology coach come across more as a partner in the clients journey. The Vedic astrology coach should be mindful not to interact with the client in an overly directed way and misuse their authority and command or dictate to the client what they should or must do.

B

Balance one of the key challenges that clients bring to the coaching session is that they, the client, often do not have their work and their personal life in balance. Many times the client is overworked and stressed and as such cannot seem to find a way to gain satisfaction in life. One of the roles of the Vedic astrology coach is to help the client find ways to restore and maintain a healthy balance in life

Behavior all outcomes are based on behavior or action. If the client wants new results or different outcomes, they will have to change their behavior in some way. The Vedic astrology coach works with the client to develop a plan for effective and efficient action towards the stated goals of the client.

Being defined in many ways, being can be our inner spirit, inner peacefulness, self-awareness, innate consciousness and creativity. Many coaches indicate a client has to be in touch with their being in order to create effective transformations in their life. From greater contact with their Being, a person can then change their thinking and their way of doing or acting in the world. For example, if a persons lagna is aspected or occupied or hemmed in by benefics or the ruler of the lagna is favorably placed and the Sun and Moon are strong then the person will generally have greater access to their Being.Belief is a view, tenet, conclusion, persuasion, conviction; a positive sense in ones mind that something is true. Positive belief forms the foundation for powerful new action that leads to affirmative and satisfying outcomes.Breakthrough some coaches believe that a breakdown provides an opportunity for a breakthrough. We drop our old beliefs and start to take a stand for the possibility of living a great and powerful new life.

Bottom-lining is the skill of brevity and succinctness on the part of both the Vedic astrology coach and the client. It is also about having clients get to the essence of their communication rather than engaging in lengthy stories.

Boundary Setting is a process for settings limits or drawing the line (a boundary) on what your will accept or tolerate from others and what you expect from them. The need for a boundary can be identified and set by responding to powerful coaching questions such as What is stopping you? or What are you tolerating?

Brainstorming is the skill where both the Vedic astrology coach and the client work together to generate ideas, alternatives, and possible solutions. Neither the Vedic astrology coach nor the client is attached to any of the ideas suggested.

C

Calling Forth - is what the Vedic astrology coach encourages the client to do within the collaborative process of coaching. The Vedic astrology coach encourages the client to declare or call forth a new vision for themselves that is creative, resourceful and operates from the clients whole self.

Challenge is a request that stretches the client beyond their self-imposed limits and shakes up the way they see themselves. It includes these three things: a specified action, a condition of satisfaction, and a specific date or time completion.

Championing or Cheerleading means that the Vedic astrology coach stands up for the client when they doubt or question their abilities.

Change the Vedic astrology coach assists the client in transforming the clients current life, the nature and perspective of what they are doing, and sets an improved vision and plan for a future life course. The Vedic astrology coach helps the client create a fulfilling future that is different from what it is now.

Circumstances- is a situation where a client generally wants to address a specific condition, detail, or part, or their life often with respect to particular time and place. A good Vedic astrology coach evaluates the clients situation and is careful not to judge their behavior without considering every circumstance.

Clarifying is when the Vedic astrology coach explains what the client is unable to articulate clearly themselves about what they want or where they are going.

Client (also known as coachee) and his concerns are the focus of a Vedic astrology coaching session.

Client-Centered is a nondirective coaching approach that generally does not give advice or tell the client what to do. The function of the Vedic astrology coach is to listen well, ask powerful questions and provide some structure and encouragement to help the client set goals and take action to resolve issues and opportunities.

Closed-ended Questions are a type of inquiry from the Vedic astrology coach to the client that can be answered with a yes or no. These types of questions do not generate much response from a client and can trigger defensive responses in some instances. For example, a closed-ended question would be, Are you a fearful person? rather than How do you feel when you are presented with a challenge that you feel is bigger than what you are used to?

Coach - is a person who works collaboratively with a client to assist them in developing personal skills for creating life goals and taking action for greater achievement. The Vedic astrology coach guides the actions and efforts of the client through listening and asking powerful questions to assist the client in achieving greater success and satisfaction in life. A Vedic astrology coach uses the Vedic astrology chart as an evaluation tool to help the client identify the best performance for them to take at the optimal time.

Coaching - is a process of clarifying, encouraging, and strategizing to help a client set priorities and take action toward greater personal effectiveness in achieving a set of major goals they have formed in collaboration with the coach. Vedic astrology coaching uses the clients Vedic astrology chart to help evaluate the types of action and the timing of it that is suitable to the nature of the client.

Coach-Centered is a directed coaching approach where the client comes to the astrologer seeking direction and perhaps some comfort. This approach is generally more appropriate when the client wants specific answers or direction on a current situation or circumstance in their lives and does not seek long term goal setting and action steps. The astrologer, as coach, will spend more time in control of the conversation making direct comments to the client coming from the Vedic astrology chart as an assessment tool.

Collaboration the Vedic astrology coach and client work together willingly, that is collaborate or work one with the other, to form plans and take action to increase the clients capacity for a more fulfilling life. The Vedic astrology coach is the guiding partner who encourages the client to declare new possibilities and to take action.

Commitment (see Readiness) to be successful, that is get results from the coaching sessions, the client must willingly commit, pledge, and engage themselves in the coaching process. The client forms a. sincere and steadfast pact with the Vedic astrology coach that they will stay fixed on purpose throughout the coaching interactions. The client makes a personal warranty with the Vedic astrology coach that they will complete the actions steps needed to reach the goals declared in the coaching process..

Confidence this is an important outcome of coaching wherein the Vedic astrology coach encourages the client to believe in themselves, their personal powers and innate abilities, in order to be successful and happy in life.

Conversations coaching has a lot to do about conversations between the Vedic astrology coach and client. Through conversation, often informal and relaxed by nature, the Vedic astrology coach and the client interchange thoughts, information, new possibilities, perspectives, actions, to lead the client into a new way of being, thinking, and doing.

Creating a Space when a client makes a declaration and a plan for what they want in life, and work with their Vedic astrology coach to increase their competence, nature creates a new space for the client to stand in the future. The Vedic astrology coach encourages and assists the client in calling forth a new future and taking action to stand to be supported in that new space going forward.

Criticism the Vedic astrology coach wants to guide the client, in a collaborative context, without that coach becoming overly dictatorial, directing, or controlling. A good Vedic astrology coach avoids passing judgment, censuring or faultfinding with the client. The Vedic astrology coach believes deep down the client knows what to do and it is the Vedic astrology coachs role to help the client release or manifest what is already there in a non-critical manner.

Cultural Diversity a good Vedic astrology coach is aware that while people are the same deep down, they are influenced and informed by the circumstances of their cultures and traditions. The Vedic astrology coach works to develop their cross-cultural sensitivity in order to serve clients well on a global basis.

D

Dancing in the Moment is the skill that permits the Vedic astrology coach to be completely present with the client, holding the clients agenda, accessing their intuition, letting the client lead them. The Vedic astrology coach is open to any steps the client takes and is willing to go in the clients direction and flow.

Declarations when the clients call out or declares what they want for themselves, then nature knows more what to provide that client. Nature has plenty of supply. The trick is to know how to declare or order what we want. The Vedic astrology coach helps with that.

Defense Mechanisms - are usually unconscious psychological and behavioral tactics that clients might use to help protect themselves from anxiety they perceive they will encounter by revealing some of their less acceptable behaviors. The coaching process uses listening and asking powerful questions to get the client to speak openly and honestly about what is going on with themselves, without engaging in defensive behaviors.

Designing the Alliance is the time when the Vedic astrology coach and the client set up the relationship. Both the client and the Vedic astrologer coach are intimately involved in designing the Vedic astrology coaching relationship that will be most beneficial to the client.

Doubts are a state of mind where the client hesitates to believe or questions their abilities. They get stuck or immobilized thinking that something positive for them is unlikely to occur or to occur very much. One of the main tasks of the Vedic astrology coach is to help the client get beyond doubts and negative personal beliefs that limit their success.

E

Empathic Listening (also active listening) this is a key item in the Vedic astrology coachs tool box. The Vedic astrology coach listens attentively to the feelings, thoughts, and attitudes of the client. Deeper listening such as this allows the Vedic astrology coach to tune in more clearly to what the client might be presenting. The Vedic astrology coach hears beyond the mere words the clients are uttering to identify with and understanding the clients situation, perspectives, feelings, limiting or empowering beliefs and motives

Empowerment (also enabling) while the Vedic astrology coach strives to be less direct and authoritative with the client, the Vedic astrology coach tries to pass on the power, ability, and authority to the client enabling and releasing them to work at their highest capacity.

Execution (also action) the Vedic astrology coach assists the client to improve their manner, style, or way of acting in order to get the best results or outcomes for those actions. The Vedic astrology coach works with the client to form life strategies and courses of action that are effective and efficient, in line with what is appropriate to the nature of that client

F

Facilitation the Vedic astrology coach is an assistant or facilitator for the client. The Vedic astrology coach, as facilitator, strives to help the client make their actions easier or less difficult. They help forward the clients action by getting the client to follow the coaching process.

Feedback- the Vedic astrology coach provides the client with feedback, evaluation and responses that the client can use to develop a clearer understanding of themselves in terms of their current situation, the actions they tend to take and need to take and the way in which they interact with others.

Focus the Vedic astrology coach works with the client to help them concentrate their energy and attention on the work at hand. The Vedic astrology coach helps the client form a detailed, clear outline of new possibilities for the client. The Vedic astrology coach helps the client adjust their vision of what is possible and to take concentrated, one-pointed action to make it happen

Follow Through the Vedic astrology coach and client make a plan for the future. The client makes and keeps their commitment to action and the Vedic astrology coach works with the client to follow through and follow up on what actions have been identified in the plan according to what timelines.

G

Goal setting is when the client sets goals and follows through on them. Goals keep the client focused toward the person they are becoming. In co-active Vedic astrology coaching goals should be specific, measurable, accountable, resonant and exciting.

Ground Rules - the Vedic astrology coach and the client establish conditions for their coaching relationship before proceeding together. These rules and expectations are stated in similar and specific terms to govern the conduct of the Vedic astrology coach and client during their time together. It is a commitment and contract of how they intend to work together.

H

Holding the clients intention is when the Vedic astrology coach is required to put their whole attention on the client and the clients intention, not their own.

Holding the focus is the skill where the Vedic astrology coach keeps the client on track in the direction the client has set. Consistent reminders help the client to focus and/or re-direct their energy back to the desired outcomes and life choices.

Homework inquiry is a skill to deepen the clients understanding and provoke further reflection. The Vedic astrology coach uses a powerful question as homework inquiry which the client needs to consider regarding a particular situation.

I

Ice Breaker is a facilitation technique to help a Vedic astrology coach and client begin the process of forming themselves into a coaching team or partnership. Icebreakers are commonly presented at the start of a coaching conversation. It is a "warm up" that helps the client and Vedic astrology coach get to know each other a bit and feel comfortable as their conversation begins. A simple telephone based ice breakers is How is the weather where you are?

.

Impossible Future: Coaches, such as Robert Hargrove, encourage their clients to think big, stretch, and set goals for an impossible future. The idea is when the client thinks in large terms, such as impossible goals, the resources around them and the support from nature expands to clear a space for them in the future where they can take a stand, being, thinking and doing in a new more powerful way

Incubation When a person feels stressed or overwhelmed, some coaches recommend stopping and leaving the problem or concern for awhilemaybe a few minutes to a few days or weeks. What many people find is that their problem solving ability increases from the rest and relief of the incubation period, and that the problem is not so big or unsolvable when they return to it. Some people describe an aha moment when they stop doing or thinking about something in the time away or quietness. Many times the answer seems to come on its own without effort. Setting aside problems for a period of time is recommended by many coaches.

Initial Session an initial session with a Vedic astrology coach might be more aimed at solving a specific set of problems, as requested by the client and their circumstances, than becoming engaged in a set of ongoing coaching sessions. In the initial session, it might be appropriate for the Vedic astrology coach to engage with the client in a more direct manner in order to give them direction and information, as seen in the Vedic astrology chart. It might be that after this initial session, the client feels they want to work with the astrology coach in setting a strategy for improving a particular part of their life and engaging in a series of coaching sessions to facilitate some higher level of performance, a shift in perspective, or whatever the client deems necessary.

Initiative Taking the ultimate responsibility for the outcome of a coaching session lies with the client. The Vedic astrology coach facilitates the clients improvement goals, but it is the client who takes the initiative and makes the commitment for a better future.

Intruding (also interrupting) is when a Vedic astrology coach inserts a comment to bring the client back on track when they are going on and on or are avoiding the issues at hand.

Intuiting is the process of accessing and trusting ones inner knowing. It is an important component of the coaching process. The Vedic astrology coach uses intuition quickly and directly to perceive what is going on with the client beyond the ordinary use of reasoning or analysis. The quick, perceptive feeling or sense the Vedic astrology coach has of the client can reveal further dimensions of the client and give the Vedic astrology coach additional insight into opportunities for the client to improve.

JJourney: the Vedic astrology coaching process is often more than one sitting with the client. It consists of a series of interactions that create a journey to put the client on a new path in life. The Vedic astrology coach and client must both be patient and perceptive and set up reasonable, achievable goals as they set off towards their new destination of higher performance in life.

KKnowledge Sharing: the Vedic astrology coach shares knowledge with the client in their role as a partner or assistant and not as an authority figure who has all the answers. The answers lie within the client and the coach draws this out through techniques such as listening and asking powerful questions.

L

Learning and Doing (knowledge and experience): a key part of the coaching process involves the client learning and then taking action. The client is encouraged to take action by the Vedic astrology coach following an agenda set by the client and worked out collaboratively with the Vedic astrology coach. The client learns from the experience and can talk to the Vedic astrology coach from a higher level of knowledge, which then informs a higher level of action, and on and on.

Learning Style (also learning preferences) each client learns in their own way. A good Vedic astrology coach learns to identify the clients learning style to work with them in this way. A popular model of learning style is called Visual, Auditory, or Kinesthetic. Another is right brained and left brained dominant. A Vedic learning style is seen in Pitta, Vata and Kapha doshas

Listening is a critical skill used by the Vedic astrology coach. According to Co-active Coaching there are three levels of listening. Level I: the Vedic astrology coach listens to their own thoughts, judgments and opinions about the clients story. Level II: the Vedic astrology coach focuses on the client. Level III is global listening using the whole environment for information.

MMaking distinctions is the skill whereby the Vedic astrology coach helps the client to see a situation from a fresh perspective. From this they can differentiate two or more concepts, facts or ideas to enable them to see a clearer course of action.

Mentoring is a form of teaching that includes the client following you around or shadowing you as the teacher. The client walks along side you to learn from the example of your experience and skills.

Metaphors are useful to paint a verbal picture or illustrate a point for the client.

Meta-view represents the big picture or expanded perspective. The Vedic astrology coach pulls back (or asks the client to pull back) from the immediate issue and reflects back to the client what he sees through the clarity of that expanded vision.

Model, ACVA - a coaching process incorporating Vedic astrology chart analysis coupled with life coaching techniques.

Motivation - Internal and external forces and influences drive an individual to persist in achieving goals, often in the face of obstacles and setbacks. Motivation can be either a positive or negative influence that compels a person to either take action or avoid it.

NNegative Feedback is important but should be delivered judiciously. This is where powerful questions posed to the client can help diffuse negative responses and lead to finding a satisfactory way forward with the client.

OOpen-Ended Questions - ask the client for a statement which encourages conversation by asking the client more than a yes or no closed ended question.

PParameters are dimensions of the coaching agreement related to factors such as the authority level (directed/non-directed) in the coaching relationship, Vedic astrology coach and client expectations, time-lines for the session or sessions, etc.

Perspectives are other points of view the Vedic astrology coach brings to the session which can help the client break out of overwhelming situations through re-examining their viewpoints from different angles.

Planning is a function whereby the Vedic astrology coach helps the client to articulate the direction they wish to take.

Praise a major component of the Vedic astrology coaching process is to acknowledge, encourage, cheerlead and praise the client in a genuine manner. Expressing approval, admiration or commendation to the client helps them bring out their best. Prejudices or Bias the Vedic astrology coach should attempt to remain neutral, impartial, non-judgmental and respectful towards the client during a coaching session. It is important for the Vedic astrology coach to try to enter the session without any preconceived opinion or feelings about the client, either favorable or unfavorable. Doing so will increase trust with the client and encourage them to participate more openly during the coaching session.

Probing the Vedic astrology coach, working with the client, asks powerful questions that explore the clients viewpoints, life principles, dreams, ambitions, and the clients objectives for creating and finding a way to a more satisfying life for themselves

Powerful questions evoke clarity, action, discovery, insight or commitment. They are open-ended questions that help clients understand the situation better and/or enable them to move forward to a course of action.

RReadiness A client will gain the most from a coaching session if they are ready to make the commitment and to do the work needed for transformation. The following are some of the criteria to check for a clients readiness to change. The client would say, I am ready to....

- anticipate a bright and powerful future

- be genuine, open, and honest about what I need to change in my life

- do what is necessary to make relevant and positive changes in my life

- move away from beliefs and actions that limit me

- create specific, time-phased plans and take action now to achieve my goals.

- have more fun, enjoy and relax more in my life.

- learn to stop, rest and take care of myself more

- see if I can accomplish more by doing less

- work with a Vedic astrology coach who will help me form an action plan to stay focused on my goals and progress.

Reframing is the Vedic astrology coachs ability to provide the client with another perspective by taking the original information and interpreting it in a different way.

Requesting is a very important skill the Vedic astrology coach uses to forward the clients action based on the clients agenda. The request includes a specified action, conditions of satisfaction and a time frame.

SSaboteur embodies a group of thought processes and feelings that maintains the status quo in life. It appears to protect but actually prevents one from moving forward and getting what one truly wants in life. The Saboteur loses its power when it can be identified for what it is, notice the options in the situation and then consciously choose the action needed to move forward.

Self is defined in many ways in spiritual and psychological terms. The Self (Big S) is a persons character, nature, personal identity , point of view, or the way they view themselves in their minds and hearts. The Self is the part of person that knows, that is the knower, as distinct from what is known or the act of knowing. The self has a lot to do with ones confidence and awareness and the Vedic astrology coach strives to work with the client to build up their self-confidence to empower them to take action for a better future.

Self-management means that the Vedic astrology coach sets aside all opinions, preferences, judgments and beliefs in order to support or hold the clients agenda. According to Co-active Coaching this includes handling the Saboteur by aiding clients in identifying the Saboteur and providing tools for managing it.

Situational - while Vedic astrology coaching attempts to be non-directed, sometimes, especially in the beginning, clients will contact the astrologer to get direction and perspective about a particular situation or circumstance in their lives. A situation is a combination of circumstances at a given moment in the life of a client. It is their current state of affairs

Strategy the Vedic astrology coach helps the client develop a plan, method, or series of maneuvers or action steps for obtaining a specific goal or result over a designated period of time.

Stretching all outcomes are based on behavior or action. In order to get the highest level of improved performance, the Vedic astrology coach will encourage the client to set what seems like impossible goals and challenging actions. By doing so, the client is compelled to reach out further or stretch to perform at a higher level of life.

Stopping many people know how to go, but many people do not know how to stop. Learning how to stand back, take a break, and stop or rest is an important part of the ability to take dynamic action. If a person does not stop at the appropriate time and take a break, much stress will result.

Structures are means that remind the client of their vision, goals or purpose, or the actions they need to take based on the timeframe indicated in the Vedic astrology chart.

T

Taking charge is when the Vedic astrology coach directs the client back to their goal when the client is sidetracking.

Therapy is the treatment of a disease or disorder, using some remedial, rehabilitating, or curative process. This approach is part of psychotherapy or counseling, but is not part of the Vedic astrology coaching process.

Tolerating one of the main reasons people do not make good progress in life is from tolerating things that are not good for them. A good Vedic astrology coach will ask the question, What are you tolerating? especially when a client indicates that they feel stuck in life

Transformation a person will often meet with a Vedic astrology coach to seek guidance in creating a new life for themselves. The Vedic astrology coach works with the client to create change in the clients nature, character, and behavior. The goal is to transform or improve performance and increase satisfaction in all levels of life.

Trust is the reliance and confidence in the integrity, strength, ability, and reliability of a person, process, or thing. When the client and Vedic astrology coach have a trusting relationship then powerful changes can occur for the client.

U

Unfreeze is a term used by some coaches to describe the state when a client is released from blocks, setbacks and delays and begins to perform their actions with confidence and good effect.V

Values are the principles that the client holds to be of worth in their life. The Vedic chart and Dharma Chakra Wheel assists the Vedic astrology coach in seeing these values.

Vedic Astrology Coach analyzes a Vedic chart of a client and presents or works with that client using co-active coaching principles enabling the client to set a positive course of action regarding the issue or difficulty they are having.

Vision is the mental image that personally defines and inspires the client to take action. It provides clients with direction and meaning in life when it is aligned with their life purpose as observed in their Vedic chart.

WWitnessing is when the Vedic astrology coach creates the space for the client to fully express themselves. When he witnesses the clients learning and growth, the client feels seen and heard at a deep level.

Worry or fear and doubt. Worry is a condition or feeling of uneasiness or anxiety that usually anticipates that things will not work out well. The condition of fear and worry is a major topic in many peoples coaching sessions. A worried person is often tormented with thoughts of failure. A good Vedic astrology coach works with the client to help them begin to anticipate positive outcomes and have a more positive frame of mind.